theScore Bet: The Evolution of a Media-Driven Sportsbook
The landscape of American sports betting underwent a seismic shift in 2018, transforming from a restricted activity into a booming legal industry. At the forefront of this transition was theScore, a media company that leveraged its digital footprint to pivot into the gambling sector, eventually evolving into the comprehensive sportsbook known as theScore Bet.
The Legal Catalyst: The Fall of PASPA
For decades, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) largely outlawed sports betting across the United States. This changed in May 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the act in the landmark case Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association. For theScore founder John S. Levy, this ruling turned long-term theoretical discussions about entering the betting market into an immediate reality.
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Strategic Partnerships and Market Entry
To enter the complex regulatory environment of the U.S., theScore utilized a strategic approach involving middleware and market access agreements. By partnering with Bet.Works for technical infrastructure and securing a deal with Darby Development (the parent company of Monmouth Park Racetrack), theScore became the first media company to partner with a U.S. sportsbook in New Jersey.
Expansion via Penn National Gaming
The company's growth accelerated in July 2019 through a 20-year market access agreement with Penn National Gaming. This partnership allowed theScore to expand its operations into 11 additional states. As part of this deal, Penn acquired a 4.7% stake in the company, which was subsequently renamed Score Media and Gaming.
In September 2019, theScore Bet officially launched in New Jersey. To create a seamless user experience, the company introduced "Bet Mode" to its sports news app. This feature integrated real-time statistics, odds, and tracking, allowing users to prepare wagers within the news app and forward them directly to the theScore Bet app.
Acquisition and Global Growth
By August 2021, Penn National Gaming moved to fully integrate the service, agreeing to acquire Score Media and Gaming for $2 billion in cash and stocks. This acquisition allowed theScore Bet to operate alongside Penn's other brands, such as Barstool Sportsbook.
Canadian Market Penetration
The company expanded its reach into Canada starting in April 2022, launching in Ontario as part of the province's newly regulated online gambling market. This expansion included a partnership to become the official gaming partner of the Toronto Blue Jays. Further growth followed in November 2023, when theScore Bet became an official sports betting service of the National Hockey League (NHL) in Canada.
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The Transition from ESPN Bet
In a significant strategic pivot in November 2025, Penn and ESPN Inc. agreed to terminate their licensing agreement for the ESPN Bet sportsbook in the U.S. On December 1, 2025, ESPN Bet customers were transitioned to theScore Bet. Simultaneously, the service launched in Missouri, bringing its total U.S. reach to 21 states. Penn CEO Jay Snowden noted that the cost savings from ending the ESPN partnership would be largely reinvested into Canadian operations.
The expansion continued into 2026, with Penn receiving approval to launch theScore Bet in Alberta on July 13, 2026.
Key Facts
- Legal Turning Point: The 2018 Supreme Court ruling in Murphy v. NCAA ended the PASPA ban on sports betting.
- First-Mover Advantage: theScore was the first media company to establish a U.S. sportsbook partnership.
- Acquisition Value: Penn National Gaming acquired Score Media and Gaming for $2 billion in 2021.
- U.S. Reach: As of December 2025, the service operates in 21 U.S. states.
- Canadian Presence: Operates in Ontario and Alberta, with official partnerships including the NHL (Canada) and Toronto Blue Jays.
| Year | Milestone | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | PASPA Struck Down | Legal path opened for U.S. sports betting. |
| 2019 | NJ Launch & Penn Deal | Launched in NJ; 20-year agreement with Penn National Gaming. |
| 2021 | Full Acquisition | Penn acquired Score Media and Gaming for $2 billion. |
| 2022 | Ontario Launch | First Canadian jurisdiction entry. |
| 2025 | ESPN Bet Transition | ESPN Bet users moved to theScore Bet; expanded to 21 states. |
| 2026 | Alberta Launch | Approved for launch on July 13, 2026. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the impact of the PASPA ruling on theScore?
The striking down of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018 by the U.S. Supreme Court removed the federal barrier to sports betting, allowing theScore to pivot from a media company into the sportsbook industry.
What is "Bet Mode" in the theScore app?
Bet Mode is a feature within theScore's sports news app that provides real-time statistics, odds, and tracking, enabling users to prepare wagers and send them directly to the theScore Bet app.
How did Penn National Gaming acquire theScore?
Penn first took a 4.7% stake in 2019 via a market access agreement and later fully acquired Score Media and Gaming in August 2021 for $2 billion in cash and stocks.
What happened to ESPN Bet customers?
Following the end of the licensing agreement between Penn and ESPN Inc. in November 2025, all ESPN Bet customers were transitioned to theScore Bet on December 1, 2025.
In which Canadian provinces does theScore Bet operate?
theScore Bet launched in Ontario in April 2022 and received approval to launch in Alberta on July 13, 2026.