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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.

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."

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.

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.

No Ruling Yet in West Virginia Exclusions

No ruling was issued July 8 after a hearing in the ongoing exclusion case involving horsemen at Charles Town Races & Slots in West Virginia.

Casinos Versus Racetrack Slots in Ohio

In anticipation of a push by a consortium for casino gambling in Ohio's four largest cities, the Ohio State Racing Commission is formulating its own legislative proposal for video lottery terminals at the state's seven racetracks.

No Table-Games Vote for Charles Town

A Penn National Gaming Inc. official said the company doesn't plan to ask voters this year to approve table games at Charles Town Races & Slots in West Virginia.

PNGI 'Not Enthused' About Maryland Slots

After absorbing a $378.6-million loss in 2008's fourth quarter alone, Penn National Gaming Inc. posted an annual loss of $153.3 million for the year, and said while it isn't "enthused" about developing a potential new slots facility in Maryland, it will pursue those plans.

PNGI Seeks Dismissal of Shareholder Suit

Penn National Gaming Inc. has asked a Maryland federal court to dismiss a lawsuit brought against the company for alleged securities violations inherent to its failed buyout deal earlier this year, claiming the legal action is an attempt by the plaintiffs to recover bad investment decisions.

NJ Purse Subsidy Fights Getting Ugly

Issues surrounding a $90-million purse subsidy from Atlantic City casinos continue to plague the New Jersey horseracing industry.

Charles Town Newest Member of TRA

Charles Town Races & Slots is the newest member of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations, the racetrack trade group announced Oct. 7.

Penn Takes Stand on Equine Health

Penn National Gaming Inc., second only to Magna Entertainment Corp. in terms of number of racetrack holdings in North America, said July 15 it has developed equine health and safety initiatives it hopes implement at all of its properties in six jurisdictions.

PNGI Purchases Option on Maryland Land

Penn National Gaming Inc. said July 7 it has secured an exclusive 18-month option to purchase about 36 acres in Cecil County, Md., for the purpose of constructing a slot-machine casino.

PNGI Terminates Merger Agreement

Penn National Gaming Inc. has entered into an agreement with PNG Acquisition Co., an entity indirectly owned by certain funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC and Centerbridge Partners, L.P., to terminate the proposed merger agreement whereby PNGI was to be acquired by PNG Acquisition Co. for $67 per share.

Barred Horseman Seeks State Office

A horseman barred from the grounds of Charles Town Races & Slots is running for state office in West Virginia, and his opponent is a former Miss West Virginia who works for the company that excluded him.

Barred Couple Gets National Support

Horsemen's groups are rallying around a couple banned from Charles Town Races & Slots in West Virginia because of what the track owner terms integrity issues.