This article clarifies whether Barstool Sports runs a sportsbook in 2026 and explains where to go if you are looking to place legal bets. It covers the corporate rebrand that led to ESPN BET, the verification steps required to wager, how to check state availability, common pitfalls, and a practical checklist to follow before signing up. If you searched for "barstool sports betting," this guide will help you identify the correct operator, understand why the Barstool name no longer denotes a sportsbook, and take the steps needed to confirm whether you can legally and safely access wagering services in your state.

Barstool Sports is a media brand; its former sportsbook was rebranded to ESPN BET in 2023.

ESPN BET is available only in states where the operator holds a license and online betting is legal.

Confirm operator name, read terms, and check state regulator listings before registering.

Quick answer: does Barstool Sports directly offer betting?

One-sentence summary

Short answer: Barstool Sports itself does not run a sportsbook in 2026; the Barstool-branded wagering product was rebranded and is now offered under ESPN BET after a corporate partnership and divestiture.

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barstool sports betting

If you are searching for barstool sports betting because you want to place a legal wager, look for ESPN BET as the current operator in eligible states; the rebrand and launch are documented in the official ESPN announcement describing the new sportsbook brand and launch details, which replaced the previous Barstool-branded app ESPN press release on ESPN BET.

What this means in practice is that Barstool remains a media and content brand, while ESPN BET is the active online sportsbook run by the operator that previously offered Barstool Sportsbook, so users should be careful to confirm which brand is listed in app stores and official operator materials before signing up.

How the Barstool sportsbook became ESPN BET

Timeline of the PENN-ESPN partnership and rebrand

The change traces to a business agreement in which PENN Entertainment formed a long-term partnership with ESPN and agreed to rebrand its online sportsbook offering under the ESPN BET name, a transition publicly described by the companies as a strategic brand alignment and operator rebrand. (See ESPN Bet on Wikipedia.)

The announcement from PENN explained that the arrangement included the divestiture aspects related to Barstool Sports and that the sportsbook brand would transition to ESPN BET, clarifying that the wagering business and the media brand would operate distinctly going forward PENN Entertainment announcement on the partnership.

What divestiture meant for the Barstool brand

As a result of the deal and subsequent actions, Barstool Sports continued as a media entity rather than as a sportsbook operator, meaning editorial content and promotional mentions might still reference the Barstool name while the actual wagering product and account service run under the ESPN BET brand.

The launch of ESPN BET in November 2023 formalized the rebrand and replaced the earlier Barstool-branded app in markets where the operator provides service, illustrating that a recognizable media brand does not automatically equate to operating a licensed sportsbook ESPN press release on ESPN BET.

Where to go now if you search for Barstool betting

ESPN BET as the current operator

Close up of phone showing ESPN BET app store listing with operator name visible against a blurred stadium background in minimalist Funded Plays style barstool sports betting

If your intent is to place a bet, the correct destination to check is ESPN BET, the sportsbook brand that replaced the Barstool-branded product under the PENN Entertainment partnership; ESPN BET is the operator name to verify when signing up or downloading an app.

Because online sportsbook availability is governed by state licensing and operator approvals, the ESPN BET app or website will only show wagering functionality where PENN holds the necessary permissions and the state has authorized online sports betting; confirm the operator name and state availability before creating an account ESPN BET Terms and Conditions. For a quick reference to current legal markets, see ESPN BET legal states.

Check operator and state availability

Before you proceed, take a moment to confirm the operator name in the app store and your state’s licensing status so you’re registering with the licensed sportsbook that actually provides betting where you live.

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How to find the correct app or website

Practical steps: search the official app store listing for ESPN BET rather than for Barstool-branded betting; review the operator name, publisher details, and app screenshots to ensure you are installing the licensed product, and check the Funded Plays blog for related guidance.

Also check official operator channels, terms pages, and state regulator listings to confirm that ESPN BET is authorized in your jurisdiction, because an app’s promotional material might reference media partners even when the wagering service itself is controlled by a different licensed operator ESPN BET House Rules. If you need an operator-specific location guide, consult the ESPN BET support article on where the product can be used ESPN BET support.

What ESPN BET requires before you can place wagers

Age and identity verification (KYC)

To open an account and place wagers, users must meet the minimum age for legal betting in their state and complete identity verification steps; operators require KYC checks to confirm identity and age before allowing real-money activity.

ESPN BET’s published Terms and House Rules state that identity verification and other checks are required during account creation and at withdrawal, which helps ensure compliance with state law and responsible operation of the service ESPN BET Terms and Conditions.

Geolocation checks and account rules

In addition to age and KYC, online sportsbooks use geolocation technology to verify that a user is physically located within a state where the operator is licensed to accept wagers; attempting to wager from outside an authorized state will typically prevent betting functionality.

ESPN BET’s house rules and terms describe the geolocation and account restrictions that apply to wagering, so prospective users should read those pages closely to understand the practical steps for compliance and any limitations tied to state lines ESPN BET House Rules.

State-by-state legality and how to check your state

Using authoritative maps and regulator sites

Sports betting legality and which operators can offer services vary by state, so the authoritative way to check is to consult a current regulatory map or your state gaming regulator’s website for the latest rules and licensed operator lists.

The American Gaming Association maintains an interactive map that summarizes where sports betting is legal and can be a practical starting point to confirm whether online wagering is authorized in your state American Gaming Association interactive map.

Does Barstool Sports directly offer betting in 2026?

No. Barstool Sports is a media brand; the sportsbook product was rebranded and is now offered as ESPN BET by the operator previously associated with the Barstool-branded app.

If the AGA map indicates that your state allows betting, double-check the regulator’s website for the formal list of licensed operators; regulators will publish the names of entities authorized to accept online wagers and any recent approvals or limitations.

Examples of recent state launches

To illustrate how availability continues to progress on a state-by-state basis, PENN and ESPN BET expanded to additional states after the rebrand, including a documented launch in North Carolina, which shows that operator rollouts happen over time and depend on state approvals PENN Entertainment news on North Carolina launch.

Minimal 2D vector US map on dark Funded Plays style background with several states highlighted in pale yellow indicating state by state sportsbook availability for barstool sports betting

Because state authorization can change, confirm current coverage and any local restrictions before assuming an operator is available where you live.

Common misunderstandings and pitfalls to avoid

Mistaking the media brand for the operator

A frequent confusion is assuming a high-profile media brand directly operates the sportsbook; in this case, Barstool Sports remains a media property while the active wagering product runs under the ESPN BET brand after the rebrand, so always confirm the licensed operator name in official materials.

Promotional material or editorial content from a media outlet can reference partnerships or sponsorships without indicating who holds the betting license, so verify the account provider and terms rather than relying on brand mentions alone ESPN press release on ESPN BET.

Assuming availability or trying to circumvent geolocation

Do not assume you can access an online sportsbook from anywhere, and avoid attempts to bypass geolocation checks such as using VPNs; these measures violate operator terms and can lead to account restrictions or denied payouts.

ESPN BET and other licensed operators enforce geolocation and KYC procedures as part of compliance with state law, so trying to circumvent those measures is not recommended and can have real consequences for account standing and responsible operation of wagering services ESPN BET Terms and Conditions.

Practical scenarios: when you see Barstool referenced in promos or media

Reading a promo with the Barstool name

If you see a promotion or mention of Barstool alongside betting content, check whether the link or app leads to ESPN BET or to editorial content; the promotional creative may reference a media partner while the betting link points to the licensed sportsbook name.

Before creating an account, confirm that the link targets the official operator site and review the terms shown at signup to ensure you are registering with the licensed sportsbook operating in your state ESPN BET Terms and Conditions.

Quick verification checklist for operator and state availability

Confirm operator name
Check app store listing
Verify state license

Use before registering

Checklist before you sign up

Use a short checklist: confirm the operator name shown in the app store or website, read the operator’s terms and house rules, verify your state allows online betting, and ensure you can meet account verification requirements before depositing funds. (See how Funded Plays evaluations work.)

As an example of the rolling availability process, ESPN BET’s expansion to states such as North Carolina shows that newly launched markets will appear in official announcements and regulator lists, so time-sensitive verification is important PENN Entertainment news on North Carolina launch.

Bottom line and next steps

Bottom line: Barstool Sports does not operate a sportsbook in 2026; ESPN BET is the sportsbook brand that replaced the Barstool-branded product and is the correct operator to look for in eligible states.

Next steps: check the operator name in app stores and official materials, read ESPN BET’s terms and house rules for verification and wagering requirements, and consult the AGA interactive map or your state regulator to confirm whether ESPN BET is licensed where you live American Gaming Association interactive map.

Does Barstool Sports operate a sportsbook now?

No. Barstool Sports is a media brand; the sportsbook product was rebranded to ESPN BET and operates where licensed.

How can I tell if ESPN BET is available in my state?

Check the American Gaming Association map or your state gaming regulator, and verify the operator name in app store listings and official announcements.

What identity checks are required to wager?

Operators require age verification, identity (KYC) checks, and geolocation confirmation before allowing wagers.

If you need to act, pause and verify: confirm the operator name in app store listings, consult ESPN BET’s official terms and house rules for verification requirements, and check the AGA map or your state regulator for current licensing information. These quick checks help ensure you register with the licensed operator that can legally provide wagering in your jurisdiction.