After years of working with outside partner sportsbooks, ESPN is finally jumping headfirst into the sports betting world with the launch of ESPN BET, which hit app stores on November 14.
In this article, we'll be taking a close look at what impact the ESPN BET Florida Sportsbook will have on Florida sports betting when it launches in the Sunshine State.
Let's take a look at some of the key details about the launch of ESPN BET in Florida:
Although there has been positive news in Florida betting legislation, we're nowhere near close enough to be able to say when sports betting might expand in the state. For now, Hard Rock Sportsbook FL will be the only app available in Florida.
ESPN BET will not be launching in Florida for some time yet, primarily because sports betting is yet to be legalized in the Sunshine State. The current Florida-Seminole Tribe gaming compact gives the tribe full control over wagering in the state. Because of this, the Hard Rock betting app will be the only platform available for quite some time.
Sports bettors in Florida will be able to access ESPN BET thanks to its partnership with Penn Entertainment.
However, when it comes to state-specific partnerships for ESPN BET, we are going to have to wait for further updates, which are not likely to come before online sports betting gets the go-ahead. The law is currently written in a way that gives Hard Rock Bet exclusive access, so it remains to be seen if other operators would be forced to have an in-state partner. Tennessee, for example, doesn't require online sportsbooks to partner with any in-state entity.
As things stand, there is no retail ESPN BET Sportsbook. Until we learn otherwise, ESPN BET will only be accessible via mobile and website in states where it is licensed.
It is possible that, like so many of their online sports betting counterparts, ESPN BET will open a retail sportsbook in Florida in the future.
If Florida's sports betting law remains the same, the only retail sportsbooks would be at Seminole-owned properties.
In states where ESPN BET is currently legal, the app is offering a first deposit match worth up to $1,000. This was a popular offering with Barstool Sportsbook, so it's not surprising to see this on the ESPN-branded platform.
While the value amount sounds great, it requires you to lay down a massive first deposit to take advantage of the full amount. The other key detail to know here is that your deposit will be matched as bonus bets which cannot be withdrawn. For your bonus match to have any monetary value, you have to place wagers with the bonus bets and win those wagers.
When ESPN BET launches in Florida, bettors will be able to claim what is sure to be a great ESPN BET Florida bonus code. At this stage, we don't know the precise details of that promo code but the good news is that claiming ESPN welcome bonuses will be a piece of cake.
Simply go to the ESPN BET website or app and create an account. During the registration process there will be a section that asks you to enter a promo code. Make sure you enter the correct code and once you have, this will be activated.
If the sign-up bonus is a first deposit match of up to $1,000, then you will need to think carefully about home much to deposit in order to make the most of the promotion whist at the same time not stretching yourself financially.
Before you sign-up for any Florida sportsbook promos, it is important that you understand the fine print of the offer and this applies to ESPN BET, too. The terms and conditions below apply only to a potential deposit match bonus. For other ESPN BET Florida promos, other details would apply.
It's important to note your deposit is matched in bonus bets that don't have direct monetary value and cannot be withdrawn. The bonus bets have to be wagered with and won in order to have "real money" value.
The simple answer is no, but why would you NOT want to use a promo code if there is one available?
You will, of course, be able to access the ESPN BET sportsbook without a promo code but there is simply ZERO downside to claiming the ESPN BET Florida promo.
If ESPN BET does go with the $1,000 deposit match promo as expected, then you are as good as doubling your initial bankroll, which is a great way to kick off your sports betting journey on this new platform.
There are no strings attached to the sign-up promo, ESPN BET will simply match your initial deposit with bonus funds - what is not to like about that?
Assuming that Florida sports betting involves more than just Hard Rock Bet, we can expect all of the top sportsbook operators to eventually become available in the state.
With that in mind, let's take a look at how ESPN BET will compare to some of the other big sports betting brands.
ESPN BET Florida Promo Code vs. FanDuel Florida
FanDuel cycles through a few different new user promos throughout the year. Currently, new users will get $200 in bonus bets for simply placing a $5 wager. These are among our favorite types of bonuses because you will receive the bonus bets regardless of whether your initial bet wins or loses.
This bonus has a lower overall value compared to a potential ESPN BET deposit match, but you also wouldn't have to deposit $200 to receive it.
ESPN BET Florida Promo Code vs. Caesars Florida
Caesars Sportsbook's standard welcome bonus is a first bet safety net worth up to $1,000. With these types of promos, if the first wager you place loses, the sportsbook will match your wager amount as a bonus bet. This a great bonus for both new and experienced bettors, as it gives you an added sense of confidence when placing your bet. If you win - great. If you lose, however, you'll have an opportunity to recoup your losses.
