ESPN Bet Sportsbook Review 2025: We Tested the App, Odds, and Payouts

We spent time testing the ESPN Bet Sportsbook app, checking its odds, promos, and running payouts to see if it’s more than just a famous logo on a sportsbook.

Here’s what this ESPN Bet review covers:

• 📱 ESPN Bet app: how it performs in real use
• 💰 Bonuses, promo codes, and what they’re actually worth
• 📊 Odds and pricing compared with other top sportsbooks
• 🏦 Payout process: how fast and reliable it is
• 🛡️ Is ESPN Bet legit and safe to trust with your money?
• 🧠 Our expert take: pros, cons, and where it needs to improve

💬 Editor’s Take: First Impression of ESPN Bet Sportsbook

"I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from ESPN Bet. Big names don’t always mean good products. But after spending time with it, I get the idea. 

It feels familiar, almost like an extension of watching sports on ESPN. The app moves fast, looks good, and keeps things simple, which I like. I still think it needs a bit more polish in some areas, but it’s off to a solid start. It’s the kind of sportsbook I can see growing on people who already live and breathe sports."

These are some of the good and not-so-good things that stood out during our ESPN Bet Sportsbook test:

📊 Score.com’s Honest Ratings for ESPN Bet

Here’s how our team at Score.com rated ESPN Bet after weeks of testing its app, odds, promos, payouts, and more:

🔁 Regular Promos and Extra Perks

ESPN Bet keeps things fresh with a few solid promos for regular players. They pop up on big games or major weekends, so it’s worth checking the promo tab once in a while.

📝 Worth knowing:

• Promos shift often, especially around playoffs or major sporting events.
• Keep an eye on the “Promotions” tab in the app for short-term deals like The Mint Club or themed boosts.
• It’s not over the top, but there’s steady value for anyone who plays often.

When you sign up for ESPN Bet, you’re automatically part of PENN Play, the rewards program run by PENN Entertainment. It’s a simple setup that gives you points every time you place bets or play at PENN casinos. Over time, those points build up and can be used for things like bonus bets, meals, or hotel nights at PENN spots.

👉 Editor's note: It’s one of the better sportsbook loyalty systems out there because it connects directly with real-world rewards. You’ll see the real value if you play often or visit PENN properties now and then. It’s not built to wow you right away, but if you bet regularly, the value adds up in a way that feels genuine.

ESPN Bet comes across like it was built for people who eat, sleep, and breathe sports. The layout is familiar, the odds are easy to find, and the app runs smoothly even when big games are on. Everything from live betting to cashing out feels built for everyday players who want something reliable.

The only real letdowns are the few extras still missing, live streaming isn’t built in yet, and smaller markets could use sharper odds. But for most players, it still checks the main boxes that matter.

✅ What’s Good

• Simple layout that makes sense right away
• Strong odds on major leagues and events
• Fast live betting updates
• NHL partnership adds good market depth
• Clean app that feels built for real sports fans

❌ What’s Not So Good

• Live streaming is still separate from the app
• Odds on smaller sports can be a bit lower
• Not as many recurring promos as some rivals

🏈 Sports and Markets

ESPN Bet covers the sports that most people care about when they sit down to place a bet. All the big American leagues are there, from the NFL and NBA to baseball and hockey, along with college football and basketball. 

You’ll also see a good mix of worldwide action in soccer, tennis, golf, MMA, and boxing. What really stands out is the NHL connection, which adds more ways to bet on hockey with solid prop markets, live action, and season-long futures.

Odds Pricing

Here is a look at how ESPN Bet odds prices stack up in 2025. This gives a fair picture across the big leagues. It is based on steady day-to-day lines and real game weeks, not one-off promos or outliers.

💬 What This Really Means

ESPN Bet holds up well where most people put their money. 🏈 NFL and 🏀 NBA lines feel steady and fair, which is what most bettors care about.

🏒 Hockey is where ESPN Bet really shines. The NHL odds are consistent on both favorites and underdogs, and the markets feel deep enough for serious fans.

⚾ Baseball also has its sweet spots, especially when you back mid-range underdogs. You can often find a bit more value there than on rival sites.

