ESPN Bet to Allow Bettors to Link Their ESPN Accounts

Penn Entertainment is taking another big step to help save its troubled sports betting platform.

The operator has launched the ESPN Bet Mint Club, which will allow customers to link their ESPN and betting accounts. This will enable them to easily follow their bets on the ESPN website and app, providing a service that no rival can match.

In addition to connecting accounts, joining the ESPN Bet Mint Club also grants users access to promotions and giveaways. Those would be separate from the ones offered to all ESPN Bet users. All sportsbook customers can currently join the club for free.

The launch of the new feature comes as Penn is making a push to save ESPN Bet. The sportsbook has failed to gain much traction, despite partnering with the country's largest sports media company. They recently hired a former FanDuel exec to help right the ship, and are now looking to benefit from ESPN’s massive customer base.

Penn CEO Jay Snowden has remained optimistic about ESPN Bet, but has acknowledged that time is running out. If the Mint Club fails to increase the operator’s market share, it could bring the platform one step closer to shutting down.

Will ESPN Users Make the Switch?

While ESPN Bet is struggling, the ESPN brand remains strong in the US. The site has an impressive user base built over decades of fantasy, live streaming, and exclusive content for sports fans of all kinds. 

When Penn partnered with ESPN, they had hoped to tap into the large base, but that hasn’t happened. The hope is that the ability to connect accounts will lead users to at least try the sportsbook, and hopefully turn them into loyal customers. 

ESPN is no longer the only option for following live sports, but it remains the best. Now we’ll see if their users can also fall in love with ESPN Bet.