ESPN Bet is shutting down, and now ESPN is partnering with DraftKings

ESPN Bet is winding down successful favour of a caller integration with DraftKings. In an announcement connected Thursday, ESPN revealed that it volition shutter the standalone betting app successful December, portion besides cutting ties with Penn Entertainment, the institution it worked with to make ESPN Bet.

In its place, ESPN volition present DraftKings’ betting features crossed its platforms, including wrong the betting tab inside ESPN’s revamped app. ESPN says users volition beryllium capable to usage DraftKings’ sportsbook, regular fantasy, and Pick6 features astatine motorboat connected December 1st, but a “full rollout of each integrations is expected successful 2026.”

ESPN struck a $1.5 cardinal licensing woody with Penn Entertainment successful 2023, transforming the Barstool Sportsbook marque into ESPN Bet. That 10-year statement has present travel to an aboriginal end, a determination Penn Entertainment says it and ESPN  person “mutually and amicably” agreed to. Last month, ESPN removed its ESPN Bet banner portion covering the arrest of 31 people, including Portland Trail Blazers caput manager Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat defender Terry Rozier, and erstwhile NBA subordinate Damon Jones, for their alleged engagement successful an amerciable gambling ring.

Following ESPN Bet’s shutdown, Penn Entertainment volition relaunch its sports betting app arsenic theScoreBet. “Our betting attack has focused connected offering an integrated acquisition wrong our products,” ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro says successful the property release. “Working with DraftKings, a person successful the space, volition let america to physique upon that foundation, proceed to super-serve passionate sports fans and turn our ESPN direct-to-consumer business.”