theScore Bet — which launched in North Carolina on March 11, 2024 under the ESPN BET brand — is one of seven licensed online sportsbooks still active in the state. The rebrand has raised a fair question: does the app hold up on its own merits, or is it coasting on Penn Entertainment's dual-brand history? Our verdict is that it functions as a competent mid-tier option, but bettors prioritizing the largest welcome offers or the deepest market libraries will likely find stronger fits elsewhere.

What Actually Changed in the ESPN BET to theScore Bet Rebrand?

Penn Entertainment operates both properties on the same underlying technology platform. When the ESPN licensing agreement wound down, the North Carolina app was relabeled theScore Bet, reflecting Penn's Canadian media and betting brand. Existing accounts migrated without disruption, and the NCSLC license — issued to Penn's operating entity — remained in force. The practical user-facing change was largely cosmetic: updated app store listings, new branding inside the interface, and a shift in media integrations from ESPN content to theScore's sports news feed.

For a full picture of every licensed operator currently active in the state, our NC Sportsbook Rankings: Every Licensed App Rated lays out how theScore Bet stacks up against the full field.

theScore Bet NC: Key Facts at a Glance

Feature theScore Bet NC NC Market Context
Launch date in NC March 11, 2024 (as ESPN BET) One of the original 8 launch operators; Underdog has since exited
Minimum age 21+ Required statewide by HB 347
Residency required No — must be physically in NC Applies to all 7 licensed apps
In-state college betting Yes (UNC, NC State, Duke, etc.) Permitted under HB 347
Crypto deposits Not available No licensed NC sportsbook accepts crypto

How Does the Welcome Offer Compare?

Bonus amounts for theScore Bet NC are not detailed in our current research material, so we won't manufacture a figure. What we can say is that the research-documented offers from competing NC operators — BetMGM's up to $1,500 in bonus bets, bet365's up to $1,000 First Bet Safety Net or Bet $10/Get $150, and DraftKings' Bet $5/Get $150 — set a high bar. Before committing to theScore Bet's current offer, check the BetMGM North Carolina review covering its $1,500 first-bet offer and the bet365 North Carolina review comparing its two welcome options for side-by-side context.

Regardless of which offer you claim, remember that bonus bets across all NC operators are non-withdrawable, typically expire after 7 days, and cannot be combined with odds boosts or other promotional credits. Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or the NC Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-877-718-5543.

App Experience and Betting Markets

theScore Bet's integration of the theScore media app is its clearest differentiator: users can move between live scores, news, and a betting slip within a single Penn-built ecosystem. Moneylines, point spreads, totals, player props, parlays, and same-game parlays are all available, consistent with what NC regulations require licensed operators to offer. The app supports standard deposit methods — debit cards, ACH/eCheck, PayPal, and Play+ prepaid cards — with a typical minimum deposit of $10.

For withdrawal speed benchmarks that apply across all NC apps: PayPal generally processes within one business day, while ACH/bank transfers take three to five business days.

Is theScore Bet Right for You?

If you're drawn to media-integrated betting and already use theScore for sports news, the app makes a logical pairing. If you're optimizing for welcome bonus size or market depth, the FanDuel vs DraftKings in North Carolina full comparison covers the two operators that consistently lead on both dimensions. And if you're still evaluating whether NC's legal framework fits your situation — including the state's notable rule that gambling losses cannot be deducted at the state level — read our page on whether sports betting is legal in North Carolina and how the law works before depositing anywhere.

theScore Bet is a legitimate, NCSLC-licensed option. It isn't the most aggressive operator in the market, but it carries the same regulatory protections as every other app on this list, and the Penn platform has proven stable since the March 2024 launch.