Guardians, Fanatics announce opening of sportsbook just outside of Progressive Field
CLEVELAND — Guardians fans can now make in-person bets at the ballpark — well, just outside of it, to be exact.
Fanatics Betting and Gaming has opened a retail sportsbook location at Progressive Field in partnership with the Guardians.
Fitting in: 'I'm a Guardian and I'm very excited': How Ramon Laureano fits into Cleveland's outfield
The Fanatics Sportsbook is located outside the Right Field District Gate at the corner of Larry Doby Way and East 9th St. Major League Baseball's rules prohibit in-person betting counters or kiosks inside its ballparks, hence the location just outside of Progressive Field. Fans have been able to, and still can, bet on their phones while in their seats using betting apps.
The Cincinnati Reds were able to get around MLB's rules in a way, as fans can access a BetMGM Sportsbook from the plaza, but they must enter it from outside the stadium.
"We’re very excited to partner with Fanatics Betting and Gaming to bring a retail sportsbook location, their first in Major League Baseball, outside Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland," said Ted Baugh, Guardians vice president of corporate and premium partnerships, in a statement. "This will provide our fans a very convenient in-person option to place bets."The Fanatics Sportsbook at Progressive Field is nearly 600 square feet and features two being windows, four self-service betting kiosks and seven TVs. Fans wanting to place a bet in the sportsbook do not need to have a Guardians game ticket to enter.
Fight fallout: Jose Ramirez has reached out to Tim Anderson; Arias, Sarbaugh detail their experiences
The sportsbook will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. On Guardians game days, the Fanatics Sportsbook at Progressive Field will open two hours prior to first pitch and remain open until the conclusion of the game.
Paul Shuey, a former Cleveland pitcher and the organization's first round pick in 1992, placed the first official bet in the sportsbook, a $20 wager on the University of North Carolina football team to win their home opener against the University of South Carolina. Shuey is a UNC graduate.
"We designed this location to complement our online sports betting app and super in a brand new sports betting experience with the most rewarding online sportsbook in Ohio, allowing customers to earn 5 percent back in FanCash on every bet," said Ari Borod, Fanatics Betting and Gaming chief business officer, in a statement.
Progressive Field, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse now both have sportsbooks in Cleveland
Caesars Entertainment opened up a sportsbook inside of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, though that location is much larger at more than 10,000 square feet. Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff noted that the Cavs organization would be sure to remain up-to-date and educated on any league rules and procedures associated with sports gambling.
That wasn't just due to the sportsbook in the arena, but sports betting becoming legal in Ohio on Jan. 1 of this year.
"I do think it's something that as we move forward, we're gonna have to further educate ourselves on and just be careful because there's so many things that can lead to trouble, even that you may see as innocent," Bickerstaff said in January. "Like walking down the street and a guy asking you if so-and-so is playing today. In your mind, you don’t think about it in that moment, but that guy goes, turns it into a book or whatever and then it comes back and it’s somehow related to you."
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians open Fanatics Sportsbook at Progressive Field
