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ESPN Ends Penn Venture, Taps DraftKings as Official Sportsbook Starting Dec. 1

The shift follows ESPN Bet’s limited traction in a market led by entrenched operators.

Overview

  • Disney’s ESPN and Penn Entertainment will mutually terminate the ESPN Bet partnership on Dec. 1 after the product failed to gain significant market share.
  • ESPN named DraftKings its official sportsbook and odds provider, with betting features slated to integrate into the ESPN app, daily fantasy, and DraftKings Pick6 beginning Dec. 1.
  • Penn will pay ESPN $38.1 million and allocate $5 million to promote the sportsbook’s transition to theScore Bet, according to Sports Business Journal reporting.
  • Independent estimates peg ESPN Bet’s market share near 3%, while Reuters has reported DraftKings and FanDuel control roughly 80% of U.S. online wagering.
  • ESPN Bet will shift into a betting content brand that directs users to DraftKings Sportsbook for wagering, according to Reuters reporting.