This article answers a common question: what happened to the Barstool app. Many readers searching for the barstool app expect wagering features but find a media-focused experience instead. The core change stems from a 2023 business transition in which PENN Entertainment partnered with ESPN to relaunch U.S. sportsbook operations under the ESPN BET brand.

The Barstool Sportsbook app was retired when PENN and ESPN launched the ESPN BET brand.

Barstool continues as a media company and its content app is still available for podcasts and videos.

Former sportsbook users should check official ESPN or PENN support channels for account guidance.

What happened to the Barstool app, quick answer

Use official press pages to confirm launch and state lists

ESPN Pressroom
Penn statements
App store listing

Check primary sources first

Short answer: the Barstool Sportsbook app stopped operating as a sportsbook when PENN and ESPN moved U.S. sportsbook operations to the ESPN BET brand, and the Barstool name continues as a media app for podcasts, video, and articles rather than a betting product, as documented in official launch materials ESPN Pressroom and reporting such as Rotowire.

That means when people today search for the barstool app they most often find a media app for Barstool content while sportsbook functionality is offered under ESPN BET in states where that brand is licensed, not inside the Barstool media app Apple App Store listing.

Timeline: how the Barstool sportsbook became ESPN BET

August 2023: PENN Entertainment announced a long-term strategic alliance with ESPN to operate a U.S. sportsbook under the ESPN brand, and as part of that business move PENN divested the Barstool sports media holdings back to its founder, creating the conditions for a rebrand of the sportsbook product ESPN Pressroom.

Between August and November several business outlets covered the plan and the intent to rebrand the betting product, and PENN publicly prepared to transition the customer-facing wagering experience away from the Barstool Sportsbook name to ESPN BET in markets where the new service would be authorized CNBC coverage and Front Office Sports.

Need account or availability help?

Check official ESPN BET and Barstool support pages for specific account and availability updates rather than relying on third-party summaries.

Visit official support pages

November 14, 2023: ESPN BET launched as the replacement sportsbook brand in authorized U.S. states, and public notices and launch-day reporting confirmed that the Barstool Sportsbook product itself was retired as the betting vehicle in favor of ESPN BET Reuters.

Because the change involved brand and operational shifts between PENN and ESPN, readers tracking the sequence will find the announcement, rebrand planning, and launch notices across pressroom statements and mainstream news coverage ESPN Pressroom.

Why the Barstool sportsbook was retired

PENN and ESPN described the decision in business terms: a strategic alliance to operate U.S. sports betting under the ESPN BET brand, which included rebranding the consumer-facing sportsbook product so that sportsbook operations would carry the ESPN identity rather than the Barstool Sportsbook name ESPN Pressroom.

The commercial rebrand meant the former Barstool Sportsbook app would be retired as the betting vehicle and users were directed toward the new ESPN BET service when available in their state; official communications around the launch made this replacement clear without promising automatic account transfers ESPN Pressroom.

What happened to the Barstool sportsbook app and the Barstool media app?

PENN and ESPN rebranded PENN’s Barstool Sportsbook operations as ESPN BET, retiring the Barstool Sportsbook app as a betting vehicle; Barstool continues to operate as a media company and its content app remains available separately.

Did my Barstool Sportsbook account move to ESPN BET? Official launch materials did not promise automatic migrations; users were advised to follow instructions from PENN or ESPN and to consult support channels for account-specific questions Reuters.

Separately, Barstool as a media company was divested back to its founder and continues to operate independently as a publisher of podcasts, video, and written content; that media function is distinct from sportsbook licensing and platform operations The Verge and coverage such as CBS News.

What remains available: Barstool media app versus sportsbook features

The Barstool Sports media app remains available in app stores for consuming podcasts, video clips, and articles about sports and culture, and that listing is separate from any sportsbook product or wagering features Apple App Store listing.

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By contrast, sportsbook functions that used to carry the Barstool Sportsbook name were removed as that product ceased to be the betting vehicle and are now offered under the ESPN BET brand in states where that service is licensed and operating ESPN Pressroom.

How to access Barstool content now

If you are looking for podcasts, videos, or articles from Barstool, the official Barstool Sports media app and the Barstool website remain the primary distribution points for that content, and downloading the verified app listing is the straightforward path to access shows and clips Apple App Store listing. Funded Plays blogs

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Visit official support pages

When you open the Barstool media app you should find episodes, blog posts, and embedded video without sportsbook betting interfaces; if you need wagers or account services you will be redirected to ESPN BET where available, or else guided to support for specific questions ESPN Pressroom.

Tip: verify the app publisher name and the app store listing details to make sure you have the official Barstool media app and not a third-party clone or unrelated listing.

