Caesars Entertainment and the Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to a multi-year partnership to make Caesars Sportsbook an “Official Sports Betting Partner” and Caesars Entertainment the “Official Casino Partner” of the NBA team.
The deal, which comes months before the launch of sports betting in Ohio, includes opening a retail sportsbook on the street level inside the north atrium area at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, pending regulatory approvals. The Cavaliers previously announced a mobile sports betting partnership with Fubo Gaming.
Sports betting was legalized in Ohio when Gov. Mike DeWine signed HB 29 into law on Dec. 22. However, sports betting is not operational at this point. The law states that sports betting should start by Jan. 1, 2023.
“We’re ready to welcome Ohio sports fans into the Caesars Sportsbook Empire, while also making history with our second sportsbook at an NBA arena,” said Chris Holdren, co-president of Caesars Digital. “Building upon our already established roots with Scioto Downs in Columbus, we’re excited to announce our partnership with the Cavaliers at an exciting time in their franchise’s history.
“As we prepare to launch sports betting in Ohio later this year, this wide-ranging partnership enables us to connect with the Cavs’ passionate and highly engaged fanbase. Caesars Sportsbook at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will be a first-class venue providing an exciting atmosphere for sports betting and more.”
The Cavaliers recently played host to the NBA’s All-Star weekend at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
.@CaesarsSports and the Cleveland Cavaliers announce a partnership that includes, pending regulatory approval, plans to build a retail sportsbook on the street level inside the north atrium area of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) February 24, 2022
Sportsbook construction starting soon
Caesars Sportsbook at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will offer betting windows for cash wagering and also include custom VIP and hospitality opportunities for Caesars Rewards members. The 10,355-square-foot venue will feature a full-service bar and VIP lounge, wall-to-wall televisions, and a variety of food options.
The sportsbook will be open year-round and will allow fans with or without tickets to place wagers. Construction is expected to get underway soon, with the venue projected to be open for business by the end of the year, subject to regulatory and other necessary approvals.
The partnership allows for Caesars Sportsbook to have access to Cavaliers logos and marks, as well as broadcast and digital content across Cavaliers properties, including TV-visible in-game signage.
Caesars opened the first-ever sportsbook at a professional sports venue in May 2021 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
