PENN Entertainment Extends Retail Tech Deal with Kambi Through 2027
PENN Entertainment has opted to keep its physical sportsbooks running on third-party infrastructure for an additional 19 months. The operator signed a contract extension with Kambi Group plc, ensuring the technology provider will continue to power PENN’s brick-and-mortar locations until July 31, 2027. The previous agreement was scheduled to expire at the close of 2025.
Buying Time for Migration
This extension serves as a strategic buffer for PENN. The company is currently in the midst of a complex technical shift, aiming to move its betting operations onto a proprietary technology stack.
While the focus has largely been on its digital product, ESPN BET, the physical retail environment presents its own set of logistical hurdles.
By renewing with Kambi, PENN secures “additional flexibility” regarding its eventual migration. The operator avoids the operational risk of ripping out and replacing hardware and software across its physical estate while simultaneously managing digital instability.
The new terms apply specifically to on-property sportsbooks that are active by the end of 2025.
Scope of the Infrastructure
The agreement covers a substantial physical footprint. Kambi currently supports 30 PENN properties spread across 13 states. The technology package includes the backend trading algorithms that set odds, as well as the customer-facing hardware.
This includes the self-service betting kiosks found on casino floors and over-the-counter wagering systems used by ticket writers.
It also encompasses “Bring Your Own Device” technology, which allows players to construct bet slips on their mobile phones and scan them at a terminal to finalize the wager.
Werner Becher, CEO of Kambi, stated that the extension allows PENN to maintain stability and performance at its retail locations while it executes its broader long-term plans.
For Kambi, the deal reinforces its status as a utility player capable of supporting major operators even as they attempt to bring portions of their tech stack in-house.
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