PENN Rebrands ESPN Bet as theScore Bet in Sports Betting Shift
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 01 2025
0mins
Should l Buy PENN?
Source: SeekingAlpha
Rebranding Announcement: PENN Entertainment has successfully rebranded its online sports betting platform to theScore Bet, now operational in 21 U.S. jurisdictions, including Missouri, with a seamless transition for existing ESPN Bet customers.
Market Challenges: The rebranding comes as ESPN Bet has struggled to capture market share against competitors like FanDuel and DraftKings, facing issues such as high user acquisition costs and product integration delays.
Strategic Shift: PENN aims to leverage theScore's established brand equity in Canada to enhance its presence in the U.S. market, focusing on delivering rewards, offers, and promotions to attract users.
Stock Performance: Following the announcement, PENN's shares rose 0.7%, although the stock has seen a decline of over 24% year-to-date.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy PENN?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on PENN
Wall Street analysts forecast PENN stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 12.410
Low
14.15
Averages
19.38
High
26.00
Current: 12.410
Low
14.15
Averages
19.38
High
26.00
About PENN
PENN Entertainment, Inc. is a provider of integrated entertainment, sports content, and casino gaming experiences. The Company operates in 28 jurisdictions throughout North America, with a broadly diversified portfolio of casinos, racetracks, and online sports betting and iCasino offerings under brands including Hollywood Casino, L’Auberge, ESPN BET, and theScore BET Sportsbook and Casino. Its segments include Northeast, South, West, Midwest, and Interactive. The Northeast segment includes Ameristar East Chicago, Hollywood Casino at Greektown, and Hollywood Casino Bangor. The South segment includes 1st Jackpot Casino, Ameristar Vicksburg, Boomtown New Orleans, and L’Auberge Baton Rouge. The West segment includes Ameristar Black Hawk, M Resort Spa Casino, and Zia Park Casino. The Midwest segment includes Ameristar Council Bluffs, Hollywood Casino Aurora, and River City Casino. Its Interactive segment includes online sports betting, online casino/iCasino, and social gaming operations.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Comparison of AGNC and Vici REIT Yields
- AGNC Yield Attraction: AGNC boasts an eye-catching forward yield of 12.8%, and while its projected EPS of $1.51 covers the $1.44 dividend, its declining earnings indicate a potential high-yield trap, suggesting caution for investors.
- Cost of Financing Pressure: AGNC generates cash by selling mortgage-backed securities (MBS), but with short-term rates exceeding long-term rates, its financing costs have risen, limiting profitability; if the real estate market remains sluggish, dividend cuts may be on the horizon.
- Vici's Stability: In contrast, Vici Properties, as an equity REIT, owns 93 entertainment properties and has maintained a 100% occupancy rate since its 2018 IPO, with projected adjusted funds from operations expected to grow 4%-5% by 2025, showcasing strong profitability and stable dividend payments.
- Leasing Model Advantage: Vici's leases are tied to the Consumer Price Index, allowing for rent increases in line with inflation, and its triple-net lease structure requires tenants to cover maintenance and taxes, further enhancing financial stability and dividend growth potential.
See More
Crypto.com Launches OG Predictions App Ahead of Super Bowl LX
- Market Opportunity: Crypto.com has launched the OG predictions app to capitalize on Super Bowl LX, the largest gambling event in the U.S., where Americans are expected to wager $1.76 billion legally, thus seizing a significant market opportunity.
- Significant Business Growth: CEO Kris Marszalek reported a roughly 40-fold week-over-week growth in the company's event contracts business over the past six months, indicating strong demand and growth potential in the prediction market sector.
- Intensifying Competitive Landscape: Despite the favorable timing for the OG app launch, the implied probability of Crypto.com advertising during the Super Bowl is only 15%, reflecting the NFL's prohibition of prediction markets in its advertising, which complicates user acquisition efforts.
- Innovative Financial Engineering: The partnership with Trump Media has expanded into a dedicated treasury vehicle, set to trade publicly under the ticker MCGA via a merger with Yorkville Acquisition Corp, providing investors with a unique proxy to engage with the Crypto.com ecosystem.
See More
BofA Analyst: Online Sports Betting Remains Focus in 2026
- Gaming Sector Outlook: BofA analyst Shaun C. Kelley noted that despite softer trends in Las Vegas, regional casinos, and Asia, online sports betting remains the focal point for investors in 2026, indicating market uncertainty.
- Earnings Forecast Update: Kelley updated forecasts for Las Vegas, regional casinos, and Macau, highlighting that gaming stocks fell about 9% in Q4, with U.S. operators down roughly 4%, Macau stocks off 13%, and digital gaming stocks plummeting 23%.
- Diverging Performance in Las Vegas: Although Kelley’s Q4 estimates are modestly below market expectations, Las Vegas locals are performing well, with BofA's estimates exceeding consensus, indicating potential resilience in the regional market.
