New Yorkers are about to get access to the newest sportsbook on the block.
ESPN BET Sportsbook’s parent company PENN Entertainment agreed to purchase Wynn Resorts’ license (WynnBET) in the Empire State for $25 million.
“This is an important development that will bring ESPN BET to the largest regulated online sports wagering market in North America,” said Jay Snowden, PENN Entertainment CEO and President, said in a statement.
“Together with ESPN, we’re building a brand that is synonymous with sports betting, and operating in the New York market is key as we grow ESPN BET across the U.S.”
PENN announced that the rebrand for New York sports betting would take place at some point in 2024.
PENN rebranded Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN BET in August. PENN Entertainment had purchased a 36 percent stake in Barstool Sportsbook for $163 million in 2020.
WynnBET selling its license further reduces the brand’s sports-betting operation. On top of relinquishing its New York operation, WynnBET shuttered its sportsbook in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia in August.
WynnBET Sportsbook also announced it would cease offering betting in Massachusetts on Monday, leaving Michigan as its only operational state.
ESPN BET Expanding Into Top Betting Market
The decision to buy into New York further cements ESPN BET’s place in the sports-betting marketplace.
PENN now will host sports betting on ESPN’s platform in 18 states — Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia — and will launch North Carolina sports betting in March due to its partnership with Quail Hollow Golf Club in Charlotte.
ESPN BET has been successful due to its partnership with the sports-media behemoth, as well as PENN’s commitment in the iGaming space.
The fact PENN has been able to purchase betting licenses to gain ESPN entry into more than a dozen states — without needing to wait for new licenses to open or the traditional regulatory hurdles — has only aided the upstart sportsbook’s success.
New York will be the largest state where ESPN BET Sportsbook will offer sports betting, and the sportsbook gives ESPN’s legion of fanatics the opportunity to tail or fade betting options made my the media company’s stars.
Other sports-media empires, like FOX and Sports Illustrated, failed at making inroads in the sports-betting space. But backed by PENN, who put together a sterling product initially with Barstool, and carrying arguably the most famous name in sports, ESPN is well-positioned to have staying power.
ESPN BET NY Promo Code Offer
ESPN BET gives new users a 100% first-deposit match up to $1,000 — no promo code or opt-in required. Those who sign up will receive a match in site credit up to the first grand in cash depositing.
Site credit will be paid out as bonus cash that will not count toward any winnings. However, site credit needs only to be played through once in order for it to be withdrawn.
How to Activate the ESPN BET Promo Code NY Offer
The ESPN BET promo code can be activated simply by signing up. There is no promo code or bonus code required to unlock the first-deposit match.
That means as long as you’ve never used the ESPN BET sportsbook, you’ll be able to get a 100% First Deposit Match up to $1,000, even if you previously had a Barstool Sportsbook account.
ESPN BET Overview For New NY Customers
How ESPN BET Promo Code Compares to Other Sportsbooks
ESPN BET’s new-user promo is one of our favorites. We always love a First Deposit Match sportsbook signup offer: You can double your playable funds without breaking the bank.
The best part about the ESPN BET’s First Deposit Match is new players can dictate how much they want to spend; compare this to a Bet $5, Get $150 offer that most sportsbooks have been pushing.
Some people understandably prefer a Bet & Get. They prefer to get extra site credit without needing to deposit more than $10.
However, the First Deposit March is high on our list of sportsbook promotions. Players will get 100% of the amount they deposit and can play with (and hopefully win cash with) bonus funds without needing to dip into the funds they deposit.
Quality of ESPN BET Odds
Another important part of ESPN BET’s early success is its odds. Since the Barstool days, PENN has provided users with soft, often lucrative odds that enhance a player’s chance at finding value and maximizing profit.
To our judgment, ESPN BET was the first sportsbook to give users odds of (+110) on a Kansas City Chiefs moneyline wager for Super Bowl 58. It also continued to list the San Francisco 49ers spread at -1.5, while most other books which were providing -2 or -2.5 for that Big Game.
If you peruse the ESPN BET app or site, or after you use our latest sportsbook promo offers, you’ll notice the odds are almost always more playable as compared to other sportsbooks.
ESPN BET’s Unique Bet Types
ESPN BET is aiming to separate itself from the long-standing sportsbooks with new, unique bet types.
For example, during the NFL season, ESPN BET offered a No Touchdown Scored prop bet for most listed player props.
In an effort to carve out their piece of the sports betting population, ESPN has encouraged many bettors with this creativity. The media powerhouse isn’t solely relying on its massive audience.
Where Will ESPN BET Launch Next?
North Carolina! The Tar Heel State is going live. Pre-registration can start as early as March 1, with sports betting beginning March 11 — just in time to bet on March Madness.
It has already been confirmed that ESPN BET North Carolina will be live in NC via its partnership with the Charlotte-based Quail Hollow Golf Club.
With PENN’s backing and The Worldwide Leader’s brand identity, ESPN BET Sportsbook is poised to be a major player in sports betting for years to come. It should build the clout and trustworthiness required to be among the handful of legal betting options that go live on Day 1 when a new state launches.
