Jan 5, 2020; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a ESPN broadcast microphone before the start of the game between the Oregon State Beavers against the Colorado Buffaloes at the CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
- ESPN BET has still not launched in New York
- PENN Entertainment CEO Jay Snowden said ESPN BET would launch in New York in late August and prior to college football
- Will the Empire State’s newest sports betting operator be ready by week one of the NFL season?
In early August, PENN Entertain CEO Jay Snowden reported ESPN BET would launch in New York by “late August” and at least prior to the start of the college football season.
August has come and gone. Florida State has already lost twice in the college football season. ESPN BET is still dark in New York.
With the NFL season kicking off this Thursday, will ESPN BET be ready to launch in the largest sports betting market in the country?
Week One Kicks off Thursday
Snowden announced ESPN BET would launch in late August during PENN Entertainment’s Q2 earnings report on Thursday, Aug. 8.
While the launch was well received, Snowden also reported that due to high tax rates (New York currently taxes online sports betting at 51% of gross gaming revenue) the ESPN BET launch would likely not feature the robust promos and bonuses for users as in other state launches.
“We will maintain our disciplined approach to customer engagement when we launch ESPN BET in New York in late August,” Snowden revealed in a press release.
Despite his announcement, ESPN BET is still shuttered in the Empire State. ESPN BET representatives have not revealed to Sports Betting Dime any potential start dates for the newest sports betting operator as the calendar moves even further into September.
ESPN BET has been slow out of the gates since its Nov. 14, 2023 launch. When PENN announced the ESPN partnership agreement, Snowden said multiple times that he expected ESPN BET to be “on the podium” in many states, meaning one of the top three operators in terms of handle and/or revenue.
However, ESPN BET has struggled to crack the top-three of operators, even the top-five, in many states it’s licensed in. If ESPN BET hopes to gain ground on market leaders FanDuel and DraftKings, it needs a strong NFL performance and it needs to be up and running in New York, the most robust sports betting market in the entire country.
The operator has remained silent as to a New York launch. The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens this Thursday, Sept. 5, at 8:20 p.m. to kickoff the season, a marquis matchup that is surely to drive many customers to place bets. The NFL also features a special international game on Friday, Sept. 6, as the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Green Bay Packers.
But if ESPN BET does not launch in the state during those days, it likely has its eyes on either Sunday, Sept. 8 for the full slate of games (including the New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings at 1 p.m.) or at the very latest Monday, Sept. 9, to take advantage of the Jets playing the 49ers during Monday Night Football.
ESPN BET Gained NY Access Through Wynn
ESPN and PENN have long coveted access to the New York sports betting market, announcing a deal to acquire Wynn and its prized New York online sports betting license in February.
PENN Entertainment announced a deal for WSI US, LLC, from Wynn Interactive Holdings for $25 million. WSI US, LLC, is the entity that hold the company’s online sports betting licenses that were issued by the New York State Gaming Commission in 2021.
PENN Entertainment announced it would launch ESPN BET in New York sometime in 2024 after the acquisition.
PENN Entertainment was one of the initial applicants through its Barstool Sportsbook partnership when New York opened its licensing process in 2021 for its nine initial online sports betting licenses. PENN and its Barstool Sportsbook brand partnered with Fanatics Betting and Gaming and Kambi for a joint application. The three companies projected its bid could result in $1 billion in incremental tax revenue for the Empire State over a decade.
Ultimately, the New York State Gaming Commission did not accept the group’s bid.
Rob covers all regulatory developments in online gambling. He specializes in US sports betting news along with casino regulation news as one of the most trusted sources in the country.
There has been much speculation and anticipation surrounding the potential launch of ESPN BET in New York before the start of the NFL season. ESPN BET is a new sports betting platform that is set to revolutionize the way fans engage with sports and betting.
Rumors have been swirling that ESPN BET could be launching in New York before NFL Week One, which kicks off on September 9th. This would be a major development for sports fans in the state, as it would provide them with a new and exciting way to bet on their favorite teams and players.
ESPN BET is expected to offer a wide range of betting options, including traditional sports betting as well as innovative new features that will appeal to both casual fans and seasoned bettors. The platform is also rumored to have exclusive partnerships with major sports leagues, which could give users access to unique betting opportunities that are not available elsewhere.
If ESPN BET does launch in New York before NFL Week One, it could have a significant impact on the sports betting landscape in the state. With the NFL being one of the most popular sports for betting, the timing of the launch could not be better for fans looking to get in on the action.
While there has been no official confirmation from ESPN about the launch date of ESPN BET in New York, fans are eagerly awaiting any news or updates on the platform. With the NFL season just around the corner, the timing could not be more perfect for the launch of this exciting new sports betting platform. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to NFL Week One.
