Latest News
PENN Entertainment Reports Third Quarter Results

PENN Entertainment, Inc. reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Jay Snowden, Chief Executive Officer and President, said: “Our property level performance was stable in the third quarter reflecting solid results from our rated traditional core customer. We continued to see relative strength in several locations, including our casinos in Ohio, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Missouri, which highlights the benefits of our geographically diversified portfolio of premier regional gaming assets and the addition of retail sports betting offerings at many of our properties. Third quarter Interactive segment results reflect curtailed marketing in the U.S. as we prepared to transition our online sportsbook to the ESPN BET brand. Finally, we are excited to announce that we plan to simultaneously launch ESPN BET on November 14 across the 17 states in which we operate online sports betting, subject to final approvals. This strategic alliance is expected to further expand our digital ecosystem and drive re-engagement with the millions of customers in our digital and retail databases, leading to compelling cross-sell opportunities.
Stable Retail Performance
Property level highlights1:
- Revenues of $1.42 billion;
- Adjusted EBITDAR of $523.4 million; and
- Adjusted EBITDAR margins of 36.8%.
“Retail performance this quarter was supported by a slight uptick in volumes from our rated customers, offsetting softness in our unrated segment in the South region, the continued return of our 65+ demographic, and moderate growth in our spend per visit trends,” said Mr. Snowden. “Additionally, our portfolio benefited from new and sustained engagement driven by our market leading retail sportsbook concepts. With the recent launch of our enhanced customer loyalty program, PENN Play™, we have continued to drive database growth and customer engagement. Our database now has over 27 million members, with approximately 40% of our growth for the quarter coming from our online offerings. Our continued investments in technology to improve the customer journey has led to 2.2 million app downloads, and we are seeing a double-digit premium in retail theoretical from guests that engage with us through the PENN Play app versus non app users. Finally, the adoption of our industry leading cashless, cardless and contactless technology (“3C’s”), which is now deployed at twenty-one properties, with more on the way, has resulted in approximately $225 million in deposits into the PENN Wallet.
“We are also pleased to announce that we expect to break ground on our four growth projects throughout November and December of this year. These investments in the aggregate will create long-term shareholder value driven by their attractive return profiles and also contribute to our strong free cash flow generation upon opening in late 2025 and early 2026.
ESPN BET Planned Launch on November 142
Interactive Segment highlights:
- Revenues of $196.3 million (including tax gross up of $102.6 million); and
- Adjusted EBITDA loss of $50.2 million.
“We are extremely excited to announce the planned launch of ESPN BET prior to the active Thanksgiving week sports calendar that includes the NCAA college football rivalry week and the Super Bowl rematch of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles televised on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. ESPN BET will be powered by our proprietary and proven technology platform, which continues to drive impressive performance in Ontario under theScore Bet brand for both online sports betting and iCasino. Our ESPN BET product will include a wide array of popular betting options, including featured bets, quick bets (micro-markets), player props, same game parlays and more. In connection with the launch, ESPN will be implementing an initial wave of exclusive integrations targeting their 200 million loyal fans across their linear and digital platforms, including an advertising campaign headlined by SportsCenter anchors Scott Van Pelt and Elle Duncan. Looking ahead, we will be introducing even deeper platform and media integrations with ESPN over the upcoming months, providing an unmatched and seamless media/betting experience that will appeal to sports fans across the country.
ESG – Caring for our People, our Communities and our Planet
“Reflective of the continued strides we have made to date on the ESG front, Forbes Magazine once again named PENN as one of ‘America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2023’ and ‘America’s Best Large Employers for 2023.’ In addition, Newsweek added PENN to their list of ‘Greatest Workplaces for 2023’ and Time Magazine named PENN one of the ‘World’s Best Companies.’ Finally, on October 4, our Company was once again honored by the Women’s Forum as a 2023 Champion of Board Diversity. During the quarter we updated our Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions inventory for 2022 and are finalizing our 2022 Scope 3 inventory, the results of which will be included in our Corporate Social Responsibility Report in April 2024. In addition to alignment with the Casino and Gaming industry standard of the SASB reporting framework, we are working toward alignment with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”). We also recently submitted our inaugural CDP climate-change disclosure.”
Liquidity Remains Strong
Total liquidity as of September 30, 2023 was $2.3 billion inclusive of $1.3 billion in cash and cash equivalents. Traditional net debt as of the end of the quarter was $1.3 billion and the lease-adjusted net leverage ratio was 4.7x.
