ESPN BET Sportsbook – Our Verdict
ESPN BET is one of the newest names on the US sports betting scene. Despite not having a big track record, it’s also one of the best sportsbooks in the US. ESPN BET is available in 18 states and has the backing of the biggest name in sports: ESPN. Beyond the big name and flashy ESPN branding, ESPN BET is genuinely a great sportsbook.
Very few sportsbooks cater to the US market in the way ESPN BET does. ESPN BET also has a very easy-to-use betting app with lots of great features. Our experts’ favorite is the early cash-out feature, but we also like the various boosted bets and single-game parlay offers on display every day. Being able to live stream sports and place live bets is another big plus. Sign up for ESPN BET Sportsbook now to see why our experts rate ESPN BET so highly.
About ESPN BET
ESPN BET was founded in August 2023 when sports betting giant Penn Entertainment and sports media company ESPN agreed to a $2 billion licensing deal that would allow Penn to use ESPN’s name for a brand new US sportsbook. As a result of the deal, Penn Entertainment shut down its Barstool Sportsbook sports betting site.
ESPN BET Sportsbook went live two months after the Penn Entertainment deal was signed in November 2023. It’s now one of the fastest-growing sportsbooks in the US. ESPN BET Sportsbook is regularly featured on ESPN broadcasts, making it an extremely accessible sportsbook to new US bettors.
ESPN BET Mobile Experience
The dedicated ESPN BET app is available for download on iOS and Android devices at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. You can also find links to both apps on the official ESPN BET app. Unlike some US sports betting apps, you can use one app for every state. You do not need to download a specific app for your state.
Once you download the ESPN BET app, you’ll find an incredibly easy-to-use sports betting app with thousands of possible bets across dozens of sports. The app also makes it very easy to take advantage of ESPN BET’s best features, such as boosted bets, live betting, and live streaming. Plus, you can turn on notifications and alerts to stay updated on the hottest bonuses and live betting updates.
ESPN BET Desktop Experience
In comparison to the sleek and modern ESPN BET Sportsbook app, the ESPN BET desktop site is pretty basic. This isn’t a bad thing, though. Thanks to its simple layout, using the ESPN BET Sportsbook site is very easy.
The top sports and featured bets are conveniently located at the top of the screen. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, a full list of available sports to bet on is featured on the left-hand side of the screen. The ESPN BET desktop site also has all the same great features as the ESPN BET app, including live betting, Parlay+ bets, and exclusive bets.
ESPN BET Welcome Bonuses
If you sign up for ESPN BET now, you can claim one of two generous promo offers, depending on your state.
In most states, you can claim $100 in bonus bets after placing your first bet. Unlike other sportsbooks, there is no minimum bet requirement. All you need to do is create your account, make your first deposit, and place a real money wager. As soon as your bet is settled, $100 in bonus bets will be deposited into your account. ESPN BET bonus bets expire seven days after issuance.
In select other states, you can also claim a 200% deposit match bonus up to $500. This means you’ll get double your first deposit back as bonus bets up to $500. For example, if you deposit $100, you’ll get an extra $100 in ESPN BET bonus bets, meaning you have $200 in total to play with.
ESPN BET regularly changes its welcome bonus offers and has different promo offers depending on the state, so be sure to check in regularly for new and exclusive bonus offers.
ESPN BET Mobile Registration Process
Creating your ESPN BET account is a super easy process. Read our step-by-step guide below to learn everything you need to do to get started with ESPN BET Sportsbook.
- Download the dedicated ESPN BET app to your iOS or Android device.
- Open the app and click the blue “Sign Up” button on the home page.
- Fill out the ESPN BET sign-up form with your email, phone number, and other personal information.
- Create a unique username and a strong, memorable password.
- Enter your ESPN BET promo code (if you have one).
- Check your email to verify your email address.
- Verify your identity with your Social Security number and scan your ID.
- Head to the Deposit section, select a payment method, and follow ESPN BET’s steps to make a deposit.
