Why It Matters
PENN Entertainment Inc. has filed a new lobbying registration with Ballard Partners LLC, entering the federal influence arena on gaming and gambling issues at a moment of unusual congressional activity on multiple fronts. The registration signals that PENN, one of the largest regional casino and sports betting operators in the U.S., is moving to protect its core business interests as lawmakers debate tax policy, regulatory oversight of prediction markets, and gambling addiction treatment — all of which carry direct financial implications for commercial casino operators.
By the Numbers
The lobbying disclosure lists two lobbyists on the account: Brian Ballard, president of Ballard Partners, and Justin Sayfie, a partner at the firm. No specific dollar amount is reported for this initial registration filing, which is standard for new client registrations under federal lobbying disclosure requirements. The filing covers the gaming, gambling, and casino issue area.
The registration identifies gaming and gambling as the sole issue area. No specific legislation or issues are identified in the disclosure. Given the breadth of congressional activity on gaming policy in the current session, there are relevant bills and regulatory debates touching on casino operators, sports wagering, and tax treatment of gambling losses.
Broader Context
The lobbying registration arrives at a consequential moment for the commercial gaming industry. Three distinct policy debates are active in Congress, each with direct implications for operators like PENN.
The first centers on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included a provision limiting the deduction for gambling losses to 90 percent of winnings. Members from Nevada and Michigan — both states where PENN operates — have been among the most vocal critics. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV-4) argued against the provision, pointing towards negative impacts on their state citizens.
The second debate involves prediction markets and Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight. Platforms like Kalshi have expanded into sports-related contracts, drawing accusations from lawmakers that they are operating as unregulated sportsbooks. This dynamic poses a direct competitive threat to licensed sportsbook operators.
A third area involves the POINTS Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-1) and others to expand gambling addiction treatment and recovery services — a development that carries compliance and corporate responsibility considerations for commercial operators.
Congressional activity on gaming has been extensive in the past year, spanning both chambers and both parties.
On the gambling loss deduction, the bipartisan FULL HOUSE Act has been introduced in both chambers. Horsford and Rep. Max Miller (R-OH-7) submitted the bill as an amendment before the Rules Committee in January 2026. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV-1) filed a discharge petition in February 2026 on her parallel FAIR BET Act, seeking 218 signatures to bring it to the House floor after the bill sat in the Ways and Means Committee for eight months.
On prediction markets, Sen. Cortez Masto (D-NV) joined Sens. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and John Curtis (R-UT) in the bipartisan Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act. Sen. Curtis argued in March that "if acts like gambling [and] if it talks like gambling, it is gambling."
The Bottom Line
PENN Entertainment's new lobbying registration with Ballard Partners puts a well-connected firm — led by Brian Ballard, a prominent lobbyist — on retainer as Congress works through several gaming policy questions simultaneously. The specific issues PENN intends to prioritize are not identified in the filing, but the legislative landscape includes active bills on the gambling loss tax deduction, prediction market regulation, and addiction treatment.