ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY



         This  Environmental  Indemnity  (as  amended,   modified  or  otherwise
supplemented from time to time, this "Indemnity") is made and entered into as of
June 3, 1999, by and between  Riviera Black Hawk,  Inc., a Colorado  corporation
(the "Company"),  as indemnitor  ("Indemnitor"),  and IBJ WHITEHALL BANK & TRUST
COMPANY, a New York banking  association,  having an office at One State Street,
10th Floor,  New York, New York 10004,  as trustee (in such  capacity,  together
with its  successors  and assigns in such  capacity,  the  "Trustee")  under the
Indenture referred to below for the holders from time to time (the "Holders") of
the First Mortgage Notes due 2005  (together with any  amendments,  supplements,
modifications,   renewals  or  extensions   thereof  and  any  notes  issued  in
replacement thereof or exchange therefor from time to time, the "Notes"), in the
original aggregate principal amount of $45,000,000, issued by Indemnitor.

                                    RECITALS

         A.  Indemnitor  is the  present  owner or lessee  of the real  property
included in the Collateral  (together with all other property at any time owned,
leased  or  managed  by  Indemnitor  and (i)  subject  to a Lien in favor of the
Trustee or (ii) on which any equipment subject to a Lien in favor of the Trustee
is located (the "Trust Property")).

         B. Indemnitor and the Trustee are, contemporaneously with the execution
and delivery of this Indemnity,  entering into a certain Indenture,  dated as of
June  3,  1999,  between  Indemnitor  and  the  Trustee  (as  the  same  may  be
supplemented,  amended,  restated or otherwise  modified from time to time,  the
"Indenture") pursuant to which Indemnitor is issuing the Notes.

         C. The Holders have required, as a condition precedent to entering into
the Indenture,  that Indemnitor shall have executed and delivered this Indemnity
for the benefit of the Trustee and the ratable benefit of the Holders.

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1. Recitals. The Recitals are incorporated herein by this reference.

         2. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined
shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture. For purposes of
this Indemnity, the following terms have the meanings set forth below.

              "Adjacent  Property"  means any  property so situated as to pose a
risk that a Hazardous Material could spread onto the Trust Property.

              "Environmental  Laws"  collectively means and includes any and all
applicable  present  and,  other than with  respect to Section 3, future  local,
state and federal law relating to the environment and environmental  conditions,
including,  without limitation, the Colorado Air Quality Control Act, Colo. Rev.
Stat. ssss 25-7-101 et seq.;  the Colorado Water Quality Control Act, Colo. Rev.
Stat. ssss 25-8-101 et seq.; the Hazardous Waste Statute, Colo. Rev. Stat.




ssss 25-15-101 et seq.; the Hazardous  Waste Sites Cleanup  Statute,  Colo. Rev.
Stat.  ssss 25-16-101 et seq.; the Petroleum  Storage Tank Statute,  Colo.  Rev.
Stat. ssss 8-20.5-101 et seq.; the Radiation  Control Act, Colo. Rev. Stat. ssss
25-11-101 et seq.; the Colorado Hazardous  Substance  Incidents  Statute,  Colo.
Rev.  Stat.  ssss 29-22-101 et seq.;  the Colorado  Hazardous  Substances Act of
1973,  Colo.  Rev. Stat.  ssss 25-5-501 et seq.; the Resource  Conservation  and
Recovery Act of 1976  ("RCRA"),  42 U.S.C.  ss 6901 et seq.;  the  Comprehensive
Environmental  Response,  Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"),  42
U.S.C.   ssss   9601-9657,   as  amended  by  the   Superfund   Amendments   and
Reauthorization  Act of 1986 ("SARA"),  the Hazardous  Materials  Transportation
Act, 49 U.S.C.  ss 6901, et seq.;  the Federal Water  Pollution  Control Act, 33
U.S.C.  ssss 1251 et seq.;  the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.  ssss 741 et seq.;  the
Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. ss 7401 et seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15
U.S.C. ssss 2601-2629, the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. ssss 300f-300j, or
any  other  similar  federal,  state or local  law of  similar  effect,  each as
amended,  and any and all  regulations,  orders,  and decrees  now or  hereafter
promulgated  thereunder or any and all common law requirements,  rules and bases
of  liability  regulating,  relating to or imposing  liability  or  standards of
conduct  concerning  pollution or protection of human health or the environment,
as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.

