Score Media and Gaming

Corporate History and Evolution

The origins of Score Media and Gaming trace back to the 2012 sale of Score Media's television assets, including its flagship channel The Score Television Network, to Rogers Media. This transaction led to the spin-off of the company's digital properties, such as theScore.ca and its mobile applications, into a new publicly traded entity named theScore Inc. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission formally approved the sale of the television business to Rogers in 2013. As part of the spin-off arrangement, Rogers initially received an 11.8 percent ownership stake in the new digital company, which it sold in June 2014. The founding Levy family remained the largest single voting shareholders, maintaining continuity from the original Score Media.

Following the 2018 United States Supreme Court decision that opened the door to legalized sports betting, the company pursued market access agreements. Its first major move was a 15-year partnership with Monmouth Park Racetrack in New Jersey, leading to the September 2019 launch of theScore Bet in that state. A significant 20-year market access agreement with Penn National Gaming, now Penn Entertainment, covering 11 states was announced in July 2019. As part of that deal, Penn's interactive division took a 4.7 percent equity stake in the company, which had rebranded as Score Media and Gaming Inc. The company's shares moved from the TSX Venture Exchange to the Toronto Stock Exchange in September 2020 to reflect its growth.

The relationship with Penn deepened significantly in 2021 when Penn National Gaming announced its acquisition of Score Media and Gaming for approximately US$2 billion in a cash and stock transaction. The deal was completed in October 2021, after which the company was delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange and Nasdaq and became a wholly owned subsidiary. This acquisition integrated Score Media and Gaming's technology and media expertise into Penn's larger gaming portfolio. The transaction created a vertical that combined media content with betting operations and set the stage for future expansion.

theScore Bet: Product and Market Expansion

theScore Bet is the company's flagship sportsbook and online casino product, designed as an integrated companion to the sports news provided by theScore app. It offers a wide array of betting options including moneylines, point spreads, totals, parlays, player props, and futures across major professional and collegiate sports. Key product features include live in-play betting with real-time odds updates, a 'Parlay Lounge' for trending multi-leg bets, same-game parlays, and early cashout options. The platform also hosts a digital casino with games like blackjack, roulette, slots, and live dealer tables, providing a 24/7 gaming experience for users.

The sportsbook's expansion has been strategic, following the legalization of online gambling in various jurisdictions. Its initial launch was in New Jersey in September 2019. A major milestone came in April 2022 when theScore Bet entered the Canadian market by launching in Ontario, coinciding with the province's introduction of a regulated online gambling market. In December 2025, the brand's reach expanded when it absorbed the customer base of Penn's short-lived ESPN Bet platform, extending its operational footprint to 21 U.S. states. The most recent provincial expansion occurred in April 2026, when Score Media and Gaming received regulatory approval to operate in Alberta's regulated online gambling market.

• September 2019: theScore Bet launches in New Jersey, USA.
• April 2022: Service goes live in Ontario, Canada.
• December 2025: Absorbs ESPN Bet customers, expanding to 21 U.S. states.
• April 2026: Receives approval to operate in Alberta, Canada.

In Canada, the company has also secured high-profile marketing partnerships to bolster its brand. This includes a multi-year deal with NFL Canada, granting theScore Bet league and team intellectual property and advertising rights. It also became the official gaming partner of the Toronto Blue Jays, a team owned by Rogers Communications. These partnerships are part of a broader strategy to establish theScore Bet as a leading domestic sportsbook in the Canadian market.

The theScore Media Application

Alongside its betting operations, the company continues to develop and maintain theScore, one of Canada's most popular sports media applications. The app provides millions of users with live scores, breaking news, schedules, and statistical updates across a vast spectrum of sports including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA football and basketball, PGA golf, UFC, and international soccer leagues like the UEFA Champions League. The application's deep integration with theScore Bet is a core part of the company's strategy, allowing users to move from consuming news and stats to placing wagers within a connected ecosystem. This media-betting integration is considered a key differentiator in the marketplace, serving as a customer acquisition and retention tool for the sportsbook.

The app delivers context-rich information such as injury reports, weather conditions, and expert analysis, which can inform betting decisions. The theScore app's primary competitors in the Canadian sports media space are applications from Rogers' Sportsnet and Bell Media's TSN, but its direct link to a regulated sportsbook sets it apart from these traditional broadcasters. The app remains a central pillar of the company's identity and its connection to a broad base of sports fans. The company was publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange before moving to the Toronto Stock Exchange in September 2020.

Leadership and Corporate Structure

The company has been led since its inception by its founder, John Levy, who serves as Executive Chairman. John Levy was also the founder of the original Score Media television business, ensuring a direct lineage of vision and corporate culture. Day-to-day operations are managed by President and Chief Operating Officer Benjie Levy. Following the 2021 acquisition, Score Media and Gaming operates as a subsidiary of Penn Entertainment, a major American gaming and racing operator. The parent company provides capital, regulatory scale, and additional market access, while theScore subsidiary contributes its technology platform, media assets, and brand equity in the Canadian and digital sports spaces.

The corporate headquarters remains at 125 Queens Quay East in Toronto, Ontario. The company also maintains an American office in New York City to oversee its expanding United States business operations, marketing, and partnerships. This structure supports its status as a multinational operator in both the media and gaming sectors. It maintains a clear reporting line to its Pennsylvania-based parent company, Penn Entertainment, and focuses on growth in regulated markets.

