Should I buy Penn Entertainment stock in 2025?

What is Penn Entertainment?

How much is the Penn Entertainment stock?

The price of Penn Entertainment stock is falling this week. As of now, the share trades at $15.11, down 0.40% over the last 24 hours and showing a 3.82% decline for the week. Penn’s market capitalization stands at $2.28 billion, with an average three-month daily volume of 4.1 million shares.

The P/E ratio is currently unavailable due to negative earnings, and there is no dividend yield. With a stock beta of 1.81, Penn Entertainment demonstrates higher volatility than the broader market, which may appeal to experienced investors seeking dynamic opportunities.

Our full analysis of the Penn Entertainment stock

Having thoroughly examined Penn Entertainment’s most recent quarterly financials and reviewed its equity performance across the past three years, we have synthesised a comprehensive view of the stock using our proprietary combination of quantitative indicators, technical signals, market trend analytics, and comparative peer benchmarking. Our analysis indicates there are dynamic factors at play that could reshape investor sentiment. So, why might Penn Entertainment (PENN) stock once again emerge as a strategic entry point into the North American digital gaming and entertainment sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Penn Entertainment, Inc., listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker PENN, currently trades at $15.11 (as of 30 May 2025), with a modest gain of +0.87% over the past twelve months despite significant volatility. The stock recorded a 6-month decline of -30.01%, an adjustment that can often set the stage for a favourable revaluation in the context of structural improvements and strong forward-looking catalysts. Daily trading volumes average 4.1 million shares, reflecting robust market interest and reliable liquidity.

Recent months have brought a series of positive corporate events. Of particular note is the May 2025 partnership announcement with Shake Shack, expanding their hospitality footprint across ten PENN properties—demonstrating an innovative approach to property-level growth and customer experience. The opening of the Hollywood Casino Joliet in Illinois, scheduled for August 2025, is likely to act as a near-term operational catalyst, enhancing regional diversification and revenue streams. From a macro perspective, the consumer discretionary sector in the United States continues to benefit from post-pandemic travel and leisure normalisation, and the regulated digital gaming market is showing persistent double-digit annual growth—both of which serve as powerful sectoral tailwinds for an operator of Penn’s scale.

Technical Analysis

Despite largely bearish technical signals in recent weeks, there are signs of potential exhaustion to the downside and the emergence of positive momentum. The Relative Strength Index (RSI), currently at 47.03, is neutral and off oversold territory, suggesting improved buying potential without overextension. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) at -0.18 has shifted to a buy signal, highlighting the onset of bullish momentum from a lower base.

• The 5-day moving average ($14.90) provides a buy signal, and recent price stability above this level introduces an initial support layer.
• Longer-term averages (20-, 50-, and 200-day) remain below the current price, indicating that while short-term sentiment is stabilising, the broader structure is set up for a potential bullish reversal should the price meaningfully break above the 20- or 50-day averages.
• The key technical support at $13.25 (52-week low) has held firm, limiting further downside risk, while a credible resistance ceiling exists at $23.08, offering a clear upside target on positive earnings or corporate news.

The current technical structure suggests PENN is forming a new base from which a medium-term rebound could be staged, particularly given positive upcoming company catalysts.

Fundamental Analysis

• Revenue reached $1.67 billion (up 4.1% YoY), demonstrating ongoing top-line growth consistent with digital and physical expansion.
• Adjusted EBITDA leapt to $173.3 million (+70.9% YoY), underscoring substantial operational leverage and effective cost control.
• Most notably, net income surged 197% YoY to $111.5 million, and earnings per share posted a sharp positive surprise ($0.68 actual vs. an expected loss of -$0.22).

Analysts project EPS of $0.94 for full-year 2025 and $1.13 for 2026, mapping a path to improving profitability and long-term value creation. Despite a lack of a meaningful P/E ratio due to prior negative earnings, the price-to-sales ratio remains attractive compared to sector peers, making PENN particularly compelling at current valuations.

Strategically, the company operates 43 properties across 20 US states, giving it unmatched regional gaming scale, while its “Interactive” segment—including online sports betting through ESPN BET—has become a growth engine. Brand partnerships with ESPN and Shake Shack, among others, reinforce its ability to innovate, attract new demographics, and respond rapidly to evolving sector trends.

