DKNG vs. PENN: Which Betting Stock Is the Better Buy Now?

Core Insights - The U.S. online betting industry is transitioning from growth to profitability, with investors focusing on execution and balance-sheet discipline, highlighting a competitive landscape between DraftKings Inc. (DKNG) and PENN Entertainment, Inc. (PENN) [1][2] DraftKings (DKNG) - DraftKings operates as a pure-play digital operator, emphasizing scale, technology, and customer engagement to enhance long-term earnings potential [2][3] - The company is experiencing improving momentum with accelerating handle growth, stronger customer retention, and increased parlay mix, which are expected to support higher sportsbook margins over time [3] - DraftKings is expanding media partnerships and product initiatives while maintaining disciplined capital allocation, including a larger share repurchase authorization [4] - The company continues to invest in new initiatives and technology, which may affect near-term profitability, leading to uneven margins compared to peers [6] - DraftKings faces inherent volatility in sportsbook results, which can significantly impact revenue and EBITDA, creating challenges for earnings visibility [5] PENN Entertainment (PENN) - PENN has strategically reset its digital operations by exiting the ESPN BET partnership and focusing on owned assets like theScore Bet and Hollywood iCasino, which simplifies the business and reduces marketing costs [7] - The company is witnessing strong momentum in iCasino, which is increasingly viewed as a profit engine, with record revenue driven by cross-selling from online sports betting [8][9] - PENN's regional casino business provides stable cash flow and differentiates it from digital-only competitors, with strong performance in several markets and a visible development pipeline [10] - Execution risk in the Interactive segment remains a concern, particularly with the transition away from ESPN BET, which introduces uncertainty around customer retention [11] - PENN's diversified structure and focus on profitability position it favorably compared to DraftKings, especially as the industry matures [24] Stock Performance & Valuation - DraftKings shares have underperformed compared to PENN over the past six months [12] - DraftKings is trading at a premium on a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio compared to PENN [16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DKNG's 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year improvement of 100.4%, while PENN's estimate suggests a 116.4% improvement [18][21] Conclusion - PENN Entertainment is currently better positioned than DraftKings due to its balanced business model, digital reset, and stable cash flow from regional casinos, while DraftKings remains more exposed to sportsbook volatility and investment needs [24]