Missouri determines Fortunes licensing dates

PHOENIX, Arizona – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Aztar Corporation reported that the Missouri Gaming Commission yesterday determined that the licensing of Fortunes Entertainment, LLC, the previously announced buyer of Aztar's riverboat gaming operation in Caruthersville, Missouri, will not occur on or before November 19, 2006, the deadline for obtaining the necessary licenses to complete the sale of the gaming operation under Aztar's agreement with Fortunes Entertainment. In addition, the Commission directed its staff to take the necessary legal steps for the appointment of a supervisor of Casino Aztar Caruthersville to avoid closure of the gaming operation, which closure was contemplated by the previously announced merger agreement with Wimar Tahoe Corporation d/b/a Columbia Entertainment, the gaming affiliate of Columbia Sussex Corporation, in the event such a sale was not completed by November 19, 2006. Based on currently available information, Aztar does not expect the Commission's action to significantly impact the timing of the closing of the merger with Columbia Entertainment, which is presently expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Aztar previously announced that it had signed a definitive agreement on August 17, 2006 with Fortunes Entertainment under which Fortunes Entertainment would acquire Casino Aztar Caruthersville, subject to approval of the Missouri gaming authorities and other customary closing conditions.