BATON ROUGE, La. and LAS VEGAS , May 17, 2010-- Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK) today announced the appointment of Kim Bailey Ginn, 39, to the new position of senior director of marketing for the Company's casino resort in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is currently under development.  Ginn, Pinnacle's first appointment for the Baton Rouge project, will be responsible for the development of an integrated marketing program for the new property – including property marketing promotions, advertising programs, publicity programs and special events – and for all day-to-day marketing activities. The new casino entertainment facility is expected to feature approximately 1,300 slot machines, 50 table games, a hotel with at least 100 guestrooms and other amenities.  

Ginn brings a distinguished 16-year track record of success in the casino entertainment industry to her new role.  Most recently, she served for three years as Pinnacle Entertainment's corporate director of loyalty marketing and strategic partnerships and served concurrently for a year as senior director of marketing at the Company's L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  Prior to joining Pinnacle, she served as director of marketing for Argosy Gaming Company's Baton Rouge property and in various other marketing-related roles over the course of 12 years with Argosy.  In 2000, as director of marketing at Belle of Baton Rouge, Ginn was named Marketer of the Year by the Baton Rouge Sales and Marketing Executives and received the Pinnacle Award from the Advertising Federation.  

"Kim possesses the perfect combination of casino marketing expertise and a tremendous familiarity with the Baton Rouge market.  Her experience makes her uniquely suited to lead our marketing initiative to introduce Pinnacle's exciting new casino resort to players in and around Baton Rouge," said Anthony Sanfilippo, Pinnacle Entertainment's president and chief executive officer.  "This position presents Kim with a great opportunity to contribute in many ways in a city she and her family love.  We look forward to the benefit of her experience as we continue development on what will be the premier casino entertainment facility in the region."

"I am honored to be the first official employee of Pinnacle's new Baton Rouge casino resort and to be working with Anthony and the entire development team on what will be a world-class casino entertainment destination in the heart of Louisiana's capital city," said Kim Bailey Ginn.  "I am very happy to again be operating in a city that I truly love and look forward to working in close collaboration with the local community to establish Pinnacle as a trusted corporate partner in the region."

Ginn is a current resident of Baton Rouge and is an active member of both St. Aloysius Church and School and the Sales and Marketing Executives of Greater Baton Rouge.  She holds a bachelor's degree in advertising from Louisiana State University's Manship School of Journalism.

Pinnacle Entertainment's project in East Baton Rouge Parish will bring a true gaming entertainment destination to the Pelican State's capital city and will reflect the rich heritage of Baton Rouge and southern Louisiana.  It is expected to include approximately 1,300 slot machines and 50 table games.  A hotel with at least 100 guestrooms will offer an upscale respite from the casino excitement, and an array of restaurants and lounges will offer diners a sweeping view of the Mississippi River.  Interested parties can request information by emailing [email protected] or visit www.pnkinc.com, where additional project information will be posted in the New Developments tab.

About Pinnacle Entertainment

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. owns and operates casinos in Louisiana, Missouri, Indiana, Nevada and Argentina.  In March 2010, Pinnacle opened its newest casino, River City, in south St. Louis County, Missouri and is developing a casino in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

All statements included in this press release, other than historical information or statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the expected amenities at the Company's Baton Rouge project, are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that could significantly affect future results. Accordingly, Pinnacle cautions that the forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by such statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (a) the Company may not meet the conditions for the maintenance of the license that it plans to utilize for its Baton Rouge project; (b) many factors could prevent the Company from completing its Baton Rouge project as planned, including the escalation of construction costs beyond increments anticipated in the construction budget; and (c) other risks, including those as may be detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). For more information on the potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results and business, review the Company's filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Current Reports on Form 8-K.

L'Auberge du Lac and River City are registered trademarks of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.  All rights reserved.