ESPN Sportsbook: Everything You Need To Know About ESPN BET

 

ESPN is getting into the sports betting business.

ESPN has announced an agreement with PENN Entertainment to launch a new sportsbook branded as ESPN BET. This news comes as PENN Entertainment has severed ties with Barstool Sportsbook, allowing them to rebrand their sportsbook offering with the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

Here’s everything you need to know about ESPN BET and the anticipated Fall 2023 launch date.

ESPN BET Review

Details surrounding the ESPN betting app are still emerging, but there are a few key details we know so far.

ESPN BET is expected to launch in Fall 2023 partway through the NFL season. In the first earnings call since PENN Entertainment announced the new deal, CEO Jay Snowden confirmed ESPN BET would go live before Thanksgiving 2023.

The ESPN sportsbook will have market access to the 16 states that Barstool Sportsbook was live in. ESPN BET will likely look to expand into new markets where Barstool Sportsbook fell short, including the coveted New York region. Of course, they’ll also likely look to new opportunities presented by recently legalized states like Kentucky and North Carolina.

More additions will be made to our ESPN BET review once this highly-anticipated sportsbook launches.

What To Expect From the ESPN BET Platform

While little is currently known about the ESPN BET sportsbook, we can look to PENN’s previous sportsbook and the official press release from ESPN for more details on what to expect.

Known for having a reliable sportsbook app, competitive promos, and state-of-the-art technology, PENN Entertainment has a rich history in the sports betting industry. Pair their expertise with the household ESPN brand name, and ESPN BET is likely to quickly become one of the most popular sportsbooks in the US market.

Two head figures from PENN Entertainment and ESPN were quick to share their enthusiasm  surrounding this deal. Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman for ESPN, commented “the strategy here is simple: to give fans what they’ve been requesting and expecting from ESPN. PENN Entertainment is the perfect partner to build an unmatched user experience for sports betting with ESPN BET.”

As per the ESPN press release, Jay Snowden, Chief Executive Officer and President, PENN Entertainment said, “this agreement with ESPN and collaboration on ESPN BET allows us to take another step forward as an industry leader. Together, we can utilize each other’s strengths to create the type of experience that existing and new bettors will expect from both companies, and we can’t wait to get started.”

ESPN BET is expected to launch sometime in Fall 2023. We’re keeping this page updated with all the latest details surrounding ESPN BET.

What Could the ESPN BET Sportsbook Look Like?

The ESPN BET Sportsbook will likely look similar to other PENN Entertainment offerings like Barstool Sportsbook and theScore Sportsbook.

With PENN Entertainment severing ties with Barstool Sportsbook, its likely that the gaming giant uses much of the sportsbook app infrastructure they relied on before Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy reacquired 100% of the media brand.

Emergency Press Conference – I Bought Back Barstool Sports pic.twitter.com/dmUk0eNowx

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 8, 2023

Some other key notes surrounding the launch of ESPN BET include the following points:

• ESPN BET will be live in the 16 states PENN Entertainment is currently licensed to operate in.
• PENN Entertainment will make $1.5 billion in cash payments to ESPN over the course of their new 10-year agreement, while also granting $500 million in warrants.
• A rebranded iCasino product will see PENN Entertainment launch a Hollywood-branded iCasino product in states where permitted.

Stay tuned for more details on what the ESPN BET sportsbook could look like.

What Could the ESPN BET Welcome Offer Look Like?

As one of the newest and most anticipated sportsbooks in town, ESPN BET will bring a lucrative sign-up bonus to attract new customers. Even though ESPN has massive brand name recognition, they’ll need to offer an enticing registration promo to compete in the crowded US sportsbook market.

With PENN Entertainment rebranding the Barstool Sportsbook, one might assume that ESPN BET will offer a similar $1,000 Deposit Match bonus offered with the old brand. While that could be the case, there’s currently no confirmation on what the main promo code could look like.

Other types of sign-up promos we could see at ESPN BET include options like first bet insurance or bet and get bonuses. Personally, we’d like to see the ESPN sportsbook offer a bet and get welcome offer, where you simply need to wager a required amount in order to unlock additional bonus bets.

We’ll keep you informed with whatever ESPN BET promo code is made available when the sportsbook launches in Fall 2023.

ESPN BET: Latest News & Updates

Here is the latest news you need to know about the ESPN BET sports betting platform.

