Fanatics bolsters Maryland sportsbook debut with IBIA membership

Fanatics Betting and Gaming has joined International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) just a week after opening its retail sportsbook venue inside FedExField, home of the Washington Commanders.

After this launch, the first retail sportsbook launch inside an NFL stadium, Fanatics plans to roll out its sports betting platform via retail, with mobile expected to come later this year.

Fanatics joins over 45 companies and 125 sports betting brands in IBIA.

Andrew Wright, SVP of trading at Fanatics Betting and Gaming, said: “Partnering with the International Betting Integrity Association is an important step in providing our customers with a secure trading environment as we begin to roll out our sports betting platform in 2023.

“IBIA is an important international institution that monitors the global betting markets of their regulated members providing much-needed analysis and monitoring of potential betting irregularities,” Wright added.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “IBIA is delighted to welcome a major globally recognized brand into our association. Fanatics Betting and Gaming’s decision to join IBIA is a major boost for the association in North America and follows an increasing number of US-based businesses becoming members of IBIA.

“The company will be integrated into IBIA’s global betting integrity network, which consists of many of the world’s largest regulated sports betting operators. Fanatics Sportsbook’s decision to join IBIA demonstrates its desire to utilise the best integrity protection available globally for its sports betting product.”

The launch in Maryland came amid reports that the sports apparel brand is in talks with BetParx sportsbook over a potential acquisition.

CNBC reported on Friday that Fanatics had signed a letter of intent to Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment, the owners of PARX Casino, which operates the BetParx sportsbook; however, this report has yet to be confirmed by either party.