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Maryland sports betting just became a little more interesting. The first sportsbook located inside an NFL stadium will officially open next week, as Fanatics Sportsbook will open its doors to bettors at the Washington Commanders’ FedExField on Friday, Jan. 20.
Reports first started to come out yesterday that Fanatics would open its sportsbook at the Washington Commanders stadium on Jan. 20. The company made it official when it announced that a grand opening ceremony, with a first bet, will take place.
First sportsbook inside NFL stadium
The Fanatics Sportsbook is not the first sportsbook to open in accordance with an NFL team, but will be the first to actually open inside a stadium. The Arizona Cardinals opened the BetMGM Sportsbook at State Farm Stadium at the start of the 2022 season, but the sportsbook is not officially located inside the stadium. The free-standing, 17,000-square foot sportsbook is located on the Great Lawn.
The Fanatics Sportsbook at FedExField is located alongside the Washington Commanders team store and can be accessed through its own entrance at Gate H, at Garrett Morgan Boulevard and FedEx Way.
The book will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. It will be open during Commanders home games, but due to the NFL’s Commercial Gambling Policy it will not take any bets during home games.
Fanatics Maryland journey
The Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) unanimously approved the Commanders license and the partnership with Fanatics in November.
Rumors of the sports betting partnership were first reported in June by the Washington Business Journal. According to their report, work forms pulled in Prince George’s County over the summer mention a “Fanatics Sportsbook at FedEx Field” and the phrase appeared on “multiple contractor lists.”
The Fanatics Sportsbook is not currently live in any state, though it has gained several licenses to operate sports betting throughout the country.
The Commanders were awarded an online sports betting license by SWARC in 2022 and Fanatics was approved as an online sports betting operator for the NFL franchise as well.
There is no timeline as to when Fanatics could being taking online sports bets in Maryland. However, Fanatics Betting and Gaming CEO Matt King recently said during the operator’s Massachusetts license hearing that it’s the goal is to launch online sports betting in all states it holds a license in by Q1 2023
Robert is an expert on sports betting in the United States, specifically the legalization process and regulation surrounding the industry.
