Gone are the rose-tinted days of challenger-brand sports betting operators inking partnerships with major league franchises, as the war of attrition for US market share continues to take its toll on tie-ups. ?
The most recent casualties of declining interest in their wares comes from Ohio, where Betfred and SuperBook’s decision to axe their sports betting operations has left the Cincinnati Bengals and F.C. Cincinnati without sportsbook partners.
Betfred was the Bengals’ official online sports betting service partner, while SuperBook was the online and retail operator for F.C. Cincinnati. SuperBook shuttered its Ohio operations on July 19, while Betfred will pull the plug on Ohio online sports betting on August 14.
According to an industry media source, neither the Bengals nor F.C. Cincinnati responded to a request for comment on any future plans to fill their gambling partnership voids despite both franchises licensed to offer sports betting through 2028.
left the sports franchises’ sports betting operations “in jeopardy”
While the exit of Betfred and SuperBook has left the sports franchises’ sports betting operations “in jeopardy,” they’re not the only Ohio major league franchises to be left at the altar. Neither Ohio sports betting license holders the Cleveland Cavaliers nor Columbus Crew offer online sports betting in the state after respective operating partners Fubo and Tipico left them in the lurch. ??
While the Cavaliers has since filled their retail sports betting void with the in-arena Caesars Sportsbook, the Crew remains without an online or brick-and-mortar partner since Tipico’s Ohio exit in late June.
It was a slightly different scenario for the Cincinnati Reds when they lost their online sports betting partner BetMGM. The iGaming brand co-owned by MGM Resorts International and Entain jettisoned its online tie-up with the Reds when BetMGM transferred its operations to MGM Northfield Park. BetMGM, however, remains the MLB franchise’s retail sports betting partner.
While the Reds replaced BetMGM with Underdog Sports as their online partner, the pair haven’t launched anything yet.
Like the Reds, the Crew, and the Cavs, it remains to be seen if the demise of their sports betting partners gives the Bengals and F.C. Cincinnati pause in rushing off to secure new deals. ?
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