Penn National, Endeka sue each other over pending Lawrence County gaming license

NEW CASTLE, PA.

Endeka Entertainment claims in a lawsuit that Penn National Gaming Inc.’s misrepresentation on a Lawrence County casino and racing project will hinder approval of a gaming license.

In its own lawsuit, Penn National — after withdrawing its interest in the project — says if the application is denied, Penn’s own reputation will be “irreparably harmed.”

Both are seeking damages from each other in these lawsuits, which came just a few weeks before the April 29 hearing before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for an update on the project.

In a lawsuit filed in the Court of Common Pleas in Berks County, Pa., on March 30, Penn National wants the court to require Endeka to pay the company damages and determine whether Penn can cause Endeka to file a petition to withdraw its gaming license application.

Likewise, in a lawsuit filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Lawrence County on March 30, Endeka asks the court for compensatory damages, plus punitive damages for the “fraudulent scheme and fraudulent misrepresentations” made by Penn National to prevent the completion of the Lawrence Downs project.

“Upon information and belief, Penn National sought to control the application for a gaming license and the development of a casino in Lawrence County, derailed the project from the outset through fraud, and ultimately destroyed the project, all to protect Penn National’s own financial interest in its Austintown, Ohio, casino,” Endeka’s lawsuit says.

Read more about the case in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.