PENN Entertainment operates more than 40 casinos and gaming properties across the U.S., and if you are already a PENN Play loyalty member, the PENN Entertainment Mastercard is pitched as a way to earn PENN Cash on everyday spending, not just at the casino floor. But before you apply, it helps to understand exactly what PENN Cash is, what the card costs, and where this card fits compared to other options.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Comenity Capital Bank (a Bread Financial company) |
| Network | Mastercard (open-loop, accepted everywhere Mastercard is) |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase APR | 19.49%–33.49% variable, based on creditworthiness (as of June 2026, per Comenity's published Rate and Fee Summary) |
| Rewards | PENN Cash tied to PENN Play loyalty program |
| Welcome bonus | Not publicly disclosed |
| Score typically needed | Fair to good credit (FICO 624–651 is the reported average among applicants who matched) |
| Reports to bureaus | Comenity Capital Bank typically reports to all three major bureaus |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars |
All terms as of June 2026, per Comenity's published Rate and Fee Summary. The purchase APR is set per account at approval based on creditworthiness. Terms and conditions apply.
What Is PENN Cash?
PENN Cash is the rewards currency for the PENN Play loyalty program. It can be redeemed at over 35 PENN Entertainment destinations for slot play, table play, hotel stays, dining, retail shopping at PENN properties, online casino credits, and online sports betting credits through the ESPN Bet platform. There is also a PENN Redeem Marketplace where PENN Cash can be used for merchandise and additional offers.
The PENN Entertainment Mastercard accelerates PENN Cash earning by tying everyday credit card spending to your PENN Play account. Specific earn rates per dollar spent are not publicly published on the card's promotional page. The earn structure is tied to your PENN Play tier, which ranges from Passport to Marquee. Higher tiers earn at better rates both at PENN properties and on card spending.
Approval Requirements
Based on our research, approved applicants generally have fair credit, with reported FICO scores commonly in the low-to-mid 600s. This puts the card in the fair-credit range, making it more accessible than premium travel rewards cards. The typical reported credit limit is $5,213, though $1,000 is the most common starting limit for new accounts.
Comenity Capital Bank uses a hard pull for credit card applications. There is no widely reported soft pre-qualification tool for this card. Income requirements are not publicly disclosed. The World of Westgate Mastercard is a similar hospitality-branded Mastercard from Comenity for resort regulars worth comparing if you also travel to Westgate properties.
Rewards: The PENN Play Connection
The card's rewards have real value only if you are an active PENN Play member who visits PENN properties or uses ESPN Bet and PENN's online gaming platforms. PENN Cash redemptions are generally limited to PENN Entertainment's ecosystem. Unlike transferable points or straight cash back, PENN Cash cannot be deposited to your bank account or used at non-PENN merchants.
This is the card's central limitation. If you are not a regular PENN Entertainment customer, the rewards earned from everyday card spending have no practical use. Even for PENN regulars, the exact value of PENN Cash per dollar can be hard to quantify because slot play credits have a different monetary value than hotel room credits.
What the Card Does Not Offer
The PENN Entertainment Mastercard has no publicly advertised welcome bonus, no intro 0% APR period, and no travel credits, insurance, or premium perks. There is no airline miles conversion or hotel points transfer. The purchase APR is disclosed in Comenity's published Rate and Fee Summary as 19.49%–33.49% variable, with the exact rate you receive set at approval based on your creditworthiness — the high end is steep, so the cost of carrying a balance can quickly outweigh any PENN Cash you earn. For context on what typical Comenity terms look like, see our overview of Comenity Bank store cards.
The card does carry the open-loop Mastercard network, meaning it can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, unlike a closed-loop store card.
What Real Users Say
User reviews across consumer review sites show a mix of opinions. Positive reviewers mention easy approval and the convenience of linking casino spending to a single card. Critical reviews frequently mention surprise at the high end of the APR range and frustration that PENN Cash cannot be used outside PENN properties. Several users note the card is best treated as a tool for PENN regulars who will never carry a balance.
A Better Path If You Are Building Credit
If the attraction of the Penn Entertainment Mastercard is its relatively accessible approval threshold, there are unsecured cards that offer a clearer path and report to all three bureaus with better-documented terms. If approval is a concern, the Aspire Cash Back Rewards Mastercard is an unsecured card with no security deposit, prequalification up to a $1,000 limit, up to 3% cash back, and reports to all three bureaus. For a broader look at how credit-builder tools compare, the credit builder products 101 guide covers loans, cards, installments, and tradelines side by side.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
Another option worth considering is Perpay, which is powered by your paycheck — no security deposit, shop and pay over time while it reports to all three bureaus, members see an average 32-point increase. It is built to help you establish or rebuild your credit profile without a traditional hard-pull process.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
For a lower-friction everyday card, the Arro Card is an unsecured starter card with no deposit and no hard credit check; start with a limit up to $300 that grows toward $2,500 via in-app tasks, reports to all three bureaus. The focus is on a fast approval and activation process with no security deposit to tie up your cash.
Arro Card
Arro Card
No deposit. No hard credit check. Start with up to $300 and grow your credit line to $2,500 by completing in-app tasks. Earn 1% cash back on gas and groceries — including Walmart and Target.
Standout feature
Unsecured — no deposit required
Fees
up to $60/ year
Pros
1% cash back on gas & groceries
Cons
Starting credit limit: $50–$300
Who Should Consider the Penn Entertainment Mastercard?
This card makes sense in a narrow use case: you are already a PENN Play member at a mid-to-high tier, you visit PENN properties multiple times per year, you plan to redeem PENN Cash for hotel stays or gaming credits, and you will pay your balance in full every month to avoid the high end of the APR range.
If your credit score is in the 620–660 range and you are primarily looking for a Mastercard you can use everywhere, a dedicated credit-builder card with published APR terms will serve you better and cost less if you ever carry a balance. For guidance on how to start building credit from scratch, how to start a credit card walks through the most accessible paths to first approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Penn Entertainment Mastercard have an annual fee?
No, the Penn Entertainment Mastercard does not charge an annual fee. Its purchase APR, per Comenity's published Rate and Fee Summary, is 19.49%–33.49% variable, with the exact rate set at approval based on your creditworthiness. Carrying a balance at the high end of that range can be significantly more expensive than the PENN Cash rewards are worth.
Can I use PENN Cash outside of PENN Entertainment properties?
PENN Cash is generally restricted to PENN Entertainment's ecosystem, including on-property redemptions at 35+ locations, ESPN Bet online credits, and the PENN Redeem Marketplace. It cannot be converted to cash, airline miles, or non-PENN hotel points. This limits the card's value to active PENN Play participants.
What credit score do I need for the Penn Entertainment Mastercard?
Based on our research, approved applicants commonly report fair-credit FICO scores in the low-to-mid 600s. This places the card in the fair-credit range. Comenity uses a hard pull when you apply, so your score may temporarily dip by a few points after the application.
Who issues the Penn Entertainment Mastercard?
The Penn Entertainment Mastercard is issued by Comenity Capital Bank, which operates as part of Bread Financial. Comenity is a major issuer of retail and co-branded credit cards in the U.S. The card runs on the Mastercard network and is accepted wherever Mastercard is taken worldwide.
