Boomtown Biloxi Set to Reopen June 29

Biloxi, Miss. & Wyomissing, Pa --- Boomtown Biloxi management stated June 14 that the establishment will be reopening ahead of schedule on Thursday, June 29. The Boomtown Biloxi was closed in August 2005 because of damages to the facility wrought by hurricane Katrina. Boomtown Biloxi is owned by Penn National Gaming, Inc.

Penn National Gaming owns and operates a number of casino and horse racing facilities specializing on slot machine entertainment. The Company currently operates sixteen facilities in thirteen jurisdictions including Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ontario. Collectively, Penn National's facilities feature approximately 20,000 slot machines, nearly 400 table games, almost 1,200 hotel rooms and approximately 600,000 square feet of gaming floor space. This property statistic exclude the Company's Hollywood Casino, Bay St. Louis, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi which, following damages incurred from Hurricane Katrina, is expected to re-open later this year.

Boomtown Biloxi promises to offer non-stop entertainment like never before with approximately 1,000 brand new slot machines and 22 game tables. The newest models of slot machines will be featured and will be configured for ticket-in-ticket-out gaming for customer convenience. The slot machines will also support Fast Draw and machine-issued promotional credits. Likewise, Boomtown is offering players an updated Players Club that will allow patrons to accumulate points faster than before.

Boomtown Biloxi, has hired 760 people through recently held job fairs and recruiting programs. A large portion of this number of employees were responsible for the success of the property prior to the unfortunate hurricane-related closing.

Additionally, Boomtown Biloxi will be opening its pier-based expansion with 400 new additional slot machines and a full service restaurant that will also be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the 165-seater Overland Caf�.

"Boomtown was always known as the place to come for great entertainment, gaming, food and relaxation. Now, Boomtown is everything it is remembered for, only better. With all new decor, slots, restaurants and easily accessible parking, we look forward to attracting new patrons and welcoming back those who previously enjoyed Boomtown Biloxi." Says VP and General Manager Pat Murphy.

Disclaimer from Penn National Gaming, Inc.: In addition to historical facts or statements of current conditions, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations and beliefs but are not guarantees of future performance. As such actual results may vary materially from expectations.

The risks and uncertainties associated with the forward-looking statements are described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q. Penn National assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The cautionary advice in this paragraph is permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Sunday, 20 August 2006
Caroline Mitchell