The Cleveland Cavaliers most likely will get a late start to the online Ohio sports betting market after its partner shut down its sportsbook this week.
FuboTV decided to shut down its sports betting business immediately Monday following a strategic review. Even with potentially bringing in partners, the company could not justify the cost and lack of return to shareholders.
That leaves the Cavaliers, who announced a deal with Fubo in February, looking for a new mobile Ohio sports betting partner. The Cavs’ retail plans are unchanged, as they partnered with Caesars Sportsbook.
The Cavaliers told LSR the team is reviewing its mobile partnership with Fubo and will “proceed accordingly after gathering more information.”
Regulators busy with Ohio sports betting applications
Preparing for a Jan. 1 sports betting launch is a seven-day-a-week job, Ohio Casino Control Commission Chair June Taylor told LSR last month.
Add in the applicants calling and bothering staff like “petulant children” and it seems clear the commission has too much on its plate to fast-track a new mobile partner approval for the Cavaliers.
A commission spokesperson confirmed it is “highly unlikely” the Cavs could launch mobile on day one:
“The CAVS will be able to select a new MMSP, but it is highly unlikely they would be able to start on January 1 due to the lengthy licensing and compliance requirements and the Commission’s current cadence of processing applications.”
More OH operators, suppliers approved
FanDuel and PENN Entertainment‘s Barstool Sportsbook both received conditional approval at Wednesday’s commission meeting.
FanDuel will offer mobile betting through Boyd‘s Belterra Park as well as running its retail sportsbook. PENN will launch the Barstool Sportsbook app and open retail sportsbooks at its four casinos.
Five betting suppliers also received conditional approval:
- Aristotle International
- IGT
- IMG Arena
- SimpleBet
- Skybox Sports Network
More approvals for sports betting at lottery locations
Another 29 Type C hosts were licensed at Wednesday’s meeting. That brings the total approved close to 900.
The first four Type C proprietors, meaning the companies actually providing the kiosks and the odds, were also approved:
- Green Bear Gaming Development, dba UBet Ohio
- Intralot
- Iron Gate Gaming, dba betIGG
- Skybox Sports Network
