ESPN Bet Sportsbook Debuts at Greektown Casino in Detroit

ESPN Bet sportsbook debuts at Detroit's Greektown Casino

The first retail sportsbook, called ESPN Bet, opened Wednesday at Penn Entertainment's Hollywood Casino in Greektown in downtown Detroit.

Penn has been using the ESPN brand on its mobile sports betting platform since November, after signing a 10-year, $1.5 billion deal with Walt Disney last August. Michigan is one of 18 states offering ESPN Bet.

The ESPN BET Sportsbook and Restaurant offers guests approximately 4,500 square feet of betting and dining space with high-tech betting kiosks, large-screen televisions, a 30-inch video wall for the ultimate sports experience and fine dining options. "The restaurant is one of many fine dining restaurants at Hollywood Casino in Greektown," a statement from ESPN Connecticut said.

Prior to Penn's agreement with the sports network, the casino operator's brick-and-mortar sportsbook was known as "Barstool Sports."

More ESPN Bet sportsbooks may be in development

Neither ESPN nor Penn University have commented on when another retail sportsbook bearing the sports media giant's name might appear at one of the operator's regional casinos, but it's likely it's in the works.

Including the Hollywood Casino in Greektown, Penn operates 43 gaming locations in 20 states, most of which allow mobile or retail sports betting, or both. This would be one way Penn could "potentially benefit" from its agreement with ESPN.

While retail sports betting tends to be a money-loser or a small win for casino operators, the combination of the ESPN brand and Detroit's passion for sports could work in Greektown. Payne purchased the venue from JACK Entertainment nearly five years ago for $300 million.

Hollywood Casino in Greektown features more than 100,000 square feet of dining, entertainment and gaming space and 400 guest rooms.

Might be a good time for Greektown Sportsbook

The timing of the ESPN Bet sportsbook's debut at Greektown Casino may work in the operator's favor, as Detroit will host the NFL Draft, with the first round beginning Thursday night. The event, which runs through Saturday, is expected to bring a large number of visitors to the city, potentially driving more traffic to local casinos.

ESPN has been a big presence at Hollywood Casino this week and will continue to do so throughout the weekend.

"With the NFL Draft less than a mile away, Greektown Hollywood Casino will host a variety of ESPN programming this week, including Wednesday night's Draft Podcast hosted by Field Yates, Domonique Foxworth, Mina Kimes and Matt Miller," the network said in a press release added. “Thursday and Friday, ESPN Radio will be hosted by Evan Cohen, Chris Canty and Michelle Smallmon. ’s morning show Unsportsmanlike, and The Greeny Show. Additionally, ESPN BET Live, the daily sports betting show on ESPN2, will air live on Thursday and Friday via ESPN BET Sportsbook.ESPN personnel will also be conducting live SportsCenter broadcasts from the facility throughout the week. "