ESPN Bet

In one of the biggest sports betting stories of the year, PENN Entertainment ended their partnership with the Barstool Sportsbook and partnered with ESPN to create the ESPN Bet app. After months of developing the product, the product officially launched on November 14th, 2023, and can be accessed in app form on IOS or Android products through the App Store or Google Play Store.

The product launched in all 19 states that PENN has a license in, which include AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, & WV. Since the product is still very early into its launch, there is no telling how big it will become, but with a big-name media company in the name, the app will likely develop a reputation quickly.

Since this app took over for another product and was not developed from the ground up, many of the functions are similar, with minor improvements across the board. Overall, customers can expect nice variety across the board, whether with sports to bet on, bet types to place, or even payment methods.

Many media companies have tried their hand in the sports betting world, and none have really been successful, but based on initial reactions, this product has potential. The highly enjoyable app gives bettors an efficient experience, and with promotion coming from some of the biggest names in sports media, this app has the ability to outlast its counterparts in this market.

Sports Betting Markets & Lines

Variety is a significant aspect of the ESPN Bet app, with customers given the ability to bet on an impressive selection of sports and leagues. Unsurprisingly, customers can wager on popular U.S. leagues like the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, NCAAF, and NCAAB. The buck does not stop there, though, as users can also wager on sports like soccer, golf, tennis, and MMA.

International leagues like the CFL for football or Serie A for soccer are also available to wager on. Aside from international leagues, customers can also wager on sports that aren’t considered popular for sports betting, including lacrosse, volleyball, table tennis, cycling, and cricket.

Entertainment events like the Oscars or Grammy’s cannot be wagered on with this product, but it will be interesting to see if the product will offer odds on an event like the ESPYS. Even if that is the case down the line, for right now, this product offers strictly sports wagers.

Bets & Odds

If there is a certain bet type you are looking to make on a game, there is a good chance you can make it on the ESPN Bet app. Customers can place wagers on point spreads, totals, moneylines, parlays, teasers, futures, prop bets, and plenty more. There are truly countless markets you can find on this product, including quarter or half specific wagers and even premade bets

When it comes to odds, the product stacks up fairly well in the market in terms of pricing. For those who used the Barstool Sportsbook app, the odds are the exact same since the products are run by the same company. Of course, there is always room to grow in this area, so we advise always having multiple sportsbook accounts.

Live Betting

Live betting is 100% available on the ESPN Bet app and is incredibly easy to find and use on the product. Customers can find live events on the home page or the “Live tab” at the bottom of the app. From there, they can browse through the countless live events offered, and once they find the one they’re looking for, they have the ability to sort through the countless markets offered.

While you may think that because the company that the app is named after is the worldwide leader in sports, you would be able to watch live events directly from the app, unfortunately, that is not the case. Even though that may be disappointing, since the product offers competitive live odds, we’ll cut them some slack.

ESPN Bet Payment And Withdrawal Options

Much like it is with the rest of the product, variety is the name of the game when it comes to payment methods on the ESPN Bet app. Users can find a nice mix of payment methods, allowing for a seamless deposit and withdrawal process. These payment methods include debit/credit cards and e-wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Venmo. Customers can also use ACH or deposit in person at a PENN owned casino.

There is a $10 minimum deposit for all deposit options, which is a standard number in the market. When it comes to withdrawals, all requests may take up to 72 hours, depending on which method a customer chooses to use. Many of the same methods that can be used for deposits can also be used for withdrawals, so by using the same method, customers can make the process very simple for themselves.

Since this product is run by a trusted and experienced operator, the payment process is constantly being updated to make things easier for customers. When we went to make our first deposit, we were able to do so in a very timely manner, allowing us to start betting right away.

Deposit Methods

• Apple Pay

• ACH/e-Check

• Mastercard

• PayPal

• Skrill

• Venmo

• Visa

• Online Banking

• Wire Transfer

• Cash Cage

Withdrawal Methods

• Debit Cards (Visa/Mastercard)

• Online Banking

• ACH/e-Check

• PayPal

• Skrill

• Venmo

• Cash Cage

• Wire Transfer

• Check by Mail

Accepted Currencies

• USD

Customer Service and Support

Since PENN was doing more of an overhaul with the ESPN Bet app, instead of creating every aspect of the product, the customer support on this product is already very professional and efficient. Customers have three ways to contact the support team, including a 24/7 live chat option, through email, or over the phone.

The live chat option can strictly be found on the app and can be accessed by going to “My Account” and selecting “Help.” Customers looking for support on the website can find it by going to the bottom of the site and selecting “Support.” Since the product is still a recent release, the phone hotline will undoubtedly be busy and may feature long wait times, so it’s best to use the live chat function if possible.

Users can also access the FAQ page when looking for a solution to a problem. The page can be found the same way the support options are, and it features a helpful range of topics to choose from. Each of these topics, which include payment options, wager types, security, and more, can quickly be cycled through to find a solution in a timely manner.

Responsible Gaming Tools

No matter how new or old a sportsbook is, it is imperative they feature responsible gaming tools, and the ESPN Bet has an excellent selection of them. Bettors can set limits across multiple areas of the product to keep their gaming in check. These areas include timing, deposit, loss, and spending limits.

Aside from setting limits, customers can also take a cool-off or self-exclusion period break from the app. Of course, if none of these options feel like enough, customers can also permanently delete their account and find specific gambling help resources in their state of residence.

Mobile Betting With the ESPN Bet App

The overall branding might be different, but when it comes to the layout and interface, the ESPN Bet app has a very similar look and feel to the most updated version of the Barstool Sportsbook. For those who have never used a PENN Gaming product before, this look and feel is very user-friendly.

When you first open the app, it has almost a futuristic feel to it, but once you get down to the nitty-gritty, it is very easy to navigate and understand. The promotions are nicely laid out, and finding top events or the live betting section is very simple, which allows customers a better chance to get the best prices possible on these events.

In our time with the product, we have run into very few responsiveness issues. Even when spending an extended period of time on the app, we have not noticed any lagging or crashing problems. Over time, these issues could occur, but PENN Gaming has proven in the past that they are quick to address these concerns.

Downloading The ESPN Bet App

The freshly released ESPN Bet can be downloaded from either the App Store or Google Play Store.

Since the product was recently released, we will give it some time before posting its official star rating on both marketplaces.

Web Platform

ESPN Bet did not just launch in app form, but it also was released in a web platform that has a smooth and simple look to it. Much like the app, the web platform looks a lot like the Barstool Sportsbook website, just with a few color changes and upgrades in different spaces.

If you’re a bettor who has never used a PENN Gaming website before, it should still take no time to get adjusted to the layout, as it is very user-friendly. When it comes to responsiveness, we have run into no problems so far on the platform, no matter how long we spend on the product or how much we explore the different functions.