That ongoing bromance between Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and Penn National Gaming CEO Jay Snowden is prompting regulatory scrutiny in Indiana and even Nevada, especially as Penn girds its loins for a full Barstool buyout. That would bring the uncouth Portnoy into the Penn fold as a key player in the company—and he’s not exactly someone you’d want to bring home to the gaming control board. The brash Portnoy faces serial accusations of sexual assault (which he denies) and Snowden has lashed himself to the Barstool mast. As the Wall Street Journal puts it, Snowden “stands by Mr. Portnoy and still believes in Barstool’s media appeal as key to the company’s future in sports betting and digital media.”

Portnoy’s questionable character has already cost Penn a shot at the New York State OSB market—although it could get a second bite of the Big Apple as money-mad lawmakers are pondering doubling the number of OSB licenses in the Empire State. Snowden has joined the chorus of those who say the current level of sports betting market is unsustainable. If Penn gains Barstool as an exclusive megaphone for its product, those costs could be shaved substantially. “They’re profitable, which is rare for a lot of digital media businesses,” Snowden told the WSJ. “They’ve delivered on what they said they would do.”

OK, so New York State sports betting “slowed slightly” last month. Big deal. After all, there weren’t five weekends of NFL action, for starters. What’s more newsworthy is the $1.5 billion in handle that Empire State online sports betting whipped up. Admitted PlayUSA‘s Mike Mazzeo, “As big as the Super Bowl is, it is still just one game. And a slowdown in the immediate aftermath of the game is to be expected everywhere.” Besides, PlayUSA is already predicting $3 billion in nationwide wagers on March Madness, so the minor lull will be brief. New Yorkers bet online at a $54.5 million per day clip, and out of a $82.5 million gross, books kept $40.5 million (less promotions) as the state racked up $42 million in taxes … although Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D) is making noises about a tax cut, which might actually enable New York OSB operators to post a profit.

DraftKings was second in handle ($387.5 million) but first in revenue with $30 million. FanDuel flipped the stats with handle of $568 million but only $23 million in winnings. Former leader Caesars Sportsbook took a tumble, with handle of $323.5 million and revenue of $20 million, a big comedown from January’s $59 million.

Customer bucks continued flowing big-time in Missouri casinos last month, up 19% over 2021. The total gross was $146 million as customers spent 2.5% more per visit and came in 16% greater numbers. Almost casinos were revenue-positive (some spectacularly so) with two Caesars Entertainment exceptions, including Lumiere Place, down 3% to $11 million. Let’s hope that the Horseshoe rebranding comes with some capex reinvestment. Ameristar St. Charles (pictured) easily remained the top dog, up 5% to $23 million. Hollywood St. Louis leapt 47% to $17.5 million while sibling property River City jumped 46% to $19.5 million.

Ohio casino revenues were up 13% from 2021, yielding $179 million in player losses. Slots-only MGM Northfield Park posted a $22.5 million haul, up 17%, while Jack Cleveland vastly expanded its table game inventory and saw table play rise 24.5%. The downtown casino grossed $20 million, a 10% gain, while Jack Thistledown inched up 6% to $14.5 million. Hollywood Toledo made $18 million, a 3% nudge, and Hollywood Columbus crept up 5% to $18.5 million. Hard Rock Cincinnati leapt 31% to $19 million, Scioto Downs climbed 13% to $18 million and Miami Valley Gaming vaulted 29% to $17.5 million. Belterra Park was up 5% to $7 million, while other outlying racinos prospered even more. Hollywood Dayton gained 7% to $12 million while Hollywood Mahoning Valley‘s 13% jump was good for $12.5 million.