LAKESIDE, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Sep 24, 2008 -- Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino has been honored in 17 different categories in the 2008 Best of Southern California Gaming Reader's Choice Awards. The October issue of the Southern California Gaming Guide will feature the results, which include an incredible 14 first place nods for Barona, more than any other casino.

"The Reader's Choice Awards are a tremendous honor because these are our customers who are telling us we're doing a great job," said Rick Salinas, general manager of Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. "We understand our guests have many choices of where they can stay, dine and play. And we make their experience at Barona our number one priority. The Reader's Choice Awards are a great affirmation of our efforts."

Readers selected Barona with first place votes for Best Overall Casino, Best Casino Resort, Best Resort Rooms, Best Casino Service, Best Casino Promotions, Best Fine Dining/Steakhouse Restaurant (Barona Oaks Steakhouse), Best Blackjack, Best Over-All Slots, Best High-Limit Slot Room/Area, Best High-Limit Table Games, Best Video Poker, Best Players Club Cash Back, Best Casino Comps and Best Casino Golf Course (Barona Creek Golf Club).

Barona also received three second-place honors in the Luckiest Casino, Best Buffet (Ranch House Buffet) and Best Players Club categories.

Blending the best of San Diego's most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas, the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino is San Diego's leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, a 300,000-square-foot casino, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek Magazine and 4th best casino course by Golf Digest. For Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

     Contact:
     Audrey Doherty-Benedetto/Sandy Young
     (619) 236-8397
     audrey@benedettopr.com
      
     Kelly Jacobs Speer
     (619) 330-4013
     or (619) 933-5013