PENN Entertainment has announced a partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which secures online market access for ESPN BET in Washington D.C.
The deal is described as a long-term, multi-channel partnership. Subject to regulatory approval, ESPN BET will become Monumental’s sports betting partner for its sports properties, including the Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Mystics (WNBA), and Washington Capitals (NHL).
The ESPN BET brand will be prominently featured at the various sporting properties. The deal includes in-arena and TV-visible signage, ‘out-of-home advertising,’ and ‘unique hospitality and experiences.’
Monumental Sports Network will show ESPN BET custom broadcast integrations and specific tailored features in Capitals and Wizards matches.
Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, commented in a release: “We are thrilled to join forces with PENN Entertainment and align with ESPN BET, a leading brand across the sports and entertainment landscape.”
He continued: “This partnership furthers our collective commitment to offering fans unique, cutting-edge experiences that reflect the future of sports entertainment, with ESPN BET’s innovative platform adding a new layer of engagement for our fans, both inside and outside the arena.”
“We are proud to partner with Monumental Sports and its teams to unite the energy of D.C. sports with our world-class platform,” added Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer, PENN Entertainment. “This deal expands our footprint in the region, further connecting ESPN BET with one of America’s most passionate sports communities. Our presence alongside the Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics positions ESPN BET at the center of the action where sports, technology, and fan experience converge.”
PENN continues to roll out the ESPN BET brand
ESPN BET is now available online in 19 states. The brand becomes the sixth online operator in the Nation’s Capital. Just seven months prior, a sole operator, GambetDC, had held exclusive rights to online D.C. sports betting since May 2020. The revamp in online sports betting legislation allows up to seven online sports betting skins, with each sports franchise permitted to partner with one operator.
PENN has also revealed that the sportsbook at ten of its brick-and-mortar casino properties will be rebranded ESPN BET in the coming months:
- Colorado – Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk
- Indiana – Ameristar Casino East Chicago
- Indiana – Hollywood Casino and Hotel Lawrenceburg
- Iowa – Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs
- Ohio – Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway
- Ohio – Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course
- Pennsylvania – Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
- Pennsylvania – Hollywood Casino at The Meadows
- Pennsylvania – Hollywood Casino York
- West Virginia – Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
This will bring the total number of ESPN BET branded sportsbooks at its properties to 19. The abovementioned properties will join existing retail books in Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, and Ohio.
At PENN’s last earnings call, the company lauded the successful integration of a feature allowing customers to link their ESPN and ESPN BET accounts. LeBerge said: “We’ve had tens of thousands of people link already and, as you would expect, they are placing more bets, so that means higher GGR, higher handle.”