- You are now all set to bet on your favorite markets.
ESPN BET Account Verification
Sportsbooks in all US states are required to verify the identity of their players. First, when registering an account, you’ll need to provide your personal information, like your name, date of birth, address, and the last four digits of your SSN. Then, before placing your first withdrawal, you’ll need to verify your identity by uploading copies of your proof of identity and address.
To verify your identity at ESPN BET, you need to upload a picture of a photo ID (passport, driver’s license, or another formal ID) and take a selfie. Then, simply upload a copy of a recent utility bill to verify your address:
- Proof of address (a recent utility bill)
- Proof of payment method used (a bank statement or photo of your credit card)
ESPN BET Payment Methods
ESPN BET accepts a good variety of payment methods. Its accepted withdrawal methods options are a little more limited, but we think most bettors will find the banking options good enough.
For deposits, ESPN BET accepts direct bank transfers, Visa/MasterCard credit and debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, VIP Preferred ACH bank transfers, Skrill, and wire transfers. You can use direct bank transfers, Visa/MasterCard debit cards, and PayPal for withdrawals.
All deposits are processed instantly. Withdrawals typically take 1-3 business days to be processed. In some cases, it can take up to five business days for you to get your winnings. ESPN BET doesn’t charge transaction fees for any deposit or withdrawal methods.
ESPN BET Betting Features
ESPN BET has all the best sports betting features you would expect from a top US sportsbook. The ESPN BET app and sports betting sites allow you to place live bets, live stream select sports, and back featured bets. ESPN BET has a variety of boosted bet offers, including its daily Parlay+ single-game parlay offers.
If you’re a fan of parlays, you’ll like the fact that ESPN BET has an early cash-out feature that allows you to claim winnings from a bet early before your final leg can blow the entire bet for you.
ESPN BET Sports and Markets
One of the best things about ESPN BET is its huge betting market. Because ESPN BET is an American sportsbook, its betting markets for the major North American sports are almost unmatched. Whether you’re an NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, or a golf bettor, ESPN BET Sportsbook has you covered.
Football
By far the biggest ESPN BET betting market is its football betting market. You can place basic bets like totals (over/under), moneylines, and against-the-spread wagers alongside team props, player props, and unique single-game parlay offers on the NFL.
Basketball
ESPN is one of the NBA’s biggest media partners. This is reflected in ESPN BET’s basketball betting markets. ESPN BET has a huge NBA and college basketball betting market with some of the best odds in the US.
Baseball
ESPN BET wouldn’t be an American sportsbook if it didn’t have an impressive baseball betting market. You can place run lines, moneylines, totals, pitcher props, batter props, and many more MLB bets at ESPN BET.
Hockey
ESPN BET is an official partner of the NHL. This means you’ll get access to unique single-game parlays, boosted bet offers, and other exclusive NHL betting promos. ESPN BET also has many international hockey betting markets available if that’s more your thing.
ESPN BET Customer Support
ESPN BET has a wide variety of customer support options, including a dedicated phone line, email address, and 24/7 live chat. You can also contact ESPN BET on X (formerly known as Twitter). These options are far more than most US sportsbooks have, putting ESPN BET customer service on another level.
The 24/7 live chat feature will get you the fastest responses, but the email and phone lines are also pretty quick. You should get an email or call back from ESPN BET within 24 hours of sending your email or requesting a callback.
ESPN BET Responsible Gambling
ESPN BET Sportsbook makes it very easy to practice responsible gambling. As soon as you create your ESPN BET account, you will be prompted to set limits on your account. These include time limits, check-in limits, deposit limits, max wager limits, spending limits, and loss limits. Even if you don’t think you have a problem with keeping your gambling, using these tools is a smart way to keep yourself under control.
ESPN BET also links to state and national responsible gambling resources on its dedicated responsible gambling page.
ESPN BET State Directory
ESPN BET is currently legal in 18 states, making it one of the most widely available sportsbooks in the US. ESPN and Penn Entertainment are committed to growth, so we expect ESPN BET Sportsbook to grow to even more states in the coming years.
