PENN Entertainment Launches Multiplayer Blackjack in New Jersey

Multiplayer Blackjack Now Available in New Jersey

Developed by PENN Game Studios, the company’s in-house game development team, Multiplayer Blackjack brings a social gaming experience with live casino elements. Players can create custom private tables to play with friends or join existing public tables from the game lobby.

The game is designed to enhance interaction with other players through features like side bets and emote cards, which allow players to react to in-game actions.

Additionally, the spectator mode enables up to 999 players to watch tables and use the Bet Behind feature to support other players’ hands. Lightning tables and an early lock option cater to seasoned players, letting them play at their own pace.

PENN plans to roll out Multiplayer Blackjack in other jurisdictions where its online casinos operate, pending regulatory approvals.

“By nature, blackjack is a communal game and this new multiplayer option was built to replicate the feeling of sitting at a live casino table,” said Jason Birney, Vice President, Operations, PENN Interactive. “Multiplayer Blackjack is another fun and engaging iCasino game developed by our incredibly accomplished PENN Game Studios team. Having an in-house team is an important asset as we work to introduce compelling new games and differentiate our online casino product.”

PENN Entertainment Expands Online Casino Presence

Hollywood Casino, PENN Entertainment’s flagship online casino brand, is currently available in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia through the ESPN Bet app.

PENN also plans to launch a standalone Hollywood Casino app in Pennsylvania in early 2025, subject to regulatory approval.

The decision to introduce Multiplayer Blackjack aligns with PENN’s strong Q3 financial results, which exceeded expectations. The company adjusted its Penn Interactive Adjusted EBITDA loss guidance to $90-100 million, down from $115-135 million.

A significant factor in this performance was the ESPN Bet platform, which recently received regulatory approval to go live in New York, one of the largest markets in the U.S.

While ESPN Bet faces fierce competition in the sports betting market, PENN Entertainment sees online casinos as a key growth driver. Despite their more limited reach, online casinos have the potential for much higher financial returns than sports betting.