Penn Entertainment is facing a lawsuit in the US over alleged patent infringement involving its digital betting products. Single Action Bet Tech filed the case against Penn and its subsidiary, Penn Interactive Ventures, LLC, which runs Hollywood Casino. The case was filed in the US District Court for New Jersey on 12 December and asks for a jury trial.

The lawsuit claims Penn’s online and mobile betting services use patented technology without permission. The dispute involves two patents owned by Single Action for what it calls single action betting technology.

What the patents are said to cover

Single Action says its patents cover a system that makes placing bets on computers and mobile devices easier. In simple terms, a bettor can tap or click once, and the rest of the process happens automatically.

The system removes the need to go through multiple screens to confirm a wager and approve payment. After the single tap, it checks the user’s account, ensures they are logged in and authorised, and confirms there are enough funds.

It also verifies that the user is in a location where betting is legal. If all checks pass, the wager is accepted and the game or betting session continues without any more input. Single Action says this makes betting faster and simpler, especially on smartphones.

Claims against Hollywood Casino products

The complaint says Single Action owns the patents and has not given Penn or Hollywood Casino permission to use them. The company claims Penn’s digital gaming and sports betting products violate at least one part of each patent.

These products include the Hollywood Casino Mobile App and related online services for sports betting and digital gaming. Single Action says these platforms use the same single action process described in its patents.

The company also states that its patents cover not just the overall idea, but also the technical method that connects a single user action to all the necessary background checks and bet execution steps.

Allegations of prior knowledge and damages sought

Single Action also claims that Penn knowingly infringed its patents. The filing says Penn was aware of the patents after licensing outreach began in December 2024. This included a notice letter to a Penn executive and follow-up meetings and correspondence during 2025, which did not lead to a licensing agreement.

The company is asking the court for damages, interest, legal costs, and attorneys’ fees. It also wants the court to say that Penn acted wilfully, which could lead to treble damages, or three times the normal amount. Single Action says these steps would hold Penn responsible and compensate for the alleged use of its technology without permission. Penn has not responded publicly to the lawsuit.