Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course set a monthly record in January for daily average all-sources handle, eclipsing the previous mark set in April 2009.
Penn National's 13 live racing days in January produced a total all-sources handle of $16,382,246 for a record daily average of $1,260,173. That bested the previous mark for average daily all-sources handle of $1,237,341, set in April 2009 when $22,272,146 was wagered over 18 live racing days.
January's average daily export handle on Penn National's races also established a record with $1,203,633 wagered per card.
In 2012, daily average all-sources handle at Penn National was $1,013,422 over 197 live racing days, a 20.6% increase over $840,461 for 199 live racing days in 2011.
"It was encouraging to see the strong results we experienced in 2012 continue with a record-breaking start to 2013," said Dan Silver, director of racing operations at at Penn National. "Horseplayers responded enthusiastically to the deep and competitive cards put together by our racing department and supported by our horsemen. Considering the challenging weather we had in January, the fact that we didn't have any cancellations is a real credit to our terrific track maintenance team and our excellent jockey colony.
"We are looking forward to exciting months ahead, with the Penn Mile on the horizon as the richest race ever offered at our facility."
The inagural edition of the $500,000 Penn Mile, for 3-year-olds on the turf, anchors a June 1 card that will also feature the $250,000 Mountainview Handicap for 3-year-olds & up going 1 1/8 miles on the main track, and the $150,000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup for 3-year-olds & up going five furlongs on the turf.