By Ashley Robinson No, ESPN Bet is currently not legal or available as a sportsbook in Florida. Florida’s sports betting market is tightly controlled under the Seminole Tribe gaming agreement, and Hard Rock Bet remains the state’s primary authorized online sportsbook. Because of this setup, ESPN Bet has not been licensed to operate sports betting services in Florida.
Many sports fans in Florida become confused because ESPN is such a massive sports brand. People often assume ESPN Bet works nationwide like apps such as DraftKings or FanDuel. However, sports betting legality in the United States depends on state-by-state licensing, and Florida currently allows only very limited operators.
What Was ESPN Bet?
ESPN Bet was an online sportsbook created through a partnership between ESPN and PENN Entertainment.
The platform offered:
- Sports betting
- Live betting
- Parlays
- Player props
- Betting promotions
- Mobile sportsbook services
It officially launched in late 2023 and attempted to compete with major sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel.
Why ESPN Bet Was Not Available in Florida
Florida sports betting laws are unique compared to many other states.
Under Florida’s current gambling system:
- The Seminole Tribe controls statewide online sports betting
- Hard Rock Bet operates as the main legal sportsbook
- Outside sportsbook companies face major restrictions
Because ESPN Bet never secured access through Florida’s tribal gaming structure, it could not legally operate there.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida at All?
Yes, sports betting itself is legal in Florida.
However, the market is extremely limited.
Currently:
- Hard Rock Bet is the primary legal sportsbook
- Online betting operates under the Seminole Tribe agreement
- Most outside sportsbook apps are unavailable statewide
This is why apps like:
- ESPN Bet
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- BetMGM
have not fully launched traditional sportsbook operations in Florida.
What Happened to ESPN Bet?
ESPN Bet itself has largely shut down as a standalone sportsbook brand.
In late 2025, ESPN ended its sportsbook partnership with PENN Entertainment and announced a new integration partnership with DraftKings instead.
Reports stated that:
- ESPN Bet would shut down as a standalone betting app
- DraftKings would become ESPN’s official sportsbook partner
- ESPN betting features would integrate into DraftKings systems
Can Florida Residents Use ESPN Bet With a VPN?
Using VPNs to bypass sportsbook restrictions can violate platform terms and potentially create account issues.
Possible risks include:
- Account suspension
- Voided winnings
- Identity verification problems
- Payment disputes
Sportsbooks use geolocation systems heavily because gambling laws vary by state.
Are Fantasy Sports Different?
Yes.
Some fantasy sports products connected to brands like DraftKings or ESPN may still operate differently from traditional sportsbooks.
Fantasy contests are often treated separately under gambling laws.
However, ESPN Bet’s traditional sportsbook operations were not legally active in Florida.
Could ESPN Betting Return to Florida Later?
Possibly.
Florida gambling laws continue evolving, and future partnerships or legal agreements could eventually allow additional sportsbook operators into the state.
However, as of 2026:
- Hard Rock Bet dominates the legal market
- ESPN Bet is no longer operating as a standalone sportsbook
- DraftKings now has a major ESPN partnership instead
FAQs
Q: Is ESPN Bet legal in Florida?
A: No. ESPN Bet was not licensed for Florida sportsbook operations.
Q: Is sports betting legal in Florida?
A: Yes, but mainly through Hard Rock Bet.
Q: Why was ESPN Bet unavailable in Florida?
A: Florida’s sports betting system is controlled largely through the Seminole Tribe agreement.
Q: Did ESPN Bet shut down?
A: Yes, ESPN ended the standalone ESPN Bet partnership in 2025.
Q: Who replaced ESPN Bet?
A: DraftKings became ESPN’s new sportsbook partner.
Q: Is Hard Rock Bet legal in Florida?
A: Yes. It is the state’s primary legal sportsbook.
Q: Can Florida residents use VPNs for sportsbook apps?
A: Doing so may violate platform terms and create account risks.
Q: Is DraftKings Sportsbook legal in Florida?
A: Traditional DraftKings Sportsbook operations are still restricted in Florida.
Q: Are fantasy sports apps different from sportsbooks?
A: Yes. Fantasy sports often operate under different legal frameworks.
Q: Could more sportsbooks become legal in Florida later?
A: Possibly. Florida gambling laws may continue evolving in the future.