Fubo gets Ohio sports betting market access with NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers

fuboTV subsidiary Fubo Gaming has partnered with NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers for an Ohio market access agreement, the company announced on Tuesday. As a result of the deal, Fubo Sportsbook is set to become an Official Mobile Sports Betting Partner of the team when the wagering product launches in the state, pending requisite regulatory approvals.

The deal is set to further advance an existing long-term marketing partnership between Fubo Gaming and the Cavaliers, signed in October 2021, which seeks to help bolster Fubo’s sportsbook brand presence across the state and within the team’s fanbase. 

The announcement also comes on the heels of the legalization of sports gambling in the Buckeye State. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed sports betting into law in December, with the market expected to open no later than February 2023. 

🚨BIG NEWS🚨

We now have market access in Ohio!🎉

Once we launch in The Buckeye State, we will become the Official Mobile Sports Betting Partner of the @cavs!https://t.co/MlJh1mOhUK pic.twitter.com/DXYfRVxJzg

— Fubo Sportsbook (@FuboSportsbook) February 8, 2022

Pending regulatory approvals, Fubo Sportsbook will launch its platform in the state, offering Cavs fans “even more personalized and immersive game-day experiences,” according to a press release. Fubo Gaming launched its sportsbook in the fourth quarter 2021, and is already live in two states: Iowa and Arizona.

The partnership with the NBA team will see the opening of a 3,000 sq. ft. sports lounge inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, set to serve as a game-day destination for fans with incentives and special bonus offers provided by the sportsbook. Additionally, fans will be able to watch NBA games and other sporting events in the lounge.

"This is an exciting evolution of our continued partnership with Fubo Gaming," said Len Komoroski, CEO, Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. "The Fubo Sportsbook mobile wagering platform provides leading technology, connectivity and entertainment that aligns perfectly with our commitment to innovation and engagement across every aspect of the fan experience.”

Leading up to the sportsbook’s official launch in the Buckeye State, the Cavaliers and Fubo Gaming will continue to promote their partnership through an integrated marketing campaign highlighted by co-branded broadcast-visible signage, a presence on team television and radio game programming, as well as other marketing assets, explains a press release.

"The opportunity to enter the Ohio sports betting market with the Cavaliers as our partner is a major step forward for Fubo," said Scott Butera, president, Fubo Gaming. "Ohio has a passionate fan base who will enjoy Fubo's uniquely integrated streaming and wagering sports betting experience. The Cavs are at the forefront of sports innovation and consistently create highly engaging fan experiences. This partnership provides Fubo instant access to a highly attractive customer base."

Scott Butera, president, Fubo Gaming

Fubo Gaming describes its sportsbook product as “purpose-built” to meet US sports fans’ growing demand for interactivity through an industry-first integration of an owned-and-operated sports wagering platform with a live TV streaming experience. It is designed to offer a “holistic” betting experience that integrates what users are watching on fuboTV, combining data from both the betting and streaming platforms.

By leveraging this user behavior data, the company aims at better understanding consumers’ viewing preferences, thus recommending relevant bets. Fubo Sportsbook intends to turn “passive viewers into active, engaged participants,” says the company.

The fuboTV gaming subsidiary expects to announce the launch of its wagering product in additional markets “in the coming months.” This marks Fubo Gaming’s seventh market access agreement, in addition to Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas.