ESPN BET launched in Tennessee on November 14, 2023, replacing PENN Entertainment’s earlier Barstool Sportsbook brand after PENN ended its partnership with Barstool Sports. The deal gave ESPN a 10-year licensing arrangement with PENN, which operates the technology stack and runs the actual book.
Welcome Offer
The current promo is “Bet $10, Get $250 in Bonus Bets” credited regardless of whether the qualifying wager wins or loses. After signing up and depositing $10 or more, you place a single $10+ bet at any odds. Bonus bets are credited within minutes and expire after seven days. Stake is not returned on bonus bet wins.
Key Features
The defining feature is ESPN content integration. The app embeds live scoreboards, ESPN news headlines, fantasy team data, and Insider analysis directly into bet slip flow. If you watch ESPN GameCast or use the ESPN Fantasy app, ESPN BET feels like a natural extension.
NFL and NBA market depth is strong. SEC and Big Ten college football coverage is full. The Same Game Parlay builder works but is not as smooth as FanDuel.
PENN Play is the loyalty program. It awards mychoice tier credits on every wager, redeemable at PENN-operated casino properties in other states. Tennessee has no retail casinos, so the points are useful only if you travel.
Tennessee-Specific Promotions
Volunteers, Titans, Predators, and Grizzlies odds boosts run regularly. NCAA player props are not offered on any college athlete, per SWC rules.
ESPN BET frequently boosts ESPN-televised games (Monday Night Football, College GameDay matchups), which is a natural fit for the brand.
Banking and Payments
Debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, online bank transfers (ACH), and VIP Preferred are supported. Tennessee prohibits credit card deposits. PayPal withdrawals clear within 24 hours; bank transfers take 24 to 72 hours.
Customer Support
Live chat is available 24/7. Email replies typically arrive within 24 hours. The in-app help center is organized but lighter than DraftKings or FanDuel. Tennessee REDLINE (1-800-889-9789) is referenced on every responsible gaming page.
How to Sign Up
- Open ESPN BET from inside Tennessee.
- Tap “Sign Up” and enter name, address, date of birth, last four of SSN.
- Confirm 21+ and Tennessee location.
- Allow location services.
- Deposit at least $10.
- Place a $10+ qualifying first wager to unlock $250 in bonus bets.
Verdict
ESPN BET is the natural choice for ESPN-loyal users. The welcome offer is competitive (a $10 first bet for $250 in bonus bets is a 25x return) and the ESPN integration is genuine, not cosmetic. The trade-off is that the app is less mature than DraftKings or FanDuel and has had stability hiccups during peak NFL traffic. Use as a secondary book for line shopping and a primary book if you live inside the ESPN ecosystem.