ESPN Bet is Shutting Down: What’s Happening?
ESPN Bet is shutting down this December as ESPN ends its partnership with Penn Entertainment and shifts to a new deal with DraftKings. This move brings DraftKings’ sportsbook, daily fantasy, and Pick6 features directly into ESPN’s platforms, including its revamped app. Searchers often ask: Why is ESPN Bet shutting down? and What does this new DraftKings partnership mean for users? The change marks a major shift in the sports-betting market as ESPN seeks deeper integration with a more established operator.
Why is ESPN Bet Shutting Down and Partnering with DraftKings?
ESPN signed a $1.5B licensing deal with Penn Entertainment in 2023 to build ESPN Bet, replacing the Barstool Sportsbook brand. But the agreement has now ended early, with both sides saying the split was mutual. The shutdown reflects ESPN’s focus on a more powerful partnership, positioning DraftKings to deliver richer betting features across ESPN’s ecosystem beginning December 1.
What Happens to ESPN Bet Users After the Shutdown?
Once ESPN Bet is shutting down, users will transition to DraftKings within ESPN’s app. Early integration will bring sportsbook access, daily fantasy, and Pick6 at launch, with a full rollout planned for 2026. Users will no longer rely on a standalone ESPN Bet app — instead, they’ll find wagering tools directly in the ESPN experience to streamline discovery, stats, and betting.
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