              "Hazardous Materials" means (i) those substances deemed hazardous,
toxic,  contaminating  or  polluting  under  any  Environmental  Law  or by  any
governmental  agency  pursuant  to any  Environmental  Law,  including,  without
limitation,  asbestos,  petroleum  products or by-products  (including,  without
limitation,  crude oil or any fraction thereof),  the group of organic compounds
known as polychlorinated  biphenyls,  radon gas, urea formaldehyde,  radioactive
materials,  toxic,  infectious,  reactive,  corrosive,  ignitable  or  flammable
chemicals and chemicals  known to cause cancer or adverse  health  effects;  and
(ii) any items included in the definition of hazardous or toxic waste, materials
or substances under any Environmental Law.

              "Material  Adverse Effect" means any event,  matter,  condition or
circumstance  which (i) has or would  reasonably  be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the business,  properties, results of operations, or financial
condition of Indemnitor and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole;  or (ii) would
materially  impair the ability of  Indemnitor  or any other Person to perform or
observe its  obligations  under or in respect of the Indenture,  this Indemnity,
any Collateral  Document,  or any other  document  entered into by Indemnitor in
connection with the foregoing (collectively,  the "Transaction  Documents"),  in
whole or part,  or (iii)  affects  the  legality,  validity,  binding  effect or
enforceability  of any of the Indenture or any other  Transaction  Document,  in
whole or in part,  or the  perfection or priority of, or the ability to exercise
remedies with respect to, the Liens granted to the Trustee.

              "Premises"  means the real property,  together with any additional
real property  hereafter  encumbered  by the Lien of the Deed of Trust,  and all
improvements now or hereafter  located thereon,  and all rights and interests of
the Company therein.

         3.  Representations  and  Warranties.  Except as would not constitute a
Material  Adverse  Effect or  except  as  otherwise  set  forth on  Schedule  1,
Indemnitor  represents  and  warrants  that (1) no  Hazardous  Material has been
installed, used, generated,  manufactured,  treated, handled, refined, produced,
processed, stored or disposed of in, on or under the Trust Property,  including,
without  limitation,  the surface and subsurface  waters of the Trust  Property,

                                       2



except in compliance in all material  respects with  Environmental  Laws; (2) no
activity has been  undertaken on the Trust Property by  Indemnitor,  its agents,
employees or  contractors  or to its  knowledge  any other  Person,  which would
cause,  or has  caused,  (i) the  Trust  Property  to become a  hazardous  waste
treatment,  storage or disposal  facility  within the  meaning of, or  otherwise
violate, any currently effective Environmental Law, (ii) a release or threatened
release of Hazardous Materials from the Trust Property within the meaning of, or
otherwise  violate,  any  currently  effective  Environmental  Law, or (iii) the
discharge or emission of Hazardous  Materials which would require a permit under
any currently  effective  Environmental Law that has not been obtained and is in
full force and  effect;  (3) no  conditions  caused by  Indemnitor,  its agents,
employees or contractors or, to its knowledge, any other Person, with respect to
the Trust  Property  cause a violation  or support a claim  under any  currently
effective Environmental Law; (4) to the best of Indemnitor's knowledge after due
inquiry,  no underground storage tanks are located on the Trust Property or have
been located on the Trust Property and subsequently  removed or filled; (5) with
respect to the Trust  Property,  Indemnitor  has not  received any notice at any
time that it is or was claimed to be in violation of or in  non-compliance  with
the conditions of any currently  effective  Environmental  Law; and (6) there is
not now pending or  threatened  any action,  judgment,  claim,  consent  decree,
judicial or  administrative  orders or agreements,  or  governmental  liens with
respect to Indemnitor or the Trust Property relating to any currently  effective
Environmental Law.