• August 14, 2023: According to a report from FrontOfficeSports.com, the $2 billion package ESPN accepted from PENN Entertainment was approximately half of what they originally wanted to ink a sports betting agreement. It’s believed ESPN wanted $4 billion over 10 years from other potential suitors like DraftKings and FanDuel. According to an investor presentation between the two companies, PENN believes they could see an annual adjusted EBITDA of $1 billion by 2027 if they capture 20% of the online sports betting market share in North America. 90% of the current US sports betting market share is dominated by big players like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook.
• August 10, 2023: Disney CEO Bob Iger commented that PENN’s offer for ESPN BET was better than the rest “by far.” Speaking during a Q3 2023 fiscal year earnings report, Iger noted “We believe there’s an opportunity to significantly grow engagement across ESPN consumers, particularly young consumers, and why PENN? Because PENN stepped up in a very aggressive way and made an offer to us that was better than any of the competitive offers — by far.” Other operators like DraftKings and Caesars were previously linked to ESPN dating as far back as 2020.
• August 9, 2023: PENN Entertainment CEO Jay Snowden told the public during the company’s Q2 2023 earning report call that ESPN BET will debut “certainly before Thanksgiving.” While an exact date was not provided, it is expected that the sportsbook will go live sometime during the NFL season.
• August 8, 2023: ESPN and PENN Entertainment announce an agreement to launch a new sportsbook platform, ESPN BET, in Fall 2023. This comes after Barstool Sports founder  Dave Portnoy reacquired 100% of the Barstool media brand. ESPN BET is expected to launch in Fall 2023.

ESPN sports betting will soon be a reality. Keep it locked in with this page for all the latest news surrounding the launch of ESPN BET.

ESPN BET Key Features

Looking to other sports betting apps powered by PENN Entertainment can give us a better idea of the key features expected from the ESPN BET sportsbook.

One of the best features of Barstool Sportsbook was their use of unique personalities to drive promos, odds boosts, and much more. The ESPN brand will bring a new set of personalities to PENN Entertainment’s new platform, with figures like Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith expected to contribute to the multitude of features on ESPN BET.

Some of the other key features we expect from ESPN BET include the following:

• Mobile app: Known for powering reliable mobile apps like theScore Bet and Barstool Sportsbook, PENN Entertainment will bring powerful technology and a wealth of experience to the ESPN BET app. The ESPN BET app should be available for Android and iOS devices once it launches.
• Sportsbook promos: As mentioned above, the ESPN BET sportsbook should offer huge promos entered around notable ESPN personalities. These could include bonus bets, odds boosts, parlay insurance, and much more.
• Banking methods: ESPN BET will rely on PENN Entertainment’s experience with offering payment methods like debit/credit cards (Visa / MasterCard / Discover/ American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, and online banking.
• Available states: The ESPN BET app will be available in the 16 states where Barstool Sportsbook operated, and potentially others like New York, Kentucky, and North Carolina.
• Betting markets: Based on other sports betting apps powered by PENN, we expect you’ll be able to wager on all your favorite sporting events with ESPN BET. They’ll also offer betting options like moneyline, point spread, totals, parlays, futures, and prop bets.

Specific details on the best ESPN BET features will be provided once the sportsbook becomes available to US sports bettors.

How to Sign Up for an ESPN BET Account

Signing up for an ESPN BET sportsbook account will be a simple process, especially considering most US sports bettors have already signed up with at least one sportsbook.

Best of all, signing up for an ESPN BET account will unlock their most valuable sign-up promo. However, with PENN Entertainment rebranding the Barstool Sportsbook platform, it’s currently unclear weather or not existing customers from the previous platform will need to register for a second time.

In either case, registering a sportsbook account with ESPN BET should look like this:

1. Begin the registration process with ESPN BET.
2. Provide the required personal information like first and last name, date of birth, email address, phone number, and a created password.
3. Verify your identity with the last four digits of your SSN. Don’t worry, your personal information will be 100% secure with ESPN BET.
4. Make the first deposit to your ESPN BET sportsbook account.
5. Place your first wager with ESPN BET.

Screenshots will be added here to help walk you through the registration process once ESPN BET has gone live.

ESPN BET App

The rebranding of PENN Entertainment’s US sports betting app to ESPN BET is expected to take place sometime in November 2023.

The ESPN BET app will be available for Android and iOS devices whenever it finally does launch. PENN’s last sportsbook app (Barstool Sportsbook) holds a 4.7-star rating on the Apple App Store, so bettors should expect a similar level of quality from the ESPN BET app.

Following the acquisition of theScore Bet in 2021, PENN set out on a goal to bring a proprietary technology stack in-house for both theScore Bet and Barstool Sportsbook. This endeavor was finalized earlier this year, and although PENN has moved away from the Barstool Sportsbook label, it is anticipated that they will lean on this distinctive technology for the introduction of the ESPN BET app.

Stay tuned for more details on the launch of the ESPN BET app. We’ll have exclusive download links here as soon as the ESPN sportsbook app becomes available.

Will ESPN Sportsbook Be Legal?

Yes, the ESPN sportsbook will be legal.

With Barstool Sportsbook currently live in 16 states, so it’s safe to assume ESPN BET will look to launch in all 16 states once the app has rebranded.

