theScore Bet became a licensed West Virginia sportsbook on December 1, 2025, when PENN Entertainment activated the brand in the state after ending its ESPN BET partnership. For bettors who had ESPN BET accounts in WV, theScore Bet is the direct successor — same PENN infrastructure, different name and app.

How Did theScore Bet Come to West Virginia?

PENN Entertainment had operated ESPN BET in West Virginia under a media licensing deal with Disney. When that partnership concluded, PENN pivoted back to its own consumer brand, theScore Bet, which it owns outright after acquiring Score Media and Gaming in 2021. The transition took effect December 1, 2025, and ESPN BET is no longer available in the state. Bettors still searching for ESPN BET promo codes in WV will find that the platform is gone; theScore Bet is where PENN's WV license now sits.

Is theScore Bet Legal and Licensed in West Virginia?

Yes. The West Virginia Lottery oversees all licensed sports betting operators in the state, and theScore Bet operates under PENN Entertainment's existing WV authorization. Before registering anywhere, the WV Lottery's official site is the definitive place to confirm current licensee status — a step worth taking given that offshore operators like Bovada and BetOnline have received cease-and-desist letters from the WV Lottery for operating without a license. For a deeper look at unlicensed platform risks, see the Bovada and BetOnline in West Virginia unlicensed operator warning.

Mobile App and Geofencing: What WV Bettors Should Expect

Like every licensed WV sportsbook, theScore Bet uses geofencing technology to verify that a bettor's device is physically inside West Virginia state lines before accepting a wager. Attempting to use a VPN to circumvent this check violates the operator's terms and conditions and can result in account suspension and voided winnings. For a broader look at how mobile betting and geofencing work in the state, the guide to mobile betting in West Virginia covers the rules in detail.

theScore Bet WV at a Glance

Attribute theScore Bet WV Notes
WV Launch Date December 1, 2025 Replaced ESPN BET same day
Parent Operator PENN Entertainment Owns the brand outright
Regulatory Status Licensed — WV Lottery Confirm current status at wvlottery.com
Mobile Availability Yes (iOS and Android) Geofencing required
ESPN BET Successor Yes ESPN BET exited WV Dec. 1, 2025

How Does theScore Bet Compare to Other WV Apps?

West Virginia's regulated market includes several well-capitalized operators, so theScore Bet enters with real competition. For a direct head-to-head, the theScore Bet vs DraftKings in West Virginia comparison breaks down market depth, odds competitiveness, and app usability side by side. For a ranked view of every licensed WV operator, the Best West Virginia Sportsbooks licensed operators ranked guide is the starting point.

Welcome Bonus and Promotions

theScore Bet's current WV welcome offer and any associated rollover requirements must be verified directly on the operator's West Virginia promotions page, as terms change frequently and specific figures are not available from a primary source at the time of this writing. For a side-by-side ranking of current offers across all licensed WV apps, the West Virginia sportsbook promos and bonus codes ranked page tracks active deals and key wagering conditions. Always read the full terms before depositing — headline bonus figures rarely tell the complete story. Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

West Virginia Sports Betting Market Context

WV sportsbooks accepted more than $505 million in total wagers and generated $56 million in revenue in 2024, according to aggregate state data — a market meaningful enough to attract and retain a major operator like PENN. The October 2024 handle alone reached $50 million, underscoring steady bettor activity even outside marquee sports events. theScore Bet's arrival gives WV bettors another fully regulated option backed by a publicly traded operator with an established compliance record. For the full picture of how WV sports betting law governs all of this, the West Virginia sports betting legality guide explains the WV Lottery's regulatory framework in detail.