         4. Covenants.  Indemnitor  covenants:  (i) that no Hazardous  Materials
shall be installed,  used, generated,  manufactured,  treated, handled, refined,
produced,  processed,  stored or disposed of in, on or under the Trust Property,
except  in all  material  respects  in  compliance  with all  applicable  rules,
regulations  and laws;  (ii) that no activity  shall be  undertaken on the Trust
Property  which would cause (A) the Trust  Property to become a hazardous  waste
treatment,  storage  or  disposal  facility,  as  such  terms  are  defined  and
classified under any Environmental  Law, (B) a release or threatened  release of
Hazardous  Materials  on or from the Trust  Property  within the  meaning of, or
otherwise  violate,  any  Environmental  Law (except as  expressly  permitted in
writing  by a  governmental  authority),  or  (C)  the  discharge  of  Hazardous
Materials into any watercourse,  body of surface or subsurface water or wetland,
or the discharge  into the  atmosphere of any  Hazardous  Materials,  that would
require a permit  under any  Environmental  Law and for which no such permit has
been  issued;  (iii) that no activity  shall be  undertaken  or  permitted to be
undertaken  by  Indemnitor  on the Trust  Property  which  would  reasonably  be
expected to result in a violation under any  Environmental  Law; (iv) that soils
excavated  during  construction  and  groundwater  generated  during  dewatering
activities on the Trust  Property shall be handled and disposed of in compliance
with  Environmental  Laws in all material  repects;  and (v) promptly  following
completion  of  any  remedial   actions  imposed  upon   Indemnitor   under  any
Environmental  Law by a  governmental  agency  in  response  to a  violation  of
Environmental  Laws  or  any  environmental  permits,  licenses,   approvals  or
authorizations  or a  release  of  Hazardous  Materials  at or  from  the  Trust
Property,  Indemnitor  shall  obtain and deliver to the  Trustee,  either (x) an
environmental report in form and substance reasonably  acceptable to the Trustee
from an environmental  consultant reasonably acceptable to the Trustee,  stating
that all  required  action  has been  taken,  and that upon  completion  of such
action,  the Trust Property is, to the knowledge of such  professional,  then in
compliance  with  applicable  Environmental  Laws,  or (y) a statement

                                       3



from the  governmental  agency that  required such action to the effect that all
required action has been taken to its satisfaction.

         5. Indemnities.  Indemnitor hereby agrees to unconditionally indemnify,
defend,  and hold the Trustee and the Holders  harmless  against:  (1) any loss,
fines, penalties,  actions, suits,  proceedings,  liability,  damage, expense or
claim incurred in connection with, arising out of, resulting from or incident to
the application of any Environmental Law with respect to the Trust Property; (2)
any  breach  of  any  representation  or  warranty  or  the  inaccuracy  of  any
representation  made by  Indemnitor  in or pursuant to this  Indemnity;  (3) any
breach of any covenant or agreement  made by  Indemnitor  in or pursuant to this
Indemnity; (4) any liability or obligation arising out of CERCLA, any equivalent
state statute or any other  Environmental  Law which may be incurred or asserted
against the Trustee or the Holders, directly or indirectly,  under Environmental
Laws,  with respect to the Trust  Property;  and (5) any other loss,  liability,
damage,  expense or claim  which may be  incurred  by or  asserted  against  the
Trustee or the Holders,  directly or indirectly,  resulting from the presence of
Hazardous Material on the Trust Property. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary,  this  Indemnity  shall  not  be  construed  to  impose  liability  on
Indemnitor for Hazardous Materials placed,  released or disposed of on the Trust
Property or any obligation or liability under  Environmental  Law (except to the
extent of  Indemnitors' or its agents',  employees' or  contractors'  fault) (i)
after the date of  foreclosure,  assignment  (other  than an  assignment  by the
Trustee to a successor  trustee  under the  Indenture)  or sale,  (ii) after the
acceptance  by the Trustee of a deed in lieu of  foreclosure,  (iii)  during any
period  during  which a receiver  appointed  upon the request or petition of the
Trustee is in possession of the Trust Property or the Trustee operates the Trust
Property  as a mortgagee  in  possession,  or (iv) to the extent such  liability
arises from the gross  negligence  or willful  misconduct  of the Trustee or any
indemnitee hereunder.

