As the newly announced partnership with Penn Entertainment and ESPN for a mobile sports betting app starts to emerge, questions about ethical concerns and logistics are surfacing, but a recent poll suggests bettors aren’t worried.
The Pennsylvania-based sportsbook operator will pay ESPN $2 billion in cash and stock over the 10-year term of the deal and house the ESPN BET app, which is expected to be released this fall.
The question many are asking, however, is ESPN BET a conflict of interest? The sports network will now be partnered with a sportsbook that will provide odds to gamblers.
The recent controversy surrounding Shams Charania, a sports reporter with a part-time job at FanDuel Sportsbook, has brought the issue of conflict of interest to the forefront. Now, the focus shifts to ESPN.
This landmark entry into the sports betting market raises questions about the potential conflict of interest that may arise for ESPN’s insiders, such as Adam Schefter, Adrian Wojnarowski and Jeff Passan.
The power to impact odds and betting markets with a single tweet cannot be underestimated and has already happened with Charania. His tweet at the NBA Draft about a player who might be taken No. 2 moved the markets.
With high-profile insiders like Wojnarowski, Schefte and Passan, ESPN must establish clear boundaries between their journalistic duties and their involvement in sports betting.
According to sources at ESPN, the network will implement strict divisions between journalism and gambling-focused programs like “Daily Wager.” It is rumored that ESPN staff will not be allowed to use the app.
This separation is crucial to maintaining the integrity of ESPN’s reporting while venturing into the sports betting arena. However, the challenge lies in finding the right balance and ensuring that the line between the two remains clear.
To address these concerns, ESPN has vowed to maintain its high standard of journalistic integrity when covering the sports betting space. They have also promised to develop a committee focused on responsible gaming. These steps demonstrate ESPN’s commitment to ensuring that their insiders’ involvement in sports betting does not compromise the integrity of their reporting.
As ESPN delves deeper into the sports betting world, they must prioritize responsible gaming. The development of a committee focused on responsible gaming is a step in the right direction. This committee can help ESPN establish protocols and guidelines to ensure that their involvement in sports betting is ethical and does not contribute to problem gambling.
Responsible gaming initiatives can include promoting responsible gambling practices, providing resources for individuals struggling with gambling addiction, and implementing strict guidelines for ESPN’s insiders regarding their personal involvement in sports betting.
If bettors are concerned about any conflict of interest, they haven’t shown it. According to a new poll conducted by Oddsassist, 1,000 regular users of legal U.S. sportsbooks were asked several questions about ESPN BET.
Over half (54 percent) of the surveyed sports bettors expressed their intention to sign up for ESPN BET, while 38 percent remained unsure and 8 percent indicated they would not join.
Among those who plan to use ESPN BET, 33 percent anticipate it becoming their primary sportsbook, while 48 percent expect to use it alongside their existing platforms. Only 3 percent said they would exclusively use ESPN BET, 5 percent predicted less usage compared to other sportsbooks, and 11 percent stated their decision would depend on the competitiveness of the odds.
An overwhelming majority (63 percent) of respondents expressed trust in ESPN BET due to its association with ESPN, while a mere 4 percent stated decreased trust.
Less than half, (46 percent) of sports bettors predicted that ESPN BET would emerge as the nation’s most popular sportsbook within the next three years.
These findings clearly reflect the eagerness of sports bettors to explore ESPN BET and their belief in its potential to dominate the market. The announcement of ESPN BET marks a significant milestone in the sports betting industry. With ESPN’s brand recognition and Penn Entertainment’s expertise, ESPN BET has the potential to disrupt the market and emerge as a leading sportsbook. The survey results indicate a strong interest among sports bettors in joining ESPN BET, further underscoring its potential for success.
