Eric Johnston, Director of Racing & Sportsbook for Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course since 2014, has announced his retirement, effective August 30.
A native of Grantville, PA, Johnston started his racing career at the Grantville oval in 1983 and then moved on to racing official positions at The Maryland Jockey Club racetracks until the early 1990s. In 1994, Johnston joined the team at the new Sam Houston Race Park in Texas as stakes coordinator and quickly was promoted to director of racing and racing secretary. He assumed other management responsibilities over his nearly 20 years at Sam Houston and also spent three years as the director of racing at Fort Erie Race Course in Canada. Since 2014 Eric has overseen the entire racing operation at Penn National Race Course and recently added oversight of its retail sports betting operations.
"I have been blessed with a great career and happy with the things I have accomplished. Now, after 40 plus years in the industry, it is time to take a step back and relax a bit. I don't have any plans for the immediate future other than to catch my breath and decompress," Johnston said.
"Eric's entire career has been entirely focused in and around horse racing, and he has proven a true professional at every stop along the way. He navigated Sam Houston through some rough beginnings to build a solid program there and we were fortunate to have him come "home" to Penn National where he has been a consummate team player and we thank him for all of his hard work and efforts," said Christopher McErlean, Vice President of Racing for PENN Entertainment, parent company of Hollywood Casino Penn National Race Course.
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