Arizona
Arizona was one of the first states to welcome ESPN BET back in November 2023. It’s now one of nearly 20 sportsbooks in the Grand Canyon State. ESPN BET is expected to open a retail sportsbook location at the Phoenix Raceway.
Colorado
Colorado was another one of the first states where ESPN BET was made legal in November 2023. The Centennial State has even more legal sportsbooks than Arizona. With 22 sportsbooks in Colorado, ESPN BET has a lot of work to do to separate itself from the pack.
Iowa
ESPN BET completed its rebrand from Barstool Sportsbook in Iowa on November 14, 2023. Bettors in The Hawkeye State can enjoy everything ESPN BET has to offer, as well as exclusive bets for Iowa and Iowa State universities.
Illinois
ESPN BET is one of seven legal sportsbooks currently operating in Illinois. It is partnered with Hollywood Casino and the Hollywood Casino app in the Land of Lincoln.
Indiana
Indiana is a basketball hotbed in the US. The Hoosiers and Sycamores regularly churn out NBA stars. The Pacers are also a huge name in the state. You can bet on these teams and more with ESPN BET in Indiana.
Kansas
ESPN BET is one of just six legal sportsbooks in Kansas. The site and sports betting app went live in November 2023 when ESPN took over Barstool Sportsbook’s operations in the Sunflower State.
Kentucky
Kentucky is another state where ESPN BET simply took over for Barstool Sportsbook. That said, ESPN BET has gone above and beyond to distinguish itself from Barstool. The sleek and professional app is the biggest example of that.
Louisiana
Louisiana’s complicated sports betting market means that ESPN BET is only legal in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes. ESPN BET is not yet legal in Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, La Salle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll, and Winn parishes.
Massachusetts
ESPN BET launched in Massachusetts in November 2023. Since then, it’s become very popular with Massachusetts sports bettors thanks to ESPN BET’s connections with the NBA and NHL and the popularity of the Celtics and the Bruins.
Maryland
There are 11 legal sports betting sites in Maryland. ESPN BET is among the newest of these legal sites since it came to the Old Line State in November 2023.
Michigan
Like most of the states on our list of legal ESPN BET states, ESPN BET launched in Michigan in November 2023. However, Michigan will be the first place to get an ESPN BET retail sportsbook when Hollywood Casino Greektown opens its in-person sportsbook in April 2024.
New Jersey
New Jersey was the first state to legalize sports betting, outside of Nevada after the US Supreme Court legalized sports betting in 2018. ESPN BET went live in the Garden State on November 14, 2023, after completing its takeover of Barstool Sportsbook.
North Carolina
North Carolina is the only state ESPN BET currently operates in where Barstool Sportsbook didn’t operate first. ESPN BET Sportsbook launched in North Carolina on March 11, 2024. It is one of eight legal sportsbooks in North Carolina.
Ohio
ESPN BET is one of 19 legal sportsbooks operating in Ohio. Unlike some of the other big names in the Buckeye State, ESPN BET does not have any official sports betting partners in Ohio. We expect this to change in the coming years.
Pennsylvania
Like most other states here, ESPN BET launched in Pennsylvania on November 14, 2023. However, unlike most names here, Pennsylvania bettors can also play casino games at ESPN BET in the Keystone State.
Tennessee
The Volunteer State is one of many states where Barstool Sportsbook rebranded into ESPN BET on November 14, 2023. Since that rebrand, ESPN BET has become one of the most popular sportsbooks in Tennessee.
Virginia
Virginia was late to legalize sports betting back in 2021, but it now has one of the biggest sports betting markets in the US. ESPN BET launched in the Old Dominion State in November 2023 and is now one of 16 legal sportsbooks in the state.
West Virginia
West Virginia has one of the US’ most exclusive sports betting markets. The Mountain State has just five legal sportsbooks. One of which is ESPN BET. The ESPN BET online casino is also legal in West Virginia.
