Barstool Sportsbook is officially in Maryland.
Last summer, Hollywood Casino Perryville partnered with Penn National Gaming ahead of the launch of retail sports betting in Maryland. PNG owns more than a third of the Barstool sports betting platform. Because of this, it was expected the media company would boast a presence in the Old Line State.
Despite the partnership, Hollywood Casino operated its initial sportsbook under its own branding for the first five months of retail sports betting. But on June 6, the sportsbook officially converted to the Barstool brand.
While it has been operating since Monday, the casino is hosting a grand opening for the sportsbook on Friday, June 10. The event will feature a guest appearance from Ed Norris, the popular Baltimore radio host of the Big Bad Morning Show on 105.7 The Fan.
How Barstool got here
Penn National originally developed Hollywood Casino Perryville, located roughly 40 miles from Baltimore, in 2010. After selling to Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI) in 2020, the company re-acquired the property’s operations last year, with rent of $7.77 million per year going to GLPI.
The acquisition got final approval from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission on May 27, 2021.
What’s next for Barstool Sportsbook in Maryland?
As mentioned above, Hollywood Casino Perryville now carries the Barstool brand as of June 6. While the casino has operated its sportsbook since December 2021, the excitement the Barstool logo will bring is palpable.
“This acquisition provides yet another opportunity for Penn National to expand our unique omni-channel platform as we expect to introduce a Barstool Sportsbook-branded retail sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Perryville and mobile app to players across Maryland,” Jay Snowden, President and CEO of Penn National, said in a release last year.
Penn has 42 properties across 20 states. As in many other states, the company sees Hollywood Casino Perryville as a way to strategically position itself in Maryland ahead of a potential mobile sports betting launch later this year.
Pictured above is the build-up to the opening of Barstool Sportsbook in Detroit’s Hollywood Casino, which was recently re-branded from Greektown Casino as part of PNG’s strategic marketing efforts.
What will the Barstool Sportsbook look like?
While the exact dimensions for the Maryland casino’s new sportsbook are not yet available, we can look at other states for an idea.
A Barstool Sportsbook recently opened at Hollywood Casino in Grantville, Penn., in March. Within the 12,000-square-foot venue, one can find a large Jumbotron, accompanied by up to 30 smaller television screens. If that isn’t enough, the comfortable seating the sportsbook boasts makes for a relaxed environment while watching bets unfold.
Additionally, we can expect there to be multiple food options available to Maryland bettors. For instance, construction at Hollywood Casino Perryville has already begun for the Barstool Sportsbook restaurant, though it won’t be completed until Fall 2022.
At Hollywood Casino Morgantown, launched in December 2021, one can order food from the sportsbook itself, as well as two restaurants and an additional bar. For a closer look, check out PlayUSA’s tour of the Morgantown Barstool book.
Of course, the sportsbook in Perryville boasts a wide variety of sports betting options with at least eight computer kiosks and four ticket writer stations.
How Hollywood Casino Perryville has fared in sports betting
In May, Hollywood Casino Perryville saw over $1.2 million in total handle, holding on to 9.2% of that. Since the retail sports betting launch in December, the casino has seen over $8.3 million in total handle. Meanwhile, its hold percentage is 9.8%.
Out of the five casinos that contain a sportsbook, Hollywood ranks fourth in total handle. MGM National Harbor and Live! Casino & Hotel make up over 75% of the state’s collective handle of over $155.6 million. Horseshoe Baltimore, meanwhile, is third at $23.4 million.
Ocean Downs Casino rounds out the handle, having brought in $6.5 million since December.
For the latest on online sports betting in the state, follow PlayMaryland‘s Live Updates page.
