Penn’s ESPN Bet gives Massachusetts regulators pause, but is okayed for Nov. 14 launch

Penn’s ESPN Bet gives Massachusetts regulators pause, but is okayed for Nov. 14 launch

Article brief provided by State House News Service
  • Colin A. Young, State House News Service
November 7, 2023 9:07 PM
  • Colin A. Young, State House News Service

The blurred lines between sports media and sports betting were in the spotlight of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Tuesday as regulators probed the marketing deal between Penn Entertainment and the self-proclaimed worldwide leader in sports, ESPN.

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At issue was whether the MGC would require anything more of Penn, which operates Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville and the Barstool Sportsbook mobile betting app, or otherwise stand in the way of the planned Nov. 14 launch of the newly rebranded ESPN BET mobile wagering platform. After more than 90 minutes of back-and-forth with Chris Rogers, Penn’s executive vice president, chief strategy officer and secretary, the commission decided it wouldn’t block the launch but made clear that it wants Penn and ESPN to share more information about how bright lines between the entities will be established.