ESPN BET will still need to go through regulatory approvals in order to operate in these markets, and they’re likely to face similar regulatory scrutiny that Barstool saw in states like Massachusetts.

ESPN BET will also look to launch in more states as legal sports betting expands across the country. With states like Kentucky, Maine, Vermont, and North Carolina all set to launch online sports betting in the coming year, ESPN BET will look to make their mark as a legal sportsbook in as many locations as possible.

ESPN Fantasy vs. Sportsbook

ESPN is no stranger to the world of sports iGaming, as the ESPN Fantasy platform has already made a name for itself in the daily fantasy sports (DFS) space.

While the lines between DFS and sports betting are starting to blur, there will be distinct differences between ESPN Fantasy and the sportsbook once ESPN BET has gone live.

With ESPN Fantasy, you can participate in a fantasy football league, draft players for your fantasy lineups, track all the rankings, watch NFL highlights, and get pick advice to name a few. As for the ESPN BET sportsbook, you’ll be able to place wagers like moneyline, point spread, totals, parlays, props, and futures on your favorite games as opposed to playing DFS contests and tournaments.

ESPN Bet Sports to Wager On

Having a wide array of options to choose from is essential for any successful sportsbook. ESPN BET, known as the Worldwide Leader in Sports, will likely offer a comprehensive selection of sports to wager on.

Whether you’re a fan of major leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL or prefer betting on niche sports for hidden value, ESPN BET should have you covered. Let’s take a closer look at some of the sports you’ll be able to bet on with ESPN BET.

NFL

Football fans will be excited to try ESPN BET, which will offer an extensive range of NFL betting options. Bet on game outcomes, player performances, and even live betting during the games to make every touchdown and field goal that much more exciting. Expect a ton of ESPN BET branding and promotion on NFL broadcasts.

NBA

NBA fans will be able to place their bets on all the action with ease at ESPN BET. Bet on your favorite team, player props, or game totals as the NBA season unfolds. No matter which NBA team or player you’re betting on, ESPN BET will be ready to accept your wagers, and you’ll likely see ESPN BET branding during their NBA broadcasts.

MLB

While the MLB season will be wrapped up for the year when ESPN BET launches, the start of the 2024 MLB season will present a perfect opportunity for betting on baseball with the ESPN sportsbook. If you’re interested in getting a head start, then making futures bets on the next MLB season with ESPN BET could make for some exciting wagering opportunities.

NCAA (College Football and College Basketball)

Betting on college sports is massively popular across America, and while some states limit NCAA betting or ban it outright, you can count on ESPN BET to offer it wherever available. From the start of the college football season to all the March Madness college basketball action, ESPN BET will likely offer competitive lines and even valuable bonuses for NCAA bettors.

NHL

If you know puck, then ESPN BET will be a top-notch sports betting app for all your wagering needs. Hockey fans can get in on the action too with the ability to wager on the puckline, moneyline, totals, props, parlays, futures, and much more at ESPN BET.

UFC

With ESPN holding the television rights to UFC events for the foreseeable future, you can expect a massive UFC presence from ESPN BET. Everybody loves a good fight night, and betting on fights can make for some of the most fun wagering action whether you’re an avid MMA fan or not.

PGA

Betting on golf can ramp up the excitement in a sport that some might find slow, and you can expect ESPN BET to bring a plethora of PGA betting options to the table when they do launch. Options like tournament winner, finishing position, each-way betting, head-to-head, and live betting should all be ready for PGA betting at ESPN BET.

Types of ESPN Bets to Make

When ESPN BET launches in November 2023, sports bettors will have access to a wide range of betting options thanks to the expertise of PENN Entertainment. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a rookie in the world of sports wagering, understanding the various types of bets available can elevate your enjoyment of the games.

Let’s explore the different types of bets you can make with ESPN BET.

Moneyline

Moneyline betting is one of the simplest forms of sports wagering. In a moneyline bet, you pick the team or player you believe will win the game or match. The odds associated with each choice determine your potential payout. Positive odds indicate an underdog, while negative odds represent the favorite.

Point Spread

Point spread betting is popular in sports like football and basketball. The sportsbook assigns a point spread to the favorite and the underdog. To win the bet, the favorite must win by more points than the spread, while the underdog can cover the spread by losing by fewer points than the spread. This type of bet adds an extra layer of excitement to games with clear favorites and underdogs.

Over/Under (Totals)

In over/under betting, also known as totals betting, you wager on whether the total combined points scored in a game will be over or under a set number determined by the sportsbook. It doesn’t matter which team wins, you’re focused solely on the total points scored.

Prop Bets

Prop bets, short for proposition bets, offer a wide array of betting options beyond the game’s outcome. You can bet on specific player performances, individual statistics, or even events unrelated to the final score. Prop bets are a great way to add excitement to every aspect of the game.

