Regional casino operator Penn National Gaming has revealed that it is in the process of preparing to test-launch its much-anticipated real-money sportsbook that features the Barstool Sports brand in Pennsylvania.
The test-launch is scheduled to take place between 15th and 17th September 2020 after having been approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, pending final iOS app approval. It is predicted that permanent operation will be ready by 18th September 2020.
The operator is then aiming to launch the app in additional states in the next few months.
The long anticipated mobile site is the 10th that will be operational in Pennsylvania and according to Penn National Officials, almost $10 million has been spent by them on the development, which is due to launch in Pennsylvania before the company’s other states and includes re-branding of retail sportsbook to take on the Barstool name.
An amount of $163 million was paid by Penn National in January in order to acquire a one-third ownership of Barstool and gain access to its wide database of young, mostly male followers who are interested in sports and wagering.
Jay Snowden, President and Chief Executive Officer at Penn National, commented that the Barstool Sportsbook app is the centerpiece of their Company’s omni-channel strategy.
Snowden also said that since forming their exclusive sports betting and igaming partnership with Barstool Sports in January, their product, marketing and operations teams have worked hand-in-hand with Barstool’s top talent, including Dave Portnoy and Dan ‘Big Cat’ Katz, to create a sports betting experience that they are confident will appeal to Barstools army of loyal followers as well as their extensive database of existing casino customers and sports betting fans at large.\a