- Regional Market Trends: In Macau, Kelley expects Q4 EBITDA to align with market expectations, driven by strong performance from MGM China, while Singapore's Marina Bay Sands may modestly outperform due to the F1 event, showcasing diverging trends in regional markets.
See More
Realty Income's 98.7% Occupancy Rate and 5.3% Dividend Yield
- High Occupancy Rate: Realty Income, with over 15,500 commercial properties, achieved a 98.7% occupancy rate in the latest quarter, indicating its ability to attract tenants amid economic uncertainty, thereby ensuring stable rental income and shareholder returns.
- Stable Dividend Yield: The company has raised its dividend 132 times since its IPO, currently offering a forward yield of 5.3%, with expected AFFO per share growth to $4.25-$4.27 by 2025, comfortably covering its $3.22 dividend payout.
- Diversified Tenant Base: Vici Properties, owning 93 entertainment venues, maintains a 100% occupancy rate by locking tenants into long-term leases tied to the Consumer Price Index, ensuring stable cash flow even during economic fluctuations.
- Data Center Growth Potential: Digital Realty expects its core FFO per share to rise 8%-9% to $7.25-$7.30 by 2025, and while its current yield is about 3%, its expansion in cloud and AI markets positions it as a solid long-term investment.
See More
REITs Poised for Recovery as Fed Cuts Rates, 2025 AFFO Growth Expected
- REIT Market Recovery: With the Fed cutting rates six times in a row in 2024 and 2025, the attractiveness of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) is rising again, likely drawing in more income-driven investors and driving up valuations.
- Realty Income's Strong Performance: Realty Income, owning over 15,500 commercial properties, reported a 98.7% occupancy rate in the latest quarter and expects its adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) to grow 1%-2% to $4.25-$4.27 per share in 2025, ensuring its $3.22 per share dividend payment.
- Vici Properties' Rent Growth: Vici Properties has maintained a 100% occupancy rate since its 2018 IPO and expects its AFFO per share to rise 4%-5% to $2.36-$2.37 in 2025, supporting its $1.80 per share dividend, showcasing strong resilience against economic headwinds.
- Digital Realty's Recovery Outlook: Despite a decline in AFFO over the past four years, Digital Realty anticipates an 8%-9% growth in core FFO to $7.25-$7.30 per share in 2025, with occupancy rates expected to rise to 84.9%-85.9%, securing its $4.88 per share dividend.
See More
PENN Options Analysis: $14 Put Contract Offers 6.07% Yield Boost
- Put Contract Yield: The current bid for the $14 put contract is 85 cents, and if an investor sells-to-open this contract, they commit to buying shares at $14, effectively lowering their cost basis to $13.15, which represents a 4% discount compared to the current stock price of $14.63, making it an attractive option for potential PENN investors.
- Expiration Risk Assessment: Current analytics suggest a 63% chance that the put contract will expire worthless, and if it does, the premium would yield a 6.07% return on cash commitment, equating to an annualized return of 36.93%, highlighting the potential appeal of this investment strategy.
- Call Contract Returns: The $15 call contract has a current bid of 96 cents, and if an investor buys PENN shares at $14.63 and sells this call, they could achieve a total return of 9.09% if the stock is called away at the February 2026 expiration, providing an additional profit opportunity.
- Market Volatility Analysis: Both the put and call contracts exhibit an implied volatility of approximately 51%, while the actual trailing twelve-month volatility stands at 50%, indicating market expectations for price fluctuations in PENN stock, which investors should monitor to optimize their investment decisions.
See More
Comparison of AGNC and Vici REIT Yields
- AGNC Yield Attraction: AGNC boasts an eye-catching forward yield of 12.8%, and while its projected EPS of $1.51 covers the $1.44 dividend, its declining earnings indicate a potential high-yield trap, suggesting caution for investors.
- Cost of Financing Pressure: AGNC generates cash by selling mortgage-backed securities (MBS), but with short-term rates exceeding long-term rates, its financing costs have risen, limiting profitability; if the real estate market remains sluggish, dividend cuts may be on the horizon.
- Vici's Stability: In contrast, Vici Properties, as an equity REIT, owns 93 entertainment properties and has maintained a 100% occupancy rate since its 2018 IPO, with projected adjusted funds from operations expected to grow 4%-5% by 2025, showcasing strong profitability and stable dividend payments.
- Leasing Model Advantage: Vici's leases are tied to the Consumer Price Index, allowing for rent increases in line with inflation, and its triple-net lease structure requires tenants to cover maintenance and taxes, further enhancing financial stability and dividend growth potential.
See More
Crypto.com Launches OG Predictions App Ahead of Super Bowl LX
- Market Opportunity: Crypto.com has launched the OG predictions app to capitalize on Super Bowl LX, the largest gambling event in the U.S., where Americans are expected to wager $1.76 billion legally, thus seizing a significant market opportunity.
