(This story originally appeared on USA TODAY.)
ESPN and DraftKings Inc. have announced an exclusive agreement that will make DraftKings the sole official sportsbook and odds provider of ESPN starting in December, marking an end to ESPN Bet and the partnership with Penn Entertainment, according to an ESPN press release.
DraftKings, a digital sports entertainment and gaming company, offers daily fantasy sports, regulated gaming and digital media. This partnership will enable fans to access betting features through DraftKings' sportsbook, daily fantasy platform and the upcoming DraftKings Pick6. Additionally, DraftKings will provide the betting tab within the ESPN app, offering a wide array of gaming experiences.
"Our betting strategy emphasizes providing a seamless experience within our products," Chairman of ESPN Jimmy Pitaro said in the press release. "Partnering with DraftKings, a leader in the industry, will enable us to enhance that foundation, better serve passionate sports fans, and expand our direct-to-consumer business. We are excited about this new collaboration with DraftKings."
DraftKings operates in 28 states and in Washington D.C. and Ontario, Canada, and has more than 10 million customers across its products.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ESPN announces DraftKings partnership, ending ESPN Bet deal
Reporting by Elizabeth Flores, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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