ESPN BET in New Hampshire
ESPN BET launched in November 2023 as the rebrand of Barstool Sportsbook, operated by Penn Entertainment under a 10-year ESPN licensing partnership. Despite ESPN's massive national brand reach, ESPN BET cannot legally operate in New Hampshire — the entire NH sportsbook market is contractually locked to DraftKings.
Why ESPN BET Isn't in NH
Exclusive DraftKings contract
NH operates a single-operator sportsbook model. DraftKings won the exclusive contract in November 2019 and was extended through June 2028 in February 2026. No competing sportsbook can legally launch in NH during this window.
ESPN BET launched after the exclusive was locked in
ESPN BET went live in November 2023 — four years after NH had already awarded DraftKings the exclusive contract. ESPN BET has never operated in NH and cannot until the contract expires or is amended.
No casino product to differentiate
ESPN BET is sportsbook-only — no online casino, no DFS. Even in states where ESPN BET competes openly, it has no auxiliary product. In NH, where sportsbook is exclusive, ESPN BET has no legal path to enter via any product.
ESPN brand recognition doesn't override state law
ESPN's massive consumer brand creates demand for ESPN BET in markets where it operates — but state licensing rules are absolute. ESPN BET would need NH to change its sportsbook law to enter.
The Legal Sportsbook in NH
DraftKings is the only legal sportsbook in New Hampshire. New customer offer: Bet $5, get $200 in Bonus Bets instantly. Full app + retail review.
Read full DraftKings NH review →Where ESPN BET IS Legal
If you travel outside NH, ESPN BET is licensed in the following states. Geolocation requires you to be physically inside one of these states at the time of each wager.
Common Questions
Can I sign up for ESPN BET in New Hampshire?
Not for use in NH. You can create an account, but geolocation will prevent any wagering activity while you are physically inside New Hampshire. Accounts can be used for wagering when you travel to legal states like Massachusetts, Maine, or New York.
Where can NH residents use ESPN BET?
Travel to Massachusetts, Maine, New York, or Vermont (none yet — VT not live), and use ESPN BET while physically inside those states. Geolocation tools verify your location at the time of each wager.
Does ESPN BET have a DFS product?
No. ESPN BET is sportsbook-only. The closest competitive product in NH is DraftKings DFS or FanDuel DFS, both of which are legal under HB 580.
Will ESPN BET come to NH after 2028?
Possible but unlikely in the short term. The state would need to amend HB 480 to authorize multiple operators, which would reduce state revenue. ESPN BET would need to win a competitive bid against DraftKings and any other interested operators.
Is the Penn Entertainment / ESPN deal exclusive?
Penn Entertainment is the operator of ESPN BET under a 10-year licensing deal with ESPN. The contract is exclusive between Penn and ESPN — but does not give ESPN BET any rights to enter exclusive-operator states like NH.