Penn National pulls out of Lawrence Downs project

MAHONING TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Penn National Gaming, Inc. has officially pulled out of a proposed racino just 20 minutes east of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

In a press release Monday, B.J. Fair, chief development officer for the company, said, “We are disappointed to be withdrawing from [Lawrence Downs Casino and Racing Resort]. 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 in the statutorily required spending levels.”

Penn National had partnered with Endeka Entertainment on the project.

Penn National senior vice president of public affairs Eric Schippers said in an email two weeks ago that the two companies were going to make a presentation on the project in April to the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission but that “there remain significant challenges from a financial standpoint.”