Pinnacle Entertainment Promotes Jack Godfrey to Executive Vice Preside

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pinnacle Entertainment today announced the promotion of Jack Godfrey to Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary. Previously, Mr. Godfrey acted as the Company's Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary. Mr. Godfrey will continue to oversee Pinnacle's legal affairs, including legal matters related to the Company's expansion into new gaming jurisdictions.

Mr. Godfrey joined Pinnacle Entertainment in August 2002. Previously, he was a partner of the Las Vegas-based law firm Schreck Brignone Godfrey, where he served as a member of the Executive Committee. His practice was devoted to gaming law with an emphasis on publicly traded corporations, financing, compliance, and licensing investigations. Mr. Godfrey had served as an outside gaming counsel to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

In addition to representing numerous gaming clients, Mr. Godfrey had served as counsel to the Nevada Resort Association. Prior to entering private practice in 1984, he served as Deputy State Industrial Attorney for the State of Nevada from 1977 to 1980, as Deputy Attorney General, Nevada Attorney General's Office, Gaming Division from 1980 to 1983, and as Chief Deputy Attorney General, Gaming Division from 1983 to 1984. Mr. Godfrey is a Trustee of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys and served as that organization's President for the 1996 to 1997 term. In August 2002, he was appointed for a three-year term on the Executive Committee of the Nevada State Bar's Gaming Law Section.

"We are pleased to announce Jack's promotion to Executive Vice President," said Daniel R. Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Entertainment. "Jack has been an instrumental part of our management team since his arrival over two years ago. His expertise in gaming law will continue to benefit the Company, especially as we continue to execute on our development plans in St. Louis."

About Pinnacle Entertainment

Pinnacle Entertainment owns and operates casinos in Nevada, Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana and Argentina, and receives lease income from two card club casinos, both in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Company is currently building a major casino resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana and has been selected for two casino development projects in the St. Louis, Missouri area. Each of these development projects is dependent upon final approval by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the Missouri Gaming Commission, respectively.

All statements included in this press release, other than historical information or statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company having adequate funding and cash flows to complete future projects, are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that could significantly affect future results. Accordingly, Pinnacle Entertainment cautions that the forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by such statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, construction- related factors that could prevent the Company from completing its construction and development projects within budget and on time. For more information on the potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results and business, review the Company's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Current Reports on Form 8-K.

For further information At the Company - (702) 784-7777: Dan Lee, Chairman & CEO Wade Hundley, President Steve Capp, CFO Chris Plant or Lewis Fanger, Investor Relations