PENN GAMING SAYS THEY'RE COMMITTED TO A LOCAL CASINO

PENN NATIONAL GAMING SAYS THEY STILL WANT TO BRING A NEW INDOOR GAMBLING CASINO TO SIOUX CITY.

A STATEMENT E-MAILED FROM COMPANY SPOKESWOMAN KAREN BAILEY SAYS PENN IS SUPRISED BY WEDNESDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT BY MRHD THAT THEY ARE PARTNERING WITH HARD ROCK FOR A CASINO AND HOTEL PROJECT.

BAILEY SAYS MRHD NEVER RESPONDED TO A PROPOSAL PRESENTED TO THEM BY PENN ON SEPTEMBER 27TH.

BAILEY ADDED THAT PENN GAMING STILL DISAGREES WITH THE IOWA RACING AND GAMING COMMISSIONS DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE SIOUX CITY CASINO LICENSE. SHE SAYS PENN WILL LIKELY SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO THE I-R-G-C WITH A NEW UNIDENTIFIED NON PROFIT AS A PARTNER.

PENN HAS FILED LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST MRHD AND THE STATE GAMING COMMISSION OVER THAT LICENSING PROCESS. THEY PREVIOUSLY STATED THEY WOULD SUE ANY NEW COMPANY WHO TRIED TO OBTAIN THE SIOUX CITY OPERATING LICENSE.

ALL INTERESTED PARTIES FACE A NOVEMBER 1ST APPLICATION DEADLINE.