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What is the ESPN Bet Iowa promo?

The ESPN Bet Iowa promo is $200 in bonus bets after new players make their first real-money wager with the sportsbook. Example: Register for a new ESPN Bet account in Iowa, log into the mobile app or website, make a real-money deposit of $10 or more, and place your first bet on the sportsbook (any stake, any line). Within 72 hours of placing your first wager with ESPN Bet, you'll receive four bonus bets valued at $50 each, totaling $200 in bonus bets.

ESPN Bet IA bonus

Sign-up bonus: $200 in Bonus Bets
Promo code: No code needed
Minimum deposit: $10
Last updated: December 2023

Sportsbook overview

Sportsbook: ESPN Bet
Legal in Iowa: No
Partner in Iowa: Ameristar Council Bluffs Casino
Payment methods:
(+4)

In August of 2023, ESPN and PENN Entertainment forged a decade-long collaboration to introduce ESPN Bet, an innovative sports betting platform designed to cater to bettors throughout the United States. Barstool Sportsbook, which was under the PENN Entertainment umbrella before the ESPN deal, will undergo a transformation and emerge as ESPN Bet.

This rebranding resulted in a November 14, 2023 debut with the rollout in 17 states where PENN holds valid operating licenses, including Iowa.

What is ESPN Bet Sportsbook?

ESPN Bet represents the successor to Barstool Sportsbook, marking a significant shift in the landscape of U.S. sports betting. Following the separation of PENN and Barstool Sports in August 2023, PENN promptly entered into a strategic alliance with ESPN to introduce ESPN Bet.

Upon its official November 2023 launch, ESPN Bet seamlessly stepped into the markets formerly served by Barstool Sportsbook, extending its reach to every market where the latter had a presence.

Is ESPN Bet Sportsbook live in IA?

Yes, ESPN Bet is live in Iowa. The platform went live statewide on November 14, 2023, with scores of Hawkeye voters flocking to the sportsbook to claim the welcome bonus offer.

With the launch, ESPN Bet became the 18th  Iowa sports betting platform to launch in that state, though that number is somewhat up for debate given the conversion from the Barstool platform. As of writing, there are also only 17 active sportsbooks as Bally Bet has paused its Iowa operations.

Opening an account at ESPN Bet in Iowa and claiming their bonus

Opening an ESPN Bet account is convenient and relatively straightforward, with most users able to complete the process in under 10 minutes. The welcome bonus of $200 in bonus bets will arrive following a player's first wager on the platform.

Here is a concise outline of the steps for users in IA to sign up for ESPN Bet and claim their welcome offer.

  1. Use our link to open the registration form: To get started, you can click the link at the top of this page to open the ESPN Bet registration form in a new tab. That will keep this site readily available for your convenience and ensure you secure the best available welcome offer.
  2. Fill out the registration form: Throughout the registration procedure, you will need to provide several pieces of information, which will include your full legal name, residential address, contact number, email address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  3. Claim the welcome offer: Once you've agreed to the terms of use and hit "submit" on the registration form, you'll be able to log into your account, make a real-money deposit of at least $10, and place your first wager. After your bet is submitted, you'll receive four $50 bonus bets (totaling $200 in bet credits) within 72 hours.

What type of welcome bonus does ESPN Bet offer?

Between the November 14 launch date and December 31, 2023, new ESPN Bet users will receive $200 in bonus bets within 72 hours of placing their first wager at the sportsbook. The initial wager can be made on any sport, with any bet type and odds line you can find.

Bonus bets will expire after seven days (168 hours) of landing in your account if unused, so don't delay once they arrive!

How long will it take for the ESPN Bet bonus to be credited?

ESPN Bet's welcome bonus will be credited to your account within three days (72 hours) of making your first wager on the site. From there, you'll have one week (168 hours) to play each of the four $50 bonus bets and take full advantage of the promo.

How do I troubleshoot if the ESPN Bet Iowa bonus is not working?

When facing challenges with a promotional offer that isn't working as expected, users can take several steps to address the issue. First and foremost, it's essential to carefully examine the terms and conditions linked to the promotion, as they usually offer detailed instructions on how to make the most of the offer.

If you have already reviewed the terms and conditions and still encounter issues while trying to activate the betting bonus in IA, you can also try restarting the device on which you're using ESPN Bet. This can cause the system to refresh and the bonus to appear as normal.

Finally, reaching out to the operator through their customer service page is generally an effective solution. This approach often leads to a resolution of the problem.

What types of bets will ESPN Bet Sportsbook offer?

Like most Iowa gambling sites, ESPN Bet provides a wide variety of betting options for its users. Here are some of the popular bet types that ESPN Bet players will have at their disposal.

  • Moneyline: Betting on the moneyline is the most straightforward form of sports wagering. It involves predicting the team you believe will come out victorious in a given game.
  • Point Spread: Betting on point spreads adds a bit more complexity than moneyline betting but follows a similar underlying principle. In point spread betting, you are essentially wagering on a team either winning by a specific number of points or losing by a particular margin. For example, if you place a bet on the Iowa Hawkeyes to cover their -4.5 spread against Iowa State, the Hawkeyes must secure a victory by at least five points to cover the spread.
  • Parlays: Betting on parlays provides an excellent opportunity to boost your winnings without committing a significant amount of capital. Users can combine multiple distinct bets, whether from the same game or various games within a designated league, to improve the odds in their favor. If each component of the parlay bet hits, it can result in a substantial payout.

Can I bet on Iowa college sports with ESPN Bet?

Yes, you can bet on Iowa college sports through ESPN Bet. Collegiate sports hold particular significance for Iowans as they feature four high-caliber NCAA athletics programs within the state. Both the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones compete in football and basketball at the Division I level, while Drake and Northern Iowa are also D-I for basketball.

