Dec 10, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) celebrates his touchdown run with wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
- SuperBook and Betfred recently announced their exits from the Ohio sports betting market
- SuperBook and Betfred both had online sports betting partnerships with Ohio sports teams
- Will F.C. Cincinnati and the Bengals look for new online sports betting service provider arrangements?
A recent Ohio sports betting shakeup has left two professional sports franchises high and dry.
Both Betfred and SuperBook recently announced the end of their sports betting operations in the Buckeye State due to dwindling enthusiasm for their products.
Their decision to end business in Ohio has left the Cincinnati Bengals and F.C. Cincinnati without sports betting operator partners, leaving the franchises’ sports betting operations in jeopardy moving forward.
Betfred, SuperBook Underachieved in Ohio
Neither Betfred or SuperBook gained much traction in the Buckeye State. Both launched on Jan. 1, 2023, day one of Ohio’s sports betting journey, and both struggled to gain significant market share in the state.
Betfred will cease online sports betting in the state on Aug. 14 and users will have until Aug. 31 to withdraw funds from their accounts. SuperBook ceased operations in the state on Friday, July 19, at 8 p.m.
Before their closures, Ohio featured 19 online sports betting operators. Betfred and SuperBook typically performed among the bottom-five operators since launching in 2023.
Over the last two months, Betfred has reported just a little over $20,000 in total taxable gaming revenue while SuperBook reported just $34,000. By comparison, FanDuel has reported nearly $67 million in taxable gaming revenue over the last two months and DraftKings has reported nearly $41 million.
In May, BetFred reported $476,379 in online sports betting handle, just 0.08% of the state’s $595,228,863 total. SuperBook’s $642,070 did not fare much better, accounting for just 0.1% of the state’s online sports betting handle in the month.
Neither have experienced much success, but did serve as sports betting partners for two major Ohio sports franchises.
Bengals, F.C. Cincinnati Left in the Lurch
Neither operator saw much of a bump in activity from their sports franchise partnerships. Betfred served as the Cincinnati Bengals official online sports betting service partner, while SuperBook served as the online and retail operator for F.C. Cincinnati.
Both teams’ sports betting licenses run through 2028.
Neither team responded to a request for comment regarding any future plans to engage in new sports betting partnership.
It may not be out of the question that the Bengals or F.C. Cincinnati do not immediately fill the sports betting partnership vacancies. Several other Ohio teams that have lost sports betting operating partnerships have opted to go this route.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Columbus Crew both hold Ohio sports betting licenses, but don’t offer online sports betting in the state after losing their operating partners.
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost their online sports betting operating partner, Fubo, before the state officially launched online sports betting in January 2023. Fubo ceased operations in late 2022. The Cavaliers never filled the online sports betting partnership vacancy, but do have a retail sports betting partnership with Caesars Sportsbook at their arena.
The Columbus Crew also recently lost their online and retail sports betting partner in Tipico, as the operator left the state in late June. The Crew has yet to make any announcements as to a potential partner to re-enter the Ohio online and retail market.
The Cincinnati Reds also lost their online sports betting partner in BetMGM, as it was transferred to MGM Northfield Park. The Reds replaced BetMGM with Underdog Sports as its online partner, but has yet to launch in Ohio.
BetMGM remains the team’s retail sports betting partner.
Rob covers all regulatory developments in online gambling. He specializes in US sports betting news along with casino regulation news as one of the most trusted sources in the country.
As sports betting continues to gain popularity across the United States, the Cincinnati Bengals and F.C. Cincinnati are exploring potential new partnerships in Ohio to capitalize on this growing industry. With the recent legalization of sports betting in the state, both teams are looking to secure partnerships with reputable sportsbooks to enhance the fan experience and increase revenue.
One potential partner for the Bengals and F.C. Cincinnati is DraftKings, one of the leading sports betting operators in the country. DraftKings offers a user-friendly platform that allows fans to place bets on a wide range of sports, including football and soccer. By partnering with DraftKings, both teams could offer exclusive promotions and bonuses to their fans, as well as access to live betting options during games.
Another potential partner for the Bengals and F.C. Cincinnati is FanDuel, another major player in the sports betting industry. FanDuel offers a variety of betting options, including traditional wagers, prop bets, and daily fantasy sports contests. By partnering with FanDuel, both teams could provide fans with a unique and interactive betting experience that enhances their overall enjoyment of the game.
In addition to DraftKings and FanDuel, the Bengals and F.C. Cincinnati could also consider partnering with local Ohio-based sportsbooks, such as BetRivers or Barstool Sportsbook. These partnerships would not only support local businesses but also help to strengthen the teams’ ties to the community.
Overall, exploring potential new sports betting partners is a smart move for the Bengals and F.C. Cincinnati as they look to capitalize on the growing popularity of sports betting in Ohio. By partnering with reputable sportsbooks, both teams can enhance the fan experience, increase revenue, and strengthen their presence in the state’s rapidly expanding sports betting market.
