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Barstool Sportsbook Review

Launched in 2020, Barstool Sportsbook was the product of a partnership between Penn National Gaming (now PENN Entertainment) and Barstool Sports, a sports media brand with a massive online following. Designed to merge content, community, and wagering, Barstool Sportsbook differentiated itself by leaning heavily into Barstool’s cult-like media personality and loyal fanbase.

In 2023, Penn shifted its long-term strategy by striking a deal with ESPN, rebranding its U.S. sportsbook operations to ESPN Bet, effectively phasing out the Barstool Sportsbook brand. However, Barstool’s impact on the U.S. betting market remains notable, and users in certain regions may still encounter Barstool branding as the transition continues.


What Makes Barstool Unique?

Media + Sportsbook Integration The first major U.S. book to integrate a strong sports media personality into its platform.

Barstool Personality Influence Promotions, boosts, and betting markets tied to Barstool personalities.

Community-Driven Appealed to the Barstool audience with unique contests and banter-driven engagement.

Now Rebranded As of late 2023, operations transitioned into ESPN Bet under PENN Entertainment.


Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Strong media crossover between Barstool content and betting
  • Popular among younger bettors drawn to the Barstool brand
  • Frequent promos and boosts tied to Barstool personalities
  • Solid coverage of major U.S. sports

Cons

  • Brand phased out in favor of ESPN Bet
  • Limited recognition beyond Barstool’s core audience
  • Lacked the polish of giants like DraftKings or FanDuel
  • Smaller international footprint — U.S.-only

Key Features of the Barstool Platform

Barstool Personality Promotions Bets tied to popular Barstool hosts and influencers.

Odds Boosts & Specials Unique boosts branded with Barstool names.

In-Play Betting Live markets across all major sports.

Parlay+ Builder Custom parlays with event-specific promos.

App Integration Available on iOS and Android before being merged into ESPN Bet.


Bet Types Available on Barstool

Barstool offers a comprehensive range of wager types, including:

  • Moneyline
  • Point Spread
  • Over/Under (Totals)
  • Parlays
  • Same-Game Parlays
  • Futures
  • Props (Player & Team)
  • Teasers
  • Round Robins
  • Live In-Play Betting

Sports Covered on Barstool

Barstool supports betting across virtually all major domestic and international sports, including:

  • NFL
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • NCAA Football & Basketball
  • Soccer (MLS, EPL, Champions League, etc.)
  • Golf (PGA, LIV)
  • Tennis (ATP, WTA)
  • Boxing & MMA (UFC, Bellator)
  • Motorsports (NASCAR, F1)

Barstool at a Glance

Founded
2020
Available Regions
U.S. (phased into ESPN Bet in 2023)
Rewards Program
Promo-driven, no formal loyalty program
Mobile App
iOS & Android (merged into ESPN Bet app)
Live Betting
Yes
Early Cash Out
Yes
Same Game Parlays
Yes
In-App Streaming
Limited (varied by event)
Payment Methods
Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, ACH, Online Banking, Play+, PayNearMe
Payout Speed
1–3 Business Days
Customer Support
Live Chat, Email, Help Center

Who Is Barstool Best For?

  • Bettors loyal to the Barstool Sports brand and personalities
  • Younger bettors looking for a community-driven sportsbook
  • Players in states where PENN Gaming casinos partnered with Barstool branding

Potential Drawbacks of Barstool

  • Brand is no longer active — fully replaced by ESPN Bet
  • Limited beyond U.S. audiences
  • Focused more on personality-driven promos than sharp odds
  • No deep loyalty or rewards ecosystem

Final Thoughts on the Barstool Sportsbook

Barstool Sportsbook was a bold experiment in merging sports media and sports betting, leveraging Barstool’s personality-driven content to attract a younger audience. While it had modest success in several U.S. states, the brand was phased out in 2023 in favor of the more mainstream ESPN Bet partnership. Its legacy remains as a cultural experiment in fan-driven wagering, but the future lies in ESPN Bet under PENN Entertainment.

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