CLEVELAND — As Ohio moves toward legalizing sports betting, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Caesars Sportsbook jointly announced a partnership to bring a sportsbook to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
As part of the partnership, the Cavs proclaimed Caesars Sportsbook the club’s “Official Sports Betting Partner” and Caesars Entertainment the "Official Casino Partner.”
Pending regulatory approval, Caesars will operate a sportsbook on the street level inside the Northwest Atrium of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The organizations said that construction of the sportsbook facility will begin soon with it expected to open by the end of 2022. The sportsbook will have windows for cash wagering. The Cavs and Caesars says the area will include a full-service bar and VIP lounge, an extensive menu and wall-to-wall TV's.
Although Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is supported by public funds, the costs of these improvements will be paid for entirely by the Cavaliers and Caesars.
The Cavs and Caesars said the sportsbook will be open during events for those with or without tickets and non-event days.
Caesars said it opened the first ever sportsbook at a professional sports venue in May of 2021 at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.Capital One Arena is home to the NHL’s Capitals and the NBA’s Wizards.
"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. "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."
After the Ohio General Assembly voted in a bipartisan manner to approve sportsbooks, Gov. Mike DeWine signed the bill into law in December 2021.
Ohio law will permit sports gaming online, at sports gaming facilities and through terminals located in bars and restaurants.
The new law allows betting on any professional or collegiate sport, any Olympic or international sports competition event, motor race, horse race or other special event the Ohio Casino Control Commission authorizes.
The state will also prohibit those involved in the sporting event from placing a wager.
A 2017 Oxford study estimated that full sports betting in Ohio could create an industry with thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of economic activity, depending on the type of sports gaming permitted.
Although the legislation enjoyed broad support, some have expressed concern that the proliferation of sports betting will increase instances of gambling addiction in the state.