What Does ESPN BET Launch Mean For Penn Casinos?
Used 28 Times Today Must be 21+ to participate (18+ in KY). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, IL, IA, KY, KS, LA, MD, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). CALL 1-800-MY-RESET (OH). CALL 1-877-770-STOP (LA). Must be present in LA (select parishes). Licensee partner Amelia Belle Casino. Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
When Penn Entertainment partnered with Barstool Sports in 2020, it created an omnichannel brand that revolved around Barstool Sportsbook—which eventually launched in 15 different states. That included a host of online sportsbooks, a significant social media presence, and several different retail casinos that spent millions on Barstool Sportsbook branding.
Given Penn Entertainment’s announcement some three years later to form a joint partnership with ESPN to create ESPN BET, the newest online sportsbook in an incredibly competitive landscape.
Both are working diligently to create the rebrand—with ESPN BET expected to launch sometime in late November—but one aspect that seems to have flown under the radar is what will happen to those ESPN casinos.
| 📅 Launch Date | November 2023 |
| 🖊️ ESPN Bet Promo Code | Coming Soon! |
| 🎁 ESPN Bet Promo Offer | $1,000 Deposit Match (Expected) |
| 📲 ESPN Bet App | iOS; Android |
| ✅ Legal States | AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, NJ, MD, MI, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV |
Will Barstool Retail Locations Be Rebranded As ESPN BET?
Penn Entertainment’s website lists 43 different casinos and racetracks and racetracks throughout North America (featuring 44,000+ gaming machines and 7,800+ hotel rooms for those keeping score at home), and many of those have Barstool Sportsbook branding attached to them—and a handful were created following the joint venture between Penn and Barstool.
While all Barstool Sportsbook branding will be stripped from those physical locations, it’s still unknown whether ESPN and Penn will rebrand them as ESPN BET.
The main focus to this point has been on getting the online sportsbook up and running for the heart of the fall sports season, though it’s logical to think an eventual rebrand of those physical locations will come sooner rather than later.
It's important to remember that ESPN used to own and operate nine ESPN Zone locations. The bar and restaurants featured multiple TVs and arcade games for all types of sports fans, though they closed all nine locations by 2013.
Used 31 Times Today Must be 21+ and present in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, NC, OH, TN, or VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, IL, KS, KY, LA, MD, NC, OH, VA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), Call (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org in MA. Call or text REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN).
There’s a stark difference between physical locations showing games and having casinos with ESPN branding that allow bettors to place wagers—but there is history with ESPN branding in physical locations.
Though Penn Entertainment will rebrand as Hollywood Casino in the meantime, there’s always the potential that some form of ESPN Zone blossoms as part of a physical casino location.
Even though many will have gut reactions to ESPN BET’s launch— The ESPN BET logo has already been revealed and plans to announce more at the upcoming ESPN Edge—it’s important to remember this is a long-term investment. Even if Penn and ESPN haven’t figured out the fate of its retail locations across the country just yet, there’s plenty of time for that issue to resolve itself with rousing success.
Used 31 Times Today Must be 21+ and present in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, NC, OH, TN, or VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, IL, KS, KY, LA, MD, NC, OH, VA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), Call (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org in MA. Call or text REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN).
About the Author
Next Liverpool Manager Betting Odds: Alonso and Enrique Lined Up If Slot Leaves 
Next Manchester City Manager Odds - Will Pep Guardiola Stick Around For Another Season? 
Next Newcastle United Manager Odds: Iraola, Mourinho Linked After More Bad Results 
Next Manchester United Manager Betting Odds - Michael Carrick Big Favourite to Stay On as Boss 
Next Burnley Manager Odds - Is Steven Gerrard The New Manager In Waiting? 
Championship Promotion Betting Odds - Who Will Win The 2025/26 Playoffs?
Comments