The downside to this type of new user promo is that if your initial bet wins, there's no bonus for you. Similar to the deposit match, users have to risk more money to get the most value out of the offer.
The ESPN BET Sportsbook Florida promo code will be great but there is plenty more where that came from. Florida residents will also be able to access a whole host of great ESPN BET bonuses and rewards that do not require a promo code.
Even though online sports betting is a long way off launching in Florida, we have a pretty good idea of what sport of what ESPN BET promotions Florida are in store provide based on the current Barstool Sportsbook platform.
Who doesn't love an odds boost on a big NFL game? Football fans in Florida are in for a treat because ESPN BET will often select popular NFL games and boost the odds so that they are in the favor of the bettor. It's a double win for Dolphins fans will be able to earn more from their wager whilst cheering on their side!
ESPN BET will supplement their NFL odds boosts by giving customers the chance to get enhanced odds on a range of different sports and games, on a daily basis. You will be able to access odds boost for sports like soccer, hockey, baseball, and more on the ESPN Sportsbook.
Parlay bets can be great fun but they are not easy bets to land. For a parlay to be successful, each individual leg must win so Parlay Insurance is a hugely valuable bonus because if one leg of the parlay goes down, ESPN Sportsbook Florida will refund the initial wager as a bonus bet.
The ESPN BET Florida referral program is one of the easiest ways to build up those bonus funds while enjoying the sport with your friends. Just send your personalized referral link to a friend and, when they complete the registration process, you will both receive bet credits. And it gets better - there is NO LIMIT to how many times you can use the referral link.
We don't yet know the full details of ESPN BET's rewards program but we can get some guide by looking at the Barstool Sports rewards program, which is known as the PENN Play Rewards program. Given that PENN entertainment is going to power the ESPN Sportsbook, it's a fair bet that the rewards program is going to be broadly similar.
Every wager that a bettor places earns Tier points and PENN Cash. The more Tier points you earn, the greater your access to to amazing deals and promotions. PENN Cash can be used to purchase online and real-world prizes that can range from shopping to travel to bonus bets.
Because online sports betting is not yet permitted in Florida, we don't have any confirmed promos. However, Barstool are renowned for their great NFL promo codes across the country so expect ESPN BET to follow suit and tie in promo codes with the most popular sport to bet on in the US.
No partner has been announced for ESPN BET in Florida but we'll publish any information we get in this as soon it is made public.
It couldn't be any easier to open an ESPN BET Florida account. Just make sure that you are of legal age and located within state boundaries before you sign up.
The ESPN BET Florida app is sure to be packed with industry leading features that enable this new sportsbook to stand out from the crowd. Let's take a look at what we can expect.
We don't yet know what the ESPN BET Florida promo code is going to be but once this highly-anticipated sportsbook goes live, the promo code will just be the beginning.
There is likely to be a whole host of ESPN BET Florida bonuses and promotions for new customers as well as a whole host of bonuses for existing players such as parlay insurance and odds boosts.
Competition for new customers when Florida finally launches sports betting is going to be intense so this is undoubtedly an area where ESPN BET sill be looking to stand out from the crowd.
They will need to be on the ball though, because sportsbooks like BetMGM are renowned for their loyalty programs.
ESPN BET is going to be industry leading when it comes to the vast array of sports and competitions that they will have markets on. This also applies to in-game odds, which will be available on many more sports and games than rivals like, for example, DraftKings, who tend to concentrate on the top American sports.
With ESPN BET, you'll be able to bet in-play on an A League soccer game if that's your bag. Ultimately, you'll never get bored using ESPN BET sports betting site.
Just like its predecessor Barstool Sportsbook, ESPN BET will be renowned for its fast payout speeds. If you need instant access to your money, then there are withdrawal methods that give you that speedy access to your funds. You won't need to wait for your money with ESPN BET.
Live betting is fast becoming the most popular way to enjoy sports wagering but live betting coverage can very quite markedly from sportsbook to sportsbook.
Caesars Sportsbook is renowned for its comprehensive array of in-game markets and odds, as well as being at the forefront of live streaming.
If ESPN BET are aiming to be 'best in class' then they are going to have to go the extra yards in terms of covering additional sports and leagues, e.g. college football games, with competitive odds as well as providing the ability to place in-game parlays and quick-fire cash out.
However, given the amount of live sports coverage available on ESPN, then this is a sportsbook ideally placed to go above and beyond what is already out there in the live betting arena.
