This article answers a common question for U.S. sports fans and bettors: is bet sports, the ESPN BET-branded sportsbook, still available in 2026? We summarize the public timeline, explain how the termination affects consumers, and provide practical checks to verify whether any app or site is legitimately licensed for wagering. The goal is to give a clear, sourced answer and simple next steps you can follow now. If you want to wager legally, confirming the operator's license and your state's rules should be your first actions.

ESPN BET launched in 2023 but the co-branded sportsbook relationship ended with a 2025 mutual termination.

In 2026 there is no ESPN-branded sportsbook; legal wagering must use state-licensed operators where allowed.

Before depositing, verify operator licensing and regulator confirmation for your state.

Short answer: is bet sports still a thing?

Short answer: no. The ESPN BET-branded sportsbook is not operating in 2026 following a mutual early termination announced by the companies in 2025, and anyone who wants to wager now must use operators licensed by their state.

That distinction matters because the phrase bet sports in many searches refers specifically to the ESPN-branded product that debuted under a licensing and operations agreement, and the termination means ESPN is a media brand rather than an operating sportsbook.

Use the American Gaming Association interactive map to check legality in your state

State
Legal status
Regulator site

Use this map to confirm whether online sports wagering is permitted

To confirm the termination and understand the immediate implication for consumers, see the public company statement about the mutual early termination.

For how state law affects access to wagering options, consult the American Gaming Association resource that maps legality across states.

What 'bet sports' meant: the ESPN BET product and partnership

The ESPN BET label described a co-branded online sportsbook created under an exclusive alliance, with PENN Entertainment operating the betting product under an ESPN license; the initial launch messaging framed the product as tightly integrated with ESPN digital properties at debut.

The launch announcement explained a planned multi-state rollout and product integrations, which helped define how many readers referenced bet sports when they searched for an ESPN betting experience.

Timeline: launch, operation and the 2025 wind-down of ESPN BET

August 8, 2023: ESPN and PENN announced their exclusive strategic alliance that established the foundation for a co-branded U.S. sportsbook.

November 14, 2023: the co-branded ESPN BET sportsbook launched in the U.S., with PENN operating the product under ESPN licensing and with planned integrations across ESPN channels.

November 6, 2025: ESPN and PENN announced a mutual early termination of their U.S. online sports betting agreement and noted that outstanding payments to ESPN would end in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Check your state regulator before trusting an ESPN-branded betting claim

Before trusting any site or app claiming an ESPN betting label, check your state regulator list to confirm whether that product is licensed to operate where you live.

View regulator guidance

What the official statements actually say and what they do not claim

The public statements from the companies describe a mutual early termination of the U.S. online sports betting agreement and note the end of outstanding payments in Q4 2025, language intended to explain the commercial closure rather than to create ongoing operational obligations for either party.

The releases confirm that the formal ESPN-PENN operating relationship for a co-branded sportsbook ended with the termination announcement; they do not present the termination as an indication that ESPN will continue to operate a sportsbook directly for U.S. customers.

How the termination affects anyone who wants to bet sports now

There is no active ESPN-branded sportsbook in 2026; consumers who wish to place wagers must do so through state-licensed operators in jurisdictions where online sports wagering is legal.

Is the ESPN-branded sportsbook still operating in 2026?

No. The ESPN BET-branded sportsbook is not active in 2026 after ESPN and PENN mutually agreed to terminate their U.S. online sports betting agreement in 2025; legal wagering now requires state-licensed operators where permitted.

If you previously used an ESPN-branded product and are looking to continue wagering, your practical steps are the same as for any change in operator: verify licensing, review account communications from the operator, and follow regulator guidance if you have unresolved account questions.

How to verify whether an app or site is a legitimate sportsbook

Start with the operator name listed in the app store or on the website; a legitimate sportsbook will name the corporate operator and provide a link to the state regulator or a license number in its disclosures.

Check the app-store publisher information and the corporate disclosures on the operator website, confirm that a regulator appears in the operator's jurisdiction list, and test whether the product enforces geolocation and age checks before allowing account registration.

Red flags include missing regulator links, unclear corporate operator details, or prominent claims of guaranteed payouts or rewards without formal terms; if these appear, treat the product as suspicious and avoid depositing funds until you confirm licensing.

