Penn Entertainment to Launch Hollywood Online Casino App Early Next Year
Penn Entertainment, led by CEO Jay Snowden, recently announced its intention to introduce a standalone online casino application for Hollywood Casino in early 2025. This move, disclosed during a recent earnings call, marks a significant shift in the company’s digital gaming strategy, aimed at enhancing accessibility and user experience for Hollywood Casino enthusiasts.
At present, Hollywood Casino patrons access the platform solely through the ESPN Bet sports betting application, which limits access to states where online gambling is legal.
Snowden emphasized during the earnings call that Hollywood Casino appears to be the only major player lacking a dedicated standalone application, underscoring the importance of this upcoming development.
Snowden’s assurance of the early 2025 rollout, possibly even earlier, reflects Penn Entertainment’s proactive approach to meeting user needs and market demands.
By simplifying the online casino experience, the company aims to alleviate the current friction experienced by players navigating through the ESPN Bet platform to access Hollywood Casino’s offerings.
During the earnings call, optimism regarding Penn’s online casino business’s trajectory was evident, with Snowden noting significant improvements and emphasizing its potential for driving growth and profitability.
Todd George, Penn’s Vice President of Operations, echoed Snowden’s sentiments, expressing excitement about Hollywood Casino’s forthcoming offerings. George highlighted the promising volumes observed in the iCasino segment, indicating growing consumer interest in online casino games.
Moreover, George hinted at potential synergies between sports and casino gaming, citing the success of a sports-themed casino game in Toronto.
The decision to introduce standalone online casino applications mirrors a broader trend in the industry, as companies strive to cater to the unique preferences and demographics of casino enthusiasts. By providing dedicated casino platforms, companies like Penn Entertainment aim to streamline marketing efforts and enhance brand appeal.
A key driver of this trend is the distinct demographic profile of casino players, which differs from that of sports bettors. While sportsbook branding typically resonates more with male audiences, casino games tend to have a more gender-neutral appeal, with certain games appealing more to female players.
Penn Entertainment recently underwent a rebranding effort, transitioning its online casino from the Barstool brand to Hollywood. This shift has yielded positive results, with revenue surging post-transition.
The decision to position the Hollywood brand as a standalone entity, separate from ESPN Bet, reflects a strategic pivot towards enhancing brand visibility and appeal within the competitive online gambling landscape.
The success of this rebranding initiative suggests that the previous association with the “dudebro” aesthetic of Barstool may have inadvertently deterred potential customers. By allowing the Hollywood brand to shine independently, Penn Entertainment seeks to capitalize on its unique identity and appeal to a broader audience base.
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