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Pokagon Tribes Wins Court Ruling

29 Mar 2005

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq:LACO) announced today that Federal District Court Judge James Robertson has ruled in favor of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians by dismissing the last remaining issue filed in the lawsuit by Taxpayers of Michigan Against Casinos (TOMAC). The ruling clears the way for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to take a 675-acre parcel of land in New Buffalo Township into trust for the Tribe. Once the land is taken into trust, Lakes will help the Pokagon Band build and manage their casino development.

Lyle Berman, Chairman and CEO of Lakes stated, "We are very pleased with the Judge's decision and extremely happy for the Pokagon Band. This is a lawsuit that has taken four years to resolve and has taken four years away from the Pokagon Band's efforts to become self-sufficient."

The Pokagon Band will now urge the Department of Interior and the BIA to proceed with its decision to take the land into trust.

"We look forward to begin construction of the Four Winds Casino as soon as the trust process is completed," commented Tim Cope, President and CFO of Lakes. "The first phase of development is planned to include approximately 3,000 slot machines and 100 table games, as well as numerous restaurants, enclosed parking and several other casino resort amenities. The Four Winds Casino will be the only land-based casino in the northern Indiana/western Michigan market. We currently anticipate opening the casino approximately ten to twelve months after construction begins."

Lakes Entertainment, Inc. currently has development and management agreements with six separate Tribes for new casino operations in Michigan, California, Texas and Oklahoma, a total of nine separate casino sites. In addition, Lakes has announced plans to develop a company owned casino resort project in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Company also owns approximately 64% of WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq "WPTE"), a separate publicly held media and entertainment company principally engaged in the development, production and marketing of gaming themed televised programming including the World Poker Tour television series, the licensing and sale of branded products and the sale of corporate sponsorships.

Lakes Entertainment, Inc. common shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the trading symbol "LACO".

 
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