Sunday, September 20, 2026

Sports Betting Operators in for Long Haul

  • As sports betting surges, operators are working to establish long-term relationships.
  • Penn National and Rush Street Interactive each announced 20-year partnerships.
Design: Alex Brooks/Front Office Sports

As sports betting surges, operators are working to establish long-term relationships. 

On Tuesday, Penn National Gaming Inc. announced a strategic partnership with Capital Region Gaming allowing the Pennsylvania-based gaming company to operate in New York once state lawmakers approve mobile sports wagering. 

The deal lasts for 20 years. Capital Region operates Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, New York, giving Penn National an immediate home. 

“Gaining potential access to what could become one of the nation’s most lucrative sports betting markets has been a major priority for our company,” said Jon Kaplowitz, Penn National’s senior vice president of interactive gaming.

But Penn National isn’t the only sports betting operator getting in on the action early and establishing a long-term foothold across the U.S.

  • On Monday, Rush Street Interactive, Inc. announced that it will offer its online casino and sports betting platform, BetRivers.com, for up to 20 years in Ohio, Maryland, and Missouri. 
  • RSI currently operates in eight states with a combined population of over 68 million. With the addition of Ohio, Maryland, and Missouri, RSI could reach more than 35% of the U.S. population.
  • This past September, Flutter Entertainment and Scientific Games agreed to a five-year extension after first partnering in 2000.
  • In 2019, PointsBet agreed to a 20-year partnership with Hawthorne Race Course in Illinois.

Everyone in the gaming industry will be locked up in contracts until 2040 before we know it.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

First at FOS

WNBA Union Rips NBA for Exclusion From Betting Letter

Five men’s sports leagues sent a memo to regulators about betting-related harassment.
Exclusive

Novig CEO Says Sydney Sweeney Drove Visuals of Nude Ad

“We never intended to portray female sports,” Jacob Fortinsky told FOS.

Novig CEO: Sydney Sweeney Ad Puts Us in ‘National Discourse’

Sweeney got equity in the company, and the racy ad went viral.

Prediction Markets Arrive on Supreme Court’s Doorstep

New Jersey asked the Supreme Court to weigh in.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NFL Ratings Dip, Steve Belichick Resigns, Knicks Ticket Refunds

0:00

Featured Today

Hot & Social/Mets

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
Jason Robins Front Office Sports

DraftKings CEO Fires Back at Headline Calling Company ‘Struggling’

“We’re doing great,” Jason Robins said in response to the article.
September 9, 2026

Prediction Market Ad Blitz Gets Backlash

Platforms are trying to capitalize on the start of the NFL season.
September 14, 2026

Female Athletes Rail Against Sydney Sweeney Nude Novig Ad

Pro and amateur female athletes say the spot sexualizes women in sports.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
LeBron James acknowledges the crowd's reaction as he takes the stage for the I PROMISE Family Reunion event to welcome him home on Friday at InfoCision Stadium in Akron. The event was hosted by the LeBron James Family Foundation.
September 5, 2026

LeBron James Jumps to Polymarket From DraftKings

His endorsement deal with DraftKings expired earlier this summer.
First at FOS
September 3, 2026

Three Big Tennis Tournaments Are in Prediction-Market Talks

Players are not allowed to partner with betting operators.
Aug 13, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; Detailed view of the NFL logo on the football during a joint scrimmage between the New Orleans Saints and the Jacksonville Jaguars during at Ochsner Sports Performance Center
August 27, 2026

NFL Won’t Reach Prediction-Market Deals Before Start of Season

“I would be incredibly shocked if anything at all happens this season.”
Sports are shown on TVs behind a bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in Ohio.
August 7, 2026

DraftKings, FanDuel Downplay Prediction-Market Cannibalization

Traditional sportsbooks have a new set of competitors.