Fanatics launched their new sportsbook app in Ohio and Tennessee back on May 1, 2023. A select number of folks in the Volunteer State got to beta test the Fanatics sportsbook app on March 3. A similar beta test was done in the Buckeye State on April 19.
Sports fans all over the world love ordering gear from Fanatics. However, does their new sportsbook app live up to the hype? I'll go over my initial thoughts on the new Fanatics Sportsbook app in this post.
Generous Signup Bonus with Fanatics Sportsbook
I'm lucky enough to live in Tennessee, so I was delighted to find out about Fanatics launching in my home state. Since I've ordered quite a bit of sports apparel from Fanatics in the past, I wasn't surprised to see an invite to participate in their beta testing. Needless to say, I was more than pleased with Fanatics' promo bonus.
After downloading the Fanatics app on my Android, I was asked to fill out a few lines of personal information. The entire process went smoothly and took less than a couple of minutes. Once Fanatics confirmed that I was in Tennessee, they loaded up my new account with $210 in bonus bets!
Here's the crazy thing: I didn't even have to make a deposit! I've been betting sports for 22 years, and this is the first time I've ever received a no-deposit required bonus. How cool is that? I'm assuming the deal is the same for folks in Ohio, but don't quote me on that.
How is the Fanatics Sportsbook Signup Bonus Split Up?
After logging into the app, I noticed that the $210 in bonus bets was split into 3 separate promos. One was for $150, one was for $50, and the last one was for $10. This made for an entertaining couple of nights of MLB wagering.
Thankfully, I won all 3 of my MLB bets to add $122 to my betting bankroll. The reason my overall amount won was much less than $210 was that I took the Rays, Braves, and Mariners. All 3 of those teams were heavy favorites, but hey, some bonus money is better than none at all.
Keep that in mind if you do take advantage of this promo. You only get to keep your winnings, not what you risked. While that may seem like a bit of a letdown, it's standard practice for bonus bets in the sports betting industry.
Strengths of the Fanatics Sportsbook App
There's a whole lot to like about the Fanatics Sportsbook app. If the company is going to take marketshare from industry giants like FanDuel and DraftKings, they're going to need a phenomenal app. In my opinion, they're off to a good start.
Easy to Use Home Page
The Fanatics Sportsbook app is easy to navigate, and the overall layout makes it very user-friendly. The home page lists the most popular sporting events of that day, so you don't have to waste time selecting your sport, team, etc.
For example, both NBA playoff games are listed on the front page for Thursday, along with some player props on Jayson Tatum, James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Nikola Jokic. There are also a couple of MLB and NHL games on the home page as well.
Schedule Button Helps You Quickly Find Your Game
If you don't see the game you want to bet on, simply click the schedule button at the bottom of the app. That'll let you switch between live odds for NBA, NHL, MLB, and golf. You can also click on the My Bets tab to see your pending plays and to see which bets have been settled.
Your betting balance is clearly displayed at the top of the app, which makes it easy to see what kind of funds you have available. While that may sound elementary, you'd be surprised at how many sportsbook apps makes it difficult to find your current balance.
Remarkable Live Betting Options
For a brand-spanking new sportsbook app, Fanatics offers a very good live betting experience. After clicking Schedule and then your sport, your live betting options will be listed at the top of the app. This makes it very easy for the customer to find the contest that they want to live bet!
Another great thing about the Fanatics live betting feature is that the app accepts live wagers quickly and efficiently. How annoying is it when you have your bet slip loaded up only for it to spin, stall, and not accept your bet? That won't happen with this app!
Oustanding Customer Support Team
You can also click the Chat button in the top right-hand corner if you ever need assistance from customer service. No matter what your issue is, the Fanatics Customer Care team will work quickly to provide you with a solid solution.
Not a fan of the live chat feature? No worries! You can reach out to Fanatics on Twitter @FanaticsSupport or via phone at 855-438-9701.
Things Fanatics Can Improve On
If you've been betting on sports for longer than 5 minutes, you know that no sportsbook app is without flaws. Fanatics Sportsbook is no different. Here are a few things that Fanatics can work on to improve the overall customer experience.
Lack of Sports
I know the app is in its infancy stages, but Fanatics' sports selection is a little bit disappointing. For right now in Tennesee, I can only bet on NBA, NHL, MLB, and golf. Those are 4 solid sports but it's not enough for hardcore bettors.
There's no soccer, auto racing, tennis, or any type of futures wagering. Hopefully, that will change in the near future as Fanatics launches in more states.
Terrible Juice for NHL and MLB
Here's another thing that's kind of a downer for Fanatics. While their NBA lines and totals are competitive, the juice they charge on moneyline sports like MLB and NHL is pretty expensive.
It's not uncommon to see 20-cent lines like -140 / +120 on a baseball or hockey game. This makes it virtually impossible for an MLB or NHL bettor to win long-term. My hope is that this will also change as Fanatics Sportsbook gets more established in the industry.
Overall Rating: 4.5 Out of 5 Stars
Overall, I'd highly recommend that anyone in Ohio or Tennessee set up an account with Fanatics Sportsbook. The lucrative bonus bet signup offer is one of the best no-deposit offers I've ever seen. I'm guessing it won't last long, so jump on it as soon as you can.
I was also highly impressed by the layout of the app and how easy it is to use. You can tell that Fanatics has decades of experience with online commerce tools. I expect the app to only get better as Fanatics adds some sports and works out a few kinks.
Though we'll have to wait a while to see just how well Fanatics Sportsbook does in the sports betting space, it looks as if they're off to a great start. You can bet that Fanatics will be in lots of additional states by the start of the 2023 NFL season.
