In most years, the introduction of a lone mainstream sports brand to the gambling market would create major ripples throughout the nation’s sports betting ecosystem. 3m2n5
But what about two?
Last month, ESPN made a splashy debut in the U.S. sports betting market with the launch of the PENN Entertainment-operated ESPN BET. The rollout served as the most anticipated debut of a new sportsbook since the inaugural wave five years ago. But as year-end reviews trickle in during the holiday season, ESPN will have to share the headlines with another prominent mainstream brand.
In January, e-commerce giant Fanatics made its retail sports betting debut when the company Fanatics Sportsbook is live in nine states, with more to come upon completion of the PointsBet deal.
An October Caesars. In offering additional color on the results, HPL CEO Ed Moed told Sports Handle, “It all comes back to how good the product is, how relevant, and how easy the product is. Fanatics clearly has the upper hand from the survey with how they’re viewed.”
Nevertheless, ESPN BET bolted out of the gates with a strong debut. In November, bolstered by the launch’s tailwinds, a host of top gaming states reported record monthly sports betting handle. From early indications, there are signs that ESPN is bringing new female and recreational bettors into the market .
Last month, ESPN BET maintained a handle market share in the high single digits in several key states, most notably Massachusetts, where it outperformed BetMGM and Caesars. The robust figures prompted analysts from BofA Global Research to upwardly revise its long-term projections for the venture. BofA now predicts a run-rate market share of 10% for ESPN BET, up from previous expectations of 6-7%. (In financial parlance, a company’s run rate is a predictor of future performance under the assumption that current financial conditions will persist.)
By the end of 2027, PENN Entertainment CEO Jay Snowden is optimistic that ESPN BET will command a market share of 20% or more nationwide. An influential venture capitalist, Seventy Six Capital Managing Director Wayne Kimmel, the country’s top sportsbook. Neither Snowden nor Kimmel have a crystal ball, however. Only time will tell.
As we close the door on 2023, the widespread changes to the U.S. sports betting market should have lasting effects. This year, brands such as Unibet either downsized operations or announced plans to leave the U.S. market altogether. In their place, the emergence of ESPN BET and Fanatics heads our list as the top business story of 2023.
Here’s a month-by-month look at the other top business stories of the year.
December 64205m
Market Research Shows Wagering Little Affected Despite Inflation
Ex-Jags Employee Facing Up To 30 Years In Prison For Stealing $22M To Fund Gambling
Massachusetts: DraftKings Broke State Law In Accepting Out-Of-State Credit Card Funds
Cuban-Adelson Transaction Could Hold Implications Far Beyond NBA
The multi-billion dollar question: Will the sale of the Dallas Mavericks increase the possibility for a mega Texas casino resort? @MattRybaltowski explores from all angles:https://t.co/DHUqfZZ7gE
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) December 7, 2023
Ex-Jags Employee Facing Up To 30 Years In Prison For Stealing $22M To Fund Gambling
Massachusetts: DraftKings Broke State Law In Accepting Out-Of-State Credit Card Funds
ESPN BET’s First Month In Line With Analysts’ Estimates, Preliminary Data Shows
Resignation Of Entain CEO May Reignite Calls For BetMGM Divorce
MGM Resorts Unveils Plans For Would-Be New York Casino
Is this an appropriate place to watch Monday Night Football in December? pic.twitter.com/MjlJI1ITuY
— Las Vegas Locally 🌴 (@LasVegasLocally) December 19, 2023
November 605r2s
Unibet To Exit North American Sports Wagering Marketplace
F1 Crisis In Vegas Averted As MGM Reaches Agreement With Employee Union
ESPN BET’s Highly Anticipated Launch Arrives, New Sportsbook Officially Live
The Billion Dollar Question: How Will ESPN BET Differentiate Itself From Main Rivals?
