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                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.1

Monday January 24, 2000 - 5:25 pm, EST.

COMPANY PRESS RELEASE

                        RAINFOREST CAFE AND LAKES GAMING
                             TERMINATE MERGER PLANS

MINNEAPOLIS, JANUARY 24, 2000 - RAINFOREST CAFE, INC. (NASDAQ: RAIN) AND LAKES
GAMING, INC. (NASDAQ: LACO) announced today that they will not proceed with
their proposed merger transaction and have terminated their merger agreement.
The termination was mutually agreed upon, and no payments will be made by either
party. The $2 million termination fee from Rainforest Cafe will continue to be
payable to Lakes if Rainforest Cafe consummates a takeover proposal within six
months.

Kenneth W. Brimmer, President of Rainforest Cafe and Chairman of the Special
Committee formed to consider the Rainforest/Lakes transaction, commented, "When
we considered the Rainforest/Lakes transaction, we viewed it not as a sale of
Rainforest Cafe but as a strategic revenue and earnings diversification
opportunity for our Rainforest Cafe shareholders. Our shareholders would have
owned approximately 55% of the combined company, and in that respect we were not
selling Rainforest Cafe but rather acquiring and diversifying. The combination
was expected to enhance value for Rainforest Cafe's shareholders by creating a
more diverse business and giving our shareholders the ability to participate in
what could be exceptional growth as the planned projects of Lakes are
developed."

Mr. Brimmer continued, "Unfortunately, reaction to the Rainforest/Lakes
combination has been negative, both as to the diversification and the pricing
(using current trading prices) in the transaction. Rainforest Cafe and Lakes,
therefore, have mutually decided not to pursue a combination of their
companies."

Mr. Brimmer further added, "Although our focus has been to diversify and grow
Rainforest Cafe rather than sell the company, we have had initial exploratory
conversations in response to a third party's preliminary request to consider
acquisition discussions. There is no assurance that any offer to purchase
Rainforest Cafe will be received and further there is no assurance any such
acquisition offer would be on terms and pricing acceptable to Rainforest Cafe."


Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Board of Lakes Gaming, and Chairman of Rainforest
Cafe concurred. "The Lakes offer represented a strategic opportunity for
Rainforest shareholders to participate in Lakes' expanding business plan, and to
diversify the companies' respective revenue streams. However, Lakes is unwilling
to participate in an auction for Rainforest and Lakes is not prepared to
increase its offer. Therefore, the Lakes Board recognized that termination of
the Merger Agreement would be appropriate."



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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. Lakes operates an Indian casino management business and holds
various other assets previously owned by Grand Casinos, Inc., primarily land in
Las Vegas. The company's revenues are derived from management fees. The casino
resorts managed by Lakes are Grand Casino Avoyelles and Grand Casino Coushatta,
each located in the state of Louisiana. The casinos are managed under separate
agreements on behalf of two different tribes. Lakes Gaming, Inc. common shares
are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the trading symbol "LACO".

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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 Company) contains 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 Company. These risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those relating to development and
construction activities, dependence on existing management, domestic or global
economic conditions, activities of competitors and the presence of new or
additional competition, fluctuations and changes in customer preferences and
attitudes, changes in federal or state tax laws, or the administration of such
laws, and changes in gaming laws or regulations (including the legalization of
gaming in certain jurisdictions). For more information, review the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Contact:

             Lakes Gaming, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
             Timothy J. Cope 612-449-7030


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