         6.  Duration of  Indemnity.  The duration of  Indemnitor's  obligations
hereunder shall cease upon repayment of the Notes and/or the release of the Deed
of Trust;  provided,  however,  that  Indemnitor's  obligations  with respect to
Sections  5 and 9 shall  not  cease  until  the  expiration  of the  statute  of
limitations period applicable to the subject matter of the underlying claim.

         7. Notices from Indemnitor.  Indemnitor shall, promptly after obtaining
knowledge  thereof,  advise the  Trustee in writing of (i) any  governmental  or
regulatory  actions  instituted or threatened in writing under any Environmental
Law  affecting  the Trust  Property or this  Indemnity or any  requirement  by a
government or regulatory agency to take material response action with respect to
the presence of Hazardous  Materials on the Trust Property,  including,  without
limitation, any notice of inspection (other than routine inspections), abatement
or  noncompliance;  (ii) all claims made or  threatened  in writing by any third
party  against  Indemnitor  or the  Trust  Property  relating  to any  Hazardous
Material  or a  violation  of an  Environmental  Law with  respect  to the Trust
Property; and (iii) Indemnitor's discovery of any occurrence or condition on the
Trust  Property or any Adjacent  Property  that would  reasonably be expected to
subject  Indemnitor  or the Trust  Property  to (A) a material  claim  under any
Environmental   Law  or   (B)   any   restriction   on   ownership,   occupancy,
transferability  or  material  change  in use of the  Trust  Property  under any
Environmental Law. Indemnitor shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation or
records as the Trustee may reasonably  request and that are susceptible of being
obtained by Indemnitor relating

                                       4



to the Trust Property in relation to any Environmental Law without undue cost or
expense and without the necessity for initiating legal proceedings to obtain the
same.

         8. Notice of Claims  Against  Indemnitees.  The Trustee  agrees that it
shall  provide  Indemnitor  with written  notice of any claim or demand that the
Trustee has determined could give rise to a right of indemnification  under this
Indemnity;  provided  that the failure to give any such  notice  shall not limit
Indemnitor's obligations hereunder. Such notice shall be given a reasonable time
after the Trustee becomes aware of the relevant facts and shall specify,  to the
best of the Trustee's knowledge, the facts giving rise to the alleged claim, and
the amount,  to the extent  determinable,  of liability  for which  indemnity is
asserted.  Indemnitor  agrees that in any  action,  suit or  proceeding  brought
against the Trustee or any Holder of a Note, the Trustee or such Holder,  as the
case may be, may be represented by counsel chosen by the Trustee or such Holder,
as the case may be, without affecting or otherwise impairing this Indemnity and,
to the extent fees and disbursements to such counsel are reasonably  incurred in
protecting  the  Trustee's  or such  Holder's  interests,  to pay such  fees and
disbursements. The Trustee agrees that, as to any action, suit or proceeding for
which  Indemnitor has  acknowledged  in writing and undertaken its obligation to
indemnify,  defend and hold the  Holders  harmless  with  respect  thereto,  the
Trustee  will not  settle  or  otherwise  compromise  any such  action,  suit or
proceeding without the prior written consent of Indemnitor,  which consent shall
not be  unreasonably  withheld or delayed.  If, as to any such  action,  suit or
proceeding for which Indemnitor has acknowledged in writing and undertaken their
obligation  to  indemnify,  defend and hold the Holders  harmless  with  respect
thereto,  without  obtaining the prior written consent in writing of Indemnitor,
the Trustee  compromises or otherwise  settles such action,  suit or proceeding,
any such compromise or settlement without the consent of Indemnitor shall not be
binding upon Indemnitor. Indemnitor agrees that it will not settle or compromise
such action,  suit or proceeding  without the Trustee's  prior written  consent,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

         9. Payment of the Trustee's Expenses. If i) after notice of claim under
Section 8 the Trustee retains counsel for advice or other  representation in any
litigation,  contest,  dispute,  suit or proceeding  (whether  instituted by the
Trustee,  Indemnitor,  or any other party,  including  any  governmental  agency
charged with enforcement of any  Environmental  Law) in any way relating to this
Indemnity,  or ii)  pursuant to efforts  initiated in good faith to enforce this
Indemnity, then all of the reasonable attorneys' fees arising from such services
and all related  expenses and court costs shall be payable by Indemnitor  within
thirty (30) days after demand.

