theScore Bet replaced ESPN BET in Michigan on December 1, 2025, and its current welcome offer — a Bet Reset up to $1,000 — is one of the larger first-bet insurance deals available from a licensed Michigan sportsbook right now. Short version: if your first real-money bet loses, you get it back as bonus bets, up to a grand.
What happened to ESPN BET in Michigan?
PENN Entertainment and ESPN ended their partnership, and the platform was rebranded as theScore Bet. Existing ESPN BET accounts — including balances — transferred automatically. theScore Bet operates in Michigan under the Greektown Casino license, which the Michigan Gaming Control Board issued to the commercial Detroit property. Nothing changed for existing account holders except the name on the app.
How does the theScore Bet Bet Reset work?
The mechanic is straightforward first-bet insurance. You place a qualifying first bet, and if it wins, you keep the cash. If it loses, theScore Bet refunds the stake as bonus bets up to $1,000. Like every first-bet refund offer on the Michigan market, the bonus bets are not withdrawable cash — when a bonus bet wins, you collect the profit only, not the stake itself. Expiry windows and minimum odds terms vary; read the fine print before you place the qualifying wager.
Must be 21+ and physically located in Michigan. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
How does the Bet Reset compare to other MI sportsbook promos?
The table below puts theScore Bet's offer next to four other major Michigan sportsbooks so you can see where a $1,000 insurance ceiling ranks. For a full ranked list, check the Best Michigan Sportsbook Promos Ranked for 2026.
| Sportsbook | Offer Type | Max Value | Promo Code | Triggers On Loss? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| theScore Bet | Bet Reset (first-bet insurance) | $1,000 | Check site | Yes |
| BetMGM | First-bet insurance | $1,500 | CBSSPORTS | Yes |
| DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $200 | $200 | None required | No — triggers regardless |
| BetRivers | Second-chance bet credit | $500 | LSRRIV | Yes |
| Caesars | 10 profit boost tokens | $25,000 total | LSRDYW | No — triggers on first $1 wager |
BetMGM's $1,500 ceiling beats theScore Bet's $1,000 ceiling, but the gap closes fast once you factor in that bonus bets return winnings only. If you'd rather skip the code lookup entirely, see Michigan Sportsbook Bonuses You Can Claim Without a Promo Code — DraftKings and FanDuel both activate without one.
Is theScore Bet worth signing up for?
A $1,000 Bet Reset is a solid middle-ground offer — bigger ceiling than BetRivers, smaller than BetMGM. If you're planning to stack multiple Michigan welcome offers (which you legally can, one per brand), theScore Bet is worth adding to the rotation. You can bet on Detroit Lions, Red Wings, Pistons, and Tigers games, plus Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans — Michigan law explicitly permits wagering on in-state college teams.
For context on a newer entrant worth comparing, the bet365 Michigan Promo Code LSRBET: Bonus Bets After a $10 Wager page breaks down an alternative structure built around a small qualifying wager rather than first-bet insurance. bet365 launched in Michigan in April 2026, so it's fresh competition for theScore Bet's market share.
You don't need to be a Michigan resident — you just need to be physically inside Michigan with geolocation enabled when you place the bet. The Michigan Gaming Control Board maintains a verified list of all 14 licensed online sportsbooks at Michigan.gov/MGCB; theScore Bet is on it.
Bottom line on theScore Bet Michigan sportsbook promos: it's a legitimate, MGCB-licensed operator running a competitive Bet Reset welcome deal. If $1,000 in first-bet coverage fits your bankroll, it earns a spot in your multi-book strategy.