ESPN Archives - Keno Wizard https://kenowizard.com/tag/espn/ The Ultimate Keno Destination for Odds, Tips & Tricks Tue, 19 Dec 2023 07:35:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 https://i0.wp.com/kenowizard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-keno-wizard-icon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 ESPN Archives - Keno Wizard https://kenowizard.com/tag/espn/ 32 32 230792155 ESPN Bet Steals the Spotlight at Boston Gaming Summit https://kenowizard.com/2023/12/19/espn-bet-steals-the-spotlight-at-boston-gaming-summit/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/12/19/espn-bet-steals-the-spotlight-at-boston-gaming-summit/#respond Tue, 19 Dec 2023 07:35:47 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/12/19/espn-bet-steals-the-spotlight-at-boston-gaming-summit/ At the 11th Annual Truist Securities GLLR Summit in Boston last week, the buzz surrounding the debut of ESPN Bet dominated conversations among gaming enthusiasts. The anticipation even found its way into the analysis by Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas, who dedicated a significant portion of his conclave summary to the groundbreaking sports betting app. [...]

The post ESPN Bet Steals the Spotlight at Boston Gaming Summit appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]>

At the 11th Annual Truist Securities GLLR Summit in Boston last week, the buzz surrounding the debut of ESPN Bet dominated conversations among gaming enthusiasts. The anticipation even found its way into the analysis by Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas, who dedicated a significant portion of his conclave summary to the groundbreaking sports betting app.

Penn Entertainment Celebrates Success as ESPN Bet Emerges in 17 States with 4.9-Star Ratings

ESPN Bet, a joint venture between Penn Entertainment and ESPN, has already gone live in 17 states and provinces, garnering praise for its impressive download metrics, which have surpassed the 2 million mark. Penn Entertainment expressed its satisfaction with the app’s performance, highlighting a stellar 4.9-star rating from online reviews.

Investors are eyeing a 5% market share for ESPN Bet, despite the absence of early financial reports. Jonas observed that early data indicated that Penn was expanding the market, demonstrating an encouraging influx of female players, which he interpreted as a testament to the influence of the ESPN brand.

While the retention of customers remains uncertain, executives at Penn are optimistic, noting increased spending on wagers even as promotional funds dwindle. Despite a challenging November in terms of hold, Jonas observed strong initial wagering volumes and anticipated growth in promotional allocations.

Addressing concerns raised by Jonas, Penn executives assured that issues such as the speed of cash withdrawals and parlay treatment of pushed legs are being actively addressed, with expectations of the application becoming an “industry standard” in the first quarter of the coming year.

ESPN’s Bet Mode Set to Debut for Super Bowl

Looking ahead, ESPN plans to introduce its Bet Mode within the media app in time for the Super Bowl. The long-term vision includes integration with ESPN’s existing fantasy sports app.

The spotlight shifted to New York state, where ESPN Bet aims to secure a pivotal presence. Discussions are underway to acquire an Empire State license from an existing operator, with hopes of approval and entry in the coming year. However, the app faced a setback in Connecticut, losing out on an online license to newcomer Fanatics due to unfortunate timing.

According to an earlier analysis by Chad Beynon from financial services company Macquarie, ESPN Bet is off to a promising start, securing a notable market share in states like Iowa, Maryland, and Indiana. Despite being in its early days and not yet on par with established brands like BetMGM, DraftKings, or FanDuel, ESPN Bet has shown steady growth, posting a 16% increase in average handle in the three outlined states and surpassing 1.1 million downloads in its first week across 17 total states. 

The post ESPN Bet Steals the Spotlight at Boston Gaming Summit appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]> https://kenowizard.com/2023/12/19/espn-bet-steals-the-spotlight-at-boston-gaming-summit/feed/ 0 6193 DraftKings CEO Confident in Company’s Resilience Amidst ESPN Bet Launch https://kenowizard.com/2023/12/07/draftkings-ceo-confident-in-companys-resilience-amidst-espn-bet-launch/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/12/07/draftkings-ceo-confident-in-companys-resilience-amidst-espn-bet-launch/#respond Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:50:54 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/12/07/draftkings-ceo-confident-in-companys-resilience-amidst-espn-bet-launch/ DraftKings CEO, Jason Robins, has expressed confidence in the company’s position in the online gaming market, stating that the recent launch of ESPN Bet does not pose a threat to DraftKings’ trajectory.  DraftKings CEO Jason Robins Stresses Product Excellence Speaking at the 3rd Annual Craig-Hallum Online Gaming Conference, Robins acknowledged the competitive landscape but emphasized [...]

