Many U.S. sports fans ask whether score bet is a legitimate option they can use at home. The short, evidence backed answer matters because licensing determines consumer protections, geolocation controls, and what regulators can do if something goes wrong. This article gives a clear verdict, the key timeline that explains why theScore Bet is not available in U.S. states, and practical steps you can follow to verify licensing in your own state.

theScore Bet is licensed and regulated in Ontario but not in U.S. states as of 2026.

Confirm licensing through your state regulator and the American Gaming Association state map before registering.

Ontario's Registrar's Standards require KYC, geolocation, and responsible gambling protections for licensed operators.

What 'score bet' means and a short verdict

What readers mean when they ask about score bet

When people ask about score bet they usually mean theScore Bet, the consumer-facing sports betting and gaming product that was once marketed to North American users. Many casual searches use the shorthand score bet to refer to the platform rather than to a generic concept, so clarifying that usage helps frame the legal and practical answer for readers.

One clear, concise verdict: theScore Bet is a legitimate, regulated operator in Ontario, Canada, but it is not available as a licensed sportsbook in any U.S. state as of 2026.

That judgment is based on the operator's public availability statements and the documented exit from U.S. operations; theScore Bet's own help pages show the product's market focus, and the company's decision to leave U.S. markets is recorded in news coverage.

Verify licensing before you sign up

Before trying any out of state product, U.S. readers should check their state regulator's licensed operator list to confirm whether a service is authorized where they live.

View FundedPlays challenges

One line verdict

The short answer for U.S. users: do not assume theScore Bet is legal where you live, because it is regulated in Ontario, not licensed in U.S. states as of 2026.

Quick answer: is theScore Bet legal to use in the U.S.?

Short summary

TheScore Bet stopped operating in U.S. states when it exited the American market, and it now serves Ontario under provincial regulation, so it is not a licensed option for U.S. customers seeking a regulated sportsbook in their state.

For readers who need to act on that answer immediately, the practical steps are simple: do not register or deposit with a product that is not licensed in your state, and confirm licensing through your state gaming regulator.

Why this matters for users

Using a platform that lacks a state license can expose you to account restrictions, limited consumer protections, and reduced enforcement options if something goes wrong; theScore Bet's availability statements and exit from U.S. operations show why those checks are important in practice.

Timeline and key facts: exit from the U.S. and corporate changes

July 2022 exit

In mid 2022 theScore Bet ended its U.S. operations, with public reporting documenting an exit date of July 1, 2022; that move removed the product from U.S. state markets and shifted focus toward Canadian regulation and customers, which is central to understanding its current legal status.

Reuters coverage of the exit

After an exit like this, a company may continue to operate a brand in another country under a different regulatory framework, but that does not confer permission to operate in U.S. states; the corporate change effectively separated theScore Bet's Canadian business from any prior U.S. presence.

Is theScore Bet legitimate for users in the United States?

TheScore Bet is legitimate and regulated in Ontario, but it is not licensed to operate in U.S. states as of 2026; U.S. users should confirm licensing through their state regulator before registering or depositing.

Subsequent U.S. branding moves

Penn Entertainment's November 2023 launch of ESPN BET in the United States illustrates how U.S. sportsbook branding and distribution evolved after theScore Bet left the American market, and helps explain why theScore Bet is not the company's U.S. offering.

PENN Entertainment announcement of ESPN BET

Where theScore Bet operates now and the Ontario regulatory framework

theScore Bet availability statement

The operator's public product help pages list the jurisdictions where the product is available and make clear that theScore Bet's current market focus is Ontario; those support materials are a direct source for checking whether an app or site should be accessible from your location.

theScore Bet help page on availability

Who regulates online sports betting in Ontario

Online sports wagering and similar gaming products in Ontario are overseen by iGaming Ontario alongside regulatory standards enforced by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which together form the operational and compliance framework for licensed operators.

iGaming Ontario information and reporting

What Ontario's Registrar standards require from operators

KYC and identity verification

Ontario's Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming set out core requirements operators must meet before offering online gaming to residents; these include know your customer procedures to verify identity and prevent underage or fraudulent accounts.

Beyond identity checks, the standards require technical measures that help ensure that only eligible, verified customers can access a licensed product in the province.

AGCO Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming

Funded Plays Challenges

View FundedPlays challenges

Geolocation and responsible gambling requirements

The Registrar's standards also mandate reliable geolocation controls and responsible gambling tools, both intended to make sure that play occurs only where it is permitted and that customers can access safeguards if they need them.

