Many readers ask whether theScore Bet and ESPN BET are the same sportsbook because corporate ties and headlines can make brands look connected. This article cuts through the ownership and launch facts to tell you what matters as a user: which app is authorized where you live. We explain the corporate background, key launch dates, and practical steps to verify an app listing in the store. The goal is to help sports fans and bettors make confident choices about which app to download and which account rules will apply to them.

theScore Bet and ESPN BET are separate consumer brands despite shared corporate links.

App availability depends on jurisdictional licensing, not headlines about ownership.

Always verify the app publisher and official pressroom announcements before creating an account.

Quick answer: Are theScore Bet and ESPN BET the same sportsbook?

Bottom line: no, theScore Bet and ESPN BET are separate consumer brands and not the same sportsbook for users, even though they are connected through corporate arrangements.

Is theScore Bet the same sportsbook as ESPN BET?

No. theScore Bet and ESPN BET are separate consumer brands operating in different jurisdictions; shared corporate links do not make them the same app.

That distinction matters because both brands operate under different market footprints and licensing arrangements, so a customer in Ontario will generally see theScore Bet while many users in eligible U.S. states will find ESPN BET; the two are not a single unified app and do not automatically share accounts or storefront listings ESPN pressroom announcement.

People often ask the question because of shared corporate links between the brands and headline deals that involve PENN Entertainment; understanding the corporate relationship and the separate launches helps explain why the consumer experience is different from the corporate ownership story.

How the corporate relationships work: PENN, ESPN, and theScore

PENN Entertainment completed the acquisition that placed theScore under its corporate umbrella, which explains how theScore Bet and other PENN-associated initiatives can be related at an ownership level theScore announcement on the acquisition.

Separately, ESPN entered a 10-year exclusive U.S. sports betting licensing agreement with PENN, which created the ESPN BET consumer brand for U.S. markets; a licensing deal like this gives ESPN branding rights in eligible U.S. states without automatically merging theScore Bet and ESPN BET into one product ESPN pressroom announcement.

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View official launch notices

Ownership or licensing arrangements can make brands corporate cousins, but they do not by themselves change each brand's licensing, app distribution, or customer-facing terms. For users, that means a shared ownership structure may explain headlines but it does not change which app you should download in your region.

Timeline and launch footprints: when and where each brand appeared

Close up app store listing showing publisher name and supported regions field for thescore sportsbook on a clean Funded Plays style dark interface with clear readable text and subtle accent highlight

theScore Bet entered the Ontario regulated market on April 4, 2022, launching as a local sportsbook focused on that Canadian province and its regulatory framework theScore press release on the Ontario launch.

Earlier theScore Bet ceased its U.S. operations effective July 1, 2022, which shifted the brand's consumer focus toward Canada rather than the United States theScore notice on U.S. operations.

ESPN BET launched for U.S. users on November 14, 2023 and continued to expand into additional eligible U.S. states the following year, illustrating that ESPN BET is a U.S.-facing product established after theScore Bet's Canadian launch ESPN pressroom announcement.

Confirm app availability with official pressrooms

Check official pressrooms for theScore and ESPN for the latest state and provincial availability before downloading an app or creating an account.

View official launch notices

These launch dates and the 2022 U.S. exit by theScore make it clearer why the two consumer apps diverged: one sustained a Canada-first footprint while the other emerged later as the ESPN-branded option for the United States.

What the brand differences mean for availability and apps

App availability is driven by jurisdictional licensing: ESPN BET targets eligible U.S. states, while theScore Bet focuses on Ontario where it launched under local regulation, so which app appears in your store depends on where your device and account are registered ESPN pressroom announcement.

Because theScore Bet withdrew from U.S. operations in mid-2022, users in many U.S. states will not find theScore Bet listed as an option in their app stores; instead they may see ESPN BET in jurisdictions where the ESPN licensing and PENN market launches apply theScore notice on U.S. operations.

Storefront listings, publisher names, and region restrictions in the app description are reliable immediate signals of which consumer product a listing represents, and different branding in app stores reflects separate consumer products rather than a simple rebrand or app rename.

How to decide which brand to use where you live

Start with your jurisdiction: if you live in Ontario, theScore Bet is the brand that launched there and that will generally be the licensed product for your province; if you live in an eligible U.S. state, ESPN BET is the U.S.-facing brand rolled out under the ESPN and PENN arrangement theScore press release on the Ontario launch.

Minimal vector timeline on dark Funded Plays background showing two milestone nodes representing April 2022 Ontario launch and November 2023 US launch for thescore sportsbook using white icons and yellow accents

Next, check the app store publisher, the app description, and any supported-region notes in the listing. Confirming the publisher and the official pressroom announcements will clarify which app is authorized for your location before you create an account or provide identity verification ESPN pressroom announcement.

If you still have doubts, contact the app's customer support or the local regulator for confirmation. The key decision factor is local licensing and launch status, not headlines about corporate ownership.

