Entertainment
Penn Entertainment finds itself embroiled in a fresh legal dispute that could have substantial implications for how modern betting apps are designed and operated. The pattern infringement lawsuit, filed by a little-known technology firm, Single Action Bet Tech LLC, accuses Penn and its digital arm of unlawfully using “single-action” betting technology inside the Hollywood Casino mobile app.
The Technology Boasts Distinct Advantages
The legal challenge, filed on December 12 in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey, names as defendants Penn Entertainment Inc. and its subsidiary Penn Interactive Ventures LLC. The arguments revolve around two patents that describe a system allowing gamblers to place a wager and start a betting session with a single tap on a phone or click on a computer screen.
Single Action argues that the Hollywood Casino app employs precisely this kind of streamlined process. Rather than walking users through several confirmation screens, the patented system unites selecting a bet, approving the wager, authorizing payment, and confirming location into one interaction. From the user’s point of view, one tap is all that’s needed.
Behind the scenes, however, the system is doing a huge amount of work. The lawsuit describes how the technology automatically retrieves stored account details, verifies that the bettor is logged in and authorized, checks for sufficient funds, and confirms that the user is located in a jurisdiction where betting is legal. If all conditions are met, the wager proceeds with no additional input.
Penn Allegedly Knew of the Patents
Single Action argues that its patents cover both the concept and the technical method of linking one user action to all required backend checks and bet execution steps. The company additionally maintains that it owns all rights, title, and interest in each patent and has not permitted either Penn or any of its associated Hollywood Casino companies to use them without license or authorization.
The lawsuit argues that Hollywood Casino’s digital gaming and sports betting products and services infringe on its patents. Single Action also contends that Penn was aware of the patents based on a December 2024 licensing outreach. Single Action seeks damages, interest, costs, and attorneys’ fees. The company also requests the court to rule that the infringement was wilful and to grant treble damages
This situation could be especially unfortunate for Penn as it coincides with the company’s broader recalibration following the collapse of its ESPN Bet project. Penn plans to concentrate on its most lucrative markets and implement more sophisticated marketing tactics to enhance customer retention as it transforms ESPN Bet into theScore Bet.
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Deyan Dimitrov