Fanduel Sportsbook Holds Offical Ribbon Cutting On March 15 With Ozzie Smith

By Stephanie Malench

smalench@timestribunenews.com

St. Louis Cardinal Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith cuts the ribbon on the new sportsbook (betting) room in the Fanduel Sportsbook & Horse Racing facility (formerly Fairmont Park). Smith also place the ceremonial first bet, placing $20 on the St. Louis Cardinals to win the 2021 World Series. The payout is currently predicted at $460. This is the second Sportsbook in Illinois and 16th in the United States. At full capacity, the gaming room can accommodate 178 people. The sportsbook room opening is just the first in a long series of improvements for the former Fairmont Park Racetrack. A full casino in its own building with a walkway to the grandstands is slated to be completed by October 2022. Live racing will begin at Fanduel Sportsbook & Horse Racing on April 27 with the St. Louis Derby returning after 15 years on August 28.