Volume and Liquidity

With a sustained 65-day average trading volume of 4.1 million shares, and more than 150 million shares outstanding, PENN offers optimal liquidity for institutional and private investors alike. This degree of market depth suggests that capital flows into the stock can adjust prices rapidly, creating fertile ground for dynamic revaluations when underlying fundamentals and sentiment realign. The relatively high float for a company of this capitalisation also keeps valuation responsive to strategic catalysts, which is especially beneficial for buyers seeking to capitalise on inflection points.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

• Expansion of the Interactive (online sports betting) Segment: With North America’s digital gaming market forecast to grow at a double-digit CAGR, PENN’s leadership—underpinned by its ESPN BET platform—positions it strongly to capture incremental market share in the interactive space.
• Physical Footprint Growth: The August 2025 opening of Hollywood Casino Joliet sharpens its geographic and operational diversification.
• Innovative Partnerships: The recent alliance with Shake Shack offers an experiential edge across select properties, appealing to new customer segments and creating incremental revenue opportunities.
• Analyst and Market Sentiment: Consensus remains overweight among analysts (8 Buy / 2 Overweight / 11 Hold), with no Sell or Underweight calls, and average price targets ($21.27) implying over 40% upside from current levels.
• Potential Strategic Actions: Ongoing governance discussions, particularly with activist investor HG Vora, could trigger additional value-unlocking initiatives—including share buybacks, capital allocation enhancements, or bolt-on M&A—increasing the stock’s attractiveness for speculative positioning.

Overlaying these company-specific drivers is a sectoral context that remains extremely favourable. Ongoing state-level regulation of sports betting, higher leisure spend, and the proliferation of experiential hospitality venues are expected to underpin long-term demand across both digital and physical verticals.

Investment Strategies

• Short-Term Entry: For momentum-focused investors, accumulation during the present consolidation phase near technical support ($13.25–$15.00) allows for potentially rapid upside capture in response to operational news or analyst upgrades.
• Medium-Term Positioning: Investors seeking visibility on upcoming catalysts (notably the Hollywood Casino Joliet opening and Q2 2025 earnings release) may view PENN’s current undervaluation as a platform for healthy capital appreciation in the back half of the year.
• Long-Term Orientation: For those with a multi-year horizon, Penn's forecasted EPS growth, digital expansion, and ongoing innovation provide compelling reasons to initiate or increase positions while the stock remains underappreciated by the wider market.

In each scenario, PENN’s high beta (1.81) and ample daily trading volume recommend disciplined position sizing, but also increase the probability of generating outsized returns as sentiment turns.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Penn Entertainment?

• Robust recovery in profitability and operational scale;
• A compelling pipeline of growth drivers in both digital and physical gaming;
• Innovative, high-profile partnerships that deliver both revenue and brand equity;
• Attractive valuation metrics relative to the sector and a well-balanced, overweight analyst consensus;
• Reliable liquidity and technical support that offer flexibility for multiple investment timeframes.

While governance matters should be monitored, the fundamentals and upcoming catalysts justify renewed attention from investors seeking exposure to the resurging North American gaming and digital entertainment space. On balance, the evidence suggests that Penn Entertainment’s shares may be entering a new bullish phase—one where the upside potential significantly outweighs the risks for well-informed participants.

For astute investors in Ireland and beyond, Penn Entertainment appears firmly positioned as an excellent opportunity in a sector primed for continued disruption and growth.

How to buy Penn Entertainment stock in Ireland?

Buying Penn Entertainment (PENN) stock online has never been simpler or more secure for Irish investors. Using a regulated broker, you can easily purchase PENN shares in just a few clicks, confident your funds are protected. There are two main ways to gain exposure: you can buy shares directly (“spot buying”) or trade using Contracts for Difference (CFDs), each with its own advantages. Below, we’ll explore both methods—helping you understand fees, examples, and how each works. For guidance on choosing a broker, see our detailed comparison further down this page.

Spot Buying

Spot buying means purchasing actual Penn Entertainment shares in your name via a regulated broker. You own the physical shares and can hold them as long as you wish, enjoying any potential price appreciation (note: PENN does not currently pay a dividend). Irish brokers typically charge a fixed commission per order—often around €5–€10.

Example

If Penn Entertainment stock is trading at $15.11, a $1,000 stake allows you to buy about 66 shares (1,000 ÷ 15.11 ≈ 66), after accounting for a typical brokerage fee of about $5.
✔️ Gain scenario: If the share price rises by 10%, your shares would be worth about $1,100.
Result: That’s a gross gain of $100, or +10% on your investment.