Best sports you can bet on using ESPN Bet Iowa

ESPN Bet users have access to a wide range of betting markets. Below, we highlight where we anticipate the primary action will take place for ESPN Bet users in Iowa.

  • Football: Football betting has become ingrained in the lifestyle of sports enthusiasts across the nation, and Iowa is no different. With two major college programs located in the state - Iowa and Iowa State - expect most of the football betting action to involve these in-state teams.
  • Basketball: Although basketball betting may not reach the same level of popularity as football, it presents captivating opportunities for sports bettors year-round. Events such as the NBA postseason and March Madness attract sports enthusiasts from all corners of the country.
  • Baseball: As October arrives and the MLB postseason gets underway, baseball betting gets serious because the stakes couldn’t be higher. Iowa’s baseball fan base is split among several teams, including the Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs.
  • Hockey: Despite the absence of an NHL team in Iowa, the state is home to two professional hockey teams: the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the Iowa Heartlanders in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).

The ESPN Bet betting app in Iowa

Following the formal introduction of ESPN Bet, users could access the Iowa mobile betting app. Utilizing the ESPN Bet app is the most convenient way to place bets with the operator.

The ESPN Bet app is easily downloadable on both iOS and Android devices and is available to users at no charge.

How to download the ESPN Bet app on iOS

  1. Open the App Store: Open the App Store on your iOS device and initiate a search for "ESPN Bet" in the search bar.
  2. Download the app and log in: When you locate the app, tap the "Get" button next to it. Then, press "Install" and patiently await the app to download onto your device. Once the download is complete, launch the app and log in using your ESPN Bet username and password.
  3. Turn on location services: Be sure to grant the app permission to access your location while in use. This allows ESPN Bet to verify your location within a jurisdiction where they possess the necessary licensing to operate.

How to download the ESPN Bet app on Android

  1. Open the Google Play Store: Access the Google Play Store on your Android device. In the search bar, type "ESPN Bet" and tap the magnifying glass icon to initiate the search.
  2. Download the app and log in: Once you find the app, select the "Install" button next to it and wait for the application to download onto your device. After it's downloaded, open the app and sign in using your ESPN Bet credentials.
  3. Turn on location services: Once you've launched the ESPN Bet app and logged in, a notification will prompt you to grant permission for the app to access your location. Enable your location services to allow ESPN Bet to confirm that you are within a state where they have the necessary license to operate.

ESPN Bet Sportsbook Iowa payment options

ESPN Bet Sportsbook's payment options fall in line with those offered at other sportsbooks in Iowa with a few unique options that can really set the bookmaker apart. Here is the list of those banking methods.

Deposit

  • Bank transfer
  • Debit cards
  • Skrill
  • Play+ Prepaid Card
  • Wire transfer
  • Cash at a retail location
  • Venmo
  • PayPal

Withdrawal

  • Bank transfer
  • Debit cards
  • Skrill
  • Play+ Prepaid Card
  • Wire transfer
  • Cash at a retail location
  • Venmo
  • PayPal

Customer support at ESPN Bet Sportsbook IA

Users who are registered with ESPN Bet can look forward to receiving outstanding customer service and support. The site and mobile app feature an extensive list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to assist with common queries, making information easy to find and comprehend.

The support page also directs users to phone and email support options if they cannot find the answers they're seeking in the FAQ pages. Unfortunately, there isn't yet a support chat available with ESPN Bet.

Live chat:  Not yet available /7
Email:  support@espnbet.com
Phone:  844-953-2121
Twitter:  @ESPNBet

Our rating of ESPN Bet Sportsbook Iowa

(4.5)

Welcome bonus
(5)
Payment options
(4)
Sportsbook app
(5)
Variety & features
(4)
Customer support
(4)

IA Betting has given ESPN Bet Sportsbook Iowa an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5. This rating is based on the following criteria:

  • Welcome Bonus - Rating 5/5: ESPN Bet’s welcome bonus has virtually no restrictions, giving players unparalleled flexibility in making their first wager on the site.  
  • Payment options - Rating 4/5: The payment options for Iowa's ESPN Bet users are similar to what other Iowa operators provide, and we expect there will be further expansion in this category as the platform continues to evolve. 
  • Sportsbook app - Rating 5/5: For being the "new kid on the block," ESPN Bet is already off to a strong start, showing excellent performance across iOS and Android devices. Navigation is virtually effortless and fluid, with top-of-the-class load times. We didn't experience any geolocation issues when testing for this review. 
  • Variety & Features - Rating 4/5: The PENN Play Program brings one of the top loyalty programs in the industry to Iowa bettors. ESPN Bet offers a respectable 17 different sports markets in addition to esports and TV awards betting options.
  • Customer Support - Rating 4/5: The lack of a 24/7 support chat in the support portal keeps ESPN Bet from full marks here. However, even while testing on launch day, we found response times through phone and email channels to be sufficient.

FAQ

Can you bet on golf on ESPN Bet?

Yes, ESPN Bet users will be able to wager on golf events as part of the 17 different sports markets available with the sportsbook.

What is the minimum deposit at ESPN Bet in Iowa?

The minimum deposit at ESPN Bet in Iowa is $10 for most deposit types. However, wire transfers carry a considerably higher $10,000 minimum.

Does ESPN Bet in Iowa give good odds?

Yes, ESPN Bet IA will offer competitive odds for their users.

Will ESPN Bet have any in-person betting venues in IA?

It’s unclear if ESPN Bet will have a retail location in Iowa. The most logical choice would be PENN’s land-based partner, Ameristar Council Bluffs Casino.

Fact checked by: Gary Garry