Editors Note: After Penn Entertainment, the partner company of ESPN Bet, acquired theScore, it announced plans to discontinue theScore’s US sports betting operations beginning July 1st, 2022. Moving forward, Penn Entertainment will use theScore Bet to focus on the Canadian sports betting market and ESPN Bet to target the US market.
After the US legalized sports betting, established sports media and news aggregator theScore took advantage of the opportunity to launch its own sportsbook. theScore Bet initially launched in four US states, but it later switched its focus to the Canadian market and left the US.
Pros
Operated by a trusted sports news brandPartnered with reputable companies such as Penn NationalUnique blend of wagering, news and, cross-app integrationWelcome bonus comes with no rollover requirementsCons
Only available in CanadaCould use more betting options for each gameNeeds more live betting dataSome readers may already recognize theScore as the name of the wildly-popular mobile app dedicated to breaking sports news, betting odds, alerts and so much more.
theScore has long served as a useful companion for sports bettors on the go and seeks now to bridge the gap between sports news and sports wagers. At the end of 2018, theScore announced it would soon be launching a mobile betting app in NJ and elsewhere as legislation rolls out across the country. theScore later announced plans to exit the US market, but it remains a well-known operator in Canada.
Now that we’ve had a chance to give the app a test run for ourselves, it is time for a thorough theScore review based on our experience so far. If you would like to see it in action for yourself, you can search for the app in the App Store or visit theScore.bet for download links and information.
theScore Sportsbook Bonus and Promo Code
Up to $1,500 in Bonuses- 100% up to $1,000 + $500 Risk-Free First Bet
- No theScore promo code is necessary
theScore has significantly upped its promotional game since launching and now offers one of the better welcome bonuses to new customers. What was once a simple 100% up to $100 deposit bonus is now a two-part welcome offer extended to all new users:
- 100% up to $1,000 first deposit bonus
- Bonus bet worth up to $500
First, new users who sign up for an account and make a deposit qualify for a 100% up to $1,000 match bonus. For example, a bettor who signs up and makes a $600 deposit will receive $600 in bonus funds.
Second, new users can place their first wager risk-free. Anyone who claims this offer can place a bet of any size, and if it loses, theScore will refund them with a free bet of equal value worth up to $500.
In all, theScore Bet bonuses award up to $1,500 to all new customers. New users do not need a theScore promo code to claim either bonus; all new customers automatically qualify.
Any bonus funds earned from the first deposit match offer convert into withdrawable cash at a 5% rate based on customers’ wagering activity. For example, if a bettor places a $100 wager, $5 in bonus funds becomes cash. Only wagers placed at odd greater than -300 count toward the bonus wagering requirements (e.g., -200, -110, +110, +350 would all count).
The risk-free bet offer does not come with any wagering requirements, but bettors must use their free bets within seven days of receipt.
Other theScore Sportsbook Promotions
theScore announces new promotions regularly, typically coinciding with the most popular sports each season.
For example, theScore launched frequent football promotions during the most recent NFL betting season. Below are a few examples of the many NFL promos theScore has issued at one point or another:
- $200 NFL Week 2 Special: theScore issued $200 in free bets to customers who placed a bet on any NFL market during Week 2
- First Touchdown Scorer Insurance: Anyone who wagered $25 or more on the first player to score a touchdown in any NFL game qualified for a free bet refund worth up to $10 if the bet lost
- NFL Game Day Odds Boosts: Every game day throughout the last NFL season, theScore boosted the odds on various markets to give bettors more bang for their buck
- NFL Parlay Win & Get: Anyone who placed a 5+ NFL parlay and won received a 100% bet match bonus
theScore Sports Betting
theScore announced plans to expand beyond sharing sports news and odds to becoming a mobile sportsbook of its own with a press release issued in December 2018. theScore Bet mobile app went live in New Jersey in September 2019 and in Colorado one year later.
At launch, theScore debuted with a basic lineup of North American sports, soccer and standard types of wagers. Support for additional sports such as golf, tennis and MMA was delayed at the outset with plans to increase its coverage over time.
Sports fans from across the country can download theScore Bet and create an account to view the lines and take advantage of cross-app integration between the betting platform and the standard sports media app.
Launch notes provided by theScore detailed wide-ranging plans including the introduction of in-play betting, early cashout and more. A quick list of its most noteworthy features includes:
- Cross-app integration between theScore’s betting and media apps
- In-play betting
- Early cashout
- Track your bets inside the media app with live scoring updates and odds changes
- Detailed game overviews and betting information between both apps
- Synchronize betting preferences and favorite teams between both apps
- Live scoring updates inside the betting app
In August 2021, Penn National Gaming deepened its relationship with theScore by acquiring it outright. The deal brings theScore Bet and its associated media arms into the Penn National fold, giving the latter access to proprietary sports betting technology, popular news content, and experienced sports betting writers and tech developers.
