Last Updated on January 14, 2022
Fanatics Sportsbook App Timeline
Former FanDuel CEO Matt King Joins Fanatics
Fanatics hires outgoing FanDuel CEO Matt King to explore new business opportunities. King, who took over as FanDuel CEO in November 2017, remained with the sports betting and daily fantasy giant for four years prior to the Summer of 2021 move to Fanatics.
King is specifically keen on the message that Fanatics Sportsbook will create the best environment for a wide-ranging number of fans.
Around the same time King hopped aboard, Los Angeles Dodgers president of business enterprise Tucker Kain also joined the Fanatics team.
New York Native Jay-Z Named Fanatics Vice Chair
Over the course of Spring and Summer 2021, Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin generated a lot of enthusiasm surrounding the possibility of a Fanatics Sportsbook. He captured capital investment and hired news-worthy names.
One name stands above the rest, as it relates to generating buzz.
One of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time, Jay-Z, was named Fanatics Vice Chair in a not-so-silent or subtle fashion. With the Brooklyn native on board, coupled with $300 million-plus raised, Rubin believes a winning formula is already in tow.
“We think we have a structural advantage to building any digital sports business, and online sports betting is no different,” Rubin said per the WSJ.
On Aug. 16, 2021, TMZ reported that Michael Rubin and Jay-Z (Fanatics Sportsbook) applied for a New York sports betting license.
“TMZ has learned Jay’s name is on one of the applications submitted to the NY Gaming Commission requesting approval for an online sports betting license. Sources with direct knowledge tell us he’s partnering with his buddy, Sixers partner Michael Rubin, to form Fanatics Sportsbook, and they’ve teamed with Kambi … a company that makes software used for online sports gambling.”
Fanatics’ Looking To Purchase Sportsbook Tech
Fanatics is interested in acquiring a sportsbook operation, per a report. Meetings with both Rush Street Interactive (BetRivers) and Betsson were reported as “productive,” and that Fanatics could purchase one of the two “soon.” PointsBet has also been mentioned as an acquisition target.
Fanatics has big focus on the NY online sports betting market. Projected to go live in early 2022, before Super Bowl 56, New York’s inclusion into the legalized online sports gambling market will be a massive game-changer for the industry.
Fanatics Not Chosen For First Set of NY Sports Betting Licenses
As of Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, The New York Gaming Commission made it official when members unanimously approved FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Bally Bet, Kambi, Caesars, Wynn Interactive, and PointsBet as online sports betting providers.
The final tax rate will be 51% and the licenses will be for 10 years.
The decision means the Jay-Z, Fanatics, and Barstool group finished fourth behind Bet365 and will not be live in NY any time soon.
The 2020s have been a crazy one for Fanatics as a company, as they have made massive moves into sports apparel, sports trading cards, and more. Next on their radar seems to be legal sports betting and online casinos, as they have hired former gaming CEOs and filed for sportsbook and casino trademarks. It is a matter of when, not if for Fanatics Sportsbook…which will certainly make some noise given the reach of Fanatics as a company.
Let’s take a look at the latest on Fanatics Sportsbook, when it is set to become reality, where you can bet, and much more. In addition, we take a look at possible targets for acquisition for Fanatics as they are set to enter the legal sports betting space.
When Can I Bet at Fanatics Sportsbook?
Since Fanatics trademarked “Fanatics Sportsbook” and “Fanatics Casino”, it is not a matter of if anymore, but when. When is a tough question, but given the rapid growth in the legal sports betting space it is safe to say there could be some major moves in 2022 for Fanatics as a company. Given how fast Barstool Sportsbook was branded for Penn National Gaming, expect a similar path for the Fanatics brand. Many steps have to be taken of course, as Fanatics has yet to create an infrastructure, licensing or anything.
The good news about Fanatics is the fact that they are backed by a lot of money, and seem to be looking to “buy” their way into the legal sports betting space. Expect there to be some sort of merger or acquisition that would result in Fanatics Sportsbook as a branded legal sports betting app in 2022.
Which States Will Have The Fanatics Sportsbook App?
Once Fanatics Sportsbook is live, expect the brand to be available in all states that offer legal sports betting. You will be able to bet at Fanatics Sportsbook on your desktop, mobile browser, and of course a legal sports betting app that will be cutting edge, given Fanatics’ brand as an aesthetics company in sports.
Let’s be clear, Fanatics will 100% compete and steal market share from DraftKings Sportsbook and Caesars sportsbook. Do not make the mistake of thinking that Michael Rubin is just “trying something out”. He wants to own each industry that Fanatics enter.
These are the states that Fanatics Sportsbook app is expected to be legal in.
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Is There a Fanatics Sportsbook App Now?
Currently, NO, but without a doubt, there will be a Fanatics Sportsbook app. As soon as Fanatics enters the space whether by purchasing another company or entering from scratch, there will be a Fanatics Sportsbook app. Given that Fanatics has trademarked “Fanatics Sportsbook” and “Fanatics Casino”, we can expect to see both applications in mobile stores.
Here is how you would download the apps, once available.
Fanatics iOS App
- Search for Fanatics Sportsbook in the App Store.
- Download directly to your device.
Fanatics Android App
- Visit a Fanatics Sportsbook website.
- Allow third-party downloads for your device.
- Download the app via APK files.
How will Fanatics Offer Sports Betting?
There is growing momentum that Fanatics will begin to offer sports betting after acquiring a gaming company. Given that Fanatics has hired a former FanDuel CEO Matt King to run the impending sportsbook and gaming operations, an acquisition is expected. Rumors hold that Fanatics could be going after some leading names in the space.
Pieces coming together publicly about the @Fanatics sports gambling ambitions. Michael Rubin's company is hiring someone to run retail sportsbook operations. https://t.co/SDdW8Nuwxq
— Eben Novy-Williams (@novy_williams) September 20, 2021
Nevertheless, once Fanatics has the infrastructure and proper licensing, you will be able to wager on any Fanatics Sportsbook platform. Expect to see it sooner rather than later, as it seems to be a matter of when, not if, for Fanatics Sportsbook.
Fanatics Looking to Purchase Sports Betting Company
Rush Street Interactive, Betsson, and PointsBet are three names that have come up for possible acquisitions for Fanatics. Rush Street Interactive is the parent company for BetRivers, which is available in many states. BetRivers would be a great addition for Fanatics, as they could rebrand but with infrastructure in place. Betsson is a lesser-known company that operates in Colorado only, but is an overseas company first. PointsBet of course is making huge news in recent months, but would be a bit of a longshot to be acquired given its position in the space.
To no one’s surprise, @Fanatics has filed to trademark Fanatics Casino and Fanatics Sportsbook, as the betting world awaits for the Amazon of sports to make their next move in the betting space. @JoshGerben 1st with filing.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 19, 2021
