ESPN BET Review

ESPN BET Summary

Editor's note: Barstool Sportsbook is being rebranded as ESPN BET this fall following a 10-year deal between PENN Entertainment and ESPN. This review is based on the existing Barstool product and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Whether or not ESPN BET will become one of the country's best sportsbooks is unknowable. But with a massive preexisting fan base, immediate access to several major legal betting markets, and Barstool Sportsbook's proprietary features, the platform is poised to hit the ground running.

Our full ESPN BET review covers all we know about the sportsbook, including its expected sign-up bonus, betting markets, mobile app, customer service, and more.

Expected ESPN BET sign-up bonus 💰

If ESPN BET does end up grandfathering in its predecessor's most recent welcome bonus, it'll be offering one of the industry's best sportsbook promos for new users — a $1,000 new-player bonus.

Here are the details of the offer:

• After registering with the sportsbook, you must make an initial deposit of at least $10.
• The sportsbook will match whatever amount you put down, up to $1,000, in bonus funds.
• The bonus funds are non-withdrawable and will not be included in any winnings you earn with them.
• If you do not use the bonus funds within 30 days, they will expire.

If you're looking for more information on the active sports betting product, check out our Barstool Sportsbook review.

States with access to ESPN BET 🌎

When the rebrand to ESPN BET is complete, it's expected that 17 states will have immediate access to the online sports betting platform:

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ESPN BET mobile sportsbook app 📱

When the ESPN BET app officially launches, it will become available in the Apple App Store and Google Play store. Alternatively, the sportsbook's website will provide download links for the mobile platform.

The ESPN BET sportsbook app will have plenty to prove if it's to crack our list of the best betting apps, but the renowned brand certainly has the tools to get there. We expect the platform to be sleek but straightforward, with a layout and organization benefitting both first-time and advanced bettors.

ESPN BET key features ▶️

We fully anticipate ESPN BET Sportsbook to boast a modern design and user-friendly interface bolstered by all of the key features bettors have come to expect.

🔥 Live betting — In taking over its predecessor's plethora of features, ESPN BET will likely offer a wide array of live betting markets. To become one of the premier live betting sites, however, the sportsbook must ensure that lag issues — a common concern with most major online sportsbooks — are minimal.

🔥 Live streaming — In its current form, the sportsbook has yet to provide live streaming options, meaning you are stuck looking at digital visualizations and play-by-play notes. However, with ESPN's unmitigated access to sports programming, we are hopeful this will change.

🔥 Early cash out — Most high-quality online sportsbooks offer an early cash-out feature, and ESPN BET will be no different. Customers will be able to pull money from their active bets before the game ends and do it all from their bet slip.

Other ESPN BET gaming options 🃏

While ESPN BET is revving up to make a significant dent in the sports betting ecosystem, its involvement in other areas of the gaming space remains unclear. Presently, only a handful of states — such as Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania — even offer legal online casino betting, though that hasn't prevented the country's leading sportsbooks from participating. With PENN having previously mentioned potential iCasino expansion, ESPN BET could be set to join that group.

ESPN BET sports leagues to bet on ⚽

Most sports betting fanatics will agree that football is king — but ESPN BET will likely offer competitive market volume across all of the major North American professional and amateur sports. 

NFL betting 🏈

Whether you're new to NFL betting or a veteran of gridiron wagering, ESPN BET should have plenty to offer here. In addition to covering off all lines, totals, and spreads each week of the NFL season, the current iteration of the sportsbook also offers a healthy selection of player and team props, along with its "Parlay+" offering, which allows bettors to combine multiple eligible plays on one ticket. As such, ESPN BET Sportsbook will likely be included among our top-rated NFL betting sites and Super Bowl betting sites.

College football betting 🏈

The appetite for college sports betting continues to grow nationwide, and we anticipate ESPN BET to be one of the leading college football betting sites. Currently, the active product allows bettors to divide the weekly NCAA schedule by conference, permitting those who prefer to stick to the Big 10 or SEC an opportunity to easily access those games. Matchup pages also feature recent history and pre-game win probability.

