This explainer answers why ESPN BET became theScore Bet and what that change meant for users. It sticks to public statements, regulatory agendas, and the SEC filing that documented the termination. If you use ESPN BET or were following the product, this article gives a clear timeline, explains the role of state regulators, and offers a short checklist so you can confirm availability and update your account safely.

PENN and ESPN agreed to a mutual early termination effective December 1, 2025.

State regulatory approvals determined when theScore Bet would appear in each market.

Users should update apps, review new terms, and confirm availability with official notices.

At a glance: what changed and when

The November 2025 announcement in brief, thescore bet

PENN Entertainment and ESPN jointly announced a mutual early termination of their U.S. online sports betting agreement in November 2025, with the arrangement set to take effect on December 1, 2025, a change users needed to notice quickly for account and app planning PENN Entertainment announcement.

The companies also said they would work together to transition the existing ESPN BET product to theScore Bet, indicating an orderly handoff rather than an abrupt shutdown in approved markets ESPN press release.

Use official regulator and operator status pages to confirm market availability

State status page
Operator status page
App store listing

Check official pages rather than third party summaries

Because state regulators control licensing and branding permissions, the timing for when theScore Bet name appears in any given state depended on approvals at the regulator level and on operator rollout plans.

Close up of a mobile app update screen showing the app icon changing from ESPN BET to thescore bet on a minimalist Funded Plays dark background

Immediate effects for users and markets mostly meant app updates, branding changes, and notices from operators telling customers what to expect as the transition proceeded in each jurisdiction.

Why the brands changed: the core reasons

What PENN and ESPN said publicly

PENN and ESPN publicly framed the move as a mutual, negotiated exit from their original deal and a coordinated transfer of the running product to a PENN brand, theScore Bet, rather than an uncompensated or unilateral termination Reuters summary of the transition.

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Financial and contractual highlights

PENN disclosed that, under the termination arrangement, remaining payments to ESPN would stop in the fourth quarter of 2025, an element recorded in corporate communications and filings PENN Entertainment announcement.

The public statements emphasized collaboration on the transition and made clear that theScore Bet would operate as a PENN brand in the markets where approvals permitted the rebrand.

Timeline: announcement, filings, and effective date

Key dates to remember

The companies announced the mutual early termination on November 6, 2025, and set an effective termination date of December 1, 2025, providing a compact timeline for regulators and operators to act ESPN press release.

That timeline also shows why customers were told to expect app updates and account communications in the weeks and months that followed, as operators worked to implement the legal and regulatory steps required.

Which documents recorded the deal

The termination agreement was formalized in a contemporaneous SEC filing, the Form 8-K, which provides a concise public record of the arrangement and its terms SEC Form 8-K.

Public filings like the Form 8-K help customers and watchdogs track the legal steps behind the brand change and show that the companies documented the exit in required filings.

How regulatory approvals shaped the rollout

State-by-state approval process

Rebranding an online wagering product requires state-level approvals, so theScore Bet became visible to customers only after regulators in each state reviewed and approved the necessary operator filings and brand notices.

For example, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission listed the Penn Sports Interactive rebrand from ESPN BET to theScore Bet on its public meeting agenda, demonstrating the regulatory step that enables a rollout in that jurisdiction Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting notice.

Why did ESPN BET become theScore Bet?

PENN and ESPN mutually agreed to end their U.S. online sports betting arrangement and coordinated a transition of the product to PENN's theScore Bet brand, with state approvals determining the timing and availability.

Because regulators vary in their schedules and documentation requirements, some markets moved faster than others, which explains why users in different states saw theScore Bet appear at different times.

State approvals not only authorize the change of brand name but also often involve review of terms, promotional communications, and technical changes to customer-facing apps, all of which affect when an operator can switch live markets.

Practical user impacts: apps, accounts, and communications

What users received from operators

Operators issued customer communications about the transition and sent guidance on app updates, acceptance of new terms where required, and timing for the switch to theScore Bet in approved markets Reuters coverage of operator communications. Additional reporting on the transition appeared in industry outlets such as The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline.

Typical messages asked users to update apps, to review any revised terms or privacy notices, and to verify their account details if regulators or operator policy required re-verification steps.

Typical app and account changes to expect

On the technical side, users could expect an app update that replaced ESPN BET branding with theScore Bet labels, possible prompts to accept an updated terms of service, and, in some cases, a request to confirm identity or location where state rules required it.

These steps were practical matters for access and promotions and did not necessarily change historic account data, though users were advised to check official notices for any account-specific impacts.

What to do now: a short checklist for users

Immediate steps to verify your account

Confirm whether your state has approved the rebrand before relying on any product that appears under theScore Bet name.

Check your state regulator or the operator support pages for approved market lists.

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Please verify state availability and update your app using official store listings and operator messages, and read any new terms before continuing to use the service.

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Update the app when theScore Bet branding appears in your app store and follow any prompts in the app to accept revised terms or to re-verify identity if requested.