For smaller or niche sports, the prices can get a little tighter, so it’s worth checking around before you place your bet.

🧠 How We Looked at It

• The spread vig shows the average house price on standard spreads and totals.
• The favorite and underdog lines come from regular market comparisons over full slates, not one-off games.
• Live pricing feel reflects how smooth and stable the odds stay during real-time betting, not just one sample.

👉 For the sports most people play every week, ESPN Bet holds its ground. The lines are fair, the live moves make sense, and hockey fans get real depth. For niche sports, smart players still compare prices before they lock a bet.

🕹️ Live Betting and Streaming

Live betting is where ESPN Bet feels closest to the top betting sites out there. You can jump between games without losing track, and the app stays steady even when the action picks up. It feels built for people who like to bet while they watch.

Streaming still has a bit of catching up to do. Some games can be watched through ESPN’s regular channels or by switching to the Score app, but they’re not yet built right into ESPN Bet. It works fine, but it would be nice to keep everything in one place. 

👉 That said, the mix of live stats, quick updates, and solid betting flow still puts ESPN Bet near the top for live play.

🎯 Parlay+ and Cash Out

Parlay+ is one of the smoother features at ESPN Bet. You can put together same-game parlays in seconds, stack a few picks, and see what the payout looks like before you confirm. The odds stay fair, and it feels more natural to use than what you find on many other betting apps.

The cash-out tool works just as well. You can use it to grab a win early or cut a loss before the game ends. It’s easy to find and runs without glitches. It won’t pop up for every market, but when it does, it gets the job done without any surprises.

👉 Editor's note: The thing about ESPN Bet is how naturally it fits into a sports fan’s routine. You check scores, catch a few highlights, and the betting part just slides right in. Sure, the features aren’t all perfect yet, but they’re smartly built, and the whole setup feels like it was made for people who already live inside the ESPN world. 

The ESPN Bet app looks like something built by people who actually use betting sites. It’s quick, clear, and runs smoothly no matter what sport you follow. The layout is easy on the eyes, and the navigation makes sense. Nothing feels cluttered or overdesigned. It’s one of those apps you can figure out in a few minutes without reading a single guide.

There are still a few hiccups, though. Some users report the app freezing from time to time, and live streaming would be better if it were built directly into the app instead of handled elsewhere.

✅ What’s Good

• Clean layout that feels familiar to ESPN users
• Fast load times and no noticeable lag
• Smooth live betting with quick odds updates
• Simple access to Parlay+ and other key features
• App feels well-connected to ESPN’s sports content

❌ What’s Not So Good

• Occasional freezing reported by some users
• Live streaming still handled through other ESPN channels
• Fewer built-in promos compared to other betting sites

📲 Availability and Setup

Getting started only takes a few minutes. You sign up through your browser, grab the app, and log in with the same account.

🏈 Navigation and Design

Navigation on ESPN Bet comes across clean and direct. The big leagues are right up top, and everything else, like live betting and promos, is just a tap away. Everything loads fast, and transitions between pages are smooth. You can switch between sports or open bet slips without losing your place.

The design ties in nicely with the rest of ESPN. Scores, odds, and live lines match the look fans already know, so it’s easy to move from watching to betting without missing a beat.

📊 How the App Performs

The app performs well under pressure, even during busy NFL Sundays or March Madness weekends. Live odds rarely lag, and cash-out requests process quickly.

ESPN Bet App Ratings

Here’s a quick look at how players rate the ESPN Bet app on both iPhone and Android. The numbers show that most users are having a good experience with it across the board.

