PENN Entertainment has entered into a multi-year partnership with the Chicago Bears that designates Hollywood Casino Aurora and the newly opened Hollywood Casino Joliet as Official Casino Partners, while ESPN BET becomes an Official Sports Betting Partner of the NFL franchise.
The agreement provides PENN with a range of entitlements, including use of team intellectual property, in-stadium signage, digital integrations, an in-game Hollywood Casino feature and marketing rights. It also allows PENN to offer exclusive team-related experiences to its customers.
Hollywood Casino Joliet, which opened on 11 August 2025 at the Rock Run Collection development, replaces the operator’s former riverboat property. The land-based venue offers around 1,000 slot machines, 43 live table games, an ESPN BET sportsbook, multiple restaurants and bars, an event center and parking facilities. Bears executives and former NFL player Tom Thayer were present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Construction is also progressing on the new Hollywood Casino Aurora, with completion scheduled for the first half of 2026. ESPN BET, which operates in 20 U.S. jurisdictions including Illinois, recently introduced FanCenter, a feature within its igaming sportsbook app that enables users to personalise markets based on teams, players and fantasy rosters.
“We’re thrilled to announce this partnership in connection with the opening of our new state-of-the-art Joliet property and on the precipice of football season.” said Todd George, Executive Vice President, Operations, PENN Entertainment. “Teaming up with one of the premier franchises in the NFL creates exciting new omnichannel marketing opportunities for our ESPN BET and Hollywood Casino brands. Through the partnership, we look forward to engaging a large and passionate audience at Soldier Field as well as across our online products and at the new property in the Chicagoland area.”