Additional information on PENN’s reported results, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP results to their most comparable GAAP measures, is included in the financial tables below. The Company does not provide a reconciliation of projected Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR because it is unable to predict with reasonable accuracy the value of certain adjustments that may significantly impact the Company’s results, including realized and unrealized gains and losses on equity securities, re-measurement of cash-settled stock-based awards, contingent purchase payments associated with prior acquisitions, and income tax (benefit) expense, which are dependent on future events that are out of the Company’s control or that may not be reasonably predicted.
Summary of Third Quarter Results
|
For the three months ended September 30, |
|||||
(in millions, except per share data, unaudited) |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
Revenues |
$ |
1,619.4 |
|
|
$ |
1,625.0 |
Net income (loss) |
$ |
(725.1 |
) |
|
$ |
123.2 |
|
|
|
|
|||
Adjusted EBITDA (1) |
$ |
298.5 |
|
|
$ |
440.4 |
Rent expense associated with triple net operating leases (2) |
|
146.6 |
|
|
|
31.5 |
Adjusted EBITDAR (1) |
$ |
445.1 |
|
|
$ |
471.9 |
Payments to our REIT Landlords under Triple Net Leases (3) |
$ |
235.0 |
|
|
$ |
232.0 |
|
|
|
|
|||
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share |
$ |
(4.80 |
) |
|
$ |
0.72 |
(1) |
|
For more information, definitions, and reconciliations see the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below. |
(2) |
|
Consists of the operating lease components contained within our triple net master lease dated November 1, 2013 with Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (Nasdaq: GLPI) (“GLPI”) that was amended and restated effective January 1, 2023 (referred to as the AR PENN Master Lease and prior to January 1, 2023 referred to as the PENN Master Lease); our triple net master lease effective January 1, 2023 entered in conjunction with and coterminous to the AR PENN Master Lease (referred to as the 2023 Master Lease); our individual triple net lease with GLPI for the real estate assets used in the operations of Hollywood Casino at The Meadows prior to the effective date of the 2023 Master Lease (referred to as the Meadows Lease); our individual triple net lease with GLPI for the real estate assets used in the operations of Tropicana Las Vegas which terminated on September 26, 2022 (referred to as the Tropicana Lease); as well as our individual triple net leases with VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE: VICI) (“VICI”) for the real estate assets used in the operations of Margaritaville Resort Casino (referred to as the Margaritaville Lease) and Hollywood Casino at Greektown (referred to as the Greektown Lease) and referred to collectively as our “triple net operating leases.” For the three months ended September 30, 2023, rent expense associated with triple net operating leases pertains to (i) the AR PENN Master Lease; (ii) the 2023 Master Lease; (iii) the Margaritaville Lease; and (iv) the Greektown Lease. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, rent expense associated with triple net operating leases pertains to (i) the PENN Master Lease (specific to the land and building components associated with the operations of Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course); (ii) the Meadows Lease; (iii) the Margaritaville Lease; (iv) the Greektown Lease; and (v) the Tropicana Lease which terminated on September 26, 2022. |
(3) |
|
Consists of payments made to GLPI and VICI (referred to collectively as our “REIT Landlords”) under the AR PENN Master Lease, the PENN Master Lease, the 2023 Master Lease, the Pinnacle Master Lease, the Meadows Lease (prior to the effective date of the 2023 Master Lease), the Perryville Lease (prior to the effective date of the 2023 Master Lease), the Margaritaville Lease, the Greektown Lease, the Morgantown Lease, and the Tropicana Lease and collectively referred to as our “Triple Net Leases.” The rent under the Tropicana Lease was nominal prior to lease termination. |
Adjusted EPS
The following table reconciles diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) to Adjusted EPS (approximate EPS impact shown, per share; positive adjustments represent charges to income):
|
For the three months ended September 30, |
||||||
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
$ |
(4.80 |
) |
|
$ |
0.72 |
|
Impairment losses |
|
— |
|
|
|
0.60 |
|
Business interruption insurance proceeds |
|
(0.09 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Transaction related expenses |
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
0.26 |
|
Non-operating items: |
|
|
|
||||
Loss on disposal of Barstool |
|
6.12 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Loss related to debt and equity investments |
|
— |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
Foreign currency transaction gain |
|
Compliance Updates
Zimpler Becomes Certified Payment Institution in Brazil, Strengthens Local Open Finance Ecosystem

Zimpler, a leading Swedish company in Pay-by-bank solutions, has become a certified Payment Institution (PI) in Brazil, authorized by the Central Bank. Now Zimpler is allowed to facilitate payments and other Open Finance ecosystem resources, streamlining the checkout process and reducing friction by allowing direct transactions without redirecting users to bank apps. This movement solidifies Zimpler’s plans and structure in Brazil.