NBA betting 🏀

Barstool provides bettors with a little extra when it comes to their basketball wagering needs, setting up ESPN BET as one of the top NBA betting sites. Not only does it greet bettors with a trove of traditional and prop markets, it also features a rather comprehensive "Betting Stats and Trends" section atop the main NBA page with league-wide stats like "Top Over Percentage" and 'Team Stat Streaks."

College basketball betting 🏀

Like most top-rated sports betting sites in the U.S., ESPN BET will offer college basketball bettors plenty of options. And, as you might expect, the sportsbook will push to become one of the leading March Madness betting sites and capitalize on its customers' obsession with the famous tournament.

NHL betting 🏒

NHL betting continues to grow in popularity, thanks largely to expanded markets certain to be offered by ESPN BET. Get in on the moneyline or puck line, take a shot at hitting the right total bet, or take your wagering experience to another level by predicting who will score and when. ESPN BET will attempt to crack the list of the top NHL betting sites by also featuring a wide selection of futures during the offseason.

MLB betting ⚾

Many baseball bettors are rejoicing at the growth of quick-resolution live betting, something the current platform — and soon ESPN BET — offers. You can wager on the result of a specific player's at-bat or even a particular pitch. With hundreds of markets for each game, the sportsbook's existing baseball repertoire should make ESPN BET one of the leading MLB betting sites.

Other sports 🏃

ESPN BET is inheriting a long list of sports and events, including athletics, Australian Rules football, badminton, baseball (international), basketball (WNBA, international), beach volleyball, boxing, cricket, curling, cycling (track, road), cyclo-cross, golf, handball, hockey (international), motorsports (NASCAR, F1), the Olympics, pesapallo (Finnish baseball), Rugby League, Rugby Union, soccer, speedway, squash, surfing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, and winter sports.

ESPN BET customer service ✅

A responsive customer service team has been a staple at the existing sportsbook, and that will likely continue when ESPN BET takes its place. Representatives will be available 24/7 via live chat or email and will be quick to respond to any questions and concerns. It's also probable that the sportsbook will launch a dedicated customer support Twitter account that you'll be free to message directly.

• Live chat: Available 24/7
• Phone: Callback option available
• Email: Contact form via support page
• Twitter: @ESPN

ESPN BET responsible gambling 👍

The legal age for sports betting in most states is 21+, but is subject to regional regulation. Please play responsibly. ESPN BET will comply with the rules laid down by the regulating bodies in the states where it operates.

Here are a few resources to help ensure you are gambling responsibly:

• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): Has over 50 years of experience assisting people and families affected by problem gambling. You can call or text the council (1-800-522-4700) or join its 24/7 live chat.
• Center for Problem Gambling: Has been funded by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) since 1996. Its counselors and therapists have significant experience working with those affected by problem gambling.
• BeGambleAware.org: Offers free confidential help and support to anyone worried about gambling for themselves or others.
• Gambling Therapy: A global service provided by Gordon Moody offering free emotional support and advice to anyone affected by gambling.

Why choose ESPN BET? 🤔

Fueled by the potent combination of PENN Entertainment and the Worldwide Leader, ESPN BET will assuredly be an immediate disruptor to the power balance of the sports betting space. Whether you're a newbie or a sharp, there's a good chance ESPN BET will deliver the premium online sportsbook experience you'd expect from such a heralded brand.

⭐ Potentially lucrative welcome bonus — These days, sportsbooks need to provide quality sign-up offers to draw in customers. ESPN BET Sportsbook's potential $1,000 new-player bonus would do just that, placating new bettors with an immediate boost to their bankroll.

⭐ Tons of betting markets — If there's one thing you can expect ESPN BET to follow through on, it's offering loads of sports betting markets. From the major leagues to niche events, you shouldn't have to look far to pinpoint your desired opportunity. 

⭐ Lavish mobile app — The top sportsbooks have the top mobile apps, and we expect ESPN BET to be among this group. With its predecessor's technology available and previous experience generating other branded apps, the ESPN BET mobile platform should prove flashy and efficient.