- Significant Business Growth: CEO Kris Marszalek reported a roughly 40-fold week-over-week growth in the company's event contracts business over the past six months, indicating strong demand and growth potential in the prediction market sector.
- Intensifying Competitive Landscape: Despite the favorable timing for the OG app launch, the implied probability of Crypto.com advertising during the Super Bowl is only 15%, reflecting the NFL's prohibition of prediction markets in its advertising, which complicates user acquisition efforts.
- Innovative Financial Engineering: The partnership with Trump Media has expanded into a dedicated treasury vehicle, set to trade publicly under the ticker MCGA via a merger with Yorkville Acquisition Corp, providing investors with a unique proxy to engage with the Crypto.com ecosystem.
See More
BofA Analyst: Online Sports Betting Remains Focus in 2026
- Gaming Sector Outlook: BofA analyst Shaun C. Kelley noted that despite softer trends in Las Vegas, regional casinos, and Asia, online sports betting remains the focal point for investors in 2026, indicating market uncertainty.
- Earnings Forecast Update: Kelley updated forecasts for Las Vegas, regional casinos, and Macau, highlighting that gaming stocks fell about 9% in Q4, with U.S. operators down roughly 4%, Macau stocks off 13%, and digital gaming stocks plummeting 23%.
- Diverging Performance in Las Vegas: Although Kelley’s Q4 estimates are modestly below market expectations, Las Vegas locals are performing well, with BofA's estimates exceeding consensus, indicating potential resilience in the regional market.
- Regional Market Trends: In Macau, Kelley expects Q4 EBITDA to align with market expectations, driven by strong performance from MGM China, while Singapore's Marina Bay Sands may modestly outperform due to the F1 event, showcasing diverging trends in regional markets.
See More
Realty Income's 98.7% Occupancy Rate and 5.3% Dividend Yield
- High Occupancy Rate: Realty Income, with over 15,500 commercial properties, achieved a 98.7% occupancy rate in the latest quarter, indicating its ability to attract tenants amid economic uncertainty, thereby ensuring stable rental income and shareholder returns.
- Stable Dividend Yield: The company has raised its dividend 132 times since its IPO, currently offering a forward yield of 5.3%, with expected AFFO per share growth to $4.25-$4.27 by 2025, comfortably covering its $3.22 dividend payout.
- Diversified Tenant Base: Vici Properties, owning 93 entertainment venues, maintains a 100% occupancy rate by locking tenants into long-term leases tied to the Consumer Price Index, ensuring stable cash flow even during economic fluctuations.
- Data Center Growth Potential: Digital Realty expects its core FFO per share to rise 8%-9% to $7.25-$7.30 by 2025, and while its current yield is about 3%, its expansion in cloud and AI markets positions it as a solid long-term investment.
See More
REITs Poised for Recovery as Fed Cuts Rates, 2025 AFFO Growth Expected
- REIT Market Recovery: With the Fed cutting rates six times in a row in 2024 and 2025, the attractiveness of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) is rising again, likely drawing in more income-driven investors and driving up valuations.
- Realty Income's Strong Performance: Realty Income, owning over 15,500 commercial properties, reported a 98.7% occupancy rate in the latest quarter and expects its adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) to grow 1%-2% to $4.25-$4.27 per share in 2025, ensuring its $3.22 per share dividend payment.
- Vici Properties' Rent Growth: Vici Properties has maintained a 100% occupancy rate since its 2018 IPO and expects its AFFO per share to rise 4%-5% to $2.36-$2.37 in 2025, supporting its $1.80 per share dividend, showcasing strong resilience against economic headwinds.
- Digital Realty's Recovery Outlook: Despite a decline in AFFO over the past four years, Digital Realty anticipates an 8%-9% growth in core FFO to $7.25-$7.30 per share in 2025, with occupancy rates expected to rise to 84.9%-85.9%, securing its $4.88 per share dividend.
See More
PENN Options Analysis: $14 Put Contract Offers 6.07% Yield Boost
- Put Contract Yield: The current bid for the $14 put contract is 85 cents, and if an investor sells-to-open this contract, they commit to buying shares at $14, effectively lowering their cost basis to $13.15, which represents a 4% discount compared to the current stock price of $14.63, making it an attractive option for potential PENN investors.
- Expiration Risk Assessment: Current analytics suggest a 63% chance that the put contract will expire worthless, and if it does, the premium would yield a 6.07% return on cash commitment, equating to an annualized return of 36.93%, highlighting the potential appeal of this investment strategy.
- Call Contract Returns: The $15 call contract has a current bid of 96 cents, and if an investor buys PENN shares at $14.63 and sells this call, they could achieve a total return of 9.09% if the stock is called away at the February 2026 expiration, providing an additional profit opportunity.
- Market Volatility Analysis: Both the put and call contracts exhibit an implied volatility of approximately 51%, while the actual trailing twelve-month volatility stands at 50%, indicating market expectations for price fluctuations in PENN stock, which investors should monitor to optimize their investment decisions.
See More
