Penn National's Barstool to get Arizona sports betting market access via NASCAR deal

NASCAR and Penn Interactive, a subsidiary of Penn National Gaming, announced a new multiyear market access partnership in Arizona on Tuesday, through which Penn National’s Barstool Sportsbook will become the exclusive Sportsbook of Phoenix Raceway. It also seeks to gain access to the Arizona sports betting market.

Penn National is the nation’s largest gaming operator, with 42 properties in 20 states. Penn Interactive operates retail and online sports wagering and iCasino for the company, including the online Barstool Sportsbook, which is currently live in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

As the exclusive sportsbook of Phoenix Raceway, Barstool Sportsbook is expected to take an active role in promoting NASCAR odds across its properties and sports betting app. Barstool Sportsbook will feature promotions and odds boosts for fans betting in Arizona and will be featured with at-track signage and via NASCAR’s social and digital channels.

In 2020, Penn National became NASCAR’s first authorized gaming operator, making its first partnership with a professional sports league. The company extended its race title sponsorship with Kansas Speedway, where it operates Hollywood Casino on Turn 2 of the track race.

In a press release published in NASCAR’s official website, Chief Digital Officer Tim Clark spoke about this new alliance. “As our first authorized gaming operator, Penn National has been invested in engaging NASCAR fans since we began building our position in the sports betting space. We couldn’t be more excited to provide our partners with access to our passionate fan base in the greater Phoenix market”.

Phoenix Raceway President Julie Geise also spoke in the same press release, and assured that “our partnership with Penn National Gaming and Barstool Sportsbook takes this to another level. It will help us continue our mission of redefining the way we engage fans and connect with new audiences”.

Senior Vice President of Penn Interactive Jon Kaplowitz spoke on behalf of the company. “Barstool Sportsbook has proven itself to be a market leader in the jurisdictions where it has launched due to a combination of unique offers and leading mobile experience”, he pointed out. “This new partnership will allow us to engage a passionate sports fan base in Arizona while having access to a best-in-class sports entertainment facility in Phoenix Raceway”.