This article answers a clear question for U.S. sports fans and account holders: did ESPN get rid of betting? It traces the timeline from the 2023 launch to the 2025 termination and explains practical steps for anyone affected. You will find a short summary, background on the ESPN BET rollout, reasons given for the early termination, and a practical checklist for managing account issues and finding licensed alternatives. The focus is factual and procedural, not speculative.

PENN and ESPN agreed to end the ESPN BET partnership with a structured wind-down in late 2025.

As of 2026, the ESPN BET consumer sportsbook and app are discontinued and not available in app stores.

Account holders should follow operator support and consult state regulators for unresolved withdrawal issues.

Short answer: Is the ESPN betting app still available?

One-sentence summary: espn betting app

The short answer is no, the ESPN BET consumer sportsbook and its app are no longer available as a wagering destination in 2026. The parties publicly announced a mutual early termination of their U.S. online sports betting agreement, which led to a wind-down of ESPN BET operations PENN Entertainment press release.

That change means the branded ESPN BET app has been removed from app stores and the ESPN BET consumer sportsbook is no longer an active option for placing wagers. Users should treat the brand as discontinued rather than a current wagering platform, and avoid relying on legacy links or storefront listings that refer to past launches. (See the Funded Plays homepage.)

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If you used ESPN BET, check your account status now and follow any operator instructions for withdrawals and account support.

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Quick implications for users are straightforward. If you never had an account, there is no ESPN BET app to download in 2026. If you did have an account, you should follow the operator's guidance for managing balances and any transition steps communicated during the wind-down ESPN press release.

How ESPN BET started: launch and rollout

Initial launch details

ESPN BET launched in late 2023 after PENN Entertainment rebranded parts of its consumer offering to carry the ESPN brand. The original launch date in November 2023 marked the start of a branded sportsbook collaboration between PENN Entertainment and ESPN that combined PENN's operating infrastructure with ESPN's media branding and reach PENN Entertainment announcement. See the ESPN report.

The launch framed ESPN BET as a branded marketplace for bettors where ESPN editorial and sports coverage would coexist with a consumer sportsbook operated by PENN. That setup meant ESPN did not operate the wagering platform directly; it licensed its brand for a partnership model that relied on a licensed operator to process accounts and transactions.

Market expansion through 2024

After the November 2023 debut, PENN expanded ESPN BET into additional states through 2024, adding markets and opening operations where state laws permitted. A notable expansion occurred in March 2024 when ESPN BET went live in North Carolina under PENN's operating arrangements ESPN Press Room announcement.

Those 2023 and 2024 rollouts provide background on how the brand reached consumers, but they are context rather than current status. The later decision to end the agreement in 2025 superseded the earlier launch and expansion details for anyone looking for live wagering services in 2026. (See the Wikipedia entry.)

Why PENN and ESPN ended the ESPN BET agreement

Public statements and business context

On November 6, 2025, PENN Entertainment and ESPN announced they had mutually agreed to an early termination of their exclusive U.S. online sports betting agreement. The public announcement described the termination as mutual and included references to a transition for affected users and stakeholders Reuters coverage of the agreement end. Additional coverage noted similar points.

The companies' statements framed the move as an agreed wind-down of the partnership. The termination was not described as a single operational failure but as a mutual decision to end the branded agreement and complete a structured transition for accounts and outstanding obligations.

What 'early termination' meant in the announcements

Contemporaneous coverage and the parties' releases noted that outstanding payments from PENN to ESPN would cease in the fourth quarter of 2025 and that operational transition steps would take place around the termination timeline. That payment and transition detail was part of the public explanation of how the agreement would conclude CNBC summary of the termination.

The announcements emphasized process and timing rather than promising continued sportsbook operations by ESPN after the agreement ended. In short, the early termination signaled a legally managed wind-down rather than an ongoing, paused product that would resume under the ESPN BET brand.

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What the termination means for the ESPN BET brand and app availability

Brand status and app store presence

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As of 2026, the ESPN BET brand has been discontinued and ESPN does not operate a consumer sportsbook under that name. The consumer-facing app that carried the ESPN BET branding is not available in app storefronts as a wagering app, and the brand is no longer an active betting destination ESPN press release.

Removing the app from stores and ending the brand means that links or app pages that once pointed to ESPN BET should be considered legacy references. For consumers seeking current wagering options, those legacy entries are not reliable and do not indicate an available product.

Editorial coverage versus sportsbook operations

It is important to distinguish editorial content from operating a sportsbook. ESPN can continue to produce sports coverage and editorial analysis about betting topics, but producing content about betting is not the same as running a licensed consumer sportsbook; the two are separate activities under regulatory and business frameworks.

Readers should not assume that ESPN's editorial coverage implies ownership or ongoing operation of a wagering app. Editorial output and a consumer sportsbook are different in licensing, compliance, and customer service responsibilities.