Later, theScore announced it would exit the US market entirely to focus its efforts purely in Canada, where theScore is the nation’s most prominent sports news and media app.
theScore.bet Mobile App
Sports fans located in New Jersey can visit theScore.bet to download the app for iOS and Android devices. Currently, customers may only place wagers through the mobile app. A desktop-friendly website interface has not yet been launched.
iPhone / iPad users can also find theScore in the App Store by searching for “theScore Bet.” Note the standard news app still comes up first if you search for theScore. You will need to look specifically for theScore Bet. Google does now allow gambling apps on the Play Store, but Android users may head over to theScore.bet for a direct download.
Our first impression of theScore Bet is that this is a sleek and simple mobile sportsbook. The sports coverage is focused primarily on the major pro and college North American sports plus international soccer.
Extra features and even the types of wagers that may be placed are still limited relative to the competition, but we do know theScore has plenty of capability from its feature-rich sports news app.
theScore is powered by software from Bet.Works, which is a relatively young sports betting services provider staffed by some very experienced people.
The current theScore apps veers into overly simplistic territory in our opinion, but we do think that will change over time as the company gets settled in as a sports betting operator. However, a closer look under the hood does reveal some unique features – particularly features that make use of theScore’s existing sports media capabilities.
theScore Bet Mobile Screenshots
theScore Media App Screenshots
theScore In-Play Betting
theScore’s in-play betting interface follows the rest of the app’s simple and straightforward approach. You can see which games are in-play right now by tapping the “live” menu item at the bottom of the app for a list of all games with live markets. From there, select any specific game for a listing of all current markets available.
There was little doubt theScore would offer in-play betting considering the news app’s considerable capabilities in providing live scoring and data to users. Additionally, theScore’s technology supplier Bet.Works is well-versed in live betting.
theScore appears so far to bring that same capability to actual sports betting, but the current iteration of the app is still keeping things simple with live betting for only the major North American sports events. theScore has said over time it intends to significantly expand its lineup of sports.
Some things that are not yet active that we would like to see include digital representations of what’s happening on the field or court in a manner similar to how other betting apps do it. For example, theScore would greatly benefit customers by showing who has possession in real time, where every pitch lands in the strike zone, a summary of every NFL play and so on.
theScore Deposit Methods
theScore launched with just three deposit methods, but we understand more are to be coming online soon. All current deposit methods are processed instantly. Customers may currently deposit via any of the following options:
- Credit and Debit Card: theScore Bet accepts Visa and Mastercard deposits. The process for depositing is the same as buying something online – you’ll be asked to confirm your date of birth and then submit your card details and choose an amount to deposit.
- Play+ Card: Play+ is a virtual and physical prepaid card option that can be used for instant deposits. You can fund your virtual card online instantly, and you will also receive a physical card in the mail that can be used to withdraw cash at ATMs and make purchases.
- Online Banking: theScore uses eCheck Select as its online banking provider, which itself is authorized to process gaming transactions and supports instant transfers. All you need to use this method is a bank account and your routing number.
About theScore
theScore has roots dating back to 1994, when it was founded as a simple, text-based TV channel showing sports scores, odds and news under the name Sportscope. Sportscope would later change its name to The Score, begin broadcasting sporting events and airing sports talk TV shows.
The Score sold off its TV assets in 2012 and rebranded itself as theScore to focus on digital content and entertainment – thus kicking off the beginnings of its mobile operations.
theScore has long integrated sports betting odds and stats as a key component of its product, so the company’s decision to launch its own mobile sportsbook makes sense in multiple ways.
With a userbase numbering in the millions, theScore is perfectly positioned to grab a big piece of the sports betting market before it even has to consider buying ads elsewhere. To add to that, theScore’s existing userbase is already well in tune with sports betting as the app has long placed an emphasis on providing wagering-related information such as the latest odds and line movements.
More recently, theScore announced it will be changing its corporate identity to Score Media and Gaming Inc. to better reflect its newfound entry into sports betting. Today, theScore boasts nearly 4 million active users a month and is traded on the TSX Venture exchange under the symbol SCR.
Expert Opinion: Is theScore Legit?
theScore is an established name in sports news and media, and its mobile app holds multiple sports betting licenses. Bettors who choose theScore.bet can rest assured they will receive a fair betting experience and get paid when they win.
The cross-app integration between theScore’s sports betting and news apps is useful, but it feels like more of a novelty than a gamechanger. In other regards, theScore is a pretty standard sportsbook with a decent wagering catalog, in-play betting, detailed handicapping statistics, and useful updates such as injury reports.
theScore NJ: Receives Green Light for Soft Launch
Mike Murphy is the founder of BettingUSA.com and has over 10 years of experience in the legal gambling industry. A regular attendee of industry trade shows and conferences, Mike is a strong proponent in the idea of a well regulated online betting industry.