Questions surround whether ESPN BET can emerge as a Top 3 operator over the next three years. Given PENN’s investment, they can aptly be described as billion-dollar questions, writes @MattRybaltowski. (Click pic for story)https://t.co/3FfUj3Mbfp
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) November 14, 2023
Hard Rock Bet Surprises By Restarting On Limited Basis In Florida
Ed Miller: ‘Gambling Is About Finding People Who Are Willing To Lose To You’
Wisconsin Teen Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy In Sports Betting Hacking Case
DraftKings Announces ‘Progressive Parlay’ Feature Coming Soon To Online Sportsbook
PPA Tour Looks To Ride Momentum Of Pickleball Betting Launch Into 2024
DraftKings Takes Victory Lap, Vows To Remain ‘Disciplined’ Amid ESPN BET Launch
Despite Robust Growth, Sportradar Unveils Plans To Reduce Workforce By 10%
October 5zz
Bally’s Gets 1-Year Extension To Operate Temporary Casino In Chicago
Football And Finances: Some Would Go Into Debt For A Home Team Super Bowl Win
Does House Money Or Skill Keep Sports Bettors Coming Back For More?
Travis Kelce Prop Betting Explodes As Taylor Swift Cheers Him On Again
“The excitement we’re seeing for Travis and Taylor has continued to translate to increasing popularity for Kelce-related bets."
– Karol Corcoran, @FDSportsbook (@mdseely, #TaylorSwift, #taylorandtravis)https://t.co/NrSh5SdHeA
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) October 2, 2023
Sportsbooks Are Beginning To Get The Hang Of Microbetting
Radar Offers Wagering Operators A Geofencing Alternative
U.S. Gambling Is A $328 Billion Business, According To The American Gaming Association
Media Notebook: The Rise Of The Gambling Industry Newsletter
Sportradar, Genius Sports Hit With Patent Infringement Suits Over Streaming Products
Younger Bettors Have More Diverse Wagering Habits Than Older Counterparts
Nevada Rep Lauds NFL For Revamped Sports Betting Policy, But Questions Remain
September 525k66
Hard Rock Bet May Be The Quickest And Cleanest Sportsbook App Out There
Caesars Nears Launch Of FireBets Product To Capture Momentum Shifts In Sports Betting
NFL, Genius Sports Unveil Stream & Bet Platform Through BetVision
Will Prohibet Provide One-Stop Shopping For Detection Of Sports Betting Infractions?
“To me, it’s the missing link in the proverbial force field of the legalized sports betting market — to cover that integrity piece that quite frankly was completely void, or at least woefully insufficient.”
– Matt Heap, @USintegrity (@MattRybaltowski)https://t.co/Kmz9COqrs5
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) September 14, 2023
College Fraternity Partners With Mental Health Provider To Curb Problem Gambling
Sportsbooks Ratchet Up Targeted Advertising At Start Of NFL Season
Sportsbook Operators To Massachusetts: Data Privacy Regs Must Be Modified
I Want You To Quant Me: High-Tech Startups Aspire To Help Bettors Beat The Books
Report: D.C. Lottery Limits Retail Wagers After Restaurant Bettor Wins Big
DraftKings Posts, Then Removes, Parlay Tied To 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
Roundhill To Modify Underlying Index For Sports Betting And iGaming Fund
BetMGM’s Enhanced App Delivers Several Notable Product Improvements
What Do Stuffy Noses Have To Do With Responsible Gambling?
Prime Sportsbook Set To Kick Off In Ohio, Welcomes All Comers
GeoComply Reports 242 Million NFL Week 1 Betting Transactions, Up 56% Over Last Year
More Than 60% In Survey Say They Place Live Wagers On NFL Games
August 11t3x
Ontario Rolls Out More Stringent Wagering Advertising Rules
NASCAR Re-ups With Sportradar, Signs Deal With Microbetting Platform nVenue
Sporttrade Launches In Colorado As Upstart Novig Pursues License
U.S. Rep. Tonko: Speedy age Of Sports Betting Ad Ban Bill Unlikely
Deeply disturbing that sportsbooks pushed to reject language that would protect young people and problem gamblers in our state.
