ESPN Bet has become the official sports betting partner of the Chicago Bears through a multi-year deal agreed between its operator, PENN Entertainment, and the NFL franchise.
The popular US sports betting site will also benefit from some digital initiatives and collaborations with Chicago Bears, have access to IP rights and enjoy in-stadium marketing at Soldier Field, home to the Super Bowl XX champions since 1971.
Penn Entertainment’s partnership with the Chicago Bears further designates Hollywood Casino Aurora and Hollywood Casino Joliet as official casino partners.
Penn’s Chicagoland bricks-and-mortar casinos will also gain access to IP rights, digital media integrations and marketing displays within Soldier Field.
Introducing ESPN Bet’s FanCenter
The timing is perfect for PENN Entertainment, a leading name in US gaming, land-based and online casinos and sports betting.
ESPN Bet has created a FanCenter hub, a new feature within its sports betting app which is making its debut in the up-coming NFL season.
FanCenter has been developed to service ESPN Fantasy Football’s 13 million players with a personalised For You page with player props, sports betting markets and parlays relating to their favorite teams, as well as access to their fantasy rosters and betting history.
A key component will be ‘Fantasy Bet Builder’ which will highlight markets relating to a user’s ESPN Fantasy rosters, so that building a series of bets around their fantasy team is available within a few taps.
It also gives users access to ESPN’s new Mint Club rewards program.
PENN’s New Casino Developments
Hollywood Casino Joliet celebrated its grand opening on August 11, 2025, replacing the former riverboat location which closed the previous month.
The new $185 million land-based casino stands on Olympic and Gateway Boulevards and is part of RockRun Collection, a regional commercial and residential development located at the gateway to Chicagoland, that spreads over 310 acres.
The casino features around 1,000 slots and 43 live table games, an ESPN BET sportsbook, some celebrity-led restaurants and bars and an event center.
The new Hollywood Casino Aurora is under construction and expected to open in the first half of 2026.
The $360 million development is expected to feature around 900 slots and 50 live table games, including poker and baccarat, as well as a state-of-the-art retail sportsbook and a hotel with 200 rooms.
Official Reaction From PENN
“We’re thrilled to announce this partnership in connection with the opening of our new state-of-the-art Joliet property and on the precipice of football season.” said Todd George, PENN’s executive vice president of operations.
“Teaming up with one of the premier franchises in the NFL creates exciting new omnichannel marketing opportunities for our ESPN BET and Hollywood Casino brands.
Through the partnership, we look forward to engaging a large and passionate audience at Soldier Field as well as across our online products and at the new property in the Chicagoland area.”
Jim Munro is a betting industry and gambling expert who has been a national newspaper journalist for over 30 years, predominantly at The Sunday Times and The Sun, where he wrote a weekly soccer betting column. Jim also worked on the launch of Virgin Bet with Gamesys and was subsequently head of editorial at LiveScore, the sports media and betting group.
