ESPN, arguably the biggest name in the sporting world, has finally jumped into the waters of the sports betting industry. After PENN Entertainment and Barstool Sports parted ways in August 2023, PENN agreed to a massive 10-year partnership with ESPN as they prepare to re-brand Barstool Sportsbook into ESPN Bet.
The betting platform launched on November 14, 2023, just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. In this ESPN Bet OH overview, we’re going to touch on all the important information regarding the newly established betting brand, and how users in Ohio will be able to get their hands on it.
ESPN Bet explained
On August 8, 2023, PENN Entertainment and Barstool Sports announced they would no longer work together. The news sent shockwaves throughout the sports betting world, and it opened the door for Penn to officially partner with ESPN, resulting in a 10-year, $2 billion licensing deal.
Now, PENN and ESPN have worked together to transform Barstool Sportsbook into ESPN Bet, rolling out the new platform on November 14, 2023. The bookie is accessible through the ESPN Bet website and mobile app, giving users ample opportunity to play anywhere in Ohio.
Is ESPN Bet Sportsbook legal in OH?
Yes, ESPN Bet is legal in OH. Since ESPN took the place of Barstool Sportsbook, the platform is now live in the 17 states where PENN Entertainment held sports gambling operator's licenses, including Ohio.
Signing up for ESPN Bet in Ohio is slightly more tedious than the process with other bookmakers, but you'll still be able to complete the process in roughly 10 minutes. Once you've registered, you can claim the promo of $200 in bonus bets.
Here’s a quick rundown on how users in Ohio can sign up for ESPN Bet and get their hands on the welcome offer.
ESPN Bet's welcome promo is $200 in bonus bets following a player's first real-money wager on the site. Any sport, any bet type, any odds, and any size stake; if you place the wager, the bonus comes automatically.
While this welcome offer represents one of the best betting values in Ohio, there's a good chance this offer will change when the promo expires on December 31, 2023. OHBetting.com will update this site should the welcome promo change at that time.
The ESPN Bet promo of $200 in bonus bets (broken up as four $50 bets) will appear in your account within 72 hours of placing your first bet. All bet types are eligible, and there are no restrictions on the sports market or the size of your wager.
How to troubleshoot if the ESPN Bet Ohio bonus is not working
When it comes to fixing issues with a promotional offer not working, there are a few steps users can take. First and foremost, be sure to read up on the terms and conditions of the promo. They typically lay out everything you’ll need to know to take full advantage of the offer, such as waiting 72 hours after making your first bet.
You can also restart your web browser, as this can refresh the cached version of the page and update to show the bonus.
If you’ve done that and are still having trouble getting the OH betting bonus to work, contacting the operator through their customer service tab will usually do the trick.
Different kinds of wagers on ESPN Bet Sportsbook
Like most Ohio sportsbooks, ESPN Bet has a wide variety of bet types for its users to wager through. Here are some of the most popular ones available on ESPN Bet Sportsbook.
Leading leagues you can bet on using ESPN Bet Ohio
ESPN Bet has given its users 17 sports betting markets to place wagers on, in addition to esports and entertainment markets. Here’s are the leading leagues where we expect the majority of the action to take place for ESPN Bet's Ohio users.
The ESPN Bet betting app in Ohio
Following the November 2023 launch, users can get their hands on the ESPN Bet Ohio mobile betting app. The app to be available for download on both iOS and Android devices, completely free of charge.
Early reviews of the app are quite favorable, with Android users scoring the app at a 4.8/5 while iOS reviewers gave a whopping 4.9/5. If ESPN is able to maintain these high scores, it should be able to make a dent in the 71% betting handle market share held by FanDuel and DraftKings.
Our tests of the app supported the high ratings, as we found ESPN Bet to be well-organized, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to use. The display is stylish and modern, and the process of placing wagers and reviewing our bets was quick and straightforward.
How to download the ESPN Bet app on iOS
How to download the ESPN Bet app on Android
Will you be able to bet on Ohio college sports with ESPN Bet?
Yes, you will be able to bet on Ohio college sports with ESPN Bet. Placing wagers on in-state college sporting events and players is permitted under state law, so markets for each of Ohio's 13 NCAA Division I schools are listed on ESPN Bet's pages.
ESPN Bet Sportsbook Ohio payment options
ESPN Bet Sportsbook Ohio has a list of payment options that is similar to other bookmakers in the state, though there are a few banking methods that aren't available everywhere. Here are a few of the options you can use on ESPN Bet in the Buckeye State.
Deposit/withdrawal methods include: