FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1999

                    LAKES GAMING AND RAINFOREST CAFE TO MERGE

Combined Company to Benefit from Diversified Operations and Enhanced Cash Flow
to Pursue Future Growth

Minneapolis, December 22, 1999 - Lakes Gaming, Inc. (Nasdaq "LACO") and
Rainforest Cafe, Inc. (Nasdaq "RAIN") today announced that they will merge.
Under the terms of the agreement, Rainforest Cafe shareholders will receive .55
shares of Lakes Common Stock for every share owned in Rainforest Cafe. The
transaction is anticipated to be tax-free to Rainforest Cafe shareholders.

The transaction is subject to shareholder approval at both companies and
regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed by the end of April 2000.
Upon completion of the merger, Rainforest Cafe will become a wholly owned
subsidiary of Lakes but will continue to be run as a separate operating entity.

Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Rainforest
Cafe and Lakes Gaming, will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Lakes following the merger.

"When Lakes was formed in January of 1999, we stated that we planned to pursue
new opportunities as a casino management company, and that additionally, we
would draw on our broad expertise in gaming, entertainment, and retail marketing
to pursue attractive opportunities both within and potentially beyond our
present industry," commented Berman.

Berman continued, "During 1999 Lakes secured what we believe to be three of the
very best existing opportunities in Indian gaming, including development
projects with two separate Tribes in California and one Tribe in Michigan. The
merger of Lakes and Rainforest Cafe represents the continuation of our stated
strategy of diversification and growth. We believe the combined size and






strength accomplished through the merger represents the opportunity for enhanced
valuation of the existing businesses. Additionally, the increased cash flow from
the combined operations will provide the company with greater resources to
pursue future growth opportunities."

Kenneth W. Brimmer, President of Rainforest Cafe, and the Chairman of the
Special Committee of the Rainforest Cafe Board of Directors formed to consider
the proposed merger transaction, commented, "The merger of Lakes and Rainforest
Cafe presents a unique opportunity to combine two strong mid-cap companies. This
strategic business combination could provide some important revenue and earnings
diversification necessary to gain the market recognition that neither Rainforest
Cafe nor Lakes has recently been able to command individually."

Rainforest Cafe, Inc. develops, owns and operates combination restaurant/retail
facilities offering a stimulating and entertaining rain forest theme providing
visitors with "A Wild Place to Shop and Eat"(R). There are currently 37
Rainforest Cafe(R) units open including 27 domestic locations and 10
international units. Rainforest Cafe, Inc. common shares are traded on the
NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "RAIN".

Lakes Gaming, Inc. is a publicly held casino management company that was formed
through a distribution to shareholders of Grand Casinos, Inc. effected in
December 1998. The company currently manages the two largest casino resorts in
Louisiana. Grand Casino Avoyelles is located in the central part of the state,
approximately 80 miles northwest of Baton Rouge. Grand Casino Coushatta is
located in southwestern Louisiana, near Interstate 10, approximately 160 miles
east of Houston. Lakes Gaming, Inc. common shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock
Market under the trading symbol "LACO."

         The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe
harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this
press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other
written statements made or to be made by the companies) contain statements that
are forward-looking, such as statements relating to plans for future expansion
and other business development activities, as well as other capital spending,
financing sources and the effects of regulation (including gaming and tax
regulation) and competition. Such forward-looking information involves important
risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in
the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any
forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the companies. These risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those relating to development
and construction activities, dependence on existing management, accounting
adjustments, competition, fluctuations and changes in consumer preferences and
attitudes, intellectual property protection, results of shareholder litigation,
domestic or global economic conditions, activities of competitors and the
presence of new or additional competition, changes in federal or state tax laws
of the administration of such laws and changes in gaming laws or regulations
(including the legalization of gaming in certain jurisdictions).

         Investors are referred to the full discussion of risks and
uncertainties associated with forward-looking statements contained in the
companies' respective filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.