Penn Ent Stock Price, News & Analysis

PENN Entertainment has responded to an ISS report regarding its upcoming 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Both PENN and HG Vora are recommending the same two candidates - Johnny Hartnett and Carlos Ruisanchez - for the two available director seats. ISS acknowledged PENN's open-mindedness in evaluating HG Vora's nominees. After the Annual Meeting, 75% of PENN's directors will have joined since 2019. The company expressed concerns about William Clifford's candidacy, citing his past opposition to key initiatives during his tenure as CFO and his antiquated industry views. PENN noted that attempts at resolution with HG Vora were unsuccessful, and HG Vora's violation of institutional waivers by gaming regulators limited their influence on company governance.

PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN) has announced the grand opening of its new Hollywood Casino Joliet in Illinois on August 11, nearly six months ahead of schedule. The state-of-the-art facility will anchor the Rock Run Collection development, strategically located near the I-80 and I-55 interchange with 230,000 daily passing vehicles.

The new land-based casino will feature 1,000 slots, 43 live table games, a baccarat room, an ESPN BET sportsbook, and a 10,000 sq ft event center. The facility will employ approximately 600 team members, adding 200 new jobs. Notable dining attractions include Sorellina by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and the Boulevard Food & Drink Hall featuring concepts from renowned chefs.

The $185 million project will be partially funded with approximately $130 million from Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. in Q3.

PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN) has issued a letter to shareholders addressing misstatements made by HG Vora in their recent 116-page investor presentation. The company clarifies that while HG Vora successfully achieved changes to PENN's Board composition, with their nominees representing 25% of the continuing Board after the 2025 Annual Meeting, settlement attempts failed due to HG Vora's demands violating gaming regulator directives.

PENN emphasizes its 30-year track record of regulatory compliance and criticizes HG Vora for disregarding gaming regulatory requirements in their attempt to influence the company. The Board refutes HG Vora's claims regarding excessive management compensation, corporate aircraft misuse, and insider trading, stating these allegations are not supported by public disclosure facts.

HG Vora Capital Management, holding approximately 4.80% of PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN) shares, has released a comprehensive investor presentation ahead of the company's 2025 Annual Meeting on June 17. The activist investor is pushing for significant board changes, nominating three independent directors: William Clifford, Johnny Hartnett, and Carlos Ruisanchez.

HG Vora criticizes PENN's current leadership for poor performance, strategic missteps, and inadequate corporate governance. The firm is urging shareholders to vote using their GOLD proxy card to support the nomination of these three candidates, aiming to restore oversight and accountability to what they describe as an entrenched board.

Shake Shack (NYSE: SHAK) and PENN Entertainment (Nasdaq: PENN) have announced a strategic licensing partnership to open ten new Shake Shack locations across PENN's casino properties nationwide. The first two locations are scheduled to open in 2026 at Hollywood Casino Toledo, Ohio and River City Casino Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, subject to regulatory approvals.

This expansion represents Shake Shack's significant move into the entertainment space, allowing the burger brand to explore flexible formats and extend its reach to new U.S. regions. The partnership aligns with PENN Entertainment's strategy to enhance its properties with upgraded dining and entertainment options.

PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN) and Shake Shack (NYSE: SHAK) have announced a strategic licensing partnership to open ten Shake Shack locations across PENN's casino properties nationwide. The first two locations are scheduled to open in 2026 at Hollywood Casino Toledo, Ohio and River City Casino Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, subject to regulatory approvals.

This expansion represents Shake Shack's significant move into the entertainment space, allowing the burger brand to extend its reach and bring its signature dining experience to new markets. The partnership aligns with PENN Entertainment's ongoing initiative to enhance its properties with upgraded dining and entertainment options.

HG Vora Capital Management has issued a statement criticizing PENN Entertainment's (NASDAQ: PENN) board's decision to reduce board seats up for election at the 2025 Annual Meeting. HG Vora, which owns approximately 4.80% of PENN's shares, is fighting in court to have votes counted for their third director nominee, William Clifford, after PENN unilaterally reduced available board seats on April 25, 2025. The activist investor has filed for expedited relief in federal court in Pennsylvania. HG Vora claims PENN plans to expand the board and add a director of its choosing after the June 17, 2025 Annual Meeting, which they view as an attempt to avoid shareholder accountability. The investment firm is urging shareholders to vote using their GOLD proxy card for all three independent nominees: William Clifford, Johnny Hartnett, and Carlos Ruisanchez.

PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN) has issued a letter to shareholders clarifying details about its upcoming Annual Meeting. The letter addresses the election of two Board candidates - Johnny Hartnett and Carlos Ruisanchez - who were initially proposed by HG Vora Capital Management. Despite HG Vora soliciting proxies for a third director candidate, only two director seats are available for election.

The company emphasizes that this is not a contested election, as both PENN and HG Vora are recommending the same two candidates. PENN has decided not to solicit proxies for their White Card over HG Vora's Gold Card. After the election, 75% of PENN's directors will have joined the Board since 2019, with the company indicating openness to further Board refreshment.

PENN Entertainment issued a letter to shareholders addressing its strategic direction and response to HG Vora Capital Management's demands. The company highlighted its omni-channel strategy success, with PENN Play loyalty membership growing 10% YoY to 32M members and customer age decreasing from 53 to 44 since 2019. The Interactive segment showed strong momentum with $162M in Q1 2025 revenue (+78% YoY) and expects profitability by Q4 2025. PENN plans to repurchase at least $350M of common stock in 2025 and maintains $1.5B in liquidity. The company nominated two of HG Vora's candidates (Johnny Hartnett and Carlos Ruisanchez) for the Board while rejecting the third nominee. PENN criticized HG Vora for making value-destructive demands, including a 50% leveraged buyback proposal, and violating gaming regulations, resulting in a $950,000 SEC penalty in 2024.