PENN Entertainment planned to replace Barstool Sportsbook with ESPN BET in November, with the launch date still unannounced, according to the report. PENN officials told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission that the changes would focus mainly on marketing rather than changes to the platform’s technology or offerings.
The transition may affect how operators compete for sports bettors and market their brands in the US.
Quarter ended 30 September 2026
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PENN Entertainment plans to increase its lobbying activity in Texas after the US midterm elections, chief executive Jay Snowden said during the company’s third-quarter earnings call. He said the company was prepared to expand its presence as legalisation discussions develop, but election results do not ensure legislation will advance. Texas would need a constitutional amendment approved by two-thirds of both legislative chambers and then a statewide vote to legalise casino gambling or sports betting.
PENN Entertainment's chief executive said losses in its interactive unit are largely behind the business, according to the report. The company also said its early performance in Alberta was in line with the market share it had built in Ontario.
PENN Entertainment and ESPN agreed to end their online betting partnership, with PENN planning to relaunch theScore Bet in the US. PENN said the ESPN Bet app would be phased out on 1 December; the companies had entered a 10-year agreement in 2023, with provisions allowing an earlier exit.
The NCAA’s revised rule allowing student-athletes and athletic department staff to bet on professional sports takes effect on 22 November, the report said. The rule permits bets by those aged 21 or older through legal operators, while betting on college sports and sharing non-public information remain prohibited. The NCAA said the change does not endorse sports betting and will provide education on risk awareness and responsible gambling.
PENN Entertainment plans to launch ESPN BET in about 18 US jurisdictions where its Barstool Sportsbook is currently licensed and operating, according to the report. It has no market access in New York or Connecticut, and the report said PENN had applied for a licence in Vermont; the company had pointed to a November launch without specifying a date.