Penn National Gaming to withdraw from proposed Lawrence Downs Casino and Racing Resort

An application by Endeka for the proposed USD 225M integrated racing and gaming facility in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania has been pending before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board since May 2013.

“We are disappointed to be withdrawing from this project,” stated BJ Fair, Chief Development Officer for Penn National Gaming. “However, given the continued softness in the economy and the level of market saturation -- not just in Western Pennsylvania, but across the Commonwealth -- we are regrettably unable to justify this investment at the statutorily required spending levels,” said Fair.

“We sincerely appreciate the strong support for this proposal by the people of Lawrence County, and while we will not be going forward with the project, we have offered to assist with the transition to another potential operator,” said Fair.

In conjunction with its announcement, Penn National today filed a complaint, including a request for declaratory judgment, in Berks County Court of Common Pleas. “We are disappointed that our continued open dialogue with the partners in Endeka about the deteriorating market conditions in Lawrence County, and our multiple offers to cooperate fully in transitioning the project to a new operator, have been met only with threats of legal action,” said Fair. “We’re asking the court to reaffirm our rights regarding withdrawal.”