The fact that Barstool Sportsbook rates so highly in this department bodes well for ESPN BET given it will be using the same software.
User experience can make or break a sports book's reputation no matter how competitive the odds might be or how good the offers are.
ESPN BET are likely to focus heavily on ensuring that customer experience on both app and website in Florida is as good as it can possibly be.
They will be competing with sportsbooks like DraftKings that have built a strong reputation in this department, so the pressure is on ESPN BET to deliver a top-class user interface.
One of the most important things to consider when signing up for any online sportsbook is to make sure they offer the deposit and withdrawal options you want to use. While the most popular options should be available across the majority of sports betting apps, some can be more limited than others.
Judging by the range of banking options on Barstool Sportsbook, then we think that ESPN BET Florida is likely to offer a wide variety of banking options. The minimum deposit amount will very likely be set at $10 and deposits via any means normally show in your sportsbook wallet almost immediately.
There may be slightly fewer methods of withdrawal than there are for depositing. However, you won't be short of options, most of which ensure you have access to your winnings in super-quick time. You will need to check with ESPN BET for precise withdrawal times once the sportsbook is live.
This depends on your method as some are much faster than others. The quickest payout methods include PayPal and Play+ Cards which support instant payouts. An E-check might take two to three days to arrive, while a physical check can take more than a week.
You can expect ESPN BET Florida to be one of the best sportsbooks for instant payouts. Withdrawing via PayPal and Play+ will ensure lightning-speed payouts that will see funds reach your account within minutes.
In short, we are not sure, although because the Barstool Sportsbook does not accept CashApp, then it is unlikely that ESPN BET will. Apple Pay is a great alternative.
PayPal is sure to be one of the most popular ways to fund an ESPN BET wallet because it is secure, fast and convenient. Venom, on the other hand, is unlikely to be supported by ESPN BET Sportsbook. Few other online sportsbooks accept Venmo transfers.
When it comes to what sports will be available through ESPN BET, you'll have access to all the big sporting leagues from around the world, both pre match and in-game.
Top American sports like NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB will be a big part of the ESPN BET app and website but considering the depth and variety of sports covered through ESPN's broadcasting, users can expect much more. If you're a fan of international sports and niche competitions, you'll also be able to lay down wagers on everything from UEFA soccer to darts.
At ESPN BET Florida, not only will the array of sports and leagues that you can wager on be market leading, you will also have access to a great range of markets in each individual game. Here are some some of the most popular betting options:
The software that powers ESPN BET will be along the same lines as that used to power Barstool's sportsbook.
It's in-house software that has been custom built to provide sportsbook users with the ultimate gambling experience.
The software that powers Barstool is renowned for providing the best customer experience of a betting product on the market and there is next to no lag on the website or the app.
These great features will all help to ensure that ESPN BET quickly becomes one of the most popular sportsbooks in Florida.
The safety of customer information and funds will be a major priority for ESPN BET Florida. They will be fully licensed to operate in the Sunshine State and will have to operate to strict state regulations.
The safety and security of every customers private details will be achieved through Secure Sockets Layer encryption, 2-factor identification and geolocation services.
There will be a whole host of ways to contact ESPN BET Florida when they go live and the chances are, you'll be able to do it 24 hours a day!
You'll be able to find all the contact details you need in the Help Centre but a great starting point is the live chat facility.
You'll be able to contest the support team via the website and the app.
ESPN BET Florida are likely to be industry leaders when it comes to responsible gambling measures for its customers.
They will have a suite of tools that will help users manage their gambling frequency, not least with deposit limits and time restrictions.
If you think you might need more help, then self exclusion will be an option.
For more information on problem gambling and the wider options available, check out the Problem Gambling website.
Without question, the ESPN BET sportsbook is going to be one of the most eagerly anticipated sportsbook launches in some time but the early signs could hardly be more promising.
Don't expect them to simply replicate the current Barstool platform under different branding, because that isn't going to be the case.
ESPN BET is sure to being in great new features thanks to new partnerships with Disney and ESPN, which, in theory could enable them to take live game streaming to the next level.
Add in some exciting promos, competitive odds and super-fast payouts and we are surely looking at one of the best online sportsbooks in America.
Unfortunately, we don't have a launch date for ESPN BET in Florida because the legalization of sports betting is still some way off. We'll update you as soon as we have any update on when ESPN BET will enter the sports betting world.
Author
Jeremy Botter is a commercial editor for FloridaBet.com. He is a former senior writer for CNN, a sportswriter for the Houston Chronicle and was managing editor for FloSports.com and HeavyMMA.com.
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