Penn National refunds $150,000 after tote error

A communications failure at the main wagering hub for Penn National Race Course forced the wagering on the track's second race Wednesday to be refunded in its entirety, according to a Thursday release from the racetrack. About $150,000 was refunded to bettors on site and offtrack.

Rob Marella, the track's director of racing, said that a link between Penn National and its Portland, Ore., wagering hub maintained by United Tote went down just before the start of the race. According to Marella, United Tote said there was an indication that wagers were made after the start of the race, leading to the full refund.

Penn National notified the wagering integrity unit of the Thoroughbred Racing and Protective Bureau and the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission after the incident.

The refund was the second that occurred in a week. Last Saturday, a glitch led to the refund of $100,000 in wagers at 33 sites on a race at Hollywood Park. The California Horse Racing Board has asked the bet-processing company Scientific Games Racing for an explanation.