Sports betting platform ESPN Bet officially launches in New York and Pennsylvania, having secured a $25 million partnership deal with Wynn Resorts.
Nine Sportsbooks Operate Legally in New York's Online Sports Betting Market Following Penn Entertainment's Acquisition
After Penn Entertainment's acquisition of Wynn Resorts' sports betting licenses in New York, the current operational online sports betting brands in the state are FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics, BetRivers, Resorts World, Bally Bet, Caesars, DraftKings, and ESPN Bet. These nine sportsbooks are fully licensed and accept legal bets online in New York as of August 2025.
Notably, Penn's acquisition of Wynn's licenses may consolidate some operations under Penn’s BetRivers brand. However, the overall market still features multiple major operators offering distinct brands and offerings. No new brands beyond these nine have been confirmed as licensed since the acquisition, making these sportsbooks the complete legal online sports betting market in New York.
ESPN Bet, one of the nine online sports betting brands, is anticipated to launch in New York in 2024. The acquisition grants Penn Entertainment access to the mobile sports betting market in New York, marking their entry into the New York online sports betting market.
The acquisition of Wynn's WSI US, LLC by Penn Entertainment secures sports betting licenses for Penn. The deal, valued at $25 million, is subject to regulatory approvals. Jay Snowden, CEO and president of Penn Entertainment, expressed that the acquisition will bring ESPN Bet to the largest regulated online sports wagering market in North America, and operating in the New York market is crucial for growth.
Snowden believes that the entry into the New York online sports betting market is significant for the expansion of ESPN Bet across the US. He stated that the goal is to build a sports betting brand synonymous with ESPN, and operating in the New York market is a key step towards achieving this goal.
It's important to note that offshore or crypto sportsbooks like BetOnline and BetWhale are not part of New York's licensed market. FanDuel, DraftKings, Bally Bet, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, Resorts World Bet, and BetRivers are existing active brands in New York's online sports betting market.
Pending regulatory approvals, Penn Entertainment plans to launch ESPN Bet in New York, further diversifying the state's online sports betting market.
Sports betting is legal and accepted online in New York by nine sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics, BetRivers, Resorts World, Bally Bet, Caesars, DraftKings, and ESPN Bet. Specifically, ESPN Bet, one of these sportsbooks, is anticipated to launch in New York in 2024, which will expand Penn Entertainment's entry into the New York online sports betting market following their acquisition of Wynn Resorts' sports betting licenses.