Trading via CFD

CFDs (Contracts for Difference) allow you to speculate on Penn Entertainment’s share price without owning actual shares. You can trade both rising and falling prices, and use leverage (borrowed funds) to amplify exposure. CFD trading is subject to a spread (the difference between buy and sell prices) and may incur overnight financing costs if you hold positions for more than a day.

Example

You open a CFD position on Penn Entertainment with a $1,000 deposit and 5x leverage, giving you $5,000 market exposure.
✔️ Gain scenario: If the stock price rises by 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%.
Result: That’s a $400 gain on your $1,000 stake (excluding spreads and overnight fees).

Final Advice

Before investing, it’s essential to compare brokers’ fees and terms—costs can vary significantly and impact your net returns, so always check our broker comparison later in this guide. Ultimately, the right choice—spot buying versus CFD trading—depends on your investment goals, risk appetite, and trading style. Whether you seek long-term ownership or short-term strategies, both options provide convenient, secure access to Penn Entertainment shares.

Our 7 tips for buying Penn Entertainment stock

The latest news about Penn Entertainment

Penn Entertainment’s first-quarter results greatly outperformed analyst expectations with strong revenue and profit growth. The company reported Q1 2025 revenue of $1.67 billion, up 4.1% year-over-year, and an adjusted EBITDA of $173.3 million, reflecting a 70.9% annual improvement. Net income reached $111.5 million, a remarkable 197% increase versus the prior year. Most notably, earnings per share arrived at $0.68, far surpassing consensus estimates which had anticipated a $0.22 loss, signalling a robust positive surprise and supporting renewed optimism around operational efficiency, profitability, and the effectiveness of PENN’s ongoing cost and expansion strategies. These strong fundamentals may foster renewed investor interest, including in Irish and European markets where U.S. gaming equities are often included in institutional and retail portfolios.

Penn announced a new strategic partnership with Shake Shack, aiming to open the brand in 10 PENN properties. Unveiled in May 2025, this partnership with the high-profile fast-casual brand is seen as a way to drive customer traffic, diversify non-gaming revenue streams, and strengthen PENN’s customer experience—key metrics that resonate with international investors, including those in Ireland where similar hospitality and gaming integration trends are monitored. The collaboration also supports PENN’s post-pandemic efforts to revitalize on-premise entertainment offerings, which could bolster brand equity and set precedent for similar partnerships within the wider European and UK casino and leisure industries.

Penn Entertainment’s Interactive segment and digital expansion remain a primary growth engine, aligning with broader shifts towards online sports betting. Growth in PENN’s Interactive division, particularly sportsbooks, is being highlighted by analysts as a key future catalyst. This is directly relevant to Irish investors, given the mature and competitive nature of Ireland’s own online betting marketplace, and the ongoing discussions about cross-border digital gaming regulation in Europe. PENN’s investment in proprietary technology and digital products demonstrates adaptability and positions the firm to capture further market share should U.S. and international regulatory environments become more accommodating to online gaming initiatives.

Despite bearish short-term technicals, analyst sentiment remains “overweight” with consensus price targets well above the current share price. As of 30 May 2025, consensus analyst recommendations are “overweight,” with an average target price of $21.27, a median of $20.00, and no “sell” ratings from the 21 covering analysts. This suggests an underlying confidence in the company’s turnaround potential, capitalising on positive earnings momentum and strategic partnerships. Irish investors, who often seek U.S. growth opportunities through ETFs or direct equity holdings, may view the valuation gap as a potential entry point, given the medium-term upside portrayed by professional coverage in the sector.

The company’s ongoing strategic expansion, including 43 properties across 20 U.S. states and upcoming openings, supports long-term growth prospects. PENN’s continued property expansion—such as the upcoming Hollywood Casino Joliet launch this August—signals sustained investment in brick-and-mortar assets alongside digital channels. For Ireland-based stakeholders, this multi-channel strategy resonates with trends seen in domestic and broader European gaming sectors, where operators blend physical presence with digital outreach to maximise customer engagement. This model is pertinent to assessing PENN’s resilience and adaptability as geographic diversification and operational scale increasingly define sector leaders attractive to international investors.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.