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PNGI Has Agreement to End MJC Partnership

Penn National Gaming Inc. said June 16 it has a "definitive agreement" to terminate its partnership in the Maryland Jockey Club.

Rosecroft Seeks License; No Simulcast Deal

Penn National Gaming Inc. has submitted an application to the Maryland Racing Commission to resume operations at shuttered Rosecroft Raceway June 1.

PNGI Says Ballot Question Key to Texas Plans

Penn National Gaming Inc. officials said April 21 they believe if the question of racetrack video lottery terminals makes the ballot in Texas it has a good chance to pass.

Simulcast Deal Required for Maryland Funding

The Maryland General Assembly April 11 sent a bill that provides millions of dollars to help horse racing to Gov. Martin O'Malley for his signature.

PNGI Closes on Purchase of Maryland Track

Penn National Gaming Inc. confirmed March 1 it has closed on the purchase of Rosecroft Raceway, a Maryland harness track it won in a bankruptcy auction.

PNGI Seeks to End MID Maryland Partnership

Penn National Gaming Inc. is in negotiations with MI Developments to unload its 49% interest in the Maryland Jockey Club.

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (8)

More ramblings about things happening in horse racing, and more questions about why things happen in horse racing.

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Plan to Move OH Tracks Not Without Opposition

Two of Ohio's oldest racetracks could be relocating to other Buckeye State cities if owner Penn National Gaming Inc. has its way, but the moves won't come without opposition.

PNGI to Outline Rationale for OH Track Moves

Penn National Gaming Inc. will publicly inform the Ohio State Racing Commission Feb. 10 of its plans to relocate two Ohio racetracks should the state's tracks get video lottery terminals.

PNGI Continues Looking for Growth Markets

Penn National Gaming Inc. said 10 of its 15 gaming properties increased net revenue and that it intends to "expand its presence to any jurisdiction considering the expansion of gaming."

Carlino: 'We're Not Running Public Charity'

Penn National Gaming Inc. believes racetrack gaming can be a major economic driver but shouldn't be viewed as a means to increase pari-mutuel wagering on racing, company president Peter Carlino said.

PNGI Purchase of Rosecroft in Maryland Upheld

A U.S. District Court judge in Maryland Feb. 2 upheld the purchase of shuttered Rosecroft Raceway by Penn National Gaming Inc., which operates a casino in the state and owns 49% of the Maryland Jockey Club.

Penn National Gaming to Buy Rosecroft

Penn National Gaming Inc. will pay $10.25 million for the shuttered Maryland harness racetrack.

PNGI Explores Option to Move Ohio Tracks

Penn National Gaming Inc. confirmed Jan. 21 there is a possibility it may attempt to relocate one or both of its Ohio racetracks to avoid competition with full-scale casinos the company is building nearby.

MD Industry's 2011 Legislative Plan Uncertain

The Maryland General Assembly convenes Jan. 12 for a session expected to include aid for horse racing, but action on the expansion of gambling is questionable.

Quarantine at Beulah Park as Tests Continue

Quarantine measures have been implemented at Beulah Park in Ohio with horses being tested for possible equine herpesvirus.

Chaos, Mistrust in Maryland as Clock Ticks

A horsemen's representative acknowledged Dec. 21 there's still a little more than a week to get a racing schedule in place in Maryland for 2011, but he said chances are slim if the situation isn't resolved before Christmas.

Maryland Trainers Forced Into Tough Spot

With Maryland racing in limbo for 2011, trainers based in the state could soon be faced with a simple but important question to answer: Where will they race their horses?

MJC Plan Rejected; Laurel, Pimlico in Limbo

Racing in Maryland for 2011 is in limbo after the Maryland Racing Commission Nov. 29 rejected a plan submitted by the Maryland Jockey Club and also rejected owner MI Developments' plan to sell 49% of the tracks to PNGI.

Maryland Horsemen Fighting for Race Dates

With a Dec. 1 deadline on racing dates looming, Maryland horsemen are advocating a schedule similar to that of 2010 even though a shutdown of Laurel Park for live racing and training is on the table.

MJC Considers Options in Wake of Slots Vote

The Maryland Jockey Club will map out a plan for the future over the next several weeks and the closure of Laurel Park for live racing and training remains a real possibility, officials said Nov. 3.

Beulah Park to Reopen Under New Ownership

Beulah Park, which has changed hands several times in its long history, will open its 2010-11 meet Oct. 12 under the new ownership of Penn National Gaming Inc.

Weiss Moves on After 23 Years at Ohio Track

After 23 years at Beulah Park in Ohio, Mike Weiss has formed his own consulting business with a focus on horse racing, concerts, and events.

PNGI Closes on Deals in Ohio, Maryland

Penn National Gaming Inc. said July 1 it has closed on two key deals: the purchase of Beulah Park in Ohio, and its investment in a joint venture with MI Developments in the Maryland Jockey Club.

Ohio Racetracks Seem Confident on VLT Program

A gaming and racing company with interests in Ohio said it believes a 2009 governor's directive for racetracks to install video lottery terminals can move ahead.

Panel OKs Sale of Beulah Park, Thistledown

The Buckeye State welcomed two new racetrack operators June 23 as the Ohio State Racing Commission approved the sale of both Beulah Park and Thistledown, which are to be purchased by casino companies.