Those obligations aim to protect players by restricting access from outside the licensed area and by providing options like deposit limits and exclusion tools for users.

Why that means theScore Bet is not legal for U.S. users

Jurisdiction matters

A Canadian provincial license, even though it governs a regulated market such as Ontario, does not authorize an operator to accept customers in U.S. states; each U.S. state has its own licensing process and regulatory controls that govern who may legally offer wagering within its borders.

This jurisdictional separation explains why a platform can be lawful in Ontario and still be unavailable or illegal for residents of a separate sovereign jurisdiction like a U.S. state.

What 'not licensed in your state' practically means

Practically, not being licensed in your state often means the operator will block account creation through geolocation, refuse deposits from U.S. payment methods associated with that state, or suspend accounts that appear to be used from unauthorized jurisdictions.

For U.S. customers who see an app or advertisement for a non licensed operator, the right step is to confirm with the state regulator before providing personal or financial information.

How to check if a sportsbook is licensed where you live

Step by step checks for U.S. residents

Step 1: Look up your state gaming regulator's licensed operator list and confirm the company or brand name is listed for online sports betting in your state; regulator lists are the primary source for licensing status.

Minimalist 2D vector illustration of a sportsbook verification checklist on a dark desk with icons for KYC ID card geolocation pin and a generic regulator shield with accent check marks for score bet

Step 2: Use the American Gaming Association's state map as a cross check to confirm whether sports betting is legal in your state and to find links to state regulator pages where needed.

Quick verification steps to confirm whether a sportsbook is licensed in your jurisdiction

AGA map
State regulator licensed operators
Operator help or support page jurisdiction text

Use both state and national resources

Reliable public resources to use

The American Gaming Association maintains a state by state map that summarizes where sports betting is legal and provides links to additional resources, which is useful when you want a quick national overview before consulting your specific regulator.

American Gaming Association state gaming map

Common mistakes and misconceptions U.S. users make

Assuming Canadian license covers the U.S.

One common mistake is assuming that because a platform operates under Canadian provincial rules it can be used in the United States; licensing does not travel across borders, and the protections you get from one regulator do not apply in another jurisdiction.

That misunderstanding can lead to users attempting to create accounts or deposit funds with services that are not licensed locally, which can result in blocked transactions or closed accounts.

Using VPNs or workarounds

Some users try to bypass geolocation by using a virtual private network or by entering misleading address information; doing so typically violates terms of service and can result in account suspension and permanent loss of access, and it also removes the possibility of meaningful regulatory relief.

Beyond account risk, these workarounds provide no guarantee of safety or consumer protections, and they often make it harder to resolve disputes if problems arise.

Risks and enforcement: what can happen if you use unlicensed apps

Possible account and financial risks

Using an unlicensed product increases the chance that funds may be withheld, that account access can be terminated, and that consumer protections for dispute resolution may not be available, leaving users with limited options for recovery.

Because state regulators do not oversee unlicensed operators, enforcement mechanisms such as formal complaints and mediation are often not available to affected customers for off shore or out of state services.

Regulatory enforcement examples

Enforcement action can take many forms, from civil penalties against operators to internet service blocks or payment processor restrictions where applicable, but the direct remedies available to individual users who register with unlicensed services are often limited.

Documenting communications and saving screenshots of advertisements, messages, or transaction records is a practical precaution if you later need to report a suspicious or problematic operator to your regulator.

Practical scenarios: what a U.S. reader should do if they see theScore Bet advertised

If you are in a U.S. state

If you see theScore Bet advertised and you are in the U.S., the immediate steps are to check your state regulator's licensed operator list, avoid registering or depositing until you confirm licensing, and report suspicious advertising to your state regulator if the operator is not listed.

Sample wording to look for on an operator help page includes explicit jurisdictional availability statements such as the product only being available in specified provinces or states; if that wording does not match your location, do not proceed with account creation.

If you are in Ontario or another regulated Canadian market

If you are in Ontario and you see theScore Bet, confirm operator registration with iGaming Ontario and review the AGCO Registrar's Standards to understand the protections in place, such as KYC and geolocation controls.

theScore Bet help page on availability

Alternatives and next steps for U.S. users (what to do instead)

Safe verification first

Start by verifying whether the product is licensed in your state using the state regulator's website and the AGA map; do not rely solely on advertisements or social posts for licensing information.

If the operator is not licensed in your state, do not provide personal or payment information, and consider reporting the advertisement or site to your state regulator for review.

Contacting regulators and reporting

If you believe an unlicensed operator is targeting residents of your state, contact your state gaming regulator and provide them with screenshots and details; regulators can advise about next steps and may act against operators that advertise without authorization.

