Penn National Gaming (PNG) has a tentative target for an online Barstool Sportsbook in New Jersey.
During an interview Tuesday with CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” PNG CEO Jay Snowden said the regional gaming operator hopes to launch later this spring.
“(We will) be live in New Jersey…probably by the end of May,” Snowden said.
PNG and Greenwood Racing are joint owners of Freehold Raceway, one of three licensed racetracks in NJ to offer legal sports betting. PNG also co-owns Barstool Sports.
Freehold Raceway’s retail sportsbook operates under the Parx brand. PlayUp and Barstool will use two of the racetrack’s three online sportsbook skins.
PlayUp has secured its NJ sports betting license and is expected to be live in the Garden State soon.
Fine print: pending approval from NJ gaming regulators
As of Thursday, neither PNG nor its digital arm, Penn Interactive, has applied with NJ gaming regulators to conduct sports wagering.
It often takes regulators at the state Division of Gaming Enforcement several weeks to complete an investigation of a gaming applicant.
Combined with Barstool’s controversial reputation, NJ’s approval process could take a tad bit longer than it did elsewhere for PNG.
Holding our breath for Barstool Sportsbook
Barstool Sportsbook’s arrival in NJ has been anticipated for some time. The Barstool brand is expected to be a competitive addition to the Garden State’s 19 online sportsbooks.
But just how well Barstool will perform in a crowded NJ market is anyone’s guess.
The market’s two biggest names, FanDuel and DraftKings, have a considerable head start. Both of the industry giants launched mobile apps in New Jersey back in 2018.
During an earnings call last month, Snowden said he expects Barstool to compete with the big boys.
“What I think you should assume is that we are going to be top three,” he said. “We said that before we ever launched and we’re delivering on that. We’re going to be profitable faster than anyone else, and we’re delivering on that and continue to deliver on that pledge, again, faster than anybody else.”
Where else will Barstool Sportsbook be?
Snowden said Barstool Sportsbook expects to go live in more states by the start of the NFL season. Barstool is already offering bets in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Illinois, with Indiana likely to launch in April, he said.
With several more states considering online sportsbooks, Snowden said places like Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, and Ohio are also on PNG’s radar.
As far as those New Jersey plans, more details are expected soon.
Add Barstool Sportsbook’s name to the list of pending NJ sports betting apps to watch.
And, if May is indeed the target launch date, Barstool and Penn National will have a lot more to say about this topic real soon.