ESPN Bet Opens in Detroit for NFL Draft

By Matt Speakman,
Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

Matt Speakman Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

A die-hard fan of the Patriots, Matt Speakman is an expert on everything related to sports betting and DFS sites. Over the years, he has proven a valuable asset for our team at online-gambling.com. You can find Speakman's professional tips and tricks in any of his many articles on the website.

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Last updated: April 27, 2024

Penn Entertainment, the new operator behind ESPN Bet thanks to a recent deal between Penn and ESPN, recently opened its first retail sportsbook. The brick-and-mortar betting location can be found at the Hollywood Casino in Greektown, Detroit.

The location is anything but coincidental. The betting kiosk was created with the NFL draft in mind. The Greektown location of the betting stand is just one mile away from the center of the action.

Fanfare at ESPN Bet During Draft Days

During the draft, visitors to ESPN Bet could enjoy a variety of ESPN-specific programming, just in time for the monumental yearly event. It was a significant few days for ESPN Bet; though draft day is of course pivotal for those playing in fantasy sports leagues, the occasion is special for sports bettors as well as they attempt to make adjustments to betting strategies for the year to come.

The general manager of Hollywood Casino, John Drake, shared his enthusiasm for the plan to bring ESPN Bet to customers at a physical location in Greektown.

Drake said, “This is an exciting week to debut PENN’s first physical ESPN BET sportsbook as the city of Detroit hosts the NFL Draft and its festivities. Bringing ESPN BET to Hollywood Greektown combines PENN’s premier sports media and sports betting offerings to create an amazing atmosphere for fans to watch and bet on sports. To celebrate the opening, we’re thrilled to host ESPN talent and programming at our property throughout the week.”

The Journey of ESPN Bet Continues

ESPN Bet launched formally in November 2023 after a deal with Penn Entertainment. Penn first has to remove its previous sports betting partner, known as Barstool Sportsbook. Once ESPN Bet was able to proceed, it became available in 18 states across the country. However, it was initially unclear how retail branches would operate, if at all, and what kind of branding they would feature.

Mike Morrison, the VP of ESPN Bet and ESPN Fantasy, also shared some words about the launch, saying, “We’re thrilled to open the first ESPN BET retail location in Detroit and become part of a community of deeply passionate sports fans. We want fans to come embrace a first-class betting experience and we’re excited to showcase the ESPN BET brand in a contemporary space.”

What to Expect in ESPN Bet Retail Locations

The new ESPN Bet location in Detroit features a 30-foot video wall and can be found on the casino’s upper level, out of a 100,000 sq ft property. ESPN Bet covers 4,500 square feet of that. It also features many other big screen TVs prominently, and the latest kiosk design and tech. Guests can also enjoy a dining area directly within the sportsbook, making it a prime entertainment and leisure destination during the draft.