Penn National Gaming, Inc. (PENN: Nasdaq) (“Penn National” or the “Company”) announced today that Spectrum Gaming Group has named it the gaming industry’s Employer of First Choice in the 14th Annual Bristol Associates/Spectrumetrix™ Executive Satisfaction Survey.

Penn National, which garnered high marks for its stable and positive workplace environment and attractive corporate culture, received nearly 21% of first place votes. The Company placed ahead of fourteen prominent gaming companies in this year’s survey, including destination and regional gaming operators, Macau operators and major Native American gaming operators. The percentage of respondents that selected Penn National Gaming as their employer of first choice rose by 51.47% from the 2013 survey, when Penn National Gaming ranked second to Wynn Resorts.

“A core focus for Penn National Gaming, and a key to the Company’s long-term success, has been attracting and retaining the industry’s best talent, maintaining high standards of performance and integrity, and leveraging our team’s commitment to excellence to provide the industry’s best gaming entertainment experience for our customers,” said Timothy J. Wilmott, Chief Executive Officer of Penn National Gaming.

Mr. Wilmott continued, “Being named Employer of First Choice by Spectrum Gaming Group and Bristol Associates is a testament to the strength of our senior management, corporate staff, and our General Managers and their respective operating teams, which together have fostered a collaborative workplace environment that prioritizes a deep appreciation for our customers and the local communities in which we operate. I cannot thank our team enough for their hard work and for creating a culture that has allowed our Company to thrive and develop new growth opportunities that we are confident will deliver new value for shareholders.”

The Bristol Associates/Spectrumetrix Executive Satisfaction Survey, conducted by Bristol Associates and Spectrum Gaming Group, was conducted with 636 participants representing a sampling of industry executives from across North America based on a number of criteria, including diverse geographies, executive responsibilities and years of experience. The full report is available at http://www.bristolassoc.com/casino-gaming/2014-gaming-executive-survey-full-report.pdf.

About the Survey

Bristol Associates and Spectrum Gaming Group have conducted the Annual Casino Gaming Executive Satisfaction Survey for 14 years. Together Bristol and Spectrum survey gaming executives from around the country about their careers including long- and short-term goals, satisfaction in their current position, and general outlook on the field to better understand the casino gaming industry and the executives who lead it.

About Penn National Gaming

Penn National Gaming owns, operates or has ownership interests in gaming and racing facilities with a focus on slot machine entertainment. At June 30, 2014, the Company operated twenty-seven facilities in eighteen jurisdictions, including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Ontario. At June 30, 2014, in aggregate, Penn National Gaming’s operated facilities featured approximately 30,900 gaming machines, 790 table games and 2,900 hotel rooms.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as “expects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “plan” or “anticipates,” or the negative or other variation of these or similar words, or by discussions of future events, strategies or risks and uncertainties. Such forward looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Penn National Gaming and its subsidiaries. Accordingly, any forward looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors described in Penn National Gaming’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All subsequent written and oral forward looking statements attributable to Penn National Gaming or persons acting on the Company’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this press release. Penn National Gaming undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements contained or incorporated by reference herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release may not occur.