Parlays

Parlays allow you to combine multiple bets into a single wager. To win a parlay, all of your chosen bets must be correct. While they are riskier than individual bets, parlays offer the potential for substantial payouts. You can mix and match various types of bets within a parlay.

Same-game parlays could be a unique feature that ESPN BET offers. You can create a parlay bet using different outcomes within the same game. For example, you could bet on a specific player’s performance, the point spread, and the total points scored, all within a single game. ESPN BET will need to offer these if they want to stay competitive.

Futures

Futures betting involves placing wagers on events that will occur in the future, such as the outcome of a league championship or the performance of a team over the course of a season. These bets require patience, as the results may not be known for a significant period, but they can offer substantial payouts. Tracking line movement is key to being successful with these wagers.

As ESPN BET launches in November 2023, sports fans will have the opportunity to explore and engage with these various types of bets. Whether you’re looking for straightforward moneyline bets or want to get creative with prop bets and parlays, ESPN BET will provide a platform for a dynamic and immersive sports betting experience. Stay tuned for more details and updates as the launch date approaches, and get ready to enjoy the thrill of sports betting with ESPN BET.

ESPN Bet Customer Support

While the ESPN BET customer support options are currently unknown, we can look to other PENN Entertainment sportsbooks for a better idea of what they could offer.

Barstool Sportsbook offered customer support through callbacks, live chat, and email. Offering 24/7 support with a helpful customer service team, you can expect a similar level of support from ESPN BET when the app launches in 2023.

You’ll be able to access ESPN BET customer support through the desktop and mobile applications, and the team at ESPN BET will be happy to answer any questions you may have when going through their new sports betting platform.

ESPN BET Banking Options

Similarly to customer support, the ESPN BET banking options are unclear at this time, however they should be similar to what PENN offered with Barstool Sportsbook.

Some of the ESPN BET payment methods should include the following.

While withdrawal methods are typically more limited than payment options at legal sportsbooks, ESPN BET will likely provide as many withdrawal options as possible. Here are some of the other banking methods we expect you’ll be able to use to collect winnings from ESPN BET:

• PayPal (Instant)
• Play+ Account (Instant)
• Online Banking (3 to 5 business days)
• ACH/e-check (3 to 5 business days)
• Check (Up to 14 business days)

Stay tuned for more information on ESPN sportsbook banking options as this information becomes available.

ESPN Sportsbook FAQs

Still have burning questions about the ESPN BET sportsbook? Here’s what we know so far.

What is ESPN BET?

ESPN BET is the new sportsbook being offered up by the Worldwide Leader in Sports. ESPN BET was announced after PENN Entertainment decided to rebrand Barstool Sportsbook.

When does ESPN BET launch?

ESPN BET is expected to go live in Fall 2023. The expected launch date for ESPN BET will come in the middle of the NFL season before Thanksgiving.

Where is ESPN BET available?

ESPN BET will be available in 16 states on launch, including Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. ESPN BET is expected to expand to new US markets once they’ve gone live.

What is the age requirement for ESPN BET?

Most states will require you to be 21-years of age or older in order to use ESPN BET. Some states allow for a minimum betting age of 18, but it’s unclear if ESPN BET will be available to bettors that age.

Does ESPN have a sportsbook?

Yes, ESPN will be launching ESPN BET in partnership with PENN Entertainment. ESPN BET will go live in Fall 2023.

Who owns ESPN BET?

Powered by a partnership between ESPN and PENN Entertainment, ESPN BET is owned by PENN Entertainment, who paid a hefty fee to leverage the ESPN branding.

What is the ESPN BET sign-up promo?

The ESPN BET sign-up promo has yet to be confirmed. We expect it will take the form of a deposit match bonus or a “bet and get” offer.

Is ESPN BET legit?

Yes, ESPN BET will be a legitimate sportsbook once it launches. Being backed by a partnership between ESPN and Penn Entertainment means you can trust the ESPN sportsbook with your personal and financial details.

Where can I find the ESPN BET app?

You’ll be able to find the ESPN app through the App Store and Google Play Store once it launches, which is expected in November 2023. We’ll also have exclusive download links for the ESPN BET app on this page as soon as it’s available.

Does ESPN own ESPN BET?

No, ESPN does not technically own ESPN BET. This new sportsbook app is owned by PENN Entertainment, who will pay $1.5 billion to ESPN over 10 years while also granting $500 million in stock warrants, to leverage the ESPN brand.

Will ESPN BET have an online casino?

No, it’s unlikely that ESPN BET will have an online casino. PENN Entertainment has already announced that the old Barstool online casino properties will be rebranded as Hollwood Casino online.

Is ESPN Sportsbook legit?

Yes, the ESPN sportsbook will be legit. Powered by a partnership between ESPN and PENN Entertainment, you’ll be able to trust the ESPN BET app when it becomes available.