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Beulah Park Will Likely Move to Youngstown

Penn National Gaming Inc. now plans to request to move Beulah Park near Columbus, Ohio, to a site near Youngstown rather than Dayton, according to its latest financial report.

Ohio Racetrack Relocation Rules Expedited

Gov. John Kasich signed another executive order Oct. 20 that allows the Ohio State Racing Commission to adopt regulations governing eligibility for racetracks to install video lottery terminals and to request relocation.

Wait-and-See for Ohio Racetrack Relocations

If the Ohio Supreme Court were to rule that video lottery terminals can't be installed at racetracks in the state, attempts to move tracks to new locations would be dropped.

PNGI Makes Pitch for Gaming at Rosecroft

Penn National Gaming Inc. is making its case for gaming at Rosecroft Raceway, the Maryland harness track it purchased earlier this year and will reopen for live racing Oct. 21.

Jockey Ejection Arguments Heard in WV Court

Parties in a two-year-old case involving the ejection of seven jockeys from Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races made their arguments Sept. 20 in the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

VLT Revenue Splits Remain Issue in Ohio

Racetracks and horsemen's groups in Ohio continue to wrestle over how much purses and breed development programs will receive from track-based video lottery terminals, which were legalized earlier this year.

Rosecroft Raceway Back in Business Under PNGI

Rosecroft Raceway, a Maryland harness track that has been closed for live racing since 2008, is expected to reopen for simulcasting Aug. 25 under ownership of a Penn National Gaming Inc. subsidiary.

OH Track Relocations Must Wait Until October

A racing regulator in Ohio said Aug. 21 it will be the middle of October for a decision is made on allowing Penn National Gaming Inc. to transfer the racing licenses of its two tracks to other locations.

Report: Illinois Racing Gets Escrow Funding

Roughly $141 million in an escrow account has been freed up for use by the Illinois horse racing industry, according to published reports.

PNGI Has Solid Quarter, Likes Its Chances

Penn National Gaming Inc. reported solid numbers for the second quarter of 2011 and said it expects good things from existing and potential properties despite increased competition.

Ohio Racetrack VLTs Called 'Moving Target'

With Republican Gov. John Kasich preparing to sign legislation authorizing racetrack video lottery terminals and horse industry representatives already discussing strategy, a public policy group is ready to fight the plan.

Ohio Legislature Passes Racetrack VLT Bill

In a flurry of activity June 28 both houses of the Ohio General Assembly passed legislation allowing racetracks to apply for video lottery terminal licenses.

Ohio House Passes Racetrack Relocation Bill

The Ohio House of Representatives June 23 passed legislation authorizing the relocation of racetracks that are eligible for video lottery terminal licenses.

Ohio Policy Group: VLT Plan Violates Law

The Ohio Roundtable, a public policy organization, said an agreement between Republican Gov. John Kasich and casino developers that includes a provision for racetrack gaming is a "clear violation" of Ohio law.

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.

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.

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.

Maryland Tracks, PNGI Have Operating Deal

The Maryland Jockey Club, now operated by MI Developments, will be jointly operated by Penn National Gaming Inc. upon closure of the deal, the two entities announced May 7.

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.

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.

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.