NEW BUFFALO, MI--(MARKET WIRE)--Jul 23, 2008 -- Four Winds Casino Resort will celebrate its first anniversary on August 2, 2008. Since opening its doors one year ago, Four Winds Casino Resort has established itself as a premier destination resort for Midwest tourism. It has also provided more than $2.6 million in project funding to local charities and municipalities in the New Buffalo region through The Pokagon Fund, which is supported by two percent of Four Winds electronic gaming revenue.

"We're very proud of the impact that the Four Winds Casino Resort has had on the local community. This includes the creation of thousands of jobs and donations to The Pokagon Fund, which is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of the residents in the New Buffalo region through the financial support of local governments, non profits, charities and other organizations," said John Miller, Chairman, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. "Donations from The Pokagon Fund have included the City of New Buffalo and New Buffalo Township for improvements to public parks, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital for the expansion and rebuilding of its emergency facilities, and the Hartford Community Center for support of an after school tutoring program. These are only a few of the nearly 70 projects funded to date."

One Year, Two Rides

"It's been a tremendous first year for the Four Winds Casino Resort," said Matt Harkness, General Manager, Four Winds Casino Resort. "Since opening last year, Four Winds has awarded nearly $3 million to W Club Members through our unique W Club Jackpots and promotions, and more than $2.8 million through our wide-area progressive jackpots. Four Winds is the only casino in the region to feature wide-area progressive jackpots. We also have several promotions designed to reward our loyal customers as we celebrate our first anniversary."

On Sunday, August 17 and Sunday, August 31, two lucky winners will drive away in brand new Porsche® Boxsters(TM), each valued at more than $60,000! Starting at 1:00 p.m. each drawing day, $10,000 in cash will be given away. Players can earn entries July 28 through August 31 by playing their favorite slots and table games with their W Club Players card. Double entries can be won by playing on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. More information is available at the W Club Players counter.

At noon on August 2, Four Winds Casino Resort will be holding a Heads Up Poker Challenge Invitational Freeroll Tournament. The top 20 players on the leader board of hands played, earned between July 1 and July 31, will be invited to play. The winner will receive a PokerTek(TM) Heads Up Challenge(TM) Home Edition Automated Poker Table, valued at $10,000.

W Club members can also collect four 2008 commemorative Four Winds wildlife bronze coins by earning 500 or more W Club points on a single calendar day by playing their favorite slots and table games. A Black Bear coin is available from August 10 through August 19, a White-tailed Deer coin is available from August 20 through August 29, a Mallard Duck coin is available from August 30 through September 8, and a Lake Trout coin is available from September 9 through September 18. Players who collect the first White-tailed Deer coin will also receive a burgundy velvet display case that holds all four coins and the Certificate of Authenticity.

Round trip chartered bus service to Four Winds Casino Resort is available from several locations in Chicago, Northern Indiana and Western and Central Michigan. Schedules, bonus packages and directions are available by calling (866) 711-1997 or at www.fourwindscasinoshuttle.com.

For more information on Four Winds Casino Resort or to make a reservation, please call 1-866-4WINDS1 (866-494-6371) or visit www.fourwindscasino.com.

About Four Winds Casino Resort

Four Winds Casino Resort is owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and is located at 11111 Wilson Road in New Buffalo, Mich. Managed by Lakes Entertainment, Inc., the resort offers 130,000 square feet of gaming with 3,000 slot machines and an ample selection of table games including poker. It also features five restaurants, entertainment bars and retail venues, and a 165-room hotel, making it a premier destination resort for Midwest tourism. Please play responsibly. You must be 21 years of age to gamble. More information can be found at www.fourwindscasino.com.

About The Pokagon Fund

The Pokagon Fund is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of the residents in the New Buffalo region through the financial support of local governments, non profits, charities and other organizations. The Pokagon Fund is supported by two percent of electronic gaming revenue from the Four Winds Casino Resort. More information is available at www.pokagonfund.org.

     Media Contacts:
      
     Joshua Taustein
     Dresner Corporate Services
     312-780-7219
     jtaustein@dresnerco.com
      
     David Gutierrez
     Dresner Corporate Services
     312-780-7204
     dgutierrez@dresnerco.com