If you used the old Barstool Sportsbook app: account and data considerations

Official communications around the ESPN BET launch did not promise automatic migrations of customer accounts from the old Barstool Sportsbook product, so former sportsbook users should not assume an automatic transfer occurred ESPN Pressroom.

If you previously used the Barstool Sportsbook app, check any official emails or support messages from PENN or ESPN for instructions about account status, and contact ESPN BET support directly for wagering or account access questions Reuters.

For media account issues such as subscriptions or content access within the Barstool app, reach out to Barstool support; those matters are handled separately from sportsbook account concerns and by different support teams The Verge.

Where the sportsbook now operates and state availability

PENN’s sportsbook operations are now carried under the ESPN BET brand, and the initial launch covered multiple states with availability tied to state licensing and regulatory approvals Reuters.

Because sportsbook access depends on licensing, whether ESPN BET is available to you will vary by state; consult ESPN BET’s official state-availability pages or pressroom notices for the current list of authorized jurisdictions rather than relying on third-party summaries ESPN Pressroom.

App-store visibility and how to spot the correct app

In app stores the Barstool Sports media app remains listed and you can confirm authenticity by checking the publisher name, app description, and the link back to the official Barstool site in the store listing Apple App Store listing.

Avoid installing apps from outside the official app stores; if you are searching for the barstool app and encounter multiple similarly named results, verify the publisher details and reviews and prefer official links from Barstool pages or trusted pressroom references.

Common mistakes and misunderstandings users make

A frequent source of confusion is expecting sportsbook functionality inside the Barstool media app; because the sportsbook product was retired and rebranded, the media app does not provide wagering features and users can be surprised by that separation ESPN Pressroom.

Another common misunderstanding involves assuming account migration occurred automatically; official launch notes did not promise automatic transfers, so check support and official communications for any instructions specific to your account Reuters.

Finally, be wary of third-party claims that promise to restore or re-enable the old sportsbook app; such offers may be misleading and the correct path is to consult official support channels.

How to confirm official information and avoid scams

Primary official sources to check are the ESPN Pressroom for launch statements, PENN Entertainment communications for corporate details, and reputable news outlets that covered the transition at the time ESPN Pressroom.

Red flags to watch for include unsolicited download links sent in email or text messages, requests to provide passwords outside an official app, or offers that claim to reinstate old sportsbook functionality in states where licensing has not authorized it.

Practical next steps and a checklist for former users

Step 1, verify which app you have installed by checking the app store publisher name and the app description; that tells you whether you are using the Barstool media app or an unrelated listing Apple App Store listing.

Step 2, search your email for official messages from PENN or ESPN around November 2023 for any account instructions; do not act on unofficial or third-party claims about migrations ESPN Pressroom.

Step 3, contact ESPN BET support for questions about wagers, account transfers, or access to betting history, and contact Barstool support for media subscriptions or content issues; keep communications to official channels only Reuters. For additional context visit Funded Plays.

Step 4, back up locally stored content you value such as downloaded podcast episodes, and keep records of any correspondence that may be relevant to account questions.

Mistakes to avoid when searching or reinstalling apps

Do not install apps from unknown sources or APK files; use the official Apple App Store or Google Play Store listings to avoid malicious or misleading software Apple App Store listing.

Remember that sportsbook access is governed by state licensing, so attempting to use a deprecated or unofficial app to place wagers may not only fail but also risk security issues; always confirm platform availability and legal terms on official pages.

Conclusion: what 'the Barstool app' usually means today

When people refer to the barstool app in 2026 they most often mean the Barstool media app used for podcasts, video, and articles; the sportsbook product that once used the Barstool name was retired when PENN and ESPN moved wagering services to ESPN BET ESPN Pressroom.

If you need sportsbook services check ESPN BET’s official pages for state availability and support; for media content use the verified Barstool app or the Barstool website and contact the appropriate support channel for media or wagering issues Apple App Store listing. Visit Funded Plays for related resources.

Is the Barstool app still a sportsbook?

No. The Barstool Sportsbook product was retired and sportsbook functions moved to ESPN BET while the Barstool app remains a media app.

Will my old sportsbook account be automatically transferred?

Official launch communications did not promise automatic migrations. Check emails from PENN or ESPN and contact ESPN BET support for account-specific guidance.

How do I confirm the official Barstool app in the store?

Verify the publisher name, app description, and the link to the official Barstool website in the store listing before downloading.

If you are trying to find betting access, start with ESPN BET’s official pages for current state availability and support. If you want Barstool podcasts, video, or articles, use the verified Barstool media app or the Barstool website and contact the appropriate support channel.