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LAS VEGAS, April 7, 2000 - Full House Resorts,
Inc. (Nasdaq: FHRI) announced today that it reported a net loss of $1,499,500,
or $0.17 per share for 1999, compared to net income of $724,309 or $0.05
per share for 1998. Earnings for 1999 were negatively impacted by
development costs for the Hard Rock-Biloxi of $1,644,542, joint venture
pre-opening costs of $515,802, and a change in accounting for start-up
costs of $543,870, net of tax.
L.S. Capital Litigation The Company also announced today the complete dismissal of litigation filed against it by Lone Star Casino Corporation (now LS Capital Corporation). That litigation was dismissed earlier by the trial court upon defendants� motion for summary judgment, and the Court of Appeals for the State of Mississippi affirmed summary judgment against Lone Star in fourteen of the sixteen counts it filed. The appellate court remanded the two remaining claims for additional proceedings in April, 1998. After Lone Star failed to proceed in court on the claims for over 18 months, the trial court dismissed them with prejudice. William P. McComas, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated, �I have always been confident that we would prevail in this lawsuit. The Lone Star matter did not involve, and should have had no impact upon our efforts to develop a Hard Rock Hotel Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, but it sometimes created confusion until it was explained. We�re glad to have it behind us.� Business Update As previously announced, the Company and Hard Rock Cafe International modified certain agreements concerning the proposed Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi, MS. The Company has paid the required $2,000,000 territory fee. During 1999, the project received permits for the proposed development from the Department of Marine Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers. The Company is actively seeking a joint venture partner to assist in management and financing. Midway Slots Simulcast, the Company�s Delaware venture with Dreamport, Inc., a subsidiary of GTECH Corporation, expects to open the expansion of its facility in late May. The expansion increases the number of games from 740 to approximately 1,140, increases the capacity and selection of its food offerings, and adds a lounge / entertainment area to the operation. The Company and Dreamport, Inc., its joint venture partner in Michigan,
have identified and optioned a suitable gaming site for the Huron Potawatomi
Tribe in Battle Creek. In December, the parties submitted the management
contracts, business plan, and licensing applications to the National Indian
Gaming Commission. Also in December,
Although the validity of the compact executed by this and other Michigan tribes is currently being challenged in state court, we continue to move forward with the regulatory filing and approval process, preliminary design work, and local community liaison efforts. Last month, California voters approved Proposition 1A, an amendment to their state constitution which authorizes Indian gaming under a compact entered into between the governor and other California tribes. That compact has already been approved by the state legislature. The Torres Martinez are in the process of executing a similar compact with the governor, and are taking the steps necessary under federal law to commence Class III gaming. Their Tribal Gaming Ordinance has already been approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission. The Company and Dreamport, Inc. are working with the Torres Martinez to determine the most effective avenue for the tribe to pursue in exercising its newly-clarified gaming rights. Full
House Resorts, Inc. is a developer of destination resorts and entertainment,
gaming and commercial centers. The Company is currently involved with profitable
casino developments with the Coquille Indian Tribe in North Bend, Oregon,
and with the Delaware State Fair Board at Harrington Raceway in Delaware.
Full House has executed gaming management contracts with an Indian tribe
near Battle Creek, Michigan, and with another tribe in Southern California.
These developments are joint venture projects with Dreamport, Inc., the
gaming and entertainment subsidiary of GTECH Corporation.
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Megan G. McIntosh Full House Resorts, Inc. 702-221-7800 |