Let The Integrations Begin
Let The Integrations Begin
ESPN Bet is trying to make its mark, but so far, the results have been lackluster. Can new integrations between the ESPN and ESPN Bet apps make a difference?
The Bulletin Board
NEWS: ESPN Bet’s latest integrations draw mixed reviews.
LEGAL and REGULATORY UPDATES: Kansas courts look at Skill Games; Is online poker coming to Texas?
NEWS: AGA survey highlights the bipartisan nature of gambling policy.
NEWS: RSI’s BetRivers Poker site is the first new US online poker platform since PokerStars in 2016.
AROUND the WATERCOOLER: Is election betting, betting? And does it matter?
STRAY THOUGHTS: Election day.
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Account Linking Available for ESPN-ESPN Bet Apps
PENN Entertainment and ESPN have announced that account linking between ESPN BET and ESPN is now available to customers.
According to the press release, users “now have the ability to seamlessly track upcoming, live, and settled bets within the ESPN app and on ESPN.com.”
The deepened integration also opens the door for “more personalized bets and timely promotions based on their favorite sports, teams, players, and fantasy rosters.”
“Bringing this new feature to market is an important step as we work to create a fully interconnected media and betting ecosystem between ESPN and ESPN BET,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer at PENN Entertainment. “This feature is just the beginning of deeper integrations that will further differentiate the ESPN BET experience.”
Opinions are divided on the impact.
ESPN Bet skeptic Dustin Gouker said of the development, “While this is undoubtedly cool and will aid retention, I also don't see how this is a game-changer… I mean, I feel kind of bad pooh-pooh’ing; I would unquestionably do this if I had both. And it takes some friction away from the process of sweating. And yeah, it’s just tracking. Anyway, it doesn’t really help them with any of the problems they have in the short term.”
Meanwhile, on the more positive side, Chris Shreeve commented on LeBerge’s LinkedIn post: “Ok, now THIS is what we’ve been waiting for! Slick. Bravo!” With Allan Petrilli adding, “Lotta people throw the word "integration" around - nice to see it actually happen!”
And then there is Nik Bonaddio, who is in the Goldilocks zone for hot takes, “somewhere in the middle. Smart of them to lean into their advantage with broadcast rights, but unless it's two-way (i.e., betting through ESPN Bet via API while watching inside of the ESPN app), not really all that powerful.”
We should get a better sense of ESPN Bet’s current performance and future plans during Thursday's earnings announcement.
Legal and Regulatory Updates: KS Courts Look at Skill Games; Online Poker in TX?
Kansas courts to determine the legality of skill games: Sweepstakes aren’t the only “murky” topic in the industry. Pace-O-Matic wants legal clarity for its skill games after the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission distributed a letter saying its games possess too much chance to be considered skill games. Having struck out with the legislature, Pace-O-Matic wants Kansas courts to provide those answers. The company is suing the state, claiming the letter has prevented it from adding new locations. The state says it hasn’t made a decision on the games, and since the machines are still available and are not being seized, Pace-O-Matic lacks standing to bring the case.
Online poker coming to Texas: A Texas poker room intends to test the legal limits of the “membership” based card room model by offering an online poker site called Hijack Poker. The legal argument for the “membership” model is that instead of raking pots, customers pay membership or seat fees. How Hijack Poker would work is as follows: After registering an online account, the player would become a dues-paying member of Social Texas Card House (based on what I can find, the cost is $10 for one day, $30 for one month, and $300 for one year). The plan is for a soft launch, followed by a full launch as early as Q2 2025.
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AGA Survey Shows Bipartisan Support for Legal Gambling
Name a topic on which Trump and Harris voters overwhelmingly agree. I suspect you’re having trouble. The answer is gambling.
The American Gaming Association recently released survey data that shows clear bipartisan support for gambling.
