EXHIBIT 99.1
[LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. LOGO] NEWS RELEASE
LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
130 CHESHIRE LANE
MINNETONKA, MN 55305
952-449-9092
952-449-9353 (fax)
WWW.LAKESENTERTAINMENT.COM
TRADED: NASDAQ "LACO"
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Timothy J. Cope 952-449-7030
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, April 23, 2004
LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. ANNOUNCES NIPMUC
DETERMINATION DELAYED FORTY-FIVE DAYS
MINNEAPOLIS, APRIL 23, 2004 -- LAKES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. (NASDAQ "LACO") today
announced that the Nipmuc Nation has been notified by the Director, Office of
Federal Acknowledgement (OFA) within the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), that
the projected date of the BIA's final determination on federal recognition
(Petition 69A) has been extended by forty-five days. In a letter to the Nipmuc
Nation Chief Walter Vickers, the BIA projects issuing the Nipmuc final
determination by June 15, 2004, rather than the previously projected date of May
1, 2004. The BIA indicated that unexpected demands placed on the BIA research
assistants related to the Schaghticoke Tribe's recent litigation issues, along
with other unexpected work demands, have prevented the BIA from completing their
work related to the Nipmuc petition.
Lakes Entertainment, Inc. currently has development and management agreements
with four separate Tribes for four new casino operations, one in Michigan, two
in California and one with the Nipmuc Nation on the East Coast. Lakes
Entertainment also has agreements for the development of one additional casino
on Indian-owned land in California through a joint venture with MRD Gaming,
which is currently being disputed by the Tribe. Additionally, the Company owns
approximately 80% of World Poker Tour, LLC, a media and entertainment company
principally engaged in the development, production and marketing of gaming
themed televised programming, 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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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 Lakes Entertainment, Inc.) 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, possible delays
in completion of Lakes' casino projects, including various regulatory approvals
and numerous other conditions which must be satisfied before completion of these
projects; possible termination or adverse modification of management contracts;
continued indemnification obligations to Grand Casinos; highly competitive
industry; possible changes in regulations; reliance on continued positive
relationships with Indian tribes and repayment of amounts owned to Lakes by
Indian tribes; possible need for future financing to meet Lakes' expansion
goals; risks of entry into new businesses; and reliance on Lakes' management.
For more information, review the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
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