If Fanatics Sportsbook wants to meet its goal of being active in as many as 20 US states by the beginning of the 2023-24 NFL season, time is of the essence. The Tennessee online gambling market could be the first for its sports betting app.
Regulators in Tennessee approved licensure for Fanatics earlier this week. Although Fanatics already has regulatory approval to go live in other states as well, it appears Tennesseans might be the first to try out the online sportsbook brand.
Fanatics Sportsbook gets approval for Tennessee online gambling
Tennessee might become ground zero for the online version of BetFanatics. According to Mike Mazzeo of Legal Sports Report, the state’s Sports Wagering Advisory Council approved Fanatics’ application for a sportsbook license during its Wednesday meeting.
In Tennessee, there are no legal physical sportsbooks, so Fanatics’ operations there will be completely online.
At this time, there is no further confirmed information about how soon BetFanatics will launch. That event could still be months into the future. Whenever that day does come, it could be a first for the company.
To date, Fanatics has not launched its online sportsbook anywhere. Its only presence is a physical sportsbook at FedEx Field in Maryland. Fanatics could quickly go from “zero to 60” when it’s ready, however. In fact, some people in Tennessee are assisting with that ramp-up.
Fanatics initiates beta app test in Tennessee
According to BetFanatics, the company has initiated a beta test of its sportsbook app among a small group of people in Tennessee. Participation in the test is by invitation only, not open to the public, and there is no way to request an invitation.
The beta app integrates Fanatics’ FanCash rewards system for bettors. Using that currency, customers can redeem their FanCash for myriad products that Fanatics distributes.
While the beta test in Tennessee should lead to a launch there soon, it could also assist BetFanatics in taking its product live elsewhere.
Tennessee could be the first market but not the only one for long
Tennessee could be like the first domino falling for Fanatics. Fanatics also has at least a provisional license for online gambling in:
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Ohio
Additionally, Fanatics has an outstanding application in Pennsylvania. While that leaves a lot of work to do before it can fulfill its goal of activity in 20 states by this fall, the process must begin somewhere. Right now, it appears that place will be Tennessee.
