Bally’s Interactive, a division of Bally’s Corporation, has entered into a long-term partnership with American football team the Cleveland Browns.
The partnership, which will see Bally’s named as an official sports betting partner of the team, comes before the official launch of sports betting in Ohio.
The Buckeye State is set to offer online and mobile sports betting before January 1, 2023, after Governor Mike deWine set this as the deadline to launch an official sports betting market.
“In addition to their incredible resources and expertise, Bally’s Interactive has the fan-first mindset that is consistent with our focus and pivotal to creating successful, fully integrated sports betting experiences, and we look forward to supporting Bally’s efforts to provide these innovative opportunities to Browns fans and all sports fans in Ohio in the near future,” said Dave Jenkins, Haslam Sports Group executive vice president and chief operating officer at the Cleveland Browns.
“As we continue to work closely with sports betting regulators in our state to ensure a responsible and timely launch, we are excited and confident that our partnership with Bally’s will ultimately offer industry-leading benefits to fans throughout Cleveland and Ohio.”
Pending these regulatory approvals, the deal between Bally’s and the Cleveland Browns will be marked by a branded lounge at Ohio’s FirstEnergy stadium, the launch of the Bally Bet Sportsbook mobile app in the state, and a number of free-to-play opportunities for fans.
“We are excited to partner with such a historic pro football franchise to secure sports betting market access in Ohio, and bring to its fanbase more ways to engage through our online gaming platforms,” said Adi Dhandhania, chief operating officer of North America for Bally’s Interactive. “The Browns’ stadium and gameday atmosphere provide a great opportunity for us to showcase our Bally Bet Sportsbook app and Bally Play products in Ohio.”