The post DraftKings CEO Confident in Company’s Resilience Amidst ESPN Bet Launch appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]>

DraftKings CEO, Jason Robins, has expressed confidence in the company’s position in the online gaming market, stating that the recent launch of ESPN Bet does not pose a threat to DraftKings’ trajectory. 

DraftKings CEO Jason Robins Stresses Product Excellence

Speaking at the 3rd Annual Craig-Hallum Online Gaming Conference, Robins acknowledged the competitive landscape but emphasized DraftKings’ focus on maintaining a strong product and staying true to its playbook.

Despite the significant impact of ESPN Bet’s launch, with over a million downloads in the first six days, Robins remains optimistic about DraftKings’ market standing. He highlighted the company’s history of facing waves of competition and its ability to navigate through them successfully. Robins mentioned that ESPN Bet seems to be playing for the long term rather than making a short-lived splash, and he welcomed the potential for market growth brought by new players and innovations.

Robins stressed the importance of having the best product, citing it as a key factor in DraftKings’ ability to outperform in the market. He believes that a superior product leads to organic benefits in terms of customer acquisition and lifetime value. The CEO expressed confidence in DraftKings’ playbook, emphasizing that sticking to it will yield positive results regardless of competitive challenges.

Robins Unveils DraftKings’ Next Moves with Progressive Parlays, iGaming Success, and More

Looking ahead, DraftKings is set to launch progressive parlays in the coming weeks, offering sports bettors a chance to win consolation prizes even if all legs of their parlays do not hit. Robins sees this as a differentiated product that will meet customer demand.

On the iGaming front, Robins considers it a hidden gem for DraftKings, noting the company’s success in gaining market share, especially in the face of initial doubts about reaching close to 30%. He expressed enthusiasm about the untapped potential of iGaming, highlighting the company’s bullish stance and significant investments in the product.

Robins also briefly touched on the potential for international expansion and new product verticals in the longer term. While acknowledging these opportunities, he emphasized the current focus on the existing market and the upside within the United States, emphasizing the benefit of maintaining a singular focus:

“I think, we would be executing well anyway, but I have to say it is at least in part due to the fact that we are really focused on one geography and on winning there. And I think if you look at some of our competitors, they are not so or they are focused on other lines of business.”

In other recent news, DraftKings launched Pick6, a new peer-to-peer fantasy sports game available in six US states, including Maryland, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

The post DraftKings CEO Confident in Company’s Resilience Amidst ESPN Bet Launch appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]> https://kenowizard.com/2023/12/07/draftkings-ceo-confident-in-companys-resilience-amidst-espn-bet-launch/feed/ 0 6008 ESPN Bet Launch Propels Penn Entertainment’s Stock https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/21/espn-bet-launch-propels-penn-entertainments-stock/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/21/espn-bet-launch-propels-penn-entertainments-stock/#respond Tue, 21 Nov 2023 10:30:34 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/21/espn-bet-launch-propels-penn-entertainments-stock/ Last week marked the debut of ESPN Bet, the newly rebranded sports gaming app owned by Penn Entertainment. The new sports gambling app launched for 17 US states, entering important markets such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland and Michigan, among others. The latest launch comes after a $1.5 billion deal announced between Penn [...]

The post ESPN Bet Launch Propels Penn Entertainment’s Stock appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]>

Last week marked the debut of ESPN Bet, the newly rebranded sports gaming app owned by Penn Entertainment. The new sports gambling app launched for 17 US states, entering important markets such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland and Michigan, among others. The latest launch comes after a $1.5 billion deal announced between Penn Entertainment and ESPN, granting the gaming company the permit to use the name for the sports gambling app for the next decade.

The recent launch of ESPN Bet immediately impacted positively the stock of the leading gaming and entertainment company. On Monday, the Bank of America upgraded the rating for Penn’s stock from neutral to buy. Shaun Kelley, the leading analyst for Bank of America, highlighted the positive change and spoke about the strong launch of ESPN Bet across the country.