If you had an ESPN BET account: handling balances, withdrawals and support

Immediate steps to check your account

If you held an ESPN BET account, begin by confirming whether the operator sent email or in-app notices about account access, withdrawal instructions, and timelines. Those direct communications were the primary channel for the wind-down process and usually outline next steps for account holders ESPN press release.

Gather your account documents before contacting support. Save recent account statements, identity verification records, and any communications from the operator so you can reference them during support requests and any regulator inquiries.

Did ESPN permanently stop offering a betting app?

Yes. The ESPN BET consumer sportsbook was discontinued after PENN and ESPN agreed to an early termination in November 2025, and the branded app is no longer available as a wagering platform in 2026.

Where to get official support and timelines

The official route for account questions during the wind-down was the operator's customer service channels. Users were advised to reach out to the operator that processed their accounts for details on withdrawals and closing procedures, and to follow any timeline provided in official notices Reuters coverage.

If customer service responses are delayed, retain proof of your communications and consult your state gaming regulator for guidance on filing a complaint or seeking additional assistance. State regulators oversee licensed operators and can provide steps for dispute escalation when account access or withdrawals are in question.

Where to find legal betting options now and how to verify them

Check your state regulator

Because availability of legal wagering options varies by state, the most reliable source to confirm licensed operators in your area is the state gaming regulator. Regulators typically publish an official list of licensed operators and contact details, and they are the authoritative resource to verify whether an operator is licensed to take bets in a given jurisdiction CNBC article on the termination. Visit our blog for related site updates.

Find your regulator's website and search for an operator roster or licensing page. Official regulator pages will clarify which firms are licensed, their contact channels, and where to direct complaints related to consumer accounts or unresolved withdrawals.

How to evaluate licensed operators

When evaluating any licensed operator, check for a clear license number, published consumer protections, and straightforward customer service contacts. Confirm that the operator lists a licensed entity that matches state regulator records and that the operator provides transparent procedures for deposits, withdrawals, and dispute resolution.

Do not rely on press coverage or third-party directories alone. Use the regulator's list as the primary verification step and then confirm contact and support options on the operator's official site if you plan to open a new account.

Practical checklist: next steps for affected users

Follow this short checklist to protect your account and any remaining balance. These steps focus on documentation, contacting the operator, and using regulator channels if you need to escalate an unresolved issue ESPN press release.

Save account statements and verification documents, follow the operator's published withdrawal procedures, and monitor deadlines mentioned in official communications. Timely action and clear records make it easier to resolve disputes or to show evidence if a regulator complaint becomes necessary. For more, see our blog post.

A short checklist to protect account records and follow withdrawal steps

Save account statements
Save verification documents
Contact operator support
Note any deadlines
Check state regulator
Consider filing complaint

Keep records until account issues are resolved

Escalation options include submitting a complaint to your state gaming regulator if the operator does not resolve withdrawal or access issues within reasonable timelines. Regulators have consumer complaint forms and contact points listed on their official sites.

Finally, watch for any formal communications from PENN or the operator that explain final timelines for account closures and residual balances. These official notifications are the source of truth for what steps to take and any deadlines you must meet to preserve claims on remaining funds.

Takeaways and what to watch next

Key points to remember are simple. PENN Entertainment and ESPN mutually agreed to an early termination of their sports betting agreement in November 2025, and the ESPN BET brand and consumer app were discontinued as part of the wind-down process PENN Entertainment press release.

Practical next steps include following operator support instructions for withdrawals, preserving account records, and checking your state gaming regulator for licensed operator lists if you are seeking alternative wagering options. For unresolved issues, use regulator complaint channels and retain documentation of all communications.

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Open questions remain about any future branding choices or editorial roles that ESPN might pursue, but those are separate from operating a licensed consumer sportsbook and do not change the immediate status for account holders and consumers in 2026.

Did ESPN shut down the ESPN BET app?

Yes. PENN Entertainment and ESPN mutually agreed to end their U.S. online sports betting agreement in November 2025, and the ESPN BET consumer sportsbook and app were discontinued in 2026.

How do I withdraw funds from my former ESPN BET account?

Follow the operator's customer support instructions and keep copies of account statements and identity verification documents. If issues remain, contact your state gaming regulator for complaint procedures.

Where can I find legal betting operators now?

Check your state gaming regulator's official list of licensed operators and confirm licensing details on the operator's official site before opening a new account.

If you are an affected account holder, focus on preserving records and following the operator's instructions. For consumers seeking current options, use your state gaming regulator as the authoritative source for licensed operators. FundedPlays offers a different, skill-based approach to sports prediction through funded challenges, which differs from a licensed sportsbook and has separate rules and objectives.