Where to place bets legally now: licensed operators and alternatives

Legal online wagering in the U.S. is available only through state-licensed operators where the law permits it; because ESPN is not operating a sportsbook in 2026, licensed operators remain the path to place regulated wagers in permitted states.

Funded Plays Challenges

View regulator guidance

If you prefer non-wagering prediction formats, consider skill-based prediction or sweepstakes-style platforms that run under different legal frameworks and emphasize performance challenges rather than real-money wagering.

Common mistakes people make when researching 'is ESPN BET still a thing'

People often conflate editorial coverage and archived launch material with an active operating sportsbook; an old press announcement or launch page does not mean the product is still running today.

Another common error is assuming that mentioning ESPN in an article or ad equals operational control; media brand mentions can be informational without indicating that ESPN runs the betting process or holds the gaming license in a state.

Practical walkthrough: verifying an app or site in 5 quick checks

Step 1: Confirm the operator name and find an explicit licensing statement on the site or in the app store listing.

Step 2: Look for a regulator link or license number and cross-check that on your state gaming commission website, then confirm geolocation enforcement before creating an account.

Step 3: Review the terms and conditions for deposit and withdrawal policies and save transaction records if you proceed, and Step 4: contact the operator's support and, if unresolved, your state regulator. Step 5: if any licensing detail is missing, do not deposit funds.

What to do if you used ESPN BET when it was active

If you held an account on the former ESPN BET product, review official communications from the operator for instructions on account transitions, timelines, or any support contacts provided as part of the termination process.

Minimalist vector checklist card showing document geolocation and save icons with checked circles in accent color on a dark Funded Plays background, concept image for bet sports compliance and setup

Save copies of transaction records and account communications, then reach out to the operator's customer support and your state regulator if you cannot resolve questions about account balances or transaction history.

How state regulation shapes where and how you can bet sports

Online sports wagering remains a state-by-state system in the U.S.; whether you can place bets depends on state law, licensing, and the operator's registration with your state's regulator, as summarized in the American Gaming Association interactive map.

Operators enforce geolocation checks and eligibility rules such as minimum age and residency requirements, and those measures are why an app may be visible on a storefront but unavailable for use unless you are physically located in a permitted jurisdiction.

If you search 'how to bet on ESPN in 2026' what the search results likely mean

Search results will typically include archived launch coverage, press releases, affiliate content, and operator pages; archived launch material or news coverage does not indicate an active ESPN-operated sportsbook after the 2025 termination.

Prioritize state regulator pages and the operator's current disclosures over news articles or old launch pages to determine whether a product is actually available for wagering in your state.

Non-wagering alternatives and skill-based platforms to consider

Skill-based prediction platforms and funded challenge models offer an alternative for people who want to test forecasting ability without joining a regulated sportsbook; these platforms emphasize performance-based objectives and structured challenges.

Such alternatives operate under different rules than regulated sportsbooks and often use virtual bankrolls or sweepstakes mechanics; always check each platform's terms for rules, eligibility, and any reward conditions and do not assume guaranteed earnings.

Bottom line and clear next steps if you care about betting or tracking lines

Bottom line: the ESPN BET-branded sportsbook is not active in 2026 following the mutual early termination announced in 2025, and legal wagering must be done through state-licensed operators where permitted.

Three immediate actions: check your state gaming regulator or the American Gaming Association interactive map to confirm legality, verify an operator's license and disclosures before depositing, and rely on official press releases and regulator notices for the latest status instead of social posts or unverified apps.

Is ESPN BET available to use in 2026?

No. The ESPN BET-branded sportsbook is not operating in 2026 following a mutual early termination announced in 2025.

How can I tell if a betting app is legal in my state?

Check the operator name, look for a state license or regulator link on the site or app store page, and verify that the state regulator lists the operator before depositing funds.

What are non-wagering alternatives to sportsbooks?

Alternatives include skill-based prediction platforms and funded challenge models that use virtual bankrolls or sweepstakes mechanics rather than regulated real-money wagering.

If you relied on ESPN BET previously, conserve records, follow official communications, and contact the operator or your state regulator for unresolved issues. For everyone else, use state regulator resources and trustworthy licensing disclosures before creating accounts or depositing funds.