PENN Entertainment announced during its Q2 2024 earnings call the rebrand of eight retail sportsbooks to ESPN BET. However, none of them are at the four Hollywood properties in the company’s home state of Pennsylvania.
PENN Entertainment has not immediately responded to PlayPennsylvania‘s request for a timeline on a potential rebrand for its retail sportsbooks located in its casinos in the Keystone State.
On the earnings call, PENN Entertainment discussed many topics which shed some light on the direction of the company for the time being.
4 Hollywood PA Casinos not getting ESPN BET rebrand, yet
Pennsylvania is one of PENN’s largest markets with four properties in the state, which include:
- Penn National Race Course
- The Meadows
- York
- Morgantown
Notably, Louisiana is the only state that has five PENN casinos. Some of the properties in the Bayou State are rebranding its retail casinos to feature ESPN BET signage, along with the following:
- Hollywood Kansas Speedway (KS)
- L’Auberge Baton Rouge (LA)
- Plainridge Park Casino (MA)
- Hollywood Columbus (OH)
- Hollywood Perryville (MD)
- Hollywood Toledo (OH)
- L’Auberge Lake Charles (LA)
- Margaritaville Bossier City (LA)
In an earnings presentation, the rebrand is expected to be completed this month for the first three casinos on the list. And, the rest will be finished in September.
Despite Pennsylvania having the second-most facilities in any state, not one was on the list. And we’re not sure if there is a timetable for an ESPN BET rebrand.
This story will be updated if PENN responds.
First ESPN BET retail sportsbook opened in April in Detroit casino
The first ESPN BET branded retail sportsbook opened at PENN’s Hollywood Casino at Greektown in Detroit in April, the day before the NFL Draft was held in the Motor City.
The rebranding was a huge success and that sportsbook is now, far and away, the leading retail sports betting operation between the three Detroit casinos.
Is it possible PENN sells a single asset?
In other PENN news, reports of the company selling its business has been swirling as of late. The latest news includes a potential joint acquisition involving Boyd Gaming and Flutter.
Specifically, Boyd Gaming would oversee the PENN’s land-based facilities, while Flutter would acquire ESPN BET. However, during the call, CEO Jay Snowden addressed the rumors in a couple of different ways.
First, Snowden put the interests of investors at top of mind.
“We haven’t commented and won’t comment on market rumors and speculation,” Snowden said. “What I will say is that as a company and as a board, we always have and always will evaluate opportunities to enhance value and will continue to take actions that we believe are in the best interest of the company and our shareholders.”
Then, a question about the sale of a single facility came up, as Snowden offered a little more intel on that process.
“Just remember that our assets, our land-based assets are all part of different leases,” he said. “So, it’s not as simple and easy as you just sell off an asset.”
Snowden admitted to the difficulty of selling just one property at a time. It appears that PENN is going to enter the football season as currently constructed. Further, ESPN BET’s performance during Q4 will certainly shape the direction of the company.
If all goes well, an ESPN BET retail sportsbook will likely come to Pennsylvania.
