Barstool Sportsbook Review
The Rise and Fall of Barstool Sportsbook
Barstool Sportsbook entered the U.S. sports‑betting market in September 2020, launched through a partnership between Barstool Sports and Penn National Gaming (later Penn Entertainment). The idea was simple but ambitious: combine Barstool’s massive, personality‑driven media brand with Penn’s gambling infrastructure to create a sportsbook that could stand out in a rapidly expanding industry. With Barstool’s loyal audience and Penn’s resources, expectations were high from day one.
Early performance reflected that hype. The app quickly gained traction in states where it launched, boosted by aggressive promotions and the ability to leverage Barstool’s media personalities as marketing engines. Penn repeatedly highlighted the sportsbook as a key part of its digital strategy, and Barstool fans embraced the platform as an extension of the brand’s identity. For a while, it looked like a rare example of a media‑driven sportsbook that could compete with giants like DraftKings and FanDuel.
But the momentum didn’t last. Despite strong brand recognition, Barstool Sportsbook struggled to capture meaningful market share. Its customer acquisition costs were high, and regulatory scrutiny around Barstool’s edgy content created ongoing headaches. Penn also faced pressure from investors to deliver stronger digital results, and Barstool’s polarizing reputation made it difficult to scale in a heavily regulated industry.
Compare Barstool to BetOnline and MyBookie
 Barstool Sportsbook |  BetOnline |  MyBookie | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | |||
| Welcome Bonus | Closed
Closed | 50% To $250
FREE250 | 100% to $500
MB100BB |
| See BonusRead Review | See BonusRead Review | See BonusRead Review |
The turning point came in 2023, when Penn struck a major deal with ESPN to launch ESPN Bet. As part of that agreement, Penn sold Barstool Sports back to founder Dave Portnoy and shut down Barstool Sportsbook entirely. The brand was removed from the market, and Penn shifted all of its online betting operations to the ESPN partnership.
In the end, Barstool Sportsbook was a bold experiment that never fully lived up to its promise. It launched with huge fanfare, gained early traction, but ultimately couldn’t overcome regulatory challenges and competitive pressure — closing just three years after its debut.
