PENN Entertainment Launches Hollywood Casino App in West Virginia

^{PENN Entertainment is expanding its digital footprint with the launch of the Hollywood Casino app in West Virginia. (Image: courtesy of Penn Entertainment)}

PENN Entertainment announced the West Virginia release of its stand-alone Hollywood Casino app earlier this week.

The new platform is now live on iOS, Android, and desktop, and is also accessible via the ESPN BET app, allowing for seamless cross-platform use. Users with ESPN BET accounts can log into the Hollywood Casino app with the same credentials.

Casino apps are a core part of PENN's push to connect their land-based players to online action. 

Games and Features Inside the App

The Hollywood Casino app offers a wide range of gaming options, including online slots, table games, and live dealer tables. The app also pays homage to PENN’s retail casinos with the dedicated “Casino Floor” lobby featuring virtual versions of slot games found at their casinos.

The platform also features original games developed by PENN Game Studios, the company’s in-house studio behind titles like Legendary Larry and Wuji Mines.

PENN currently operates 42 properties in 19 states, including Hollywood Casino, The M Resort, L’Auberge, and Margaritaville Resort and Casino. The company also operates 32 retail sportsbooks across 15 states and an online sportsbook app live in 20 U.S. jurisdictions and Ontario. Its loyalty program, PENN Play, now boasts over 32 million members.

Hollywood Casino Expands Digital Reach

The launch further strengthens PENN’s presence in West Virginia, where it already operates Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. PENN’s entry into West Virginia online casinos adds to its online presence in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, and Ontario (as theScore Casino).

While no financial update was tied directly to the launch, it builds on PENN’s long-term digital growth strategy and adds to their efforts to sell to their retail customer base.

PENN originally announced their plans to release a standalone Hollywood Casino app in August 2024, with launch expectations for early 2025. The app was released first in Pennsylvania, pushing the roll out to December 2024. It went live in Michigan a month later, followed by New Jersey in March 2025. West Virginia now marks the fourth market to get access to the Hollywood Casino app. 

The app launch comes long after a rough experience with Barstool Sports. PENN initially acquired a 36% stake in Barstool Sports back in 2020 to target a younger demographic and later purchased the remaining interest in the company in February 2023. But after regulation issues and a declining market share, the company sold Barstool back to founder Dave Portnoy for $1, taking a $500 million loss.

App Growth in 2025

The same day as the Barstool sale concluded, PENN also announced two major changes. The company announced a $1.5 billion partnership with ESPN to rebrand their online sportsbook as ESPN BET and merged the Barstool online casino with their Hollywood Online Casino in Pennsylvania to focus on expanding their iCasino presence.

PENN’s Q2 2025 earnings presentation highlighted the Hollywood Casino app as a major driver of growth in the company’s Interactive division. In June, the app reached 73% standalone incrementality, meaning nearly three-quarters of gaming revenue came from new or reactivated users. 

With West Virginia’s app now live, PENN is betting that the app’s success in Pennsylvania and Michigan can be replicated in new markets like Charles Town, where it already has a strong retail presence. The launch positions Hollywood Casino as a key digital growth driver alongside ESPN BET.