Being physically present in one of the legal ESPN Bet states is a requirement you have to meet before you can sign up at the online sportsbook and casino. That leads to the question — where is ESPN Bet legal?
From our checks, the sports betting platform opens its virtual doors to players in 19 states, plus Washington DC. However, Hollywood Casino, which is also integrated on ESPN Bet, is available in only four of the seven states that permit online casino gaming. Read on, as we will provide more details about the brand’s availability in the US.
The online sportsbook is available in 20 jurisdictions, which include 19 states and Washington, D.C. This is slightly fewer than the number of legal BetMGM states, but it is still impressive for a betting platform that launched only in 2023. Here is a complete list of the US states from which you can register on the online sportsbook:
ESPN Bet is popular for its sports betting offerings, but do you know that it offers online casino gaming through Hollywood Casino? The platform offers a decent selection of games and bonuses, comparable to what you will find at other legal online casinos in the US.
However, online casino gaming is limited to only seven states (as of the time of our review), and ESPN's Casino is available in four of them. These are:
For ESPN Bet to comfortably offer sports betting services in the states where it operates, it has the proper licenses and strictly adheres to the gambling regulations. Each of the states where it works has enacted laws permitting online sports betting, along with regulatory bodies that oversee betting operators. These authorities have thoroughly vetted the brand and confirmed that it checks all the boxes that make it a safe and reliable platform.
One thing to note is that state regulations for online sports betting vary significantly across the country. For instance, New Jersey prohibits betting on in-state college teams, while New York restricts college player prop bets entirely. ESPN Bet has to stick to these jurisdiction-specific rules to maintain its legal standing.
As a result, the betting offerings you will find can differ based on your location. The same applies to other established sports betting brands. FanDuel, for instance, must also comply with the regulations of all the legal FanDuel states. So, it's not surprising to find different bonuses and smaller market coverage when you access the sportsbook from some areas.
This depends entirely on the brand and its approach to offering sports betting in the country. So far, it has done a good job in terms of availability. It launched in 17 states on day one, then North Carolina and New York joined the lineup of ESPN Bet legal states in 2024. If it does spread its wings to more states, it will announce it and update the list of states where it is available.
Earlier, we mentioned that your location is just one of the factors to consider before joining ESPN Bet. There are a few other boxes you need to check. The same applies even if you're using other platforms. For example, while you need to be in one of the legal DraftKings states to sign up at DraftKings, you also have to meet the age requirement.
To sign up at ESPN Bet, keep the following in mind:
| Minimum age requirement | The minimum age limit to register at the online sportsbook and casino is 21 years old. Even if you’re in Kentucky where the general gambling age is 18 years old, the sportsbook accepts only players who are at least 21. |
| Identity verification | KYC verification is a process you have to complete on the platform. For this, you simply submit copies of documents that show you are along with those that display your address. These can include a driver’s license, an international passport, and a recent utility bill. |
| Single account policy | Like other reputable sportsbooks, ESPN Bet does not allow you to have more than one account on its platform. |
Joining ESPN Bet is similar to joining Caesars when you're in any of the legal Caesars states. Here is a simple guide to follow:
Once you’re done, you have access to the platform’s sports betting services. You can now fund your account, claim the welcome bonus if you want, and head to the betting lobby where you can start placing wagers.
After signing up and reviewing ESPN Bet, we found a few upsides and drawbacks. Here is a list of the most significant ones:
You now know the most essential thing about ESPN Bet's availability in the United States. The sportsbook has established itself as a legitimate contender in 20 jurisdictions, including Washington, DC, which is identical to the availability of other big brands like FanDuel. Its integration of Hollywood Casino in four of those states is a plus.
If you're wondering if ESPN Bet is safe in these states, the answer is yes. The brand operates in accordance with every state's regulations and implements high-end security protocols to protect your personal details.
Over time, we can expect the sportsbook to expand its reach and provide its services in other US regions where sports betting is permitted. But for now, if you’re in any of the ESPN Bet legal states and meet all the necessary requirements, you can easily sign up on the platform.
ESPN Bet is legal in 19 states and Washington, D.C. These include Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
ESPN Bet operates with the proper licenses and adheres to state gambling regulations. Each state has laws that permit online sports betting and regulatory bodies that oversee operators, confirming that ESPN Bet meets all safety standards.
Before signing up, you must be at least 21 years old, complete identity verification through KYC, and adhere to a single account policy.
To register, click the ESPN Bet promo banner or download the mobile app, click the signup button, provide your details, enable location services, complete KYC verification, and then access betting services.
No, ESPN Bet is a separate platform operated by PENN Entertainment under a licensing agreement with ESPN, focusing solely on sports betting.
Yes, your ESPN Bet account provides access to both sports betting and casino gaming in states where Hollywood Casino operates.
Yes, you can use ESPN Bet when traveling to a legal state, as long as you are physically present there and ESPN Bet verifies your location through geolocation technology.
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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