⭐ ESPN Bet Reviews from Everyday Users

Here’s what real players are saying about the ESPN Bet app:

⭐ “Really Enjoying My Experience”
“This app doesn’t have the performance issues I get with some of the other big betting sites. I was hesitant at first, but with the faster app and solid lines, I’m really enjoying my time so far.”
— Jason, ★★★★★ (Google Play Store)

⭐ “Best Sportsbook App Available”
“I’ve tried them all. I liked FanDuel for a while, but ESPN Bet won me over. It’s smooth, pays out fast, and it’s easy to use.”
— Anonymous User, ★★★★★ (App Store)

⭐ “No Other App Can Touch Them”
“I’d give it a 5 if it didn’t freeze once in a while. Once that’s fixed, it’ll be the best out there. I love how fast I get my withdrawals — just minutes. No other app matches that.”
— Brandon, ★★★★☆ (Google Play Store)

⭐ “I Use It As Much As Possible”
“It’s the fastest betting app I’ve used. FanDuel and DK lag too much for me. ESPN Bet has good options and a few solid boosts. I use it as often as I can.”
— Shawn, ★★★★☆ (Google Play Store)

👉 Editor's note: The ESPN Bet app has earned its praise the right way. The ratings tell the story better than any test could. Thousands of users giving it near-perfect scores on both iPhone and Android. That kind of feedback doesn’t happen by chance. It shows that people find it steady, fast, and easy to use day after day. 

The desktop version of ESPN Bet is just as easy to handle as the app. The design is straightforward and easy on the eyes. You can switch between games or betting markets without anything slowing you down. It works well for people who prefer to bet or follow live scores from their computer.

Everything runs smoothly on desktop, even when there’s a packed sports schedule. The Parlay+ button is right where you expect it, and live odds refresh fast without freezing or lagging.

👉 If you like having stats, odds, and live games all visible at once, the desktop version of ESPN Bet delivers exactly that. It’s clean, steady, and works the way a serious sportsbook should.

ESPN Bet is now live in 19 states and Washington, D.C., with more expected to join soon.

To place a bet, you need to be within one of those approved states and meet the local age rules. Most states set the limit at 21, while a few allow players from 18. The app runs a quick location check every time you log in to make sure all wagers are made legally.

Hollywood Casino, part of PENN Entertainment, is linked straight through the ESPN Bet app. Real-money casino play is only possible if you’re in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia, where state laws allow online casinos.

📝 Quick facts:

• Each state sets its own rules for bet limits, tax rates, and promotions, so what you see can vary.
• You handle your sportsbook and casino funds in one place through the same ESPN Bet wallet.
• Player protection tools, like deposit limits and time reminders, are built right into the account settings.
• ESPN Bet is expected to move into more states in 2026 as new markets approve online betting.

👉 ESPN Bet’s reach keeps growing, but the rules stay the same: be the right age, be inside a legal state, and the app takes care of the rest.

Money moves pretty smoothly at ESPN Bet. You don’t need a finance degree to figure it out, and everything works the way it should. We tested deposits, payouts, and a few edge cases just to see what would happen and the setup held up well from start to finish.

💵 Deposits

Adding funds takes just a minute, and deposits show up right away. There are no fees from ESPN Bet no matter which method you pick.

👉 You can also deposit cash in person at select Hollywood Casino locations tied to ESPN Bet in states like Pennsylvania and Michigan.

🪙 How to Deposit at ESPN Bet

It only takes a moment to add funds once your account is set up.

1. Log in to your ESPN Bet account on mobile or desktop.
2. Tap the profile icon and go to “Cashier” or “Deposit.”
3. Choose your preferred payment method from the list.
4. Enter the amount you want to add (minimum $10).
5. Confirm the transaction.

💸 Withdrawals

Cash-outs are steady and trustworthy, though not always instant. ESPN Bet reviews every withdrawal before sending it to your account, and most players get their funds within a few days.

💰 How to Cash Out at ESPN Bet

Getting your winnings out is quick once you’ve done it once. Here’s how it works:

1. Log in to your ESPN Bet account.
2. Open your profile and tap Withdraw.
3. Pick your preferred payout method.
4. Enter how much you want to withdraw.
5. Confirm and wait for ESPN Bet to process it.

Customer support says a lot about how a sportsbook treats its players, and ESPN Bet gets most of it right. It’s easy to reach support, the chat team answers fast, and they usually sort things out right away. You are not stuck in an endless loop of menus or waiting for a bot that never understands your question.