In a note to clients, he explained that the new sports gambling app is gaining popularity quickly, moving its way up charts and reaching more clients. Kelley outlined that ESPN Bet has been among the top apps on the Apple store since Tuesday last week. Moreover, he outlined that the sports gaming app has accumulated a 4.8 rating on the App Store along with a staggering 865,000 downloads.

“ESPN Bet is dominating initial download activity and charts, proving it is cutting through to customers. ESPN Bet has been #1 or #2 of all free apps on the iOS store since last Tuesday, with 865K cumulative downloads and a 4.8 app store rating, even without data from NFL Sunday.“

Shaun Kelley, analyst for Bank of America

Penn’s Stock Price Target Increases

The upgrade in Penn’s casino stock from neutral to buy by Bank of America undoubtedly underlines the expected growth of ESPN Bet and highlights its successful launch. When it comes to the price target, it increased from $27 to $30 as of Monday. Additionally, as of Monday, Penn Entertainment’s stock was more than 7% higher.

According to Kelley, ESPN Bet “creates an asymmetric risk-reward.” He explained that the app performed much stronger than expected when it came to initial downloads. Moreover, Kelley pointed out that its promotional offers showed discipline. Finally, he highlighted the importance of Penn’s core gaming business which demonstrated stable third quarter earnings.

While ESPN Bet is just penetrating the regulated gambling sector, it is up against fierce competition in the face of giants such as DraftKings, FanDuel and Caesars, among other sportsbooks that have already established their presence in different states across the country.

Yet, ESPN Bet anticipates offering a one-stop-shop experience for sports fans and bettors alike, offering not only betting options but highlights, scores and stories, a move that is likely going to help it engage with new customers.

The post ESPN Bet Launch Propels Penn Entertainment’s Stock appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]> https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/21/espn-bet-launch-propels-penn-entertainments-stock/feed/ 0 5796 Brendan Allen vs. Paul Craig UFC on ESPN+ 90 Odds, Time, and Prediction https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/14/brendan-allen-vs-paul-craig-ufc-on-espn-90-odds-time-and-prediction/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/14/brendan-allen-vs-paul-craig-ufc-on-espn-90-odds-time-and-prediction/#respond Tue, 14 Nov 2023 09:05:31 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/14/brendan-allen-vs-paul-craig-ufc-on-espn-90-odds-time-and-prediction/ Brendan Allen is a huge -400 to win the UFC on ESPN+ 90 main event. He’s 22-5 overall with five wins in a row in the UFC, four of which happened by submission. The bad news for him is that his next opponent is another grappling expert. The main in question is Paul Craig who’s [...]

The post Brendan Allen vs. Paul Craig UFC on ESPN+ 90 Odds, Time, and Prediction appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]>

Brendan Allen is a huge -400 to win the UFC on ESPN+ 90 main event. He’s 22-5 overall with five wins in a row in the UFC, four of which happened by submission. The bad news for him is that his next opponent is another grappling expert. The main in question is Paul Craig who’s 17-6-1 overall with 13 wins by submission.

Brendan Allen vs. Paul Craig UFC On ESPN+ 90Odds

Moneyline Odds
Brendan Allen -104
Paul Craig +280
*Odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook on Tuesday, November 14.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

  • Place: UFC Apex in Enterprise (Las Vegas), Nevada
  • Date: Saturday, November 19, 2023
  • Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
  • How to Watch: ESPN+

Reasons Why Brendan Allen is a -400 Favorite

Brendan Allen is a fighter whose fights are great to watch. The evidence of this is that he won the Performance of the Night bonus in two of his last three fights. He’s a fantastic grappler who won each of his last three fights by submission.

This guy also lands a lot of punches and kicks as well. He lands 3.96 significant strikes per minute, which is actually a very high number, especially considering that he’s primarily a grappler. In his most recent fight, he knocked down Bruno Silva, and he did the same on a couple of other occasions.

When it comes to his wins by KO/TKO, he’s got five victories by this method, the last of which happened in 2020 against Tom Breese.

Paul Craig Ready to Upset the Odds (Again)

Paul Craig a.k.a. “Bearjew” is a guy who got us used to staging upsets. So far in his 10+ years-long MMA career, we saw him defeat a number of big favorites, most notably Magomed Ankalaev, Jamahal Hill, and Nikita Krylov.

