This article answers a common question simply and directly. If you only want a quick resolution, read the first section for the plain-language answer about theScore Bet. For readers who want the background, practical checks, and troubleshooting steps, the following sections unpack the timeline, licensing reasons, Ontario rules, step-by-step verification tips, and what to expect if you attempt signup from an unauthorized location.

the score bet is authorized in Ontario but not licensed in any U.S. state as of 2026.

Corporate strategy and licensing explain the brand split between theScore Bet in Canada and ESPN BET in the U.S.

Simple checks-iGaming Ontario, app listing, and geolocation-confirm whether you can access services.

Short answer: is the score bet available in the US?

Short answer: the score bet is not available in any U.S. state as of 2026. The operator exited the U.S. market to focus on Canada, and its consumer-facing services now operate under provincial rules in Ontario, not under U.S. state licenses Reuters report.

This means if you are in the United States, you should expect account creation or wagering to be blocked by jurisdiction checks. The operator appears on Ontario regulator lists as an authorized iGaming provider, which clarifies that public availability is intentionally region-limited and tied to provincial oversight iGaming Ontario authorized operators.

Quick timeline: what changed and when

One-sentence conclusion: theScore Bet discontinued U.S. operations effective July 1, 2022 and reoriented toward Canada, while PENN Entertainment pursued a distinct U.S. strategy with ESPN BET. The exit decision and the later U.S. launch plans are described in public reporting that traces the brand and corporate shift Reuters report.

Is theScore Bet available in the US?

No. As of 2026 theScore Bet is not available in U.S. states and operates under Ontario provincial authorization.

From late 2023 onward, PENN moved to operate ESPN BET as its U.S.-facing sportsbook brand, which the company announced and rolled out in multiple U.S. states as part of a separate strategy from theScore Bet. That sequence shows a deliberate brand separation where theScore Bet services became Canada-focused while ESPN BET covered U.S. markets PENN Reuters report.

Why theScore Bet is not available in U.S. states: licensing and brand strategy

Sportsbook availability depends on state licensing and regulatory approvals. Operators must hold the appropriate state licenses to accept wagers inside a jurisdiction, and public reporting and regulatory tracking do not show theScore Bet holding U.S. state licenses after the 2022 exit, while PENN pursues U.S. distribution through a different brand PENN Reuters report.

Beyond licenses, corporate strategy influences which consumer brand is offered where. PENN positioned ESPN BET for the U.S. market and theScore Bet for Canada, a split reflected in company announcements and market rollouts. That business choice helps explain why theScore Bet does not appear as an available U.S. sportsbook even where online wagering is legal ESPN press release.

Technical enforcement matters too. Regulators and authorized operators commonly use geolocation checks, device region settings, and identity verification workflows to block access from unauthorized jurisdictions. Those enforcement tools tie back to registrar and operator requirements in regulated markets and are part of how provinces and states ensure play only occurs where licensure permits it AGCO registrar standards.

How Ontario licensing works and what that means for access

iGaming Ontario lists theScore Bet among authorized internet gaming operators for Ontario, which signals that the service is legally available to people physically located inside that province under provincial rules. That listing is the clearest public indicator of where the operator is permitted to offer its online services iGaming Ontario authorized operators.

Under Ontario and AGCO standards, authorized operators must verify that players are physically located in the province when they play online. Geolocation checks, device settings, and other technical measures are required parts of that verification, so access is intentionally restricted to approved geographic regions AGCO registrar standards.

Verify access with the official challenge and regulator pages

If you want to confirm access for your device, follow the simple verification checklist in the next section that covers official operator lists, app-store region checks, and device geolocation settings.

View verification steps

One practical sign of region-limited availability is app-store branding and store listings that target Ontario accounts. TheScore Bet’s Ontario app listing and store metadata can show province-specific availability, which users can inspect before attempting account creation or funding theScore Bet App Store listing (Ontario).

