theScore Bet Pulling Out of United States by July 1, Will Focus on Canada

theScore, a Toronto-based sports media and gaming company, is discontinuing its sports betting app in all U.S. markets by July 1, it notified users Wednesday.

It will shift its focus to Ontario, where theScore bet has been a leader in online sports betting market share in just a few months of activity, as first reported  by SportsHandle.

“This move enables us to maximize the value of both brands through our organic media and gaming approach. Key to our strategy is integrating theScore media app with Barstool Sportsbook, which we’re currently working towards,” Benjie Levy, president and COO of theScore, told Sports Handle. “

Less than a year ago Penn National Gaming, which runs the Barstool Sportsbook app, acquired the Canadian-based entity for $2.1 billion. The parent company initially indicated it would run each app separately, though today’s announcement allows Penn to split resources between theScore and Barstool in both markets.

It runs theScore Bet in New Jersey, Colorado, Iowa and Indiana — four of the largest U.S. markets, though it lagged behind in terms of market share. It is unclear whether those sports betting skins obtained by theScore will transfer to Penn.

It also opens Penn up to partner with as many as two more U.S. sportsbook operators in Kansas, where it holds three licenses.