PENN Entertainment to Launch Standalone Hollywood Casino App in Pennsylvania

PENN Entertainment plans to launch a dedicated Hollywood Casino app in Pennsylvania by early 2025, marking a fresh approach to its online casino strategy in one of the country’s most robust iGaming markets. PENN, which has already garnered significant attention through its ESPN BET partnership, is shifting focus to create a standalone app tailored specifically for online casino users.

According to PENN CEO Jay Snowden, the upcoming app is expected to better serve Pennsylvania’s large iGaming audience and help PENN capture more market share in the state’s competitive online casino scene. This new initiative highlights PENN’s strategy to leverage its extensive presence in Pennsylvania, where it operates four Hollywood-branded retail casino locations.

Strategic goals for the new app include:

• Aligning the online experience with physical casinos to create a seamless customer journey.

• Addressing previous challenges with customer confusion in the combined ESPN BET platform.

• Delivering an intuitive, dedicated experience for casino-focused players.

By separating the Hollywood Casino brand from ESPN BET, PENN intends to clarify messaging to customers primarily interested in iGaming rather than sports betting. Snowden described the current setup as “messy,” where users familiar with Hollywood’s brand were directed to download the ESPN BET app for casino games. PENN expects to remove these hurdles and optimize the experience for casino enthusiasts.

Expected features of the Hollywood Casino app:

• Nearly 600 games, including slots, table games, and live dealer options.

• Potential expansion of offerings beyond the current ESPN BET app selection.

• Enhanced cross-promotional opportunities linking PENN’s digital and retail channels.

Competitors with standalone casino apps have successfully boosted customer engagement, and Snowden anticipates similar results for PENN’s new platform. While the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) does not separate revenue statistics for each brand, Snowden believes the app could achieve a meaningful market share, building on Hollywood Casino’s previous “high single digits” performance in the state.

Additional advantages of the app:

• Cross-promotions encouraging players to visit both online and physical casino locations.

• Optimized user experience tailored for iGaming enthusiasts.

• Strengthened brand presence in Pennsylvania’s competitive iGaming market.

The new app will include in-app offers tied to PENN’s physical locations, encouraging engagement across both digital and retail channels, and solidifying Hollywood Casino’s presence in the Keystone State’s online casino landscape.

Conclusion: This standalone app reflects PENN’s commitment to enhancing the player experience and expanding its iGaming footprint in Pennsylvania.