Penn National Gaming names new Senior Vice President of Regional Operations

Britton currently serves as General Manager of Penn National's Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in W.Va., a position he has held since September 2004.

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Britton began his career in 1981 with Claridge Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ

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In conjunction with Britton’s appointment, Penn National plans to realign its regional reporting structure to reflect the oversight of Britton and the company’s other two Senior Vice Presidents of Regional Operations, John Finamore and Ameet Patel.

Britton will have responsibility for the Midwest Region, which includes Penn National’s operations in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Indiana. John Finamore will oversee the Northeast Region, which includes properties in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Maine and Ontario. Finally, Ameet Patel will manage the South/West Region, which includes the company’s operations in Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada and California.

He brings 35 years of proven gaming industry experience to his new role with Penn National, where he will report to Jay Snowden, Chief Operating Officer.  Britton began his career in 1981 with Claridge Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ. He served in various management positions there, including financial, operations, hotel management, marketing, administration and human resources and ultimately ascended to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer.

Commenting on Britton’s appointment, Jay Snowden said: “For nearly 12 years, Al has very successfully led our efforts to drive revenue and create an exciting regional destination for our customers at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, one of our Company’s flagship properties. During that time he has overseen several Charles Town expansion projects, while adeptly responding to new competition in the marketplace. As a result, Charles Town remains one of the leading regional gaming properties in the country. I’m confident that our facilities and the property management teams in his region will benefit from his vast industry knowledge and experience.”

Scott Saunders, currently General Manager of Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, will succeed Al Britton as General Manager of Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Saunders joined Penn National in May 2010 as Director of Finance for Hollywood Casino Perryville in Maryland. In July 2011 he was appointed Assistant General Manager for Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, where he served until being named Assistant General Manager for Hollywood Casino Columbus. In 2013, Saunders became General Manager of Argosy Casino Alton in Illinois, where he served briefly before returning to Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg in his current role as General Manager.

Brad Hirsch has been recruited to fill the position of General Manager for Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Hirsch began his career in the gaming industry with Caesar’s Entertainment in 2003. He served with the company for 12 years in various management capacities in Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi and Ohio. Most recently he was General Manager of Harrah’s Metropolis casino in Illinois.

Commenting on both appointments, Snowden said: “Scott has spent much of his 20 year career in the gaming industry with Penn National, and we’re confident he’s ready to take the helm of one of our Company’s most significant assets. As for Brad, we’re excited to be able to recruit him to our property leadership team. His successful track record in competitive markets, including Illinois and Ohio, will serve him well in his new position at Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg.”