The Scottish fighter is incredibly fun to watch in the Octagon, the evidence being that he’s won eight Performance of the Night bonuses in his UFC career. The last of those happened in his most recent fight, in which he beat Andre Muniz by a TKO.

That fight is interesting for another reason – it was Craig’s middleweight debut. Before that, he was fighting in the light heavyweight division for nearly a decade.

He’s a big guy who’s two inches taller than his next opponent. He also has a one-inch longer reach than Allen.

Brendan Allen vs. Paul Craig Prediction

Paul Craig was a -500 favorite against Magomed Ankalaev who was undefeated at the time. That didn’t stop “Bearjew” from beating him by submission. We think he can do the same to Brendan Allen on November 18. 

Pick: Paul Craig

The post Brendan Allen vs. Paul Craig UFC on ESPN+ 90 Odds, Time, and Prediction appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]> https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/14/brendan-allen-vs-paul-craig-ufc-on-espn-90-odds-time-and-prediction/feed/ 0 5707 ESPN BET Launches with Strict Betting Guidelines for Employees https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/13/espn-bet-launches-with-strict-betting-guidelines-for-employees/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/13/espn-bet-launches-with-strict-betting-guidelines-for-employees/#respond Mon, 13 Nov 2023 07:01:12 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/13/espn-bet-launches-with-strict-betting-guidelines-for-employees/ Ahead of the launch of ESPN BET on November 14, sports media giant ESPN has unveiled strict guidelines to ensure the integrity of its brand and journalistic operations.  The New ESPN Guidelines Strive to Safeguard Against Information Misuse ESPN is leaving no stone unturned in preventing any potential misuse of information by its employees, particularly [...]

The post ESPN BET Launches with Strict Betting Guidelines for Employees appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]>

Ahead of the launch of ESPN BET on November 14, sports media giant ESPN has unveiled strict guidelines to ensure the integrity of its brand and journalistic operations. 

The New ESPN Guidelines Strive to Safeguard Against Information Misuse

ESPN is leaving no stone unturned in preventing any potential misuse of information by its employees, particularly those designated as “Insiders” or “Reporters.” The guidelines, released internally on November 10, outline the rules for ESPN’s 5,000 employees, explicitly stating that insiders like Adam Schefter and Adrian Wojnarowski are prohibited from placing, soliciting, or facilitating any bets on the leagues they cover, such as the NFL and NBA.

The company is taking extra precautions to prevent the use of confidential information for betting purposes, covering a range of potential insider knowledge, including player injuries, officials’ decisions, and management insights. This extends to all ESPN employees, from front-facing talents to production personnel and journalists working both on and off-site.

ESPN’s stringent stance also extends to executives managing business relationships with leagues. The guidelines explicitly forbid betting on leagues or properties they handle on a day-to-day basis. Additionally, the company urges all employees to avoid participating in any form of illegal betting.

ESPN’s Guidelines Unveil Restrictions on Awards, Personnel Decisions, and Draft Picks

Certain types of bets are singled out for extra caution, such as awards votes (e.g., league MVPs), player personnel decisions, and draft picks. ESPN does not want its employees, particularly those with potentially relevant confidential information, to influence or participate in these types of wagers.

These guidelines were developed in alignment with The Walt Disney Company’s Standards of Business Conduct and may see updates once ESPN BET goes live in 17 US states on November 14. The network has already initiated promotional efforts for ESPN BET, with anchor Scott Van Pelt leading the way.

While ESPN declined to comment specifically on the guidelines, it is clear that the company is taking proactive measures to ensure the separation of its journalistic enterprise from the operations of the sportsbook. The memo explicitly states that no story should be reported, delayed, influenced, or withheld with the intention of impacting betting lines.

In August, ESPN and Penn Entertainment joined forces to launch ESPN BET, transforming the existing Barstool Sportsbook into an exclusive sportsbook deeply integrated into ESPN’s programming. The partnership, accompanied by a $1.5 billion cash infusion from Penn Entertainment to ESPN, aims to create a seamless sports betting experience for fans and capitalize on the growing legal sports betting market in the United States. The collaboration signifies ESPN’s strategic entry into the sports gaming arena, leveraging its platform for comprehensive gaming industry coverage and betting-oriented programming.

