Penn National Acquires Land for Future Slots Facility in Cecil County

On July 12th, 2008, a known casino gaming operator has finalized an agreement with one of Cecil County's biggest landowners on an agreement that could lead to the construction of a slots facility near the I-95 tolls in Perryville if state voters approve a gaming referendum in November. Penn National Gaming Incorporated also announced that it is also planning to push for a passage of the November referendum. The casino gaming operator commented that they have secured an option to bought thirty-six acres of land for a slots facility at the location of a proposed one hundred forty acre tourism facility.

Penn National signed an exclusive eighteen month option to buy the thirty-six acres of land at I-95 and Route 222, which are owned by Principio Iron Co. L.P., which an affiliate of Stewart Associates. John K. Burkley II, who is selling the retail part of the project for Stewart Associates, said that the facility will be more than just a slots facility. Perryville Mayor Jim L. Eberhardt commented that the facility would be a good economic improvement while having little negative impact on the residents.

Penn National's chief executive Peter M. Carlino commented that they will continue to push for the approval of the referendum. The operators of two other racing tracks in the state of Maryland have not publicly pledge financial support for the efforts to approve the referendum.

The chairman of the Stop Slots Maryland, Aaron Meisner commented that Penn National is a large gaming organization with a lot of cash. So it will certainly have a big effect if Penn National will support the slots referendum. Maryland voters will decide on whether to allow or not to allow around fifteen thousand slot machines in Baltimore, Allegany, Anne Arundel, Cecil and Worcester counties.

Anne Arundel and Worcester Counties have racing tracks that would be eligible to bid for the slots licenses although the existing law does not require any slots facilities be at racing tracks. The state commission would pick the winning location.

Wednesday, 06 August 2008
Cindy Alfonso