The partnership between Penn Entertainment and ESPN Bet will end nearly eight years ahead of schedule, marking a major shift in the U.S. sports betting landscape. Originally launched in late 2023 as a 10-year, $1.5 billion agreement, ESPN Bet was intended to combine ESPN’s massive sports media reach with Penn’s gaming expertise. The collaboration struggled to meet expectations, capturing only around three percent of the national betting market, far below its initial targets. Penn announced that the partnership will conclude on December 1, 2025. The decision was described as mutual and amicable. Following the split, Penn will rebrand its sportsbook…

Google has updated its advertising policies to exclude sweepstakes casinos from the social casino category, tightening its rules on what types of games can advertise on its platform. The change, announced as part of the company’s Gambling and Games policy update, clarifies that sweepstakes casinos no longer qualify for certification under the “social casino” label. The new policy distinguishes between games that simulate gambling purely for entertainment and those that offer real-world prizes, even indirectly. Social casino games, such as slots or poker simulations that do not pay out cash or physical rewards, may continue advertising if they meet Google’s…

Online gaming operator BetHog has introduced its latest feature: an innovation it calls the gaming industry’s first AI blackjack dealer. The character, dubbed Sunny, is designed to reshape how players interact in online casino environments. BetHog was founded in 2024 by industry veterans including the co-founders of FanDuel, aiming to bring cutting-edge technology to the gambling sector. The debut of Sunny marks a leap in the company’s ambitions. Sunny is intended to go beyond traditional live-dealer experiences by employing machine-learning and interactive capabilities. The AI is programmed to greet individual players by name, recall past sessions and conversations, track game-history…

Caesars has unveiled the fall lineup for WSOP Online 2025, rolling out 33 bracelet events across multiple jurisdictions in the U.S. The series is scheduled to run from September 28 through November 11th. For the first time, the series will draw pooled liquidity from four states: Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Caesars says the total guaranteed prize pools will exceed $10 million. The fall schedule opens with a $300,000 guaranteed Mystery Bounty event. Among the highlights are a $500,000 Mystery Bounty Championship slated for October 12, a $1,000 Online Championship on November 2nd, and a $3,200 High Roller Championship…

Aristocrat Leisure’s social casino division, Product Madness, has launched NFL Super Bowl Slots, the first officially licensed free NFL casino game. The mobile title is available globally to players aged 18 and older and can be downloaded on both Android and iOS devices. This marks the NFL’s entry into the social casino space. The game allows fans to choose one of the league’s 32 teams and unlock customized, team-branded features. Players advance through slot-style gameplay that includes bonus content such as “Quarterback Rush” seasons and “Daily Drills.” Progression is structured in levels, beginning as a “Prospect” and climbing toward “Hall…

DraftKings is no longer accepting credit card deposits on its sportsbook and online casino platforms across the United States. The new policy went into effect August 25. The company announced that customers will instead need to fund their accounts using alternatives such as debit cards, bank transfers, wire transfers, or digital payment options including PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay, where available. Any credit cards previously stored in user accounts will automatically be disabled. According to DraftKings, the move is designed to improve the customer experience and eliminate issues tied to credit card use, such as cash advance fees and high…