PRNewswire – Slot players will have another million reasons to play in 2015 as Penn National Gaming announces its sophomore season of the Marquee Millionaire® slot tournament series.

The series kicked off at Hollywood Casinos Aurora and Joliet, IL on Saturday, Oct. 18 and will culminate with the million-dollar, grand-prize championship event, held May 2015, at the M Resort Spa & Casino in Las Vegas.

Between October and April, 20 Penn properties, across seven brands in North America — which include Hollywood Casino, Hollywood Gaming, Argosy Casino, Boomtown Casino, Casino Rama, Zia Park Casino Hotel & Racetrack and the M Resort Spa & Casino — will host qualifying events for slot players to win cash prizes and a seat in the million-dollar final event.

These events will qualify 200 players for the $1 million Championship taking place at the Forbes four-star rated M Resort Spa & Casino in Las Vegas this coming May.

“Our first season was very well received and we attribute that success to the great group of qualifiers we had join us at the M Resort for the final event,” said Gaye Gullo, Corporate Senior Vice President of Marketing, Penn National Gaming. “We’re excited to offer a second season of this popular Marquee Signature Event to our loyalty-card members.”

Penn’s Marquee Signature Event series caters to both slot and poker players with the Marquee Millionaire Slot Tournament and the Hollywood Poker Open. These signature events are one facet of Marquee Rewards, the multi-tiered loyalty-card program available at nearly 20 gaming facilities. As you play and earn tier points and Marquee Comps®, you can use them at any participating property, including the M Resort Spa & Casino.

“We want our qualifiers and guests to experience a truly high-end experience,” explained Scotty Rutledge, Vice President of Casino Marketing, M Resort Spa & Casino. “Hosting the Marquee Millionaire final event at the M Resort best allows us to exceed everyone’s expectations when it comes to customer experience.”

Last year’s winner, Karen from Hollywood Casino Bay St Louis said, “Winning a million dollars enabled my husband and I to do many things for our family and church.  My college-bound son received a new car to replace his “clunker;” we were able to help our daughter with her college student loans and our other daughter was thrilled to have extra assistance with her wedding. We are also planning a trip of a lifetime! And it all began by simply entering the qualifying tournament!”

Qualifying tournament formats will vary depending on location and are open to Marquee Rewards and other loyalty cardholders at participating Penn properties. To obtain a Marquee Rewards or other loyalty card, visit Player Services at any participating property; no purchase is necessary. Cardholders can receive rewards and benefits for playing at Penn properties nationwide.

For more information on the tournament including dates and schedules, visit MarqueeMillionaire.com. Make sure to follow the action on Facebook as well.

*The $1-million grand prize is paid in annual installments over 20 years.

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.