The first ESPN BET-branded sportsbook opened Wednesday at Hollywood Casino at Greektown in Detroit. The unveiling of the first PENN Entertainment retail property with ESPN BET branding comes as the NFL Draft begins in Detroit on Thursday.
“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,” Hollywood Casino at Greektown General Manager John Drake said in a press release. “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.”
This week’s NFL Draft will occur within a mile of Hollywood Casino at Greektown, and there will be several ESPN events hosted at the casino. ESPN BET Live will be hosted live from the sportsbook on both Thursday and Friday. There will also be SportsCenter hits recorded at the sports betting facility throughout the week.
The sportsbook and restaurant is about 4,500 square feet, including a 30-foot video wall, betting kiosks, and numerous TVs. The location is expected to draw significant crowds during NFL Draft 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 of 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.”
ESPN BET launched its betting app in November, but this marks the first time the branding has translated into a retail facility. ESPN BET is live in Michigan, in addition to more than a dozen other states.
The operator offers numerous NFL Draft wagering options, including who will go No. 1-10 in the draft. USC’s Caleb Williams is the heavy favorite (-20000) to go No. 1 overall. The draft becomes far less predictable after the top pick.