Step-by-step: how to check if you can use theScore Bet right now

1) Check the official operator list. Visit iGaming Ontario’s authorized-operator directory to confirm whether theScore Bet is listed for Ontario; if it appears there, that confirms provincial authorization iGaming Ontario authorized operators and see the regulated market directory Regulated iGaming Market.

2) Verify app listings. Search the App Store or Google Play from a device set to your region. An Ontario-specific app listing or region tag is an indicator the product is intended for that jurisdiction; app-store pages often indicate country availability in their metadata theScore Bet App Store listing (Ontario).

3) Confirm device geolocation. Ensure location services are enabled on your device and that your browser or app can perform a geolocation check. Many operators will not allow account creation or wagering until geolocation confirms you are inside an authorized region, and attempts from outside the region typically fail or stop at verification steps AGCO registrar standards.

4) Watch for common blockers. If the app is not visible in your store, if account creation halts during address or ID verification, or if the operator shows a jurisdiction error, these are standard signs that you are outside the authorized area and cannot proceed iGaming Ontario authorized operators.

Attempting sign up from the United States will typically fail at one of several control points. Operators that are not licensed in a U.S. state will block registration, reject wagers, or prevent account funding once geolocation or ID checks detect an out-of-jurisdiction user. That behavior follows from the operator no longer targeting U.S. markets and from regulators enforcing territorial limits Reuters report.

Funded Plays Challenges

View verification steps

Beyond immediate account blocks, payments and verification can be affected. Transactions may be declined, identity checks may not complete, and operators must avoid accepting play from unauthorized jurisdictions to protect licensure and comply with regulator rules. For practical purposes, users in the U.S. should expect service interruption when a product is licensed only for another country AGCO registrar standards. For related background and periodic updates see our blog.

Operators and regulators use these controls to prevent unauthorized wagering and to ensure that only licensed markets are served. Trying to bypass those controls is not recommended and can violate terms of service and applicable law.

Common mistakes and troubleshooting when checking availability

Misreading app-store results is common. A search engine result or a screenshot from another region can make a product appear available to you when it is not; always confirm via the regulator or the app store page set to your device region rather than relying on third-party pages theScore Bet App Store listing (Ontario).

Assuming a brand name equals legal access is another pitfall. Corporate announcements or press stories about a company’s business direction do not equal licensing in every market; press coverage of a brand shift or partnership should be checked against regulator lists to confirm actual operator authorization PENN Reuters report.

If you see an app but cannot create an account, check device region settings, ensure geolocation is enabled, and then consult the official operator list. These troubleshooting steps resolve many display or availability mismatches that are actually region settings rather than account problems iGaming Ontario authorized operators. If you want a concise checklist to follow, consult how our evaluations work.

Conclusion and next steps for readers

Short summary: the score bet is not available in the United States and operates in Ontario, Canada under provincial authorization. That arrangement follows the operator’s 2022 exit from U.S. operations and PENN’s separate U.S. strategy for its ESPN BET brand Reuters report.

Immediate next steps: check iGaming Ontario’s authorized-operator list, set your device region and geolocation correctly, and inspect the operator’s Ontario app listing before attempting registration. If you need other U.S.-based options, follow PENN and regional regulator announcements for approved operators in your state iGaming Ontario authorized operators or visit our homepage for updates.

Quick verification checklist to confirm regional access to online operators

Check iGaming Ontario
Verify device geolocation
Confirm app store region

Use these checks before attempting account setup

Is theScore Bet legally available in the US now?

No. As of 2026 theScore Bet does not hold U.S. state licenses and operates in Ontario, Canada under provincial authorization.

How can I tell if I can use theScore Bet from my device?

Check iGaming Ontario’s authorized-operator list, verify your device region and enable geolocation, and confirm the app store listing shows availability for your region.

What should I do if account creation fails?

Confirm you are in an authorized region, enable location services, and consult the operator or regulator pages rather than attempting workarounds.

If you follow the verification steps here you will know whether theScore Bet is accessible from your device and why an operator might block access. Keep regulator pages and official app listings as your primary sources for the most current availability information.