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 | Disclosed at application; Comenity's high-tier cards typically range from 29%–35% variable (as of June 2026, exact rate not displayed on marketing pages) |
| 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 | Contact Comenity for current terms |
All terms as of June 2026. APR is not displayed on the promotional site and is disclosed at application. 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 APR is not displayed on the promotional page and is disclosed at application, which is a notable transparency gap for prospective applicants researching cost of carry. This lack of public APR disclosure is common with Comenity-issued co-branded cards; 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 APR at application 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 dedicated credit-builder cards that offer a clearer path and report to all three bureaus with better-documented terms. If approval is a concern, a credit-builder card like the Self Visa® Credit Card links your credit limit to a savings account, reports to all three bureaus, and is designed specifically for credit building with transparent terms. 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.
Another option worth considering is the Current Build Card, which is a secured card that reports to all three credit bureaus and is designed to help users establish or rebuild their credit profile without a traditional hard-pull process.
Current Build Card
Current Build Card
$0 annual fee. No minimum deposit required. No credit check required. 1 point per dollar on eligible categories. Reports to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax.
Fee
$0
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
1 point/dollar on eligible categories (with qualifying payroll deposit)
Benefit
No credit check, no deposit minimum
For a lower-friction entry into secured credit, the Kikoff Secured Credit Card offers a no-hard-pull secured card option that reports to the credit bureaus, with a focus on making the approval and activation process fast.
Kikoff Secured Credit Card
Kikoff Secured Credit Card
Kikoff Secured Credit Card works like a debit card & checking account and performs like a credit builder. Build credit with your everyday purchases.
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
Yes
Benefit
0% interest. No credit check.
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 APR.
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. However, the card's APR is not publicly disclosed on the promotional site. It is disclosed at application, and Comenity Capital Bank's co-branded Mastercards typically carry higher-than-average APRs. Carrying a balance on this card 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.