Regulatory Compliance and Responsible Gambling

As a licensed operator in multiple jurisdictions, Score Media and Gaming adheres to strict regulatory standards for online gambling. In Canada, it operates under the licenses and regulations established by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and, as of 2026, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC). These frameworks mandate age verification, fair gaming practices, secure financial transactions, and anti-money laundering protocols. The company emphasizes that its betting products are only for adults, with the minimum age being 19 in Ontario and 18 in Alberta.

The company integrates responsible gambling messaging and tools directly into its theScore Bet application. This includes features that allow users to set deposit limits, take time-outs, or self-exclude. In-app messaging prominently directs users in Ontario to ConnexOntario, a 24/7 provincial helpline available at 1-866-531-2600 for those with gambling concerns. For its Alberta launch, the platform references 211 Alberta as a resource for support related to gambling's impact on mental health and wellbeing. These measures are part of an industry commitment to promoting safe and legal play within a protected environment for all users.

Operations and Market Reach

Score Media and Gaming occupies a unique position as a Canadian-origin company with a significant foothold in both the North American sports media and online betting industries. Its primary competitor in the Canadian media space is Sportsnet, owned by Rogers, and TSN, owned by Bell Media. In the online sportsbook sector, it competes with international operators like Bet365, DraftKings, and FanDuel, as well as the provincial lottery corporations' offerings like Proline+. The company's integrated media-and-betting model is an advantage, as it connects news consumption and betting action within its own ecosystem.

The table below outlines the company's jurisdictional footprint for theScore Bet as of early 2026. This footprint highlights its growth from a single state to a multi-province and multi-state operator. In Canada, theScore Bet is available in Ontario and received approval to operate in Alberta in April 2026. In the United States, following the consolidation of the ESPN Bet customer base in December 2025, theScore Bet operates in 21 states.

• Bet Types: Moneylines, spreads, totals, parlays, props, and futures.
• Core Features: In-play markets, early cashouts, and same-game parlays.
• Casino Games: Live dealer tables, blackjack, roulette, and slots.
• Transaction Methods: Secure options for deposits and withdrawals.
• Integrated Media: Direct connection to theScore app for news, stats, and scores.

These features are designed to provide a comprehensive betting and gaming experience for adult users in jurisdictions where the service is legally available. The company's operations are focused on regulated markets to ensure compliance and consumer protection. It continues to develop its product based on user feedback and market trends. The company provides responsible gambling resources and directs users to appropriate support services in their jurisdiction.

Questions about Score Media and Gaming

What is theScore Bet?

theScore Bet is a regulated online sportsbook and casino operated by Score Media and Gaming Inc., a subsidiary of Penn Entertainment. It allows adult users to place wagers on a wide variety of sports including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, UFC, and NCAA competitions. The platform features pre-game and in-play betting, parlays, player props, and a full online casino with table games and slots. It is integrated with the theScore sports news app.

Where is theScore Bet available in Canada?

As of April 2026, theScore Bet is legally available in two Canadian provinces. It launched in Ontario in April 2022 following the province's regulation of online gambling. In April 2026, the company received regulatory approval to operate in Alberta. The service is not available in other Canadian provinces unless they establish their own regulated markets and the company obtains a license. The minimum age to play is 19 in Ontario and 18 in Alberta.

Who owns theScore Bet?

theScore Bet is owned by Score Media and Gaming Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Penn Entertainment. Penn National Gaming completed its acquisition of Score Media and Gaming in October 2021 for approximately US$2 billion. The company, originally spun off from Score Media in 2012, was subsequently delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange and Nasdaq following the acquisition. John Levy, the company founder, serves as its Executive Chairman, and Benjie Levy is the President and Chief Operating Officer.

How is theScore Bet related to the theScore app?

Both theScore Bet sportsbook and the theScore sports news application are core products operated by Score Media and Gaming. The company's strategy focuses on integrating its digital media and sports betting products. This integration allows users to move between the betting app and the real-time news, stats, and scores provided by the media app. The sportsbook service, launched in September 2019, was designed from the outset to focus on integrations with theScore's existing sports news application.

What happened to ESPN Bet?

ESPN Bet was a short-lived sportsbook brand launched by Penn Entertainment through a licensing partnership with the U.S. sports channel ESPN. In December 2025, Penn Entertainment consolidated its sports betting operations by absorbing the ESPN Bet customer base into the theScore Bet platform. This strategic move expanded the theScore Bet brand's operational footprint to 21 U.S. states. The consolidation unified Penn's digital betting brand under the theScore name.

How do I contact theScore Bet customer support?

theScore Bet provides multiple channels for customer support. Users can contact the support team directly by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 1 (855) 550-1238. There is also a live chat function available within the mobile application for immediate assistance. The company's app description and developer responses to user reviews direct customers to these contact methods for feedback, suggestions, or help. TheScore Bet provides responsible gambling resources, directing Ontario users to ConnexOntario and Alberta users to 211 Alberta for support related to problem gambling concerns.

Sources and further reading

• Score Media and Gaming (Wikipedia)
• theScore Bet: Sports Betting, App Store, Apple (apps.apple.com)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-11-10.