Practical how-to: checking availability and brand identity in app stores

Open the app store listing and check the publisher name; official listings will show the operating company or authorized publisher in the description and developer fields, which helps distinguish a legitimate ESPN BET or theScore Bet listing from unofficial copies.

Look for region support and system requirements in the app description, and compare the listing against the brand's official pressroom announcement or the operator's site to confirm launch timing and supported states or provinces ESPN pressroom announcement.

Pay attention to user reviews and the publisher contact info; if the publisher name does not match official pressroom statements or regulator listings, exercise caution and verify directly with support before entering personal details or account funds.

Tool: simple checklist to confirm which sportsbook is legal for you

Use this copy-paste checklist to verify app legality and brand identity quickly.

Quick verification steps to confirm a sportsbook is authorized where you live

Verify app publisher
Check press release
Confirm supported regions
Read terms and conditions
Contact customer support

Contact regulator if unsure

Apply the items in the checklist in order: confirm the publisher in the app store, match the listing to an official pressroom announcement and supported-region notes, then read terms and contact support if anything is unclear. Licensing is regional, so confirmation steps protect you from downloading an unauthorized or misbranded app. (see our blog)

Because theScore Bet and ESPN BET are separate consumer brands operating under different licensing and regional launches, accounts do not automatically move between them; a theScore Bet account in Ontario will not transfer to ESPN BET in the U.S. without explicit provision from the operators, which is uncommon across regulated markets theScore notice on U.S. operations.

Cross-border access is limited by regulatory rules and geofencing: even if you have an account with one brand, you may not be able to use it while physically located in a jurisdiction where that brand is not licensed. Check the operator's help center and terms for guidance on identity verification, geolocation, and account portability theScore press release on the Ontario launch.

When signing up, use the official app listing and confirm the publisher to avoid creating an account with an unauthorized or misnamed product. If you are moving between regions, contact customer support to understand any applicable restrictions before attempting to access your account.

Common misunderstandings and mistakes to avoid

A frequent misunderstanding is assuming that shared corporate ownership or a licensing deal means the consumer apps are identical; PENN's ownership stake and the ESPN licensing agreement explain corporate ties but do not merge theScore Bet and ESPN BET into a single consumer product theScore notice on the acquisition.

Another common error is relying on social posts or third-party sites rather than the official pressroom or regulator pages; social posts can repeat incorrect assumptions about rebrands or account portability, so verify with primary sources before acting theScore notice on U.S. operations.

Finally, avoid downloading any app that looks similar but has a different publisher name or unclear region support. Official pressroom announcements and app store publisher details are the fastest way to spot a mismatch.

Practical scenarios: what to do if you are in Ontario, the U.S., or traveling

Scenario A, Ontario resident: expect theScore Bet to be the licensed consumer product; confirm the app publisher in the store and match the listing to theScore's Ontario launch communication for official confirmation theScore press release on the Ontario launch.

Scenario B, U.S. resident in an eligible state: look for ESPN BET in your local app store and verify state availability against ESPN's pressroom announcements and PENN market notices to ensure the app is authorized where you live ESPN pressroom announcement.

Scenario C, traveling between jurisdictions: expect geolocation checks and possible access restrictions when crossing borders. Do not assume an account from one jurisdiction will be usable while you are physically located in another; check terms and contact support if you need clarification.

How to verify official information and keep up to date

Monitor the official pressrooms and corporate announcements for theScore and ESPN for any changes in launches or market entries, since those pages report formal launch dates and expansion notices that affect where each app can operate ESPN pressroom announcement.

Also check regulator websites and the app store publisher page for live confirmation of authorized operators in your state or province. Saving official help center links and the publisher contact details can speed verification when you need to confirm account or policy questions.

Final takeaway and quick checklist

Short summary: theScore Bet and ESPN BET are separate consumer brands operating in different jurisdictions, and corporate ties do not make them the same app; check your jurisdiction, verify the app publisher, and consult official pressroom announcements before you sign up theScore press release on the Ontario launch. (learn more at Funded Plays)

One-line checklist: confirm jurisdiction, check app publisher, and match the listing to official pressroom information.

Can I use my theScore Bet account in the U.S. with ESPN BET?

No. Accounts do not automatically transfer across brands; cross-border use is governed by licensing and geolocation rules, so check each operator's help center for details.

Who owns theScore Bet?

theScore became part of PENN-related corporate arrangements after an acquisition, but the consumer brand operates separately under its own market licensing.

Where should I look first to confirm which sportsbook is available in my area?

Start with the app store publisher details and official pressroom announcements from the operator, then check your local regulator if needed.

If you are unsure after following the checklist, contact the operator's official support and your local regulator for a final confirmation. Licensing and geolocation are what determine legal access, so rely on primary sources rather than speculation. Staying informed from official pressrooms and the app store publisher page is the simplest way to avoid common mistakes when choosing between theScore Bet and ESPN BET.