PENN Entertainment Reports Strong Q3 2024 Results for Digital Operations
PENN Entertainment has released its preliminary Q3 2024 results and Penn Interactive is beating expectations. The interactive division, which includes the ESPN Bet platform, is still exceeding expectations and that’s good for the overall company as we head into 2025.
Retail Operations Disrupted
PENN Entertainment expects Retail Operations Adjusted EBITDAR for Q3 2024 to be $465-475 million.
Retail is stable but was negatively impacted by around $10 million due to bad hold and volume decline. That was due to severe weather and ongoing hotel remodel.
Digital Segment Beats Expectations
One of the big highlights of the Q3 results is the digital segment. PENN has reduced its Penn Interactive Adjusted EBITDA loss guidance to $90-100 million from $115-135 million.
That’s due to better hold rates, which were driven by more parlay bets and less promotional spend.
The ESPN Bet platform was a big part of that. Just got regulatory approval to go live in New York and that’s one of the biggest markets in the US.
Despite the competitive sports betting space, PENN Entertainment is still confident in ESPN Bet’s long term success and growth.
Challenges and Future for ESPN Bet
Despite the good news, PENN Interactive has had internal challenges. In an email last week, Jay Snowden, CEO of PENN Entertainment, said layoffs are coming in the interactive division, including ESPN Bet. He said those layoffs would be limited and thanked the affected employees.
PENN will still invest in talent and technology to grow its digital offerings, including the ESPN Bet platform.
Industry experts are still optimistic about ESPN Bet’s future. Current projections have it profitable by 2026 if it maintains its 7% market share.
With continued investment and tweaks, it can grow in a competitive space.
Full Q3 Results November 7
PENN Entertainment will release full Q3 results on November 7, 2024. They will not provide any additional guidance on the preliminary results until then.
Retail is stable and interactive is looking good, with retail as the base and interactive (especially ESPN Bet) showing growth.
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