PENN Entertainment has unveiled its new standalone Hollywood online casino app for Michigan players, launching ahead of its original schedule. According to initial projections, the Hollywood app was expected to go live in Pennsylvania in “early 2025” while its Michigan rollout was scheduled to come later.
However, in a rather positive turn of events, the app launched in Pennsylvania last December, paving the way for an early debut in Michigan.
Speaking in the press release during the app debut in Pennsylvania, Aaron LaBerge, chief technology officer of PENN Entertainment expressed the company’s excitement at the introduction of a dedicated platform in the state.
“We’re excited to launch Hollywood Casino as a stand-alone app in Pennsylvania, giving our customers access to their favorite games in a dedicated, casino-first experience,” LaBerge said. “With four Hollywood Casino properties in the state, the app leverages our trusted retail brand and creates a seamless connection between our online and retail gaming experiences. We look forward to bringing this enhanced Hollywood Casino experience to more iCasino markets in early 2025, pending regulatory approvals.”
Although no executive officer expressed their thoughts on the Michigan launch in the press release, there’s no doubt that this statement reflects the company’s elation at the ground-breaking rollout.
Previously, online players in Michigan could only access Hollywood Casino through the integrated ESPN Bet app. Now, with the standalone Hollywood app, customers can enjoy the full range of games and bonuses there, although ESPN Bet will continue to offer both sportsbook and casino features.
Like ESPN Bet, the Hollywood app is available on iOS, Android, and desktop devices. Players will also be able to use their ESPN Bet login credentials on the new app, reflecting PENN Entertainment’s commitment to accessibility across its different platforms.
The casino homepage on the app will feature up to 750 slots, including popular titles and new releases. Last August, PENN Entertainment partnered with Light & Wonder to deliver live dealer games to its platforms. Following this collaboration, the new app will comprise these exclusive options as well as other exciting table games.
Another top feature to expect is an omnichannel experience that is fully integrated with Hollywood Casino at Greektown. The press release reads:
“This launch strengthens the Hollywood Casino brand in Michigan, where PENN operates Hollywood Casino at Greektown in downtown Detroit. The online Hollywood Casino offers omnichannel integrations with Greektown, including Hollywood Casino at Greektown branded live dealer blackjack tables and digital versions of slot titles available at the property.”
Even before launch, the PENN Entertainment management predicted that the casino app would be a big boost to their iGaming presence in the country.
“What we’re doing right now is messy, because you’re marketing to your land-based casino database at Hollywood properties and telling them that they should download the ESPN bet app to play their favorite slot machine,” CEO Jay Snowden revealed to investors at the PENN’s Q3 2024 earnings call last November.
While it will take about a full month of operation to see if the app lives up to its billing, there’s reason to trust PENN’s track record of success.
Additionally, the company is not only focused on profits. It has responsible gaming at the core of its operations and the app rollout revealed some of the ways the company is combating problem gambling.
The Hollywood app features different tools and resources on responsible gaming, including deposit, bets and time limits, mirroring its ESPN Bet counterpart. Players also get to enjoy access to PENN Play, an integrated omnichannel loyalty program. That way, they can earn and utilize rewards like tier benefits, personalized services, and PENN Cash across all of the operator’s platforms.