The post ESPN BET Launches with Strict Betting Guidelines for Employees appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]> https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/13/espn-bet-launches-with-strict-betting-guidelines-for-employees/feed/ 0 5691 ESPN BET Is Set to Officially Launch on November 14 https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/03/espn-bet-is-set-to-officially-launch-on-november-14/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/03/espn-bet-is-set-to-officially-launch-on-november-14/#respond Fri, 03 Nov 2023 01:21:35 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/03/espn-bet-is-set-to-officially-launch-on-november-14/ ESPN BET, one of the most highly-anticipated online sports betting platforms in the United States, finally has an official launch date. As announced by ESPN, the new online sportsbook is set to debut on November 14. ESPN BET is set to launch in a total of 17 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, [...]

The post ESPN BET Is Set to Officially Launch on November 14 appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]>

ESPN BET, one of the most highly-anticipated online sports betting platforms in the United States, finally has an official launch date. As announced by ESPN, the new online sportsbook is set to debut on November 14.

ESPN BET is set to launch in a total of 17 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The launch in Massachusetts recently faced a challenge as the local regulator required more information from PENN Entertainment.

In addition to revealing the official launch date, ESPN also announced that it is now using official odds provided by ESPN BET across editorial and other content.

ESPN BET is a joint venture of the experienced gambling operator PENN Entertainment and the Walt Disney Corporation-owned media channel ESPN. As a result, the launch of ESPN BET signifies Disney’s foray into the world of sports wagering.

ESPN Has a Lot in Store

ESPN also unveiled a new advertising campaign featuring SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt who will showcase the cohesiveness of the ESPN and ESPN BET apps by receiving notifications from the two apps. The ESPN BET Creative campaign will launch around the sportsbook’s launch and will also feature SportsCenter anchor Elle Duncan.

 In the meantime, the beloved ESPN Daily Wager program will be known as ESPN BET Live from November 10 onward. ESPN noted that the show’s final episode as Daily Wager is set to air on November 6.

ESPN also announced that fans will be able to enter into a sweepstakes ahead of the launch of the new sports betting platform. Participants in the sweepstakes can win an exclusive trip to ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.

PENN Entertainment’s president & CEO, Jay Snowden, commented on the launch of ESPN BET in his company’s Q3 report. He teased that the ESPN BET product will include a “wide array of popular betting options,” including featured bets, quick bets (micro-markets), player props and same game parlays, among others.

Looking ahead, we will be introducing even deeper platform and media integrations with ESPN over the upcoming months, providing an unmatched and seamless media/betting experience that will appeal to sports fans across the country.

Jay Snowden, president & CEO, PENN Entertainment

ESPN BET’s logo was revealed a few days ago, further ramping up the hype for the launch of the sportsbook. However, the similarities with BroThrow’s logo also attracted criticism.  

The post ESPN BET Is Set to Officially Launch on November 14 appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]> https://kenowizard.com/2023/11/03/espn-bet-is-set-to-officially-launch-on-november-14/feed/ 0 5569 BroThrow Implies ESPN Bet Imitated Its Logo https://kenowizard.com/2023/10/24/brothrow-implies-espn-bet-imitated-its-logo/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/10/24/brothrow-implies-espn-bet-imitated-its-logo/#respond Tue, 24 Oct 2023 23:23:25 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/10/24/brothrow-implies-espn-bet-imitated-its-logo/ ESPN Bet, a joint venture between ESPN and Penn Entertainment, recently unveiled its logo. The reveal preceded the launch of the highly anticipated betting platform, meaning to pump fans up about the upcoming rollout. However, a startup betting company alleges that ESPN might have taken inspiration from its logo. BroThrow, a peer-to-peer social betting exchange [...]

The post BroThrow Implies ESPN Bet Imitated Its Logo appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]>

ESPN Bet, a joint venture between ESPN and Penn Entertainment, recently unveiled its logo. The reveal preceded the launch of the highly anticipated betting platform, meaning to pump fans up about the upcoming rollout. However, a startup betting company alleges that ESPN might have taken inspiration from its logo.

