ESPN Bet Could Launch in New York by Weekend

The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) has approved the transfer of Wynn Resorts' digital sports betting licence to Penn Entertainment, paving the way for the launch of ESPN Bet in the state, potentially by this weekend. Chris Rogers, executive vice president and chief strategy and legal officer at Penn Entertainment, noted that the company still needs to address a few technical matters, but the goal is to have ESPN Bet operational within a few days, ideally just in time for the thrilling fourth week of the NFL season.

Although there were earlier expectations for ESPN Bet to debut in August, the NYSGC had not convened for a special meeting to move forward with the approval. It's important to remember that New York has a cap on digital betting licences, limited to nine, all of which were granted in early 2024. WynnBet's exit from the state market enabled Penn Entertainment to acquire its licence for $25 million.

ESPN Bet is already active in 19 states, providing sports betting services and operating five online casinos. The platform initially launched on November 15, 2023, and has been available in 17 jurisdictions across the U.S. All significant U.S. operators, including Bally's, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, Resorts World, and Rush Street Interactive, are currently live in New York.