According to the AGA survey, there is equal support for casinos and sports betting, regardless of party affiliation:
Trump Voters: casino = 73%; sports betting = 69%
Harris Voters: casino = 74%; sports betting = 69%
Those IDing as Republicans: casino = 74%; sports betting = 71%
Those IDing as Democrats: casino = 76%; sports betting = 71%
One data point that stuck out was the divergence of support for casino and sports betting when we look at different age demographics, with sports betting’s support dropping off a cliff at 55+ (but still over 50%):
18-29: casino = 76%; sports betting = 79%
30-44: casino = 75%; sports betting = 79%
45-54: casino = 73%; sports betting = 79%
55-64: casino = 65%; sports betting = 58%
65+: casino = 65%; sports betting = 52%
A majority also see casinos as having a positive economic impact:
RSI Officially Launches BetRivers Poker in Pennsylvania
More poker news?
Rush Street Interactive officially launched its BetRivers Poker platform in Pennsylvania on Thursday.
BetRivers Poker is the first new addition to the US online poker market since PokerStars launched in New Jersey in 2016 — BetRivers Poker came about after RSI purchased Phil Galfond’s Run it Once Poker site in 2022.
The Pennsylvania launch is the company’s first step into the US online poker space. RSI plans to expand into additional jurisdictions—it is the sole online operator in Delaware. It expects to get a marketing boost from its association with Rush Street’s Poker Night in America series, including on PNIA’s social media, streaming, and TV shows.
As always, for a deeper analysis, look to Pokerfuse’s Nick Jones:
BetRivers Poker will launch with cash games, Sit & Go tournaments, Multi-Table Tournaments, and Jackpot-style Sit & Go tournaments (Cub3d SNGs), but there are a few ways it differentiates itself.
In the press release, RSI highlights the involvement of Galfond (and his team):
“A key differentiator of the BetRivers Poker platform is the deep involvement of Phil Galfond—not just as an ambassador, but as a vital partner in its design and development. As a professional poker player and industry innovator, Galfond brings invaluable insight into the game, ensuring the platform is finely tuned to meet the needs of poker players at every level.”
"As poker players, we designed this platform from the ground up to be for the players – all players. From the amateur playing their very firsthand to the sophisticated pro, everyone was kept in mind as we focused on fairness, excitement, and generous rewards that truly benefit the player," said Phil Galfond. "I’ve been heavily involved in the game design, promotions, and policy decisions, and, more importantly, in building an incredible team that sees online poker the way I do."
A unique feature is Dynamic Avatars, which, according to the press release, “provide players with real-time insights into their opponents’ play styles. These avatars dynamically adjust their expressions based on the opponent's behavior, offering an intuitive and engaging way to read the competition.”
RSI will also integrate its online and land-based iRush rewards.
"We are incredibly excited about the launch of this platform. Our goal is to create a seamless experience for players, bridging the gap between the BetRivers digital and Rivers Casino offerings," said Richard Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of Rush Street Interactive. "By aligning with Rush Street Gaming’s strong retail presence, we are able to leverage our combined strengths to offer a truly unique poker experience that benefits players and drives growth across our entire portfolio."
Around the Watercooler
Social media conversations, rumors, and gossip.
Contessa Brewer had questions; legal experts gave answers:
Like sweepstakes, we tend to use shorthand, like election betting, when what we are talking about is a financial marketplace offering future prediction markets.
That distinction might be moot in the near future, as election betting sites like Polymarket appear to be eyeing sports betting (as noted in yesterday’s newsletter).
As the Front Office Sports article notes, “After all the ballots are counted, Polymarket and other prediction markets will need to pivot to something else. And sports might just be their next big bet. Although the platform has been offering sports betting options for years, in October, it quietly added the tag “NEW” to the category. That label has since been removed, but it’s no secret that Polymarket, which is rumored to be looking for additional funding, wants and needs to be more than politics.”
Stray Thoughts
I disagree with not voting, but the rest of this is an absolute chef’s kiss.