With pandemic restrictions all but over, people are returning to the everyday way of life. Part of that life includes gambling, and more specifically, gambling at casinos.

Penn National Gaming hit my radar mainly because I follow Barstool Sports, which they own a 36% stake in, but also because the trends in some of the data right now are just phenomenal.

Now the stock price has suffered a lot this year due to a few reasons. One of them is the controversy of Barstool CEO Dave Portnoy, and recent scrutiny for various items he’s been subject to.

But the trend is there and it starts with casinos.

Mentions for visiting, staying, or gambling at a casino are +59% YoY on a 90-day moving average.

And even the brand as a whole is performing well.

Purchase Intent Mentions are +29% YoY on a 90-day moving average.

But the real jewel, despite the controversy with Portnoy, might just be in the Barstool Brand. I say this because when I pulled out the rest of the brand mentions and focused on Barstool, it made sense.
Mentions of the Barstool Sports brand have increased +76% YoY on a 90-day moving average.

Again, only looking at the stock chart and not the LikeFolio data might scare you. 

And fresh on new 52-week lows, I think this data might just warrant your attention. 

Especially heading into the months where travel and recreation traditionally pick up.