         10.  Environmental  Inspections.  With written  notice  during  regular
business  hours (or with such  notice and upon such terms as are  reasonable  in
light of the  circumstances),  the  Trustee  may  enter the  Trust  Property  to
ascertain its environmental  condition and with the reasonable belief that there
has been, or could be, a release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials or
a violation  of  Environmental  Laws may sample  building  materials,  take soil
samples  and/or test borings,  and  otherwise  inspect the Trust  Property.  The
Trustee shall conduct such inspection in a reasonable manner so as to not unduly
disrupt the operation of Indemnitor and its contractors.

         11.  Obligations  Absolute;  Waivers.  Except as otherwise  provided in
Sections 5, 6, and 8, the  obligations of Indemnitor  hereunder  shall remain in
full force without regard to, and shall not be impaired by the following, any of
which may be taken in such manner, upon such terms and

                                       5




at such times as the Trustee,  in  accordance  with the terms of the  Indenture,
this Indemnity,  any Collateral Document,  or any other document entered into by
Indemnitor  in  connection  with the  foregoing,  deems  advisable,  without the
consent  of, or notice  to,  Indemnitor  (except  to the  extent  that it may be
entitled to consent or notice,  in its capacity as an Issuer),  nor shall any of
the  following  give  Indemnitor  any  recourse  or right of action  against the
Trustee  or any  holder  of a Note:  (i) any  express  amendment,  modification,
renewal, addition,  supplement,  extension or acceleration of or to the Notes or
the Indenture,  this Indemnity,  any Collateral Document,  or any other document
entered into by Indemnitor in connection with the foregoing (including,  without
limitation,  this Indemnity,  unless  expressly  agreed by the parties hereto in
writing);  (ii) any  exercise  or  non-exercise  by the  Trustee of any right or
privilege under the Indenture,  this Indemnity,  any Collateral Document, or any
other  document  entered into by Indemnitor in  connection  with the  foregoing;
(iii)  any  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  composition,  adjustment,
dissolution, liquidation or other like proceeding relating to Indemnitor, or any
affiliate of  Indemnitor,  or any action taken with respect to this Indemnity by
any trustee or receiver, or by any court, in any such proceeding, whether or not
Indemnitor shall have had notice or knowledge of any of the foregoing;  (iv) any
release,  waiver or discharge of Indemnitor (other than under this Indemnity) or
any endorser or other guarantor from liability under any of the Indenture,  this
Indemnity,  any  Collateral  Document,  or any other  document  entered  into by
Indemnitor in connection with the foregoing or Indemnitor's grant to the Trustee
of a security interest, Lien or encumbrance in any of Indemnitor's property; (v)
unless  expressly  agreed by the parties hereto in writing,  any  subordination,
compromise,  settlement, release (by operation of law or otherwise),  discharge,
compound,  collection,  or liquidation of the Indenture,  this Indemnity (unless
expressly agreed to by the parties hereto in writing),  any Collateral Document,
or any  other  document  entered  into by  Indemnitor  in  connection  with  the
foregoing or any collateral  described in the  Indenture,  this  Indemnity,  any
Collateral  Document,  or any  other  document  entered  into by  Indemnitor  in
connection  with the foregoing or otherwise,  or any  substitution  with respect
thereto; (vi) any assignment or other transfer of the Indenture, this Indemnity,
any other Collateral Document,  or any other document entered into by Indemnitor
in connection with the foregoing,  in whole or in part;  (vii) any acceptance of
partial performance of any of the obligations of Indemnitor under the Indenture,
this Indemnity,  any other  Collateral  Document,  or any other document entered
into by Indemnitor in connection  with the foregoing;  (viii) any consent to the
transfer of any  collateral  described in the  Indenture,  this  Indemnity,  any
Collateral  Document,  or any  other  document  entered  into by  Indemnitor  in
connection with the foregoing or otherwise;  and (ix) any bid or purchase at any
sale  of  the  collateral  described  in  the  Indenture,  this  Indemnity,  any
Collateral  Document,  or any  other  document  entered  into by  Indemnitor  in
connection with the foregoing.

