Penn and Chicago Bears announce multi-year partnership

PENN Entertainment has entered into a multi-year partnership with the Chicago Bears, naming the company’s Chicagoland properties, Hollywood Casino Aurora and the newly opened Hollywood Casino Joliet, as the team’s official casino partners. ESPN BET Sportsbook, run by PENN, will serve as an official sports betting partner of the Bears.

The agreement grants PENN a wide range of marketing and branding opportunities, including use of the Bears’ intellectual property, in-stadium signage at Soldier Field, in-game features, and digital media integrations. The deal will also create exclusive team-related experiences for PENN customers.

Todd George, Executive Vice President of Operations at PENN Entertainment, said: “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.

“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.”

ESPN BET, already live in 20 U.S. jurisdictions including Illinois, continues to expand its offerings. Ahead of the 2025 football season, the platform introduced FanCenter, a personalized in-app hub designed to help users quickly locate betting markets tied to their favorite teams, players, and fantasy rosters.

Hollywood Casino Joliet officially opened its doors on August 11, replacing the company’s former riverboat site. The property, located within the Rock Run Collection development, features 1,000 slot machines, 43 live table games, an ESPN BET sportsbook, celebrity-led dining options, event and meeting spaces, and ample parking.