1 EXHIBIT 99.1 Thursday October 19, 9:02 am Eastern Time Press Release Lakes Gaming Announces Third Quarter Diluted Earnings of $.46 MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 19, 2000--Lakes Gaming, Inc. (Nasdaq:LACO - news) today announced results for the third quarter ended October 1, 2000. Revenues for the quarter totaled $10.7 million. Net earnings were $5.0 million, basic and diluted earnings for the quarter were $.47 per share and $.46 per share respectively. Revenues for the quarter were derived from fees related to the management of Grand Casino Coushatta. Operating results at Grand Casino Coushatta continued to improve in all areas compared to the same quarter last year including total revenue, gaming revenue and hotel occupancy. Revenue and earnings for the quarter are less than the same period last year due to the fact that the Company's management contract for Grand Casino Avoyelles was bought out by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana at the end of the first quarter of 2000. Excluding results from Grand Casino Avoyelles, Lakes' third quarter earnings before taxes decreased approximately $.4 million compared to the third quarter in the prior year. The decrease in earnings relates primarily to increased costs this year due to development costs of new casino projects. Partially offsetting the expense increase in the current year quarter was an increase in management fees of $.6 million and a decrease in losses from unconsolidated affiliates of $.6 million compared to the same period in the prior year. Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Lakes commented, "The third quarter was a very positive quarter for our company. The operating performance of Grand Casino Coushatta, compared to last year, continued to improve as we concentrated on improving not only revenue but also improving operating margins. In addition, we continued to grow our company by announcing a new partnership with a Las Vegas based company for the development of two new gaming facilities on Indian owned land in California. We now have five new casino developments, four in California and one in Michigan. We also announced, during the third quarter, a joint venture with Metroplex LLC to develop our real estate on the Las Vegas strip. Each of these transactions are planned to strengthen our company today and in the future." -4- 2 Lakes Gaming, Inc. currently manages the largest casino resort in Louisiana and has entered into development and management agreements with three separate tribes for three new casino operations, one in Michigan and two in California. The Company also has agreements for the development of two additional casinos on Indian owned land in California through a joint venture, and has entered into a joint venture agreement for the development of land on the Las Vegas strip. Lakes Gaming, Inc. common shares are traded on the Nasdaq National 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 Company) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to plan 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 of 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. -5- 3 LAKES GAMING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands) Oct. 1, 2000 Jan. 2, 2000 Assets Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 21,295 $ 24,392 Short-term investments 32,549 27,433 Current installments of notes receivable 15,100 15,406 Accounts receivable 4,712 5,613 Other current assets 7,810 7,380 Total Current Assets 81,466 80,224 Property and Equipment-Net 1,102 1,888 Other Assets: Land held for development 57,639 54,812 Notes receivable-less current installments 28,133 20,022 Cash and cash equivalents-restricted 30,153 12,149 Investments in and notes from unconsolidated affiliates 8,823 8,446 Other long-term assets 4,656 5,997 Total Other Assets 129,404 101,426 Total Assets $211,972 $183,538 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 167 $ 488 Income taxes payable 1,830 6,385 Litigation and claims accrual 25,479 8,419 Other accrued expenses 6,532 6,099 Total Current Liabilities 34,008 21,391 Long-term Liabilities: Long-term debt-less current installments 1,500 1,500 Deferred income taxes 731 786 -6- 4 Total Long-Term Liabilities 2,231 2,286 Total Liabilities 36,239 23,677 Commitments and Contingencies Shareholders' Equity: Capital stock, $.01 par value; authorized 100,000 shares; 10,638 and 10,629 common shares issued and outstanding at October 1, 2000, and January 2, 2000, respectively 106 106 Additional paid-in-capital 131,485 131,406 Accumulated other comprehensive earnings(loss) (466) (478) Retained Earnings 44,608 28,827 Total Shareholders' Equity 175,733 159,861 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $211,972 $183,538 -7- 5 LAKES GAMING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Earnings (In thousands, except earnings per share) Three Months Ended Oct. 1, 2000 Oct. 3, 1999 Revenues: Management fee income $ 10,684 $ 14,440 Costs and Expenses: Selling, general and administrative 2,647 849 Depreciation and amortization 329 480 Total Costs and Expenses 2,976 1,329 Earnings From Operations 7,708 13,111 Other income (expense): Interest income 2,040 1,781 Interest expense (24) (24) Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates (797) (1,408) Other 61 129 Total other income, net 1,280 478 Earnings before income taxes 8,988 13,589 Provision for income taxes 4,012 6,149 Net Earnings $ 4,976 $ 7,440 Basic Earnings per Share $ 0.47 $ 0.70 Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.46 $ 0.68 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding 10,638 10,606 Dilutive Effect of Stock Compensation Programs 74 330 Weighted Average Common and Diluted Shares Outstanding 10,712 10,936 -8- 6 LAKES GAMING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Earnings (In thousands, except earnings per share) Nine Months Ended Oct. 1, 2000 Oct. 3, 1999 Revenues: Management fee income $ 52,392 $ 44,441 Costs and Expenses: Selling, general and administrative 7,447 5,451 Depreciation and amortization 2,578 1,435 Total Costs and Expenses 10,025 6,886 Earnings From Operations 42,367 37,555 Other income (expense): Interest income 5,786 5,839 Interest expense (73) (73) Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates (2,003) (1,771) Other 63 1,417 Provision for litigation loss (18,000) -- Total other income (expense), net (14,227) 5,412 Earnings before income taxes 28,140 42,967 Provision for income taxes 12,359 18,343 Net Earnings $ 15,781 $ 24,624 Basic Earnings per Share $ 1.48 $ 2.33 Diluted Earnings per Share $ 1.48 $ 2.28 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding 10,633 10,590 Dilutive Effect of Stock Compensation Programs 25 215 -9- 7 Weighted Average Common and Diluted Shares Outstanding 10,658 10,805 Contact: Lakes Gaming, Inc., Minneapolis Timothy J. Cope 952-449-7030 -10-