     Except  as  otherwise  provided  in  Sections  5, 6, and 8, the  Indemnitor
unconditionally  waives  any  defense  to the  enforcement  of  this  Indemnity,
including, without limitation: (1) all presentments, demands (except as provided
herein and in the Transaction  Documents),  demands for performance,  notices of
nonperformance,  protests,  notices of protest,  dishonor,  nonpayment,  partial
payment  or  default,  notices of  acceptance  of this  Indemnity  and all other
notices and  formalities to which the Indemnitor may be entitled;  (2) any right
to require the Trustee to proceed against any guarantor or to proceed against or
exhaust  any  collateral  described  in  the  Indenture,   this  Indemnity,  any
Collateral Document, or any other document entered into by

                                       6



Indemnitor  in  connection  with the  foregoing  or to pursue  any other  remedy
whatsoever;  (3)  the  defense  of any  statute  of  limitations  affecting  the
liability of Indemnitor hereunder,  the liability of Indemnitor or any guarantor
under the Indenture, any Collateral Document, or any other document entered into
by Indemnitor in connection with the foregoing,  or the enforcement  hereof,  to
the extent permitted by law; (4) any defense arising by reason of any invalidity
or  unenforceability  of the Indenture,  any Collateral  Document,  or any other
document  entered into by  Indemnitor  in  connection  with the foregoing or any
guarantor or of the manner in which the Trustee has exercised its remedies under
the Indenture,  this Indemnity,  any Collateral Document,  or any other document
entered into by  Indemnitor in connection  with the  foregoing;  (5) any defense
based  upon  any  election  of  remedies  by  the  Trustee,  including,  without
limitation,  any election to proceed by judicial or  nonjudicial  foreclosure of
any security, whether real property or personal property security, or by deed in
lieu  thereof,  and  whether  or not  every  aspect of any  foreclosure  sale is
commercially reasonable, or any election of remedies (including, but not limited
to,  remedies  relating to real  property or personal  property  security)  that
destroys or otherwise  impairs the rights of Indemnitor  to proceed  against any
other indemnitor or any other guarantor for reimbursement, or both; (6) any duty
of the  Trustee to advise  Indemnitor  of any  information  known to the Trustee
regarding the financial  condition of any guarantor or of any other circumstance
affecting any guarantor's  ability to perform its obligations to the Trustee, it
being agreed that Indemnitor  assumes the  responsibility  for being and keeping
informed  regarding such condition or any such  circumstances;  (7) any right of
subrogation and any rights to enforce any remedy that the Trustee now has or may
hereafter  have  against  any  guarantor  and any  benefit  of, and any right to
participate  in, any security now or  hereafter  held by the Holders,  until all
obligations under the Indenture, this Indemnity, any Collateral Document, or any
other document  entered into by Indemnitor in connection with the foregoing have
been fully paid and indefeasibly  performed;  and (8) to the extent permitted by
law,  any right to assert  against the Trustee or any holder of a Note any legal
or equitable defense, counterclaim,  set-off or crossclaim that it may now or at
any time or times hereafter have against any other indemnitor.

         12. No Waiver.  Indemnitor's  obligations  hereunder shall in no way be
impaired,  reduced or released by reason of the  Trustee's  omission or delay to
exercise any right described herein or in connection with any notice (except for
notices required of the Trustee pursuant to this Indemnity),  demand, warning or
claim  regarding  violations  of any  Environmental  Laws  governing  the  Trust
Property, except as expressly provided in Section 5 hereof.

         13. Recourse.

              (a) Indemnitor agrees that the obligations of Indemnitor hereunder
are separate,  independent of and in addition to Indemnitor's  obligations under
the Indenture or any other Transaction Document.