BroThrow, a peer-to-peer social betting exchange noticed that ESPN Bet’s logo is eerily similar to its own. Regardless of whether the similarity was intentional or not, BroThrow remarked on the obvious similarities between its own logo and ESPN Bet’s.

In an X post, the social betting startup stated that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” and tagged ESPN.

For reference, BroThrow’s logo sports an aquamarine B against a dark blue background. ESPN’s new logo, on the other hand, also represents a B symbol of the same color with ESPN’s signature E inside of it.

In an earlier statement, Chin Wang, ESPN Creative Studio’s VP of visual storytelling said that the aquamarine color of the new logo is meant to represent fun and innovation.

The Design Choice Was Likely Not Malicious

BroThrows’ founder and chief executive officer, Brady Sharp, later discussed the matter with Sports Handle, telling the news outlet that ESPN’s designers have likely seen BroThrow’s logos at one of the multiple industry shows attended by the startup.

Sharp said that ESPN’s design choice was likely not malicious. He added that his team hasn’t trademarked the logo itself but has trademarked the BroThrow brand itself.

BroThrow is a fairly new name in the American gambling sector, offering a peer-to-peer social betting exchange. It is designed to function much like the Facebook Marketplace but for sports betting and leverages functionalities that allow players to arrange and track bets easily,

The company secured the Rising Star accolade at the 2023 SBC Awards North America and is ambitious to become a local powerhouse. Based in Arkansas, the company also offers monthly subscriptions that enhance the experience of its customers.

ESPN Bet, meanwhile, is set to launch in November. The new platform promises innovative experiences that fans cannot find anywhere else. The new platform has even onboarded celebrities such as Scott Van Pelt and Pat McAfee, seeking to further differentiate itself from its competitors.

The post BroThrow Implies ESPN Bet Imitated Its Logo appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]> https://kenowizard.com/2023/10/24/brothrow-implies-espn-bet-imitated-its-logo/feed/ 0 5442 ESPN BET Massachusetts Launch Faces Insignificant Challenge https://kenowizard.com/2023/10/23/espn-bet-massachusetts-launch-faces-insignificant-challenge/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/10/23/espn-bet-massachusetts-launch-faces-insignificant-challenge/#respond Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:34:55 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/10/23/espn-bet-massachusetts-launch-faces-insignificant-challenge/ Earlier this year, PENN Entertainment and ESPN joined forces for a new venture called ESPN BET. The new groundbreaking sportsbook, representing a rebranded version of PENN’s Barstool Sportsbook, secured a cash injection of $1.5 billion from the company to ESPN. As one of the most anticipated sportsbook launches in Massachusetts, ESPN BET is expected to [...]

The post ESPN BET Massachusetts Launch Faces Insignificant Challenge appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]>

Earlier this year, PENN Entertainment and ESPN joined forces for a new venture called ESPN BET. The new groundbreaking sportsbook, representing a rebranded version of PENN’s Barstool Sportsbook, secured a cash injection of $1.5 billion from the company to ESPN. As one of the most anticipated sportsbook launches in Massachusetts, ESPN BET is expected to deliver unrivaled experiences to bettors and sports fans in the state.

Yet, the discussions between PENN Entertainment and the gambling regulator in the state, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, continue ahead of the planned launch for ESPN BET in November. As announced by Sports Handle, representatives of the gambling regulator queried why PENN hasn’t explained in detail its relationship with ESPN.

Cathy Judd-Stein, MGC’s chair, explained: “I’m waiting for the ask (from PENN) unless there is this notion that there doesn’t have to be an ask.” She was surprised why the Commission hadn’t received the information already and questioned “where the disconnect is.”

According to the recent report, the commission’s staff attorney, Catilin Monahan, explained that the rebranded sportsbook may not be cleared for launch in November unless it secures approval from the gambling regulator in the state. In other words, the launch of ESPN BET may potentially be impacted, unless PENN can resolve this matter with the Commission timely. Whatever the case is, with time running out this month, PENN is on a tight schedule to receive a green light from the gambling regulator.

In anticipation of its debut in November, ESPN BET released its new logo last week. The new logo, offering mint green colors, fuses creatively the letter “E” inside the letter “B,” hinting to the betting partnership between PENN and ESPN.