👉 Editor's note: The support team at ESPN Bet answered every question we threw their way without missing anything. The chat rep replied in less than a minute and explained everything clearly about the promos and payouts. The whole thing felt natural, like talking to someone who actually uses the app, not reading from a script.

Safety is one area where ESPN Bet does not cut corners. ESPN Bet is cleared to run in every legal state, and those licenses come with tight rules that the site actually follows. Everything from logins to payments runs through secure systems that protect your data just like all top U.S. betting sites do.

👉 When you open the app, ESPN Bet quietly runs a few checks in the background to confirm your location and age. These steps keep betting legal and fair without slowing you down. 

ESPN Bet walks into a room already filled with big names like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. These sportsbooks have been around for years, but instead of copying them, ESPN Bet goes its own way. It uses what makes ESPN familiar to everyone, like live scores, coverage, and that game-day energy, and turns it into a smooth betting setup.

When you put it side by side with the heavy hitters, a few clear patterns start to show.

ESPN Bet vs DraftKings

DraftKings Sportsbook is the seasoned pro that’s been doing this for a long time. It’s loaded with features, packed with promos, and has more betting markets than most people will ever scroll through. 

ESPN Bet takes a lighter approach. It’s quicker, easier to move around in, and feels closer to the games you’re actually watching. You won’t see as many promos flying at you, but it’s easier to focus on the bets that matter.

👉 DraftKings throws everything at you. ESPN Bet keeps it focused and closer to the action.

ESPN Bet vs FanDuel

FanDuel Sportsbook is the all-rounder that seems to do everything well. It has endless player props, alternate lines, and constant specials. 

ESPN Bet stays competitive with payouts that move fast and a design that makes sense. There’s less clutter and fewer distractions, which can be a big plus when you just want to get your bet in and enjoy the game.

👉 FanDuel has the size, but ESPN Bet is smoother when it comes to placing bets and cashing out.

ESPN Bet vs BetMGM

BetMGM Sportsbook has been doing this for a long time, and that loyalty program of theirs is still a big draw as your bets can add up to hotel stays, meals, or other nice perks.

ESPN Bet takes a different route. ESPN Bet connects with PENN Play, where your bets can turn into real stuff like food credits or comped nights at a casino. The strongest part of ESPN Bet is its live betting setup. The odds update quickly, and the layout makes it easy to follow the action in real time.

👉 BetMGM rewards loyalty. ESPN Bet rewards momentum.

ESPN Bet vs Bet365

bet365 Sportsbook has been around forever and built a huge following for a reason. It’s one of the best when it comes to live betting and streaming games as they happen. It’s perfect for players who bet on soccer, tennis, or other international sports. 

ESPN Bet can’t match that global spread yet, but its focus on U.S. sports gives it an edge stateside. It feels familiar, it’s quick to navigate, and it connects seamlessly with ESPN’s live stats and coverage.

👉 Bet365 rules the world. ESPN Bet rules game day in the U.S.

📊 Head-to-Head Overview

Here’s a look at how ESPN Bet compares with the biggest sportsbooks in the U.S. on the things players care about the most.

ESPN Bet came out of a big team-up between ESPN and PENN Entertainment. ESPN brought the sports coverage everyone already knows, and PENN brought the know-how from years of running casinos and sportsbooks. Before this deal, PENN operated under the Barstool Sportsbook name, but in 2023 the brand got a complete makeover and stepped into the spotlight as ESPN Bet.

The goal from the start was pretty simple: to make betting feel like something that naturally fits alongside watching the game on ESPN.

What makes ESPN Bet interesting is how quickly it’s gone from idea to one of the most talked-about betting sites in the country. The launch grabbed attention, but the steady updates since then are what show it’s here to stay.

📅 Timeline: How ESPN Bet Came to Life

After testing ESPN Bet from top to bottom, it’s clear that it’s not just another logo slapped on a sportsbook. It has the ESPN feel, steady, connected, and built around the games people already follow every day. It still has room to grow, especially with streaming and smaller market odds, but the core is solid. The app runs clean, payouts come through, and everything works the way it should. For sports fans who already have ESPN open half the day, this one fits right in.