Disclaimer: Fanatics Sportsbook is not yet live in the United States. It is expected to come online soon in numerous states, including a May 2023 launch in Massachusetts. This preview is speculative and will be updated once Fanatics launches in the US.
Sportswear and merchandise company Fanatics will soon launch online sportsbooks in the U.S. Massachusetts appears likely to be the first state to see a Fanatics sportsbook launch, with an expected go-live date of sometime in May.
Ohio and Pennsylvania are possible as the next landing spots after that. But Fanatics has stated its intention to be live in 15-20 states by fall 2023, so we would expect numerous launches to follow quickly after Massachusetts.
Let’s take a deeper look into what Fanatics sports betting could bring to the table for sports bettors wherever it does launch.
Top legal sportsbooks
Fanatics Sportsbook promo code
Check back here when the sportsbook is live for a Fanatics sportsbook promo code, which may be required to unlock the maximum welcome bonus.
Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Code | TBD |
Fanatics Welcome Offer | TBD, possible second-chance bet or deposit bonus |
Fanatics Launch Date | May 2023 in Massachusetts |
Other future states | Ohio and Pennsylvania, with numerous more expected to follow |
Last updated | March 2023 |
Fanatics Sportsbook welcome offer
There are numerous approaches Fanatics could take to its new player bonus offer, but we’d be very surprised if it didn’t offer something to entice customers to its new product.
Often, sportsbook promotions take the form of second-chance bet. Here’s how this type of offer works:
- Sign up for your new account using the Fanatics promo code
- Deposit and place your first wager
- ,If that first bet loses, you receive an equivalent refund (normally up to a set maximum amount) in the form of a bonus bet
- The bonus bet can not be withdrawn as cash but can be used to place your next bet on the site
Other potential welcome offers could include a deposit bonus of some kind, or other bonus bets tied to your first deposit or first bet on the site.
Fanatics may also offer a tie-in to its apparel bonus, either via the welcome offer or through ongoing promotions or rewards programs.
Other Fanatics Sportsbook promotions
Here are some common recurring promotions at other sportsbooks which Fanatics may emulate:
- Parlay profit boosts: Increase your potential payout on successful parlays.
- Early cash-out options: The option to cash out bets early to either lock in a smaller amount of profit on a bet that appears to be going well or to cut your losses if a bet appears to be going poorly.
- Odds boosts: Get better odds for certain wagers, providing your bet still wins.
- Bracket tournaments: Popular with events such as March Madness, you can enter a bracket tourney for free, with some offering large potential payouts.
- Bonus cash: Get bonus money for placing wagers on a specific game or event.
- Referral bonuses: Have a friend sign up and both of you can receive a bonus.
Fanatics Rewards program
Will Fanatics offer a rewards program for a potential sportsbook? Some sportsbooks, even popular ones, do not offer loyalty programs, so it is certainly no guarantee that Fanatics will.
If it does, chances are that it will follow the structure that other companies have established. Wager frequently, and you will level up within a tiered loyalty system. You might also get the option to redeem points for various perks. An obvious choice for Fanatics might be to tie its rewards programs in with its apparel and merchandise operations, but we’ll have to wait and see if the materializes.
Is Fanatics Sportsbook legal?
Fanatics would not be operate without proper licensing and regulatory approval from the state governing bodies wherever it is operating. It has been approved for a license by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) and in the process told the MGC that it already had five licenses pending elsewhere.
To bet on Fanatics, you must be 21 years of age and physically located within the border of the relevant state.
Fanatics Sportsbook legal states
Fanatics has stated that it hopes to be in 15-20 states by the end of 2023, so expect this list to grow rapidly and include a majority of the states that currently have regulated online sportsbooks.
Massachusetts is likely going to be first, with a May 2023 launch. Ohio is another probable short-term market, given Fanatics partnerships with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Cleveland Guardians.
There has also been confirmation of a Pennsylvania license building.
Top features of Fanatics sports betting
Since the sportsbook is not yet live, we cannot detail the exact top features that Fanatics might offer. We can, however, talk about what features would be useful to see:
- Solid, functional software: This is key. Nothing drives players away faster than slow, buggy software. Fanatics would be well-served to make sure its user interface is smooth and accessible.
- Lots of promotions: Frequent high-value promotions are a common feature of top-ranked sportsbooks.
