ESPN Bet has grown is US online sports betting footprint by securing market access in Washington, DC, through a long-term partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). This agreement allows Penn Entertainment to launch ESPN Bet in the US capital, joining established operators like BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars, and DraftKings.
Under the deal, ESPN Bet becomes an official sports betting partner of MSE and its portfolio of sports teams, including the NHL’s Washington Capitals, the NBA’s Washington Wizards, and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. MSE’s ownership of iconic multi-purpose venues further enhances the partnership’s potential to elevate fan engagement.
The collaboration will focus on creating integrated fan experiences through in-arena activations and media initiatives. ESPN Bet will feature prominently in broadcasts on the MSE-owned Monumental Sports Network, as well as through signage, out-of-home advertising, commercial slots, and exclusive hospitality experiences. The deal also grants Penn Entertainment and ESPN Bet valuable intellectual property rights for the Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics, bolstering their marketing efforts across platforms.
ESPN Bet, which officially launched in November 2023, now operates in 20 states, with DC marking its latest milestone. Aaron LaBerge, chief technology officer at Penn Entertainment, emphasized the strategic importance of this expansion, stating, “This deal expands our footprint in the region and connects ESPN Bet with one of America’s most passionate sports communities. Our presence alongside the Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics positions ESPN Bet at the centre of where sports, technology, and fan experience converge.”
Jim van Stone, MSE’s president of business operations, echoed the sentiment, highlighting how the partnership advances the future of sports entertainment. “This partnership furthers our commitment to offering fans unique, cutting-edge experiences. ESPN Bet’s innovative platform adds a new layer of engagement for fans both inside and outside the arena,” he said.
The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, cements ESPN Bet’s growing influence in the sports betting sector, aligning with its vision to enhance sports technology and fan interaction on a national scale.