Legal Maryland sports betting will soon be underway. Now, one potential sportsbook is already gearing up for a launch in the state: Barstool Sportsbook.
It’s all part of the company’s multi-step approach to gambling in MD.
In May, Penn National Gaming (PNG), which owns more than a third of the Barstool sports betting platform, announced the re-acquisition of Hollywood Casino Perryville from Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI).
Now, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency has formally signed off on the deal. And company officials are already looking ahead to Barstool Sports retail and mobile sports betting in Maryland.
Barstool Sportsbook in Maryland?
Penn National originally developed Hollywood Casino Perryville in 2010. Company executives announced in December their plans to reacquire the property’s operations, with rent of $7.77 million per year going to GLPI.
The MD Lotto signed off on the deal on May 27.
Penn has 42 properties across 20 states. The company sees Hollywood Casino Perryville as a way to strategically position itself. It could lead to a retail Barstool Sportsbook (like ones in other US states). Additionally, the company hopes it’ll lead to a mobile sports betting license so the Barstool Sportsbook app is available Maryland-wide.
As Jay Snowden, president and CEO of Penn National, stated about the Perryville casino acquisition:
“We are thrilled to welcome both new and former team members to the Penn National family. We look forward to hitting the ground running in what promises to be an exciting time following the recent legalization of sports wagering in Maryland. 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 sports book at Hollywood Casino Perryville and mobile app to players across Maryland.”
Allie Evangelista has been named the new general manager of the Perryville casino. She previously held the GM role at Penn National’s Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Ohio.
Matt Heiskell, the former Hollywood Casino Perryville GM, will now oversee Hollywood Casino Tunica and 1st Jackpot Casino in Mississippi.
Barstool in the DMV
Currently, Barstool Sportsbook doesn’t have a presence in the DMV.
Washington, DC, has a unique market with multiple barriers to entry. In Virginia, though, the VA Lottery issued Penn Sports Interactive, LLC (Barstool) a sports betting permit way back on March 15. However, a company official told PlayMaryland that they expect a mobile version of the Barstool Sportsbook to launch in Virginia in time for the fall NFL and NCAA football season.
Like VA, which was the first state to reach $1 billion in wagers, Maryland could prove to be a very competitive market.
Maryland’s six casinos will receive Class A licenses. So, too, will the Maryland Jockey Club and the MD venues for three professional sports teams. The list includes:
Additionally, 30 Class B licenses could be issued to smaller businesses that want to open retail sportsbooks.
The actual market driver, though, will be the online sportsbooks. Maryland could issue licenses to up to 60 mobile operators, including Barstool, DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel, and other known brands.
