YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- An official with Penn National Gaming Inc., which operates Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, today objected to the company “being singled out yet again for another money grab.”

The Ohio Senate on Thursday approved House Bill 494 with an amendment providing for the $500,000 payments owed to Austintown, where the Penn National racino is located, as well as Dayton, where Penn National opened another racino this year. The amendment calls for the $500,000 payments to be paid for three years, half coming from Penn National and half from the Casino Operator Settlement Fund. 

"We are extremely disappointed by the special new tax the Ohio Senate has voted to impose on our company alone, despite our having paid an unprecedented $150 million in fees for the ability to relocate our racetracks to areas in need of new economic development and jobs,” said Eric Schippers, senior vice president of public affairs for Penn National, which is based in Wyomissing, Pa.

“Our company has invested nearly $1 billion in four gaming facilities in Ohio, created thousands of new jobs, and paid more than $320 million in new local and state tax revenues, and continues to support numerous local charities and civic organizations in the communities in which we operate,” he continued in a statement emailed to media outlets this morning. “We're baffled by the Senate’s action, and we are beyond dismayed at having been singled out yet again for another money grab."

Penn National opened the Austintown racino in September and the Dayton racino in August.

The legislation will go back to the Ohio House of Representatives for a concurrence vote, then will go on to Gov. John Kasich to sign or veto.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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