              (b)  Indemnitor  agrees  that a separate  action may be brought to
enforce the provisions of this Indemnity,  which shall in no way be deemed to be
an action on the  Notes,  whether  or not the  Trustee  would be  entitled  to a
deficiency  judgment following a judicial  foreclosure or sale under any Deed of
Trust.  Indemnitor waives any right to require that any action be brought by the
Trustee or any holder of a Note against  Indemnitor or any other Person, or that
any other remedy  under the  Indenture,  this  Indemnity,  any other  Collateral
Document, or

                                       7



any other document  entered into by Indemnitor in connection  with the foregoing
be exercised.  The Trustee may, at its option, proceed against Indemnitor in the
first  instance to collect monies when due or to obtain  performance  under this
Indemnity,  without first proceeding  against Indemnitor or any other indemnitor
or any other  Person and without  first  resorting to any other  indemnity,  the
Indenture,  this  Indemnity,  any  Collateral  Document,  or any other  document
entered into by Indemnitor in connection  with the foregoing or any other remedy
under the  Indenture,  this  Indemnity,  any Collateral  Document,  or any other
document entered into by Indemnitor in connection with the foregoing.

              (c) This  Indemnity  is not given as  additional  security for the
Notes and is entirely  independent  of the Notes  (except as provided in Section
5), and shall not be measured or affected by any amounts at any time owing under
the  other  Transaction  Documents,  the  sufficiency  or  insufficiency  of any
collateral  (including  without limitation the Premises) given to the Trustee to
secure repayment of the Notes, or the consideration  given by the Trustee or any
other party in order to acquire the Premises or any portion thereof. None of the
obligations of Indemnitor  hereunder  shall be in any way secured by the lien of
the Deed of Trust or any other Transaction Document.

         14. Successors and Assigns. Subject to the provisions of Sections 5 and
6, this Indemnity shall be continuing, irrevocable and binding on Indemnitor and
its successors and assigns,  and this Indemnity  shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the  benefit  of the  Trustee  and each  Holder  and  their  respective
successors and assigns.  The death or dissolution of Indemnitor shall not affect
this Indemnity or any of  Indemnitor's  obligations  hereunder.  It is agreed by
Indemnitor that its liabilities hereunder are not contingent on the signature of
any other indemnitor under any other indemnity.

         15. Notices.  All notices,  demands and other communications under this
Indemnity shall be given in accordance with Section 11.2 of the Indenture.

         16. Entire Agreement.  This Indemnity  constitutes the entire agreement
among the parties with respect to the subject  matter hereof and  supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings,  both written and oral, between the parties
with respect to the subject matter contained in this Indemnity.

         17. Amendment and Waiver. This Indemnity may not be amended except by a
writing signed by all the parties,  nor shall observance of any term of this may
be waived except with the written consent of the Trustee.

         18. Governing Law. This Indemnity shall be governed and construed as to
interpretation,  enforcement,  validity,  construction,  effect and in all other
respects by the laws,  statutes and decisions of the State of New York,  without
regard to the principles of conflict of laws thereof.

         19.  Counterparts.  This  Indemnity  may be  executed  in any number of
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

                                       8



         20.  Severability.  All  provisions  contained  in this  Indemnity  are
severable and the  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of any provision  shall not
affect or impair the validity or enforceability  of the remaining  provisions of
this Indemnity.

         21.  Headings.  The  descriptive  headings  of  the  Sections  of  this
Indemnity are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this
Indemnity.



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                                       9






         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  this Environmental  Indemnity has been executed as
of the date first above written.



TRUSTEE:                          IBJ WHITEHALL BANK & TRUST COMPANY,
                                   a New York banking association,

                                  By:
                                     ---------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:



INDEMNITOR:                       RIVIERA BLACK HAWK, INC.,
                                  a Colorado corporation


                                  By:
                                     ---------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:





                   [Signature page to Environmental Indemnity]






                                   SCHEDULE 1


                              [Company to Provide]






                                  Schedule 1-1