Penn National Joins Learn and Earn

There are many groups, inside and out of Ohio, bent on bringing slot machines to the state’s racetracks.  One group is so serious about its intention it has declared a new partnership with a direct competitor.  Such a partnership could narrow the issues on the November ballot to one.

Last Monday, the owner of Toledo’s Raceway Park, Penn National Gaming Inc. announced its union with the Learn and Earn campaign.  Penn National made its decision after the Learn and Earn group gave up on bringing a slot machine parlor to Cincinnati.  The decision is a surprise from the Wyomissing, Pennsylvania-based Penn National.  The organization, just last week, stated it had no partners in its undertaking to underwrite the issue alone.

Penn National’s Argosy riverboat casino is docked in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, mere miles from the city of Cincinnati.

In April of this year, Learn and Earn submitted ballot language on a revised plan that would set up slot-like facilities at all seven of Ohio’s racetracks.  In addition, two 3,500 slot machine parlors would be established in downtown Cleveland.  Learn and Earn admits their chief purpose for changing its proposal was to rope in the support of Penn National and another Ohio-slots interest group, Greater Cleveland Partnership.

Slot machine revenues would pay for local economic development and fund college tuition for high school graduates in the state.

According to David Hopcraft, Learn and Earn spokesperson, Greater Cleveland Partnership is giving up its rivalry and forming a very powerful triumvirate with Penn National and Learn and Earn.

The Learn and Earn proposal has a lot of potential according to Cuyahoga County Commissioner Tim Hagan.  Hagan has been a consultant on the Greater Cleveland Partnership proposal.

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