It’s also the reason why I introduced my Betting on Our Future Act—to end the barrage of sports betting ads & their harm to our most vulnerable. https://t.co/dyd9KS8vfB
— Paul Tonko (@RepPaulTonko) December 11, 2023
Yahoo Sportsbook Opens Up At The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
U.S. Commercial Sports Wagering Handle Sures $250 Billion Post-PASPA
Rivalry Brings Same-Game Parlays To Esports Betting
Industry Insiders: Dave Portnoy One Of The Biggest Winners In Post-PASPA Era
Wynn Resorts Plans To Close WynnBET In Eight States
Flutter Anticipates Stiff Competition From ESPN BET, Is On Track For U.S. Listing
MGM Resorts Pleased With BetMGM’s Path To Profitability
July 2n544z
Flutter, Fox Corp. Winding Down FOX Bet Amid Low Market Share
NFL, Genius Sports Extend Sports Betting Data Partnership Through 2027-28 Season
Aristocrat Unveils First NFL-Themed And Branded Slot Machine
Feeling lucky during the football season? @NFL-themed slot machines are hitting the casino floors starting this September. @contessabrewer s with more: pic.twitter.com/rL2RHtpM
— Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) July 28, 2023
NJ DGE Shuts Down PlayUp As Aussie Book Struggles To Remain Afloat In U.S.
Betr Launches Pick-‘Em-Style Fantasy Vertical
TransUnion Report: College Loan Repayments May Impact Sportsbook Industry
June 23611k
Deloitte Study On Sports Fandom A Mixed Bag For Betting Interests
Report Shares Details Of Brad Bohannon Firing Amid Betting Scandal
Source: ‘Pervasive’ Wagering From Colts Player Includes Bets On His Own Team
Sportsbooks, Industry Insiders Wary Of Bet-Boosting, Money-Lending Product
DraftKings Plans To Explore Shared Wallet For Sports And Horse Betting
Jeremy Levine: From His Parents’ Attic To Zeroing In On The Sports Betting Industry
May 151h6l
Fanatics Ceases Merchandise/Bonus Bet Offer After Ohio Objection
From PASPA To Present: An Oral History Of The U.S. Sports Betting Gold Rush
‘You Can’t Just Give Out Tom Brady’s Personal Information’
April 5h5k33
Teddy Talks: How Sports Betting Companies Are Navigating Early Adulthood
A Year After Charlie Blackmon’s Deal, MLB Betting Endorsements Have Vanished
Yahoo Enters Social Sports Betting Biz With Acquisition Of Wagr
Celebrities Pitching Sportsbooks Could Get The Axe In Maine And Canada
March 155y2l
Major League Baseball Taps FanDuel As ‘Co-Exclusive’ Sports Betting Partner
In It For The Long Haul: AGA Exercises Patience In Fight Vs. Offshore Books
Taylor Mathis Got Sacrificed At The Altar Of Responsible Gambling
In regards to the tweet about teaching kids how to do a bracket: I taught them about filling out a bracket. There wasnt any gambling involved. just trying to do something w kids sports&math. It’s being viewed as grooming. I’m sorry if doing that was wrong it wasn’t my intent.
— Taylor Mathis (@TMathSports) March 18, 2023
Rule Change: NFL Teams Can Open In-Stadium Sportsbooks On Game Days
Are BetBots About To Disrupt The Sports Wagering Ecosystem?
Tennessee’s Official League Data Up For Debate And Could Have National Implications
February 362e1x
Monkey Knife Fight Is No More, As Bally’s Pulls The Plug
The Future Of Super Bowl Betting Could Depend On Faster Streams
GeoComply Logs Over 100 Million Super Bowl Geolocation Checks
January 65l4y
Arizona Regulators Approve, Then Remove, Betting On 2024 Presidential Election
Prophet Becomes First U.S. Betting Exchange To Appoint External Auditor
NY Bill Proposes To Require Warnings On Gambling Advertising
Ohio Launch Sparks Nationwide Surge In Sportsbook App s
Ohio’s 11.3 million geolocation transactions on Jan. 1 and Jan. 2 paced all U.S. states during that time period, according to @GeoComplyhttps://t.co/iRYTk4M6N7 @BennettConlin
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) January 3, 2023
As we look ahead to 2024, innovation will likely play a large role in market changes over the next 12 months. In many respects, sports betting has become too conservative in its approach to adopting cutting edge technology, BetDEX CEO Varun Sudhakar told Sports Handle. As a result, keep an eye on the role of artificial intelligence and Web3 innovation in the new year.
