Visitors to the Pro Football Hall of Fame will soon have the option of wagering on the sport’s current stars.
Rush Street Interactive Thursday announced that it has signed a 10-year agreement to operate a sports betting location at the Hall of Fame Village powered by Johnson Controls. The Village is an ongoing retail and entertainment construction project often referred to as “the Disneyland of football.”
“With the legalization of sports betting in Ohio, we see a variety of opportunities and benefits across our Company’s multiple business lines,” said Hall of Fame Village President and CEO Michael Crawford in a statement. “We considered many different retail sportsbook operators, but selected RSI because of its outstanding reputation, impressive sportsbook results in other markets, and the quality and experience of its team. We are thrilled to work with RSI to bring a retail sportsbook to the Hall of Fame Village’s Fan Engagement Zone and provide guests and fans a new and enhanced way to interact with their favorite sports, all conveniently from our campus.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Wednesday signed a bill that legalizes sports betting in the Buckeye State. Ohio bettors are expected to be able to wager on sporting events no later than Jan. 1, 2023.
“We want to get this up and running as soon as possible, but we’re building a whole new industry,” said Sen. Kirk Schuring to the Cincinnati Enquirer. “We’re hoping it can be done sooner (than 2023.)”
The Rush Street sportsbook will be part of a complex that includes Don Shula’s, a steakhouse restaurant, Esports Entertainment Group, and Topgolf Swing Suites at the Fan Engagement Zone. The RSI – HOFV agreement also features a sponsorship component.
“HOFV shares RSI’s drive to create fun, memorable experiences for customers as well as our passion for building a one-of-a-kind destination that will delight the millions of guests that will visit the Hall of Fame Village campus each year,” said RSI CEO Richard Schwartz in a statement. “We look forward to offering a best-in-class sportsbook commensurate with the prestige of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Hall of Fame Village that sports fans across the country and world can enjoy.”
The deal is subject to the procurement of necessary licenses.