PNGI Sues Greenwood Over Jersey OTB Parlor

Penn National Gaming Inc. said June 17 it has sued Greenwood Racing -- its partner in Freehold Raceway -- over its failure to build an off-track betting parlor in Camden County, N.J.

OH Court: Nothing Wrong With Gaming Probe

The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously ruled April 30 it's not illegal for Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to try to determine the parties behind an organization that challenged a 2009 directive on racetrack gaming.

Track Without Slots? There's No Hope for You

Prediction from a few racing industry executives: If you're a racetrack without slot machines, you're doomed.

Penn Gaming: No Plans to 'Flip' Beulah Park

The Ohio State Racing Commission met with four representatives from Penn National Gaming Inc. April 20 to question them on the proposed purchase of Beulah Park in Grove City, Ohio.

PNGI Tracks Adopt Anti-Slaughter Policy

Penn National Gaming Inc. has adopted a policy that punishes horsemen that sell horses for slaughter.

Penn Gaming Has Agreement to Buy Beulah Park

Penn National Gaming Inc. said March 8 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Beulah Park in Grove City, Ohio.

Sale of Beulah Park to PNGI Rumored

Beulah Park in central Ohio is poised to be, or has been, sold to Penn National Gaming Inc., according to Ohio racing industry representatives.

Lengthy Purse Dispute Resolved in New Jersey

A battle over purse supplements for a New Jersey harness track that dates back to 2008 was resolved with the Feb. 6 announcement that purses at Freehold Raceway will increase by almost $5 million over the next year.

WV Panel Pursues Appeal on Exclusion Cases

The West Virginia Racing Commission voted unanimously Dec. 7 to pursue an appeal of a ruling by a circuit court that said it can't conduct hearings into exclusion cases at Charles Town Races & Slots.

Fewer Racing Dates Sought for Penn National

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course is poised to become the next track to tighten its racing schedule to conserve purse money and promote larger fields.

All Five Aqueduct Bidders Meet Deadline

All five remaining bidders for the Aqueduct gaming project said they have met a Nov. 6 deadline to guarantee a quick $200-million payment to the state of New York if they are chosen to develop the video lottery terminal casino at the Queens racetrack.

Ohio Voters OK Casinos; Beshear Wants Action

Ohio voters Nov. 3 approved casinos on the fifth try by gambling supporters in the past two decades, and Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear immediately issued a statement saying Kentucky must respond.

Penn Gaming Advocates Ohio Casino Plan

Penn National Gaming Inc. officials Oct. 21 advocated their proposal for casino gambling in Ohio's four largest cities -- an issue that will be decided via referendum Nov. 3.

WV Court: Panel Can't Hear Exclusion Cases

A West Virginia court has ruled the state racing commission is prohibited from conducting hearings on racetrack exclusions because it "lacks the authority to unilaterally reinstate an ejected permit-holder over the objection of a racing association."

Ohio VLT Supporters Fight Against Casino Vote

Pro-racetrack gaming forces in Ohio have taken a strong stand in opposition to a November referendum on full casino gambling in the state's four largest cities.

PNGI Still in Hunt for Aqueduct VLT Contract?

Penn National Gaming Inc., believed to be facing an uphill battle in the bidding wars to develop a video lottery terminal casino at Aqueduct, has offered the cash-starved New York state government $250 million in a non-contingency, upfront payment for the exclusive contract and believes it's still in the hunt for the project.

Magna Sells Two Tracks and Makes a Third Deal

A Delaware bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Magna Entertainment Corp.-owned Thistledown in Ohio to Harrah's Entertainment for $89.5 million and Remington Park in Oklahoma City for $80.25 million to a Chickasaw Nation subsidiary. An agreement also has been reached to sell Lone Star Park for $27 million.

MEC Racetrack Sales Moving Along Slowly

The Chickasaw Nation appears well on its way to purchasing Remington Park in Oklahoma from Magna Entertainment Corp., but the fate of other MEC racetrack holdings is fuzzy at best.

Things Get Messy in Ohio Gambling Battle

A document submitted Sept. 1 suggests Penn National Gaming Inc. is underwriting an effort to overturn racetrack video lottery terminals legalized by Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and the Ohio legislature in July, but the Pennsylvania-based company said the information is false.

Ohio Panel on Record as Opposing Casino Plan

The Ohio State Racing Commission voted Aug. 20 to officially oppose a November referendum to authorize full casino gambling in the state's four largest cities.

Charles Town to Pursue Vote on Table Games

Penn National Gaming, Inc. said Aug. 6 it will request to hold a special December referendum for table games at Charles Town Races & Slots.

Speculation Abounds Over Ohio Racetrack VLTs

Speculation abounds in Ohio, where casino companies are examining racetracks for possible purchase and a deal on revenue from video lottery terminals for purses hasn't been hammered out.

Penn National, TVG Strike Deal on Content

TVG and Penn National Gaming Inc. have reached a two-year deal in which the network will broadcast and offer wagering on races from tracks owned by the company. TVG began broadcasting PNGI races Aug. 1.

PNGI Poised to Capitalize on Ohio Gaming

Penn National Gaming Inc. officials see upside to an expansion of gambling in Ohio, but said they have no idea how it will shake out.