PENN Entertainment picked the perfect time and place to open the first ESPN BET-branded retail sportsbook.
The gaming company announced Wednesday that the Hollywood Casino at Greektown in Detroit, Michigan would turn into an ESPN BET sportsbook, coinciding with the 2024 NFL Draft taking place in the Motor City.
“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,” said Hollywood Casino at Greektown General Manager, John Drake. “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.”
Within walking distance of where Thursday’s first round of the NFL draft is being held, ESPN BET’s 4,500 square-foot sportsbook offers betting kiosks, a 30-foot video wall, big-screen televisions, an elevated bar, and a premium dining option inside the casino.
Live from Greektown
ESPN Radio launched live on-site programming Thursday with both the "Unsportsmanlike" morning show featuring Evan Cohen, Chris Canty, and Michelle Smallmon, as well as the "Greeny Show." Both shows are set to return on Friday.
The daily sports betting show “ESPN BET Live” on ESPN2 will also be at the sportsbook, while other ESPN talents will conduct live “SportsCenter” hits from the casino throughout the week.
“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, 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.”
What a spectacle
This is the first year ESPN BET has been the wagering platform for PENN during the three-day premier NFL event. The ESPN brand launched in Nov. 2023 and has brought a recognizable and impactful operator to 18 U.S. states, including sports betting in Michigan.
Bloomberg reported that 300,000 people are expected to slam Detroit this week for the NFL draft, an incredibly popular spectacle that also generates a ton of interest for bettors and punishment for sportsbooks.