According to ESPN Creative Studio’s vice president of visual storytelling, Chin Wang, the new ESPN BET logo symbolizes innovation and fun. It underlines the importance of the collaboration and the exceptional experiences the new brand is expected to bring for sports fans and bettors alike.

Amid the growth of sports betting, a legal form of the activity is now available across more than 30 US states. While the majority of states have already legalized and launched activity, several are yet to launch it, while a handful of states have no legislation.

The post ESPN BET Massachusetts Launch Faces Insignificant Challenge appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]> https://kenowizard.com/2023/10/23/espn-bet-massachusetts-launch-faces-insignificant-challenge/feed/ 0 5416 Disney Ready to Enter the Sports Betting Arena with ESPN Bet App https://kenowizard.com/2023/10/14/disney-ready-to-enter-the-sports-betting-arena-with-espn-bet-app/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/10/14/disney-ready-to-enter-the-sports-betting-arena-with-espn-bet-app/#respond Sat, 14 Oct 2023 07:54:19 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/10/14/disney-ready-to-enter-the-sports-betting-arena-with-espn-bet-app/ Disney is making a significant leap into sports betting by launching the ESPN Bet app next month. While the move has stirred internal debates and concerns, the allure of attracting a younger, predominantly male audience and tapping into the growing sports betting industry has proven too compelling to ignore. The Partnership Leverages Disney and Penn’s [...]

The post Disney Ready to Enter the Sports Betting Arena with ESPN Bet App appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]>

Disney is making a significant leap into sports betting by launching the ESPN Bet app next month. While the move has stirred internal debates and concerns, the allure of attracting a younger, predominantly male audience and tapping into the growing sports betting industry has proven too compelling to ignore.

The Partnership Leverages Disney and Penn’s Strengths

In August, Disney signed a 10-year deal with Penn Entertainment, a prominent sports betting company. The partnership will introduce sports betting to Disney’s ESPN sports network, allowing sports enthusiasts to place wagers on games via Penn’s sportsbook. According to the agreement, Penn Entertainment will operate the app, while Disney will handle marketing efforts.

Penn Entertainment will pay Disney $1.5 billion in cash as part of the deal, and ESPN will receive warrants worth approximately $500 million to acquire shares in the gambling company. Despite steep costs, the operator should benefit significantly, capitalizing on ESPN’s vast audience and the burgeoning sports betting market.

Internally, Disney’s various businesses are interconnected within its overarching corporate brand. ESPN+ is a vital part of Disney’s streaming bundle, and Disney-owned networks promote each other’s shows. This interconnectedness should significantly enhance Penn’s reach and influence, subtly increasing exposure and helping onboard new players. However, Disney’s pivot towards sports betting could have negative consequences despite such synergies.

The Potential Gains Are Worth Any Short-Term Challenges

The prospect of integrating sports wagering under Disney’s umbrella has sparked heated debates among company executives and employees. There have been concerns that gambling could affect Disney’s reputation, associating it with addiction and other negative connotations. This move has raised eyebrows beyond its internal circles. Socially-conscious investment entities like BlackRock may need to reduce their stakes in Disney if the company aligns itself with sports betting.

Despite the backlash, the launch of ESPN Bet seems inevitable. Penn executives recently shared information on the extensive preparations during the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas. They noted the company was exploring alternative ESPN game broadcasts focused on betting and plans to appeal to its growing fantasy sports audience. The program will also feature more on-air stars in promotions and shows.

The alliance between Disney and Penn provides an opportunity to engage a younger, more active audience while adding a new dimension to the entertainment giant’s extensive portfolio. Industry stakeholders will closely monitor ESPN Bet’s November launch as it promises an intriguing blend of sports content and sports wagering under the Disney umbrella.

The post Disney Ready to Enter the Sports Betting Arena with ESPN Bet App appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]> https://kenowizard.com/2023/10/14/disney-ready-to-enter-the-sports-betting-arena-with-espn-bet-app/feed/ 0 5307 Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos UFC on ESPN 51 Odds, Time, and Prediction https://kenowizard.com/2023/08/07/vicente-luque-vs-rafael-dos-anjos-ufc-on-espn-51-odds-time-and-prediction/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/08/07/vicente-luque-vs-rafael-dos-anjos-ufc-on-espn-51-odds-time-and-prediction/#respond Mon, 07 Aug 2023 10:08:05 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/08/07/vicente-luque-vs-rafael-dos-anjos-ufc-on-espn-51-odds-time-and-prediction/ Vicente Luque and Rafael dos Anjos are generally considered to be among the best grapplers on the planet. More than 50% of Luque’s wins happened by submission, and he’s without a single loss by this method in over a decade. Rafael dos Anjos’s grappling stats are equally great – this guy’s won almost one-third of [...]

