Penn National Gaming Names GM for Maine Facility

BANGOR, Maine -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Penn National Gaming, Inc. (Nasdaq: PENN) announced today that Jon Johnson has been named, subject to being granted all necessary regulatory approvals, General Manager of Penn's new gaming facility now under development in Bangor, Maine. Mr. Johnson currently serves as the Assistant General Manager at Penn National's Hollywood Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.

In his new role, Mr. Johnson will be responsible for all facets of Penn National's operations in Bangor, including Bangor Historic Track and the new temporary gaming facility that the company plans to begin constructing by early summer and open by year-end. Mr. Johnson will also assume responsibility for the operation of the company's larger, 1,500 slot machine permanent gaming facility in Bangor once it is developed.

Mr. Johnson, a Gary, Indiana native, brings 28 years of successful gaming industry experience to his new position with Penn's Bangor facility. During the course of his career, he has worked at some of the nation's premier gaming facilities in a variety of key positions, including internal auditor, senior accountant, casino controller, vice president of finance and chief financial officer, and since November 2004, as the Assistant General Manager of Hollywood Casino - Tunica.

"I am delighted to announce Jon's appointment as General Manager of our planned new operations in Maine," stated Kevin DeSanctis, President and Chief Operating Officer of Penn National Gaming. "Jon has built a solid reputation as a talented and dedicated executive and we have been very impressed by his performance at Hollywood Casino. He is a natural choice to lead our new enterprise in Maine," DeSanctis continued. "I know Jon is anxious to undertake this move and get to know and become part of the Greater Bangor community in the coming months," he added.

Mr. Johnson is married with five children and two grandchildren. He is a 1975 graduate of the University of Las Vegas and holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration.

"This new appointment is a very exciting opportunity," Johnson indicated. "I look forward to bringing my family to Bangor and to becoming a contributing member of the local business community, and to helping make Penn National's gaming facility a successful and valued asset," he added.