Penn National CFO says company will spend aggressively to stop Maryland casino expansion
Penn National Gaming will continue to spend aggressively to defeat a gaming expansion initiative in Maryland, the company’s chief financial officer said this week at the Global Gaming Expo.
During an investors meeting sponsored by Credit Suisse, Penn National CFO Bill Clifford said the company “has ample resources and media air time to support its message.”
The Baltimore Sun reported Penn National has donated $17.9 million to the committee working to defeat Question 7 on the Nov. 6 ballot. If approved, the gaming expansion issue would allow a casino to be constructed in suburban Maryland that would compete with Penn National’s casino in neighboring West Virginia.
MGM Resorts International, which has proposed building a $700 million casino complex in Prince George’s County’s National Harbor development, has donated $14.6 million to FOR Maryland Jobs and Growth, the committee seeking passage of the referendum.
The Baltimore Sun also released a poll showing the referendum being defeated by a 53 percent to 38 percent margin.