ESPN BET Now Live in Washington, D.C.

By Robert Linnehan in Sports Betting News
Published:

- ESPN BET officially launched today in Washington, D.C.
- PENN Entertainment gained market access into the district through a partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment
- ESPN BET is the sixth live online sports betting operator in the district
ESPN BET is now live in Washington, D.C., just a little more than a week after gaining market access to the district.
ESPN BET launched today in Washington, D.C., just eight days after PENN Entertainment secured a market access deal through a partnership with Monumental Sports and Entertainment.
The district now has six live online sports betting operators after officially expanding the market this past summer.
ESPN BET Expanding Reach
ESPN BET is now live in 20 U.S. jurisdictions after launching throughout the country on Nov. 14, 2023.
The PENN Entertainment partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment not only gives ESPN BET D.C. sports betting access, but also allows the operator to become an official sports betting partner of Monumental and its teams.
ESPN BET will is now an official sports betting partner of the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, and Washington Mystics.
“We’re thrilled to launch ESPN BET in our nation’s capital and expand our presence across the Washington metropolitan area,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer, PENN Entertainment, in a press release. “Along with our partner ESPN, we’re excited to introduce our deeply integrated media and betting experience and further engage with the D.C. area’s passionate sports community.”
Monumental also currently has a partnership with Caesars Entertainment. Caesars Sportsbook is a retail and online sports betting partner with the Monumental franchises as well, with a sportsbook located in the Capital One Arena.
ESPN BET will have no access to retail sports betting in Washington, D.C., through this partnership.
“We are thrilled to join forces with PENN Entertainment and align with ESPN BET, a leading brand across the sports and entertainment landscape,” said Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at MSE, at the time of the partnership announcement. “This partnership furthers our collective commitment to offering fans unique, cutting-edge experiences that reflect the future of sports entertainment, with ESPN BET’s innovative platform adding a new layer of engagement for our fans, both inside and outside the arena.”
Online Sports Betting Expansion
The D.C. City Council expanded the district’s online sports betting market over the summer, allowing existing Type-A sports betting license holders to offer online sports betting and outside operators to apply for the newly created Type-C licenses.
DraftKings, Fanatics, and now ESPN BET have an online only presence in the district.
Currently, Caesars Sportsbook hosts a retail sportsbook at Capital One Arena, FanDuel hosts a retail sportsbook in Audi Field, and BetMGM hosts a retail sportsbook in Nationals Park. They all hold Type-A licenses.

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