Pennsylvania’s sports gambling market has been relatively successful, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and Penn National Gaming is going to make sure it gets a significant piece of the action. The gaming operator is bringing a physical Barstool Sportsbook to the state, with the first branded property expected to be launched later this year. Barstool at Hollywood Casino York will be one of several Penn National will open across the state now that it can put the COVID-19 debacle in its rear-view mirror.
Barstool Hits the Ground In Pennsylvania
Barstool already has a significant presence as a mobile sportsbook in Pennsylvania, but doesn’t have any physical venues. Penn National will change that after it opens Hollywood Casino York, which it expects to launch sometime in August. The property is a mini-casino that will be located in a former shopping mall and will include a “Barstool Sportsbook and Bar,” according to the casino’s GM, Ruben Warren.
Penn National has two other casinos in the state, Hollywood Casino in Grantville and The Meadows in Washington, which will carry the Barstool brand, as well. The Hollywood property had a sportsbook before the coronavirus pandemic shut it down and, although a betting window and kiosks are still available, the sports lounge is closed. When it reopens, it will have a new look and a new Barstool name. Another Penn National property coming soon, the Hollywood Casino Morgantown, won’t carry the Barstool brand because of an existing agreement between the property and BetMGM.
Hollywood Casino York is one of several satellite casinos that Pennsylvania has authorized. It is expected to have between 500-750 slot machines and up to 40 table games alongside the sportsbook. The exact date for the opening hasn’t been released, with the property only indicating that it expects to open its doors to the public in “late August.”
Barstool Gives Penn National a Boost
Penn National’s Barstool stake acquisition has proven to be a smart investment. The sportsbook has continued to deliver additional revenue to the gaming operator, helping to offset some of the losses incurred due to COVID-19. In addition to online operations in Pennsylvania, Barstool is active in Indiana, Michigan, and other states, and has been able to deliver solid results. Adding physical sportsbooks in the Keystone State will allow Penn National to broaden its reach and take advantage of robust gaming market.
Despite a significant response to sports gambling in the US, Barstool still has its ups and downs. In April, the company saw gross revenue of $2.6 million, but gave out $2.7 million in promotions and bonuses, putting it in the red for the month. As long as Penn National can help guide the sportsbook toward better decision-making, including with how it sometimes treats its customers, Barstool could ultimately take the top spot in the state as it has intended.