FTC Orders Fanatics Sportsbook to Pull Ohio Ad Targeting Underage

Fanatics' Ohio ad targeting new customers sparks underage exposure concerns. The FTC steps in, ordering a withdrawal as the company's US sports betting expansion continues.

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2025 October 6 . 11:23 AM

1 min read

This is an advertisement. In this picture we can see a poster on the wall.

FTC Orders Fanatics Sportsbook to Pull Ohio Ad Targeting Underage

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ordered Fanatics Sportsbook to withdraw certain social media advertisements, effective September 15, 2023. The move follows a directive from the Ohio Casino Control Commission, citing concerns about underage exposure to gambling content.

The offending advertisement, aimed at new customers in Ohio, offered a matched amount on the Fanatics Sportsbook app for those purchasing a $29.99 baseball hat. Despite aligning with Ohio's responsible gambling advertisement code, the commission deemed it inappropriate.

Fanatics, initially launching its sports betting product in Ohio and Tennessee, with plans to expand to Massachusetts and other US states, has complied with the order. The company, known for its retail merchandise business, recently acquired PointsBet's US assets for $150 million, exploring synergies between the two ventures.

Fanatics Sportsbook has removed the controversial advertisement following the FTC and Ohio Casino Control Commission's directives. The company continues its expansion into the US sports betting market while ensuring compliance with responsible gambling guidelines.