Penn National enters egaming market with social site

Casino operator strikes deal with Scientific Games to launch supplier’s Play4Fun Network for four of its land-based properties

Penn National has announced it will enter the social gaming sector after striking a deal to deploy Scientific Games’ Play4Fun Network at four of its land-based properties. [private]

The operator said it planned to launch the free-to-play offering at its Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Raceway in West Virginia in “the coming months” and at three other properties “shortly thereafter”.

The freeplay site will initially go live on desktop, with a mobile offering in the summer, and players will be able to redeem earned rewards from the four casino locations.

The launch of SciGames’ Play4Fun Network marks Penn National’s entry into the US online gaming market, and comes just months after the operator appointed Chris Sheffield (pictured) as its online MD.

“The launch of social gaming is an important strategic initiative for Penn National that we expect will enhance loyalty and retention of our customers, drive casino visitation, and build engagement with our brands both on and off premises,” Sheffield said.

“Scientific Games’ Play4Fun had distinct advantages that enable us to offer their slot content that our players enjoy on our casino floors in a mobile, social casino experience. This includes certain slot content that will be exclusively available for our customers,” he added.

SciGames has signed similar deals with the likes of the Parx Casino in Pennsylvania, and the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in California.

SG Interactive president Jordan Levin said the supplier has a “deep and long-term relationship with Penn National, which it was “pleased to expand into the online space”.

“[The deal] is an exciting testament to the value of the SG Universe creates for casinos to extend their brand online and through player smartphones and tablets,” he added.