“We are thrilled to receive this authorization from the Brazilian Central Bank. The recognition of Zimpler as a payment initiator reinforces our commitment to this local market, which offers a great opportunity for growth and value in a very dynamic and competitive environment,” said Johan Strand, CEO of Zimpler.
The authorization, which also allows Zimpler to act as an electronic money institution, strengthens the Open Finance ecosystem in Brazil, one of the most advanced in the world and which now welcomes the leading payments fintech from Sweden. Businesses looking to thrive in the country can now benefit from the Zimpler’s seamless payment experience, giving them a competitive edge in a dynamic and fast-moving market.
“This milestone showcases the strength of Swedish innovation and the mutual benefits that come from closer economic collaboration between Sweden and Brazil. Sweden has long been a leader in financial technology, and we are proud to see companies like Zimpler bring their experience and trusted solutions to contribute to Brazil’s dynamic digital economy,” said Andreas Rentner, Trade Commissioner and Country Manager of Business Sweden in Brazil.
“With our experience powering over 80% of Sweden’s population through Swish, we’re bringing the same proven technology and approach to Brazil through Pix, one of the most successful real-time payment systems in the world. We’re looking forward to helping businesses unlock the full potential of Open Finance in Brazil with seamless, secure payments that drive market growth,” Strand said.
The authorization by the Central Bank is another step in strengthening Zimpler’s foundation in Brazil, following the opening of its São Paulo office in 2022. The company remains focused on expanding its footprint and deepening its partnerships across key verticals such as iGaming, where it sees strong growth potential.
Latest News
AGS Interactive Makes Market Debut in Connecticut

AGS Interactive has made its market debut in Connecticut, taking a selection of its best-performing games live in the Constitution State.
Local players in Connecticut can now enjoy three of AGS’ hit titles, with Capital Gains, Blazing Luck, and Dragon Fa initially available, all proven with both land-based and online players across North America.
AGS plans to roll out its full interactive portfolio, ensuring a steady cadence of new content for operators and players alike.
The launch represents AGS’ sixth regulated US market entry, further extending its footprint across the country and cementing its position as a supplier of beloved land-based classics with cunning interactive forward games.
Zoe Ebling, VP of Interactive at AGS, said: “Entering Connecticut is a huge milestone for us. It’s not just another market, it’s a testament to the momentum our interactive division has built across the US.
“By bringing Capital Gains, Blazing Luck, and Dragon Fa to Connecticut players, we’re giving them a taste of our best-in-class titles right out of the gate. Every new state launch is a fresh opportunity to show operators that AGS doesn’t just deliver games, we deliver experiences that resonate. We’ve seen firsthand how our land-based hits translate online, and we’re excited to roll out even more content throughout the year.”
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NFL Announces Partnership with ICRG

The National Football League (NFL) announced a partnership with the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) to address growing concerns around gambling behaviors among college athletes and students. The NFL Foundation will contribute $600,000 over three years to support independent, peer-reviewed research being led by the ICRG that aims to explore the prevalence, risk factors, and impacts of gambling behaviors in these populations.
While initial studies have indicated that college athletes may be at higher risk for gambling problems, there remains a lack of comprehensive, current data on how college populations interact with online sports betting platforms. This NFL-ICRG initiative will empower independent researchers to explore a wide range of topics with the goal of informing data-driven prevention strategies, education, and policies aimed at reducing gambling-related harm. Grant applications will be peer-reviewed prior to the selection of the final recipient by the ICRG Independent Scientific Advisory Board.
Additionally, the NFL will fund an update to the ICRG’s “Talking with Children About Gambling” educational resources to equip parents, coaches, and educators with practical guidance to help prevent youth gambling exposure before college. Educational materials will be widely available online and distributed to schools, community sports organizations, and youth programs nationwide.
“We’re proud to partner with the ICRG to advance research that can drive meaningful solutions and address a critical gap in the understanding of gambling behaviors among college athletes and students. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting responsible gambling and fostering a safe and supportive environment for athletes, fans, and communities,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL senior vice president of social responsibility.
“The NFL has once again demonstrated its commitment to player and fan protection by supporting this critical research targeting young adults. The NFL and ICRG together will make a meaningful contribution to understanding and implementing policies and programs that support a safer gambling environment,” said Arthur Paikowsky, president of ICRG.
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