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ESPN BET Goes Live in DC

Ziv Chen

Last Updated: January 22, 2025 3:48 PM EST • 1 min 49 sec read.

Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr controls the ball as we look at the ESPN BET launch in DC.
Pictured: Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr controls the ball. Photo by Ed Szczepanski / Imagn Images.

Another step toward growth, exposure, and becoming one of the best sportsbooks.

ESPN BET, an American sportsbook owned by Penn Entertainment, has officially gone live in the DC sports betting market. This marks the 20th jurisdiction in which the sportsbook has launched since it started operations in November 2023.

ESPN BET allows users to link their pre-existing ESPN accounts to ESPN BET, allowing seamless tracking of live and upcoming settled bets. 

Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer at Penn Entertainment said, “We’re thrilled to launch ESPN BET in our nation’s capital and expand our presence across the Washington metropolitan area. Along with our partner ESPN, we’re excited to introduce our deeply integrated media and betting experience and further engage with the D.C. area’s passionate sports community.”

Partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment

ESPN BET’s launch in DC came after Penn Entertainment signed a market access agreement with Monumental Sports & Entertainment. This partnership secured ESPN BET access to the DC online betting market and made the sportsbook an official sports betting partner to all Monumental teams, including the Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), and Washington Mystics (WNBA). They'll need to offer lucrative DC sportsbook promos to compete with the established sportsbooks in the district.

The long-term partnership provides ESPN BET users with prominent in-arena and media components, including Capitals and Wizards game broadcasts available on the Monumental Sports Network. Interested parties will want to use an ESPN Bet promo code upon sign-up.

Likewise, the partnership grants ESPN BET IP rights for Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics. This includes in-arena and TV-visible signage, out-of-home advertising, and a commercial schedule across Monumental Sports Network. 

Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at Monumental Sports & Entertainment commented, “We are thrilled to join forces with PENN Entertainment and align with ESPN BET, a leading brand across the sports and entertainment landscape. This partnership furthers our collective commitment to offering fans unique, cutting-edge experiences that reflect the future of sports entertainment, with ESPN BET’s innovative platform adding a new layer of engagement for our fans, both inside and outside the arena.”

Fanatics launch in DC

ESPN BET is not the only sportsbook to recently launch in DC. Fanatics Sportsbook launched in September 2024 and is also available to users in the District. The launch became the 23rd state where the sportsbook is available after Fanatics partnered with American soccer team Washington Spirit (NSWL). 

The DC online sports betting market changed significantly in 2024 to allow these new operators to launch. Lawmakers agreed to end the DC Lottery monopoly on District-wide online sports betting. For most of its history, this was run by GambetDC before being controlled by FanDuel in the final months of the restrictions. 

Other sportsbooks could only provide sports betting within two blocks of a retail sportsbook until these rules changed.

Written By:
Ziv Chen
Ziv has over two decades of experience in the igaming and sports betting industry, having served in senior marketing and business development positions with both B2C and B2B companies, including Playtech and Microgaming. In 2019, Ziv decided to pursue his passion for writing and became a fulltime industry journalist, covering casino, sports, and gambling business news. He’s specialties include casino games and technology, US state gambling regulation, company performance, as well as gambling affiliates and marketing. As a Pitt graduate, Ziv is a diehard fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, with the Steelers at the top of the list. In his free time, he enjoys reading crime fiction, biographies (mainly of sports personalities, but not only) and American history. Ziv’s Favorite quote: “We're going to pursue perfection, knowing full well we won't catch it, but we're going to relentlessly chase it," Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach.