ESPN Bet is the brand that took over Barstool Sportsbook, and it rolled out in November 2023 as Penn Entertainment’s new online betting platform using the ESPN name. Penn had already owned Barstool Sports and its sportsbook, but after this shift, the Barstool Sportsbook name was phased out and replaced by ESPN Bet in the states where Penn operates. Before the change, Penn Entertainment had built Barstool Sportsbook by first buying a big stake in Barstool Sports in 2020 and then taking full ownership by 2023.

Portnoy, who founded Barstool in 2003, had sold the company to the gambling company Penn Entertainment for more than $550 million. But when Penn inked a deal with ESPN to launch ESPN bet, it sold the company back to Portnoy for $1. Portnoy and Barstool signed with UTA for representation last year.Jul 17, 2025

What are some famous roulette scandals and controversies throughout history? 1. The Eudaemons – In the 1970s, a group of physics students at the University of California Santa Cruz used a computer to predict the outcomes of roulette games in Nevada casinos. They called themselves “The Eudaemons” and made significant profits before their operation was shut down. 2. The Ritz-Carlton Scandal – In 2004, a team of Eastern European gamblers used a laser scanner and a computer to predict where the ball would land on the roulette wheel at the Ritz-Carlton casino in London.

Dave Portnoy, the fun-loving founder of Barstool Sports, used to bet big on Barstool Sportsbook. Back in its heyday, he’d drop massive wagers like his $120,000 bet on the Bengals in 2023, sharing every thrilling moment on live streams. That app was his go-to for NFL games and more, making it a fan favorite among his followers.​ Things changed in 2023 when Penn Entertainment sold Barstool back to Dave for just $1 and rebranded their sportsbook as ESPN Bet.

Ever wondered how much cash the last person standing pockets in Barstool Sports’ wild reality show, Surviving Barstool? The Season 4 champ walked away with a whopping $250,000 prize—straight-up cash in a briefcase that had everyone fighting tooth and nail.youtube​reddit+1​ Picture this: 24 Barstool employees battled it out in crazy office challenges over a full week. Eliminations whittled them down to a final three, who faced a jury of the voted-out crew.