Top stories around our network this week
Still a month or more out from PENN Entertainment’s transition of its sports betting operation from Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN BET, it remains to be seen if the shift it creates in the industry will be seismic or far more subtle. The company’s rebrand, expected on a still-unannounced date in November, will shelve a marketing tool appealing most to nonconformist young males and replace it with the most widely known name in sports broadcasting – one that cuts across all demographics.
But what will that mean in actual differences for sports bettors as customers and the number of them that PENN’s sportsbook can draw compared to industry titans like FanDuel and DraftKings? That remains to be seen, but PENN officials told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Monday that changes will primarily be “cosmetic” – more to do with marketing aspects as the company strives to move up in the sports betting stratosphere, rather than any overhaul of the platform’s offerings and technology.
Just how and how much ESPN viewers will become aware of the network’s ties to ESPN BET – which will be run by PENN and not ESPN – was among the serious questions Jeff Edelstein raised this week about the impending relaunch. The network’s programming and broadcasters have gradually leaned more and more into information about sports betting as it’s become a more legally accepted activity, but any excess of that due to the new ESPN BET partnership may also turn off viewers.
Much remains to be determined about all that by year’s end, and will be on top of it each week and month. It will be part of the much broader dissection we do of the sports betting industry, as illustrated by the past week’s stories linked below. And for additional gaming industry news, be sure to check out , including its weekly Double Down column and podcast.
New rules for everyone!
Nevada rep lauds NFL for revamped sports betting policy, but questions remain
NCAA looks to revisit sports wagering violation punishment system
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Fanatics preps for big entry in big state
Fanatics Sportsbook approved in New York, and pick’em fantasy is banned
It’s a Circa celebration in Illinois
Circa Sports officially opens second retail book, in Illinois
At long last, Circa is ready to play in Illinois
Courts keep Florida on hold
Activity in Florida case has no effect on Hard Rock launch