Barstool Sportsbook in temporary closure amid PENN Entertainment in-house migration

The Barstool Sportsbook has temporarily closed down for a 72-hour period while it is migrated to the in-house developed proprietary technology platform of PENN Entertainment.

The upgrade, which began on July 9, described by the operator as a ‘maintenance cycle’, will see both Barstool’s online casino operation and its online sportsbook across the US rendered temporarily inaccessible to users.

The Barstool Sportsbook currently runs on the Kambi sportsbook technology platform.

“Over the last year, our team has been working hard to build a new and improved Barstool Sportsbook, loaded with additional features to upgrade your betting experience,” a notification on the site reads.

“The upgraded app will include fast load times, deposits and withdrawals, more markets and expanded player props, enhanced promotions, and more Barstool exclusives.

“Barstool Sportsbook also will be more deeply integrated with theScore App, allowing you to build your betslip, follow your betting activity and get live matchup markets all from right withing theScore,” the message concludes.

During the maintenance period, all access to deposits and withdrawals is temporarily suspended, with all existing customer balances remaining unchanged and later resumed at the same amount once the maintenance is completed.

Any completed cash outs prior to July 10, 2023 will be visible under settled wagers. Any open wagers placed prior to July 10, 2023 will not be eligible for cash out following the re-launch.

Upon completion, users will need their email address to log in rather than their respective username, but can utilize their existing passwords and bonus cash .i.e. promotional money will no longer exist after the maintenance period, with this case being replaced by bonus bets, bonus spins, and cashback promotional offers.

PENN completed the $388m acquisition of the remaining 64% stake in Barstool Sports in February, with the operator confirming its intention to migrate over to in-house technology after it took full control of the sportsbook and igaming platform.

PENN and existing sportsbook tech partner Kambi agreed a $27.5m deal to sever ties in October 2022, maintaining their close cooperation throughout the transition period.

Since partnering in July 2019, Kambi and PENN have launched together in 15 US states, covering 13 online launches and 25 retail properties. PENN’s retail sportsbooks are expected to transition to its in-house platform in 2024.

The Barstool Sportsbook follows the lead of PENN’s other big brand, theScore, which transitioned onto the PENN platform in July 2022 following its own $2.1bn acquisition by PENN.

PENN’s stated aim over the long term is to transition from a traditional sportsbook and igaming operator to a more media-geared business, with an emphasis on sports betting and related content for bettors.

Addressing the migration as part of PENN’s Q1 financial results call in May, CEO Jay Snowden suggested the move would improve PENN’s business model going forward.

“Having full control of our product roadmap in the US, which remains on track for July, will enable us to connect with our customers on a more personalized level and quickly add new features and betting markets to the Barstool Sportsbook, while also enhancing our icasino product with new content and bonus mechanics,” Snowden told shareholders on the call.

“In addition, with an improved guest experience post-migration, we will be well positioned to drive stronger loyalty and retention, while offering seamless cross-play in our omnichannel ecosystem,” he added.