The post Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos UFC on ESPN 51 Odds, Time, and Prediction appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]>

Vicente Luque and Rafael dos Anjos are generally considered to be among the best grapplers on the planet. More than 50% of Luque’s wins happened by submission, and he’s without a single loss by this method in over a decade.

Rafael dos Anjos’s grappling stats are equally great – this guy’s won almost one-third of his fights by submission. Further,  he’s without a single loss by submission in his 21 years long career, which saw him fight some incredible opponents, including the legendary Khabib.

But all this doesn’t necessarily mean the Luque vs. dos Anjos is going to be a grappling contest; these two are also great striking-wise. That said, it’s clear MMA fans will have a feast on August 12, but which of these two will have his arm raised high in the end? Let’s find out!

Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos Odds

Moneyline Odds
Vicente Luque -102
Rafael dos Anjos -125

*Odds taken from FanDuel on Monday, August 7, 2023.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

  • Place: UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Date: Saturday, August 12
  • Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
  • How to Watch: ESPN

Vicente Luque Hoping to Revive the Hype

Back in 2021, then-29-year-old Vicente Luque was discussed as one of the potential title candidates in the UFC Welterweight division. At the year end, he had a 21-7-1 record, with four straight wins in the UFC, each of which happened inside the distance. For three of those wins, “The Silent Assassin” won the Performance of the Night bonus.

But then the year 2022 came. In April, Luque fought Belal Muhammad in what was a sort of title eliminator fight. The Brazilian did land more strikes than “Remember the Name,” but he got taken down five times by the Chicago-based wrestling expert. He did manage to sneak out and get back to his feet each time, but that just wasn’t enough – he lost the fight by unanimous decision. 

Then, less than three months later, Luque agreed to fight quick-handed Geoff Neal, which proved to be a mistake. Neal showed the world why his nickname is “Handz of Steel.” He KO-ed Luque in round 3. However, props to Luque for fighting for so long. He got hit so many times in the head in that fight but was not willing to surrender until his body just switched off.

Twelve months after suffering his first-ever knockout loss, Luque is coming back to the Octagon. This time, he’s not fighting a KO expert, but a veteran who’s one of the best grapplers on the planet.

Rafael Dos Anjos Wants to Take the Fight to the Ground

Rafael Dos Anjos is 32-14 overall with 11 wins by submission and no losses by this method, even though he’s faced some really elite grapplers/wrestlers, including Khabib Nurmagomedov. Actually, dos Anjos it the man who came the closest to inflicting Khabib his first and only loss. He was literally moments away from putting the Dagestani legend to sleep, but luck wasn’t on his side that day.

Nevertheless, the fight with Khabib remains one of the highlights of his career. Of course, we also mustn’t forget that he’s a former UFC Lightweight champ who defeated Anthony Pettis in the fight for the title, as well as defended the championship belt against Donald Cerrone.

However, all those fights happened a long time ago. Now a 38-year-old, dos Anjos is slowly approaching the end of his career. He did win his most recent fight – against Bryan Barberena last December – but before that, we saw a couple of disappointing performances from the Brazilian.

Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos Prediction

Rafael dos Anjos is one of the biggest takedown experts in the UFC, and we think he can take Luque down. However, Luque is so good at sneaking out from opponent’s clenches that we have no doubt he’s gonna get back on his feet every time dos Anjos makes a TD.

That said, we think this fight will last until the final bell, after which the judges will probably score in dos Anjos’s favor.

Pick: Rafael dos Anjos to win by decision

The post Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos UFC on ESPN 51 Odds, Time, and Prediction appeared first on Keno Wizard.

]]> https://kenowizard.com/2023/08/07/vicente-luque-vs-rafael-dos-anjos-ufc-on-espn-51-odds-time-and-prediction/feed/ 0 4419