Matched Betting
What is the "Matched Betting Value" listed above? This is the amount of risk free profit that you can make from the sign-up offer through a technique called matched betting. In short, it is a mathematical approach to sports betting that guarantees profit by hedging your bets. This allows you to cover all possible outcomes and secure a profit no matter what happens in the game. This is different from gambling because there is no risk of losing. Learn more in our What Is Matched Betting guide.
Available Locations
Overview
ESPN Bet is one of the most popular sportsbooks in the US, located in 17 states. They have one of the best VIP programs available and are a must-have sportsbook for all matched bettors. In addition to the VIP program they regularly offer promotions to all of their customers.
Where is ESPN Bet sportsbook legal? It is available in the following 17 states: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
ESPN Bet is one of the few sportsbooks that primarily uses Site Credit instead of Free Bets. This greatly increases the value of all their promotions since Site Credit can be converted closer to 100% compared to a Free Bet at 70%.
ESPN Bet made a few changes in 2023. They switched from Kambi to The Score as their odds provider on July 11th and then from Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN Bet on Nov 14th. If you were previously limited on Barstool, you may not be limited anymore due to the change.
Notes Before Signing Up
If you have a very large bankroll and can deposit $10,000 or more reach out to their customer service email, not live chat, and ask if any offers are available for a large deposit. This often results in being fast-tracked to the VIP program.
Unique Terminology
ESPN Bet occasionally has poorly worded promotions and mentions that they are refunded as a Free Bet. However, based on previous experience they only use Site Credit, which they call Sportsbook Bonus Cash.
Signup Offers
Notes: Site Credit is released at a 5% rate. This results in a $20,000 playthrough requirement. Using ESPN Bet as a hedge for other sign-up offers will make completing the playthrough requirement much easier. Minimum odds -200.
Repeating The Sign-up Offers
Sign-up offers are some of the most profitable promotions available in matched betting. Some sportsbooks will allow you to repeat them in each state increasing your profits. You can learn more about repeating the sign-up offers in multiple states in our guide.
VIP/Rewards Program
ESPN Bet has a great VIP program, which they call MVP. They expect that you deposit a minimum of $10,000 a month to maintain MVP status. Oftentimes emailing ESPN Bet's customer support (not live chat) and asking what they can do for a $10,000 deposit will result in a deposit match and an instant jump to MVP status. If this does not work making the required deposits will get you into the MVP program but it may take a little longer. Once you are in the MVP program your VIP rep will be able to provide deposit matches which helps you maintain MVP status due to the deposit requirements. Additionally, you will get targeted VIP offers most weeks which can be worth a few hundred dollars of profit or more.
Example Promotion
MLB House Rules
Each sportsbook has its own House Rules which determine how a bet is graded. These rules cover unlikely events, such as what happens to your bet when a game is canceled.
Usually, the different house rules across sportsbooks do not have an impact on matched betting. However, in Major League Baseball (MLB), there are notable exceptions. A simple example is when a game is postponed due to weather. Read our House Rules Comparison guide to learn more.
For MLB it is also important to understand what defines Action.