- Diverse banking options: A diverse slate of banking options, including PayPal, makes it easier on online bettors.
How to sign up for an account at Fanatics Sportsbook
Register for a new player account by visiting the Fanatics Sportsbook website or by downloading the Fanatics sportsbook app. You will need to provide the standard personal identifying information like your name, address, and Social Security number for Fanatics to verify that you are of legal gambling age.
You will also be selecting a username and password to protect your account. The process will be quick, and you should be able to start placing your first wager within minutes of visiting the Fanatics website.
How to bet at Fanatics betting app
Fanatics sports betting will break its wagers down by sport. This means that if you strictly bet on NFL parlays or NBA moneylines, you’ll be able to find and place your bets quickly.
There will be a centralized betting slip within the software so you can track the bets that you are considering before putting your money down. Look over your slip carefully before clicking that “place bet” button.
As far as what types of bets you are likely to see on Fanatics, you will almost certainly have access to the full array of betting options. Here are just a few of the types of bets you would likely encounter:
- Moneyline bets: A standard sports bet. Which team will win?
- Spread bets: Bets that incorporate the margin of victory.
- Parlays: Bet on multiple outcomes to multiply your potential winnings, with lower odds of winning.
- Over/under bets: Wager whether the score will be more or less than a given total.
- Prop bets: Wager on smaller aspects within a game, such as individual player performances.
- Futures bets: Long-term bets that do not pay out until the end of the season or postseason.
- Live bets: Bet after the game has started, with odds and lines that update frequently.
What sports can you bet on at Fanatics?
Since the platform is not yet live, we can’t say for sure about all the sports. Because Fanatics has such a long history within the sports community, however, any sportsbook it launches will likely have a large menu. This will obviously feature the big pro sports leagues (NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL).
What remains to be seen, however, is if the book will have other sports like cycling, darts, rugby, and NASCAR. Chances are good that Fanatics will have a variety of more niche sports to bet on, but we’ll have to wait to see.
Fanatics Sportsbook banking options
As we mentioned, a diverse selection of banking methods would be key. This applies to both deposits and withdrawals. In-person transactions could get tricky, depending on whether Fanatics ends up with brick-and-mortar partner casinos to process financial transactions. Here are the top options at other legal online sportsbooks:
- Visa/Mastercard
- ACH bank transfer
- PayPal
- Play+
- PayNearMe
- Check by mail
- Cash at the cage of a partner casino
You should also plan on a standard waiting period for withdrawals to process in order for Fanatics to verify and confirm the transaction.
How to get help at Fanatics online sportsbook
Since it is already a successful merchandise company, we would expect Fanatics to draw on some of its already-established customer support systems.
First and foremost, it would need to develop a strong FAQ/help section for bettors to get assistance before even contacting an agent. Second, a live chat option would be ideal for customers looking to resolve an issue quickly.
As final resorts, email and phone are common options for customer support issues at online sportsbooks.
Fanatics Sportsbook FAQ
In which states is Fanatics Sportsbook available?
Fanatics sportsbook is not yet available in any states, but is expected to launch in numerous locations this year. Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are likely to be among the first, but we expect as many as 15-20 to launch in 2023.
How old do you have to be to wager at Fanatics?
You need to be 21 years old to bet at Fanatics.
Does Fanatics allow bettors to cash out early?
We can’t say for certain, but we expect Fanatics to offer an early cash out option.
Who owns Fanatics Sportsbook?
The parent company would be Fanatics Inc., based out of Jacksonville, Florida.
Is Fanatics Sportsbook safe?
Yes. Fanatics is a multibillion-dollar corporation with a lot to lose if there are any allegations of impropriety or unsafe transactions. Additionally, it will only operate in states where it has received licenses from the state authority and will conduct business under the regulatory oversight of the state.
The Fanatics story
Fanatics originally launched as Football Fanatics in 1995, a small retail storefront in Jacksonville that sold sports gear. Then, current CEO Michael Rubin acquired the company in 2011. It then became Fanatics Inc. and started to take the shape of the merchandising giant it currently is.
In 2022, Fanatics filed a trademark under the name “BETFANATICS,” which signaled its preparation to launch an online sportsbook. It now seems likely that it will launch the sportsbook ust under its original name, Fanatics.