ESPN BET is one of the hottest new sportsbooks in the US, combining ESPN’s sports legacy with Penn Entertainment’s powerful betting platform.
It launched with a bang and is already live in 19 states, with more on the horizon.
You can create your account from anywhere, but to place real-money bets, you’ll need to be inside a state where ESPN BET is licensed and legal.
Whether you're in Michigan, New Jersey, or North Carolina, ESPN BET brings a premium betting experience straight to your phone.
Below, we’ll show you where it’s legal, when it launched in each state, and what’s coming next.
ESPN BET legal states May 2025
State | Launch date | license |
|---|---|---|
Nov 14, 2023 | NASCAR | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Ameristar Casino Black Hawk | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Hollywood Casino Aurora | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Ellis Park Racing & Gaming | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Boomtown Casino | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Hollywood Casino Perryville | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Plainridge Park Casino | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Greektown Casino | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Freehold Raceway | |
Sep 27, 2024 | Online-Only License | |
North Carolina | Mar 11, 2024 | Quail Hollow Club |
Nov 14, 2023 | Hollywood Casino Columbus | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Online-Only License | |
Nov 14, 2023 | Online-Only License | |
West Virginia | Nov 14, 2023 | Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races |
Washington D.C. | Jan 21, 2025 | PENN Entertainment Inc. |
Where is ESPN BET legal?
As of May 2025, ESPN BET is live in 20 states and Washington, D.C.
You can place bets only while physically located in one of the following:
Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C.
You can sign up from any state, but real-money wagers require you to be geolocated within one of these legal states. VPN use is blocked and may result in account suspension.
Where is ESPN BET not legal?
ESPN BET isn’t available in every state.
Currently, the states that do not allow betting with ESPN BET, either due to licensing restrictions or because online sports betting hasn’t been legalized are as follows:
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Even in states with legalized betting, ESPN BET might be unavailable due to limited licensing or high tax rates that keep operators out. States like Florida, California, and Texas are being closely watched for future expansion.
Can you use a VPN for ESPN BET?
No. ESPN BET uses real-time geolocation technology to confirm your physical location.
If you're not in a legal ESPN BET state, the app will block betting activity.
Using a VPN to spoof your location is strictly prohibited.
Even if you manage to access the site, you won’t be able to complete bets or cash out.
ESPN BET may suspend or permanently ban accounts found using a VPN.
If you're traveling or live near a state border, make sure your device’s location settings are accurate and that you’re clearly within a legal state to avoid location errors.
ESPN BET terms
To use ESPN BET, players must meet legal requirements based on state law.
These include age, ID verification, and geolocation checks.
You can sign up from anywhere in the US, but you must be physically located in a legal ESPN BET state to place bets.
Using a VPN or bypassing geolocation tools can result in suspension or permanent account bans.
ESPN BET enforces responsible gaming policies and complies with all state-level self-exclusion programs.
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Minimum Age | 21+ in all states (18+ in Kentucky) |
ID Verification | Required at sign-up (photo ID + SSN) |
Geolocation | Real-time location tracking required; VPNs strictly prohibited |
Account Access | Register, deposit, and manage your account from any state |
Betting Access | Only available while physically located in a legal ESPN BET state |
Retail Sign-Up Rules | Not required; all registration is online |
Self-Exclusion | ESPN BET honors all applicable state and national exclusion programs |
One Account Rule | Only one ESPN BET account per person |
How to sign up (within 3 minutes)
1. Download the ESPN BET App
2. Create Your Account
3. Verify Location & ID
ESPN BET legal timeline
The future of ESPN BET
Based on everything we’ve reviewed, ESPN BET is well-positioned for long-term success.
The platform has already entered 20 states and Washington D.C., less than two years after launch.
Backed by Penn Entertainment and ESPN’s brand recognition, it’s one of the most serious challengers to DraftKings and FanDuel.
Our research suggests a few likely next steps:
Further State Expansion: States like Florida, Wyoming, and Rhode Island are top candidates. Regulatory hurdles still exist, but ESPN BET has a proven licensing strategy and strong infrastructure.
Deeper Integration with ESPN Platforms: Expect more direct links between ESPN BET and ESPN’s website, app, and broadcasts. Odds, betting tools, and real-time insights could become a core part of how fans consume sports.
Smarter In-App Features: We anticipate improvements in in-play betting, ESPN-branded boosts, and live markets that reflect ESPN’s broadcast data in real time.
Selective Global Growth: ESPN BET is U.S.-only for now, but with Penn’s presence in Ontario and ESPN’s international reach, we believe a Canadian or European rollout isn’t off the table.
This sportsbook was designed for scale, and if state regulators cooperate, we expect ESPN BET to be active in at least 30 U.S. jurisdictions by the end of 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is ESPN BET legal in New York?
Is ESPN BET legal in Michigan?
Is ESPN BET legal in Illinois?
Is ESPN BET legal in Pennsylvania?
Is ESPN BET legal in Missouri?
Is ESPN BET legal in North Carolina?
Can I cash out a bet in another state?
What bonuses does ESPN BET offer?
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