PENN Entertainment completed the rebrand of its North Carolina sportsbook from ESPN BET to theScore Bet on December 18, 2025, marking the end of the high-profile ESPN partnership that began in 2023. For NC bettors, the change affects branding and app identity; but account balances, history, and bonus bets transferred without action required.

What changed for users

  • App icon and branding: The orange-and-black ESPN BET visual identity was replaced with theScore’s black-and-orange branding. iOS and Android apps updated automatically.
  • Sportsbook name on bet slips: Wagers now settle as “theScore Bet” rather than “ESPN BET”.
  • Push notifications: Now branded as theScore alerts; integration with theScore news app expanded.
  • Customer support contact: Unchanged; same phone numbers and live chat.

What did NOT change

  • Account balances transferred 1:1, including pending bonus bets
  • Bet history is fully preserved
  • NC license remains intact; PENN’s operating license under the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians partnership continues
  • NC retail; no retail presence was affected (PENN does not operate retail sports betting in NC)

Why the rebrand

PENN Entertainment paid roughly $150M annually for the ESPN BET license, but the partnership underperformed market expectations after two years. ESPN BET held an estimated 2-3% national market share; far behind FanDuel and DraftKings combined (60%+) and trailing BetMGM and Caesars. PENN opted to terminate the partnership early and pivot back to theScore’s existing news-app integration, which the company acquired in 2021 for $2 billion.

What it means for NC market share

theScore Bet remains one of 7 licensed NC sportsbooks following Underdog’s exit two days earlier (December 16, 2025). The rebrand is unlikely to materially change market share short-term; PENN’s NC user base remained loyal through the transition. Longer-term, theScore’s strong ACC college basketball coverage and integration with theScore mobile sports news app gives it a differentiated position in the NC college-heavy market.

Should existing users do anything?

No action is required. If you had pending bonus bets at ESPN BET, they transferred to theScore Bet on December 18 with original expiration dates. If you had withdrawals processing on December 17, they completed via the original payment method on schedule.

For our updated review of the rebranded operator, see theScore Bet North Carolina Review.