The online Barstool Casino has become available as Pennsylvania’s 16th iCasino, operating on a two-day test basis during partial hours early this week before reaching permanent status.
Penn National Gaming, whose interactive gaming division operates the site, made no public announcement of the debut, but it sent emails to existing Barstool Sportsbook customers. The sportsbook site began in Pennsylvania in September.
“Your exclusive Barstool Casino access starts now,” the company advised sportsbook customers at mid-day Monday. “As a Barstool Sportsbook player, you are the first to try our Barstool Casino. Play blackjack with a live dealer, try your luck on the roulette table, or spin on your favorite slot game today from 11 AM ET to 7 PM ET.”
A Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board spokesman confirmed that the regulatory agency is monitoring the Monday test period and one to take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Real-money wagering is available during those limited hours the first two days, and if all goes as expected, the site would be approved for permanent operation Wednesday.
Barstool iCasino follows Stardust by just two weeks
Barstool Casino enters the increasingly crowded Pennsylvania online market on the heels of the April 19 launch of the Stardust Casino, which is operated by Boyd Gaming/Valley Forge Casino Resort.
Pennsylvania is just the second state for the Barstool Casino. It started in Michigan in February, and its revenue figures there placed seventh among 11 operators in March.
The initial Pennsylvania version of the site has 53 options for slot play, which is relatively modest compared to other sites. As is common, it also includes both live dealer and non-live versions of table games including blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. It also has a Game King video poker option.
The site advertises “risk-free” wagering up to a maximum of $500 for new players in their first 24 hours, thus crediting their accounts with bonus funds to cover net losses in that period. Such welcome offers are common to attract customers, though the details vary from site to site.
The casino site shares its sportsbook platform so that existing customers can switch back and forth between the two using the same account funds and registration information. The sportsbook itself has consistently been in third place in usage in the state behind FanDuel and DraftKings since its debut more than seven months ago.
The 14 Pennsylvania iCasinos that preceded Barstool and Stardust combined for a record $97.7 million in revenue in March. It will be interesting to note, once they’ve both also been in operation for nearly a full month in May, just how much more they can add to the volume of online casino play and revenue already taking place.
