In December 2020, Penn National reached a definitive agreement with Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI) to acquire the Maryland casino operations.
The deal closed for $31.1 million in cash and on Thursday, the company signed a lease with GLPI for the casino’s real estate assets.
Jay Snowden, President and CEO of Penn National, said, “Penn National is excited to reenter Maryland’s strong gaming market and re-operate Hollywood Casino Perryville, a property we developed in 2010.”
Snowden further noted that the acquisition of Hollywood Casino Perryville will add a “twentieth gaming jurisdiction to our core nationwide presence.”
To support the newly acquired property, the company appointed Allie Evangelista as General Manager.
Evangelista most recently served as General Manager at Penn National’s Hollywood Gaming at the Mahoning Valley Race Course in Ohio.
Meanwhile, Hollywood Casino Perryville’s current General Manager Matt Heiskell will oversee operations at Hollywood Casino Tunica and 1st Jackpot Casino in Mississippi.
Snowden said: “We are thrilled to welcome both new and old team members into the Penn National family, and we look forward to getting started in what promises to be an exciting time following the recent legalization of sports betting in Maryland.”
“This acquisition provides another opportunity to expand our unique omnichannel platform as we expect to introduce a Barstool Sportsbook-branded sportsbook to Hollywood Casino Perryville and a mobile app for gamers across Maryland,” concludes Snowden.
About Penn National Gaming
Penn National Gaming is an American casino and racetrack operator, headquartered in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. Operates 43 facilities in the United States and Canada. The company also has a 36% stake in Barstool Sports.
 to acquire the Maryland casino operations.){kind=link}