The American Gaming Association's resources can help you find the appropriate regulator contact information, and many state regulators provide complaint forms for consumer reports.

How Canadian users can confirm theScore Bet's status

Check iGaming Ontario and AGCO listings

Canadian users should confirm the operator's registration through iGaming Ontario and cross reference AGCO materials to ensure that the operator meets the Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming; these public resources list registered operators and outline compliance expectations.

iGaming Ontario information and reporting

What to look for on an operator page

On an operator's help or support page, look for explicit jurisdictional guidance, clear KYC and geolocation statements, and contact information for regulator queries; if those details are missing or vague, treat the offer with caution.

Operators licensed in Ontario typically include links to their regulatory disclosures and terms of service that confirm their permitted markets and compliance measures.

Quick checklist before you try any sportsbook or prediction platform

Top checks to run in under 5 minutes

Check your state or provincial license list, verify jurisdiction text on the operator's support pages, and confirm the operator mentions KYC and geolocation controls where required.

Also look for clear company information, a registered address, and standard support channels; absence of these items can be a red flag. See our write up on evaluations for more on how we review operators.

Red flags to avoid

Red flags include requests for unusual payment methods, claims of guaranteed winnings, vague or missing regulatory disclosures, and pressure to move funds off platform; save regulator screenshots if you plan to report a problem.

The Registrar's Standards and state regulator pages offer guidance on the protections you should expect from a licensed operator.

Conclusion: key takeaways and reliable next steps

Three main takeaways

First, score bet refers commonly to theScore Bet platform, which is legitimate and regulated in Ontario but is not licensed in U.S. states as of 2026.

Second, jurisdictional licensing matters: a Canadian provincial license does not authorize operation in U.S. states, so U.S. users should confirm licensing locally before registering.

Where to go for more help

Use your state gaming regulator's licensed operator list and the American Gaming Association's state map as primary verification tools, and consult operator help pages or our blog for explicit jurisdiction statements if you need to confirm availability or protections. Visit Funded Plays for further guidance.

American Gaming Association state gaming map

Is theScore Bet operating in the United States in 2026?

No. As of 2026 theScore Bet operates in Ontario and is not licensed in any U.S. state.

How can I check whether a sportsbook is legal where I live?

Check your state gaming regulator's licensed operator list and use the American Gaming Association state map as a cross check. Also confirm jurisdiction text on the operator's help pages.

What should I do if I find an unlicensed sportsbook advertising in my state?

Do not register or share payment details, save evidence such as screenshots, and report the offer to your state gaming regulator.

If you are unsure about an operator you see online, the simplest protective move is to pause, check the regulator lists, and gather the information you would need to report suspicious offers. That approach preserves your options and helps regulators keep unlicensed operators in check. Responsible verification protects your accounts and your funds. Use the practical steps in this article as your starting point when you encounter any sportsbook or prediction platform.

What 'score bet' means and a short verdict

What readers mean when they ask about score bet

Verify licensing before you sign up

One line verdict

Quick answer: is theScore Bet legal to use in the U.S.?

Short summary

Why this matters for users

Timeline and key facts: exit from the U.S. and corporate changes

July 2022 exit

Subsequent U.S. branding moves

Where theScore Bet operates now and the Ontario regulatory framework

theScore Bet availability statement

Who regulates online sports betting in Ontario

What Ontario's Registrar standards require from operators

KYC and identity verification

Geolocation and responsible gambling requirements

Why that means theScore Bet is not legal for U.S. users

Jurisdiction matters

What 'not licensed in your state' practically means

How to check if a sportsbook is licensed where you live

Step by step checks for U.S. residents

Reliable public resources to use

Common mistakes and misconceptions U.S. users make

Assuming Canadian license covers the U.S.

Using VPNs or workarounds

Risks and enforcement: what can happen if you use unlicensed apps

Possible account and financial risks

Regulatory enforcement examples

Practical scenarios: what a U.S. reader should do if they see theScore Bet advertised

If you are in a U.S. state

If you are in Ontario or another regulated Canadian market

Alternatives and next steps for U.S. users (what to do instead)

Safe verification first

Contacting regulators and reporting

How Canadian users can confirm theScore Bet's status

Check iGaming Ontario and AGCO listings

What to look for on an operator page

Quick checklist before you try any sportsbook or prediction platform

Top checks to run in under 5 minutes

Red flags to avoid

Conclusion: key takeaways and reliable next steps

Three main takeaways

Where to go for more help

References