Watch for communications about promotional eligibility, since offers can change when operators adjust branding or contract terms within regulated markets.

What to watch for in communications

Official emails and in-app notices are the primary place operators explained the steps and timing for account migration and promotional changes, and those notices typically include precise instructions if any re-verification is required.

If you receive unexpected messages, confirm them through the operator website or app rather than following unsolicited links or attachments in messages.

What changes and what stays the same between the brands

Branding and naming vs operational continuity

A visible brand change, such as replacing ESPN BET labels with theScore Bet, is often cosmetic from a user perspective, but it can accompany formal changes to the operator name or to the legal agreements that govern the product in a state.

Corporate statements describe theScore Bet as a PENN brand after transition, which explains why the operator identity and back office systems were not suddenly replaced but instead moved under PENN's existing operational umbrella PENN Entertainment announcement.

Rewards, promotions, and terms

Promotional programs and terms can be adjusted as part of a rebrand, and operators typically notify affected customers about changes to eligibility or offer mechanics in each jurisdiction.

Users should not assume identical promotions will carry forward without confirmation; check the operator messages and the updated terms that arrive with any app or account notice.

Common misunderstandings and mistakes to avoid

Mistakes users make during brand transitions

A common mistake is assuming availability everywhere, which can lead to confusion if theScore Bet is live in some states but not in others because approvals follow state regulatory timetables.

Another error is acting on messages that do not come from the official app or the operator website; confirmations should be done in the app or via official operator support channels rather than through unknown links.

How to verify official notices

Confirm notices by visiting the operator website or the regulator page for your state and, if unsure, reach out to operator support directly through the app or the contact details published on the operator site ESPN press guidance. You can also check updates on the Funded Plays blog or the site homepage at Funded Plays for related coverage.

When regulators list public agenda items or approvals, those notices provide the authoritative signal that a rebrand may proceed in that market.

Concrete examples and a case study: Massachusetts

What the public agenda showed

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission included Penn Sports Interactive's rebrand from ESPN BET to theScore Bet on its Nov. 20, 2025 meeting agenda, which is the kind of public record that lets customers and operators know an approval step was scheduled Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting notice.

That agenda entry signaled a regulator-level review that, once completed, would permit branding and app updates to be applied legally in Massachusetts.

How the timeline played out in one state

In practice, the agenda item led to regulator consideration and then to operator communications to users in that state, with subsequent app updates and user notices as local approvals were finalized. Industry reporting echoed the sequence in trade coverage such as iGaming Business.

Other states followed similar, state-specific processes; the sequence in Massachusetts is a clear example of how public meetings and filings translate into availability for users.

Looking behind the headlines: corporate and competitive context

How the termination fits industry patterns

Corporate exits and rebrands are not uncommon where licensing, brand strategy, or commercial terms change, and the public statements in this case emphasized an orderly, documented handoff rather than an abrupt operational failure.

Because PENN already runs an online wagering brand, folding the product into theScore Bet identity aligns the operational product under a known operator brand while maintaining regulatory compliance steps.

What the SEC filing added to the public record

The Form 8-K filed with the SEC formalized the termination agreement and provides a dated, public document that records the companies' decision and the effective terms of the exit SEC Form 8-K.

Public filings like the Form 8-K are useful for tracking the legal terms of corporate changes and for confirming the timeline the companies reported to investors and regulators.

Final checklist and next steps for readers

Quick recap

Core facts: PENN and ESPN agreed to an early termination of their U.S. online sports betting agreement in November 2025, with an effective date of December 1, 2025, and the companies planned a coordinated transition to theScore Bet in approved markets ESPN press release.

Regulators in each state controlled when the rebrand could appear for customers, and operators issued communications and app updates as approvals were received and technical steps completed.

Where to confirm official updates

Check your state regulator pages, the operator's official support pages, and in-app notices for firm dates and instructions before relying on access to a rebranded product. For background on how to evaluate changes, see how Funded Plays evaluations work.

When you see theScore Bet in your app store and receive an official operator notice, follow the app prompts and read any updated terms to ensure continuation of service under the new brand.

Will my ESPN BET account move automatically to theScore Bet?

Account data often remains intact when an operator rebrands, but migration steps can vary by state and operator. Follow official app prompts and operator notices to confirm whether any action or re-verification is required.

Do I need to update my app to keep using services?

Yes. When an operator rebrands, you typically need to update the app to get the new branding and any updated terms. Use the official app store and follow in-app instructions.

Is the rebrand the same in every state?

No. The rebrand depends on state regulator approvals, so availability and timing vary by jurisdiction. Check your state regulator or the operator support page for the official status.

If you rely on the product, prioritize official channels: check regulator pages, read operator messages, update the app, and follow any re-verification steps. Timelines and promotional details vary by state, so confirm specifics where you live. The move to theScore Bet reflects documented corporate steps and state-level approvals. For most users the transition is a technical and administrative process rather than an abrupt cutoff, but verification and care are still important.