ESPN Bet is set to make its maiden appearance across 17 states on the upcoming Tuesday of November 14. This latest venture promises to power odds both on the ESPN website and throughout its network programming for the eagerly awaited launch.
As the anticipation builds towards the launch of this retail and online sportsbook, ESPN has replaced its odds provider from Caesars Sportsbook to the ESPN-branded sports betting entity. Earlier in August, ESPN – a cable sports programmer owned by Disney – inked a deal with Penn Entertainment permitting the casino operator to integrate the globally recognized sports brand into their sports betting enterprise.
Penn ceased its former partnership with Barstool Sports concurrently with its agreement to shell out $1.5 billion over a decade in exchange for the right to use the ESPN identity. ESPN enjoyed a lengthy collaboration with Caesars Entertainment since sports betting catapulted into the mainstream after the U.S. Supreme Court deemed a federal law limiting single-game wagering to Nevada unenforceable in May 2018. This long-standing partnership was replaced by ESPN Bet, in consonance with the comprehensive Penn agreement, and as NFL games grace the screens this weekend, ESPN’s website will showcase “Odds by ESPN Bet”.
However, as ESPN Bet is poised to launch online and at Penn’s Plainridge Park Casino, Massachusetts gaming regulators have voiced concerns. During the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s review of the application, they have expressed disquiet that ESPN Bet could be the first sportsbook to bear a third-party brand’s identity.
There exists ambiguity over the potential confusion among consumers about the defining line between ESPN as a sports programmer and ESPN Bet as a sportsbook. An explanation was offered by Commissioner Jordan Maynard using ESPN’s Pat McAfee, an analyst who provides weekly college football predictions. Questions arise over his dual role, whose discussions and opinions might influence betting decisions.
In response to these concerns, ESPN Bet representatives have assured there will be adequate safeguards in place, with Penn Entertainment solely managing sportsbook operations and exerting zero influence over ESPN programming content or journalistic integrity.
On a different note, ESPN Bet logo underwent change relinquishing its mint hue for a sleek black design, which could be a move prompted by a dispute with peer-to-peer social betting startup, BroThrow.
Keeping in view all these recent updates and fascinating intricacies that surround the world of sports and its betting culture, it’s interesting to see how the digital shift has also dramatically altered the casino scene. At our platform, we have taken the effort to comprehensively review online casinos, targetting those Canadian residents interested in taking their gaming experience into the digital realm. So for those looking to explore further, we invite you to read more on the best online casinos available this month. Explore the digital world of betting where you don’t have to leave the comfort of your homes and still enjoy the thrill of the gamble.
