ESPN BET Launches First-Ever Retail Sportsbook in Detroit

It was only a matter of time before the Worldwide Leader in Sports expanded its new ESPN BET platform to include a retail wagering facility, something several of our best sportsbooks have done in the past.

On Wednesday, it was announced that ESPN BET was opening a brick-and-mortar sportsbook at Hollywood Casino at Greektown in Detroit, Mich., in time to take advantage of Thursday's NFL Draft, the newest retail sportsbook in the Michigan sports betting scene. What was once PENN Entertainment’s Barstool Sportsbook officially transitioned to an ESPN BET branded retail outlet at 4 p.m. ET on April 24.

No coincidence about timing

The launch's timing is no coincidence. The Draft occurs in Detroit, about a mile from the Hollywood Casino. ESPN leveraged its overwhelming Draft Day presence in the motor city and broadcasted some of its Thursday and Friday programming, including SportsCenter, from its new, shiny wagering facility. ESPN BET has been one of the many available Michigan sports betting apps since its launch.

“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,” Hollywood Casino at Greektown General Manager John Drake said in a press release. “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.”

ESPN Radio was on location Thursday with Evan Cohen, Chris Canty, and Michelle Smallmon, broadcasting "Unsportsmanlike" and "Greeny Show" at ESPN BET's new location.

The facility

Hollywood Casino at Greektown is a good place for ESPN BET to commence its focus on retail sports betting. The casino is a sprawling 4,500-square-foot facility that acts as a sports fan's dream. You can check out our real money online casinos for those who can't reach brick-and-mortar casinos.

It boasts a 30-foot video wall, 25 big-screen HD TVs, 40 betting kiosks, an elevated bar, and a dining facility that caters to visitors.

PENN Entertainment's Detroit casino led all motor city casinos in retail sportsbook handle in 2023. It accepted $71.1 million worth of bets and reported gross revenues of $6.7 million.

“We’re thrilled to open the first ESPN BET retail location in Detroit and become part of a community of deeply passionate sports fans,” said Mike Morrison, Vice President of ESPN BET and ESPN Fantasy. “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.”

Building the brand

ESPN Bet has benefitted from the constant media attention the sportsbook has gained since launching its brand in 18 U.S. states. The Hollywood Casino at Greektown is the latest example. Residents of Michigan may want to check out available Michigan sportsbook promos.

The company hopes that ESPN BET can reach an 8% market share by the end of its first year of operation. It has until November to reach that target. 

ESPN BET seems to be on track to become a player in the U.S. legal sports betting industry. It has become the fourth largest sportsbook in terms of monthly handle in a number of its 18 states, rivaling the likes of BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook.