In the wake of the US Supreme Court's 2018 ruling striking down the federal law banning sports betting, and giving individual states the authority to craft sports betting legislation, Arizona lawmakers made numerous attempts to legalize sports betting in the Grand Canyon State. In early 2021, two companion bills, HB 2772 and SB 1797, were introduced, which paved the way for the introduction of both retail and online sports betting.
In April 2021, both bills were passed by the Arizona House and Senate, and were signed into law by Governor Doug Ducey. Since legal sports betting launched in September 2021, more than 15 of the best sports betting sites and apps have received licenses to operate in the Grand Canyon State, with each license holder enjoying the option to open a single retail sportsbook.
ESPN BET Arizona Timeline
Here is a timeline summarizing the events leading to the launch of ESPN BET Arizona on November 14, 2023.
- November 14, 2023: ESPN BET goes live in 17 states with the ESPN BET Arizona promo code ROTO welcome offer.
- November 2, 2023: It was announced that ESPN BET will launch on November 14, 2023, becoming operational in 17 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
- November 2023: ESPN BET Arizona will launch the ESPN BET app and online sportsbook site. The ESPN BET Arizona promo code ROTO is expected to give new users an exclusive bet-and-get welcome bonus.
- October 2023: Images of the ESPN BET logo are released, featuring the ESPN brand in all marketing materials.
- August 8, 2023: Penn Entertainment and ESPN announced a 10-year, $2 billion agreement, making Penn Entertainment the exclusive sports betting partner of ESPN. After divesting its interest in Barstool Sports and Barstool Sportsbook, Penn Entertainment announces a full rebrand of its online sports betting platforms, with plans to launch ESPN BET throughout the country in fall 2023.
- August 2022: Penn National Gaming rebrands as Penn Entertainment to better portray its role as the leader of integrated entertainment, sports content, and casino gaming in North America.
- September 2021: Barstool Sportsbook Arizona launches its online sportsbook and mobile betting app after Penn National Gaming purchases Barstool Sports.
- April 2021: Governor Doug Ducey signed HB 2772 and SB 1797 into law, legalizing retail and online sports betting in Arizona.
- 2018: The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), opening the door for US states to pass laws on legal sports betting.
The November 14, 2023 launch of ESPN BET Arizona gives Arizona sports bettors a secure, regulated, and enjoyable sports betting experience that is further enhanced by the ESPN BET Arizona promo code ROTO. Using this promo code gives new customers a generous $1,000 first bet welcome offer.
ESPN BET launched nationwide on November 14, 2023, following the recent August 2023 ESPN and Penn Entertainment partnership agreement. Outside of Arizona, other ESPN BET legal states include Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.