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Tropicana takes steps to help employees, neighbors hit by Hurricane Gustav

LAS VEGAS-(Business Wire)-September 30, 2008 - Tropicana Entertainment, LLC has made a $10,000 contribution to the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund for Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The donation is part of a broad based program that the company has initiated to help the community and the employees of the company’s Belle of Baton Rouge casino deal with the after-effects of Hurricane Gustav.

As part of the program, Tropicana CEO Scott Butera said that the company did not suspend payroll for its 745 employees for the four-day period when the casino was shut down because the region was without electric power. The company is paying normal salary, hourly rates and overtime to Belle of Baton Rouge employees even though the casino did not operate from August 31 to September 5.

Butera said that the company also has formed the Tropicana Entertainment Employee Relief Fund to help workers hardest hit by Hurricane Gustav. The Fund started with a $30,000 contribution from the company and its casino properties around the country and has been set up to accept individual contributions from Tropicana workers as well. Several workers at the Baton Rouge facility either completely lost or experienced extensive damage to their homes when Gustav tore through the City last month.

“Baton Rouge again endured a destructive and dangerous natural disaster,” Butera said, “and we are just so proud of the way our people pitched in to help their guests, colleagues, and neighbors through this hardship. They went above and beyond and we felt strongly that we should try to match their effort in some way. This program is the result.”

The Relief Fund will be administered by Tropicana officers and property staff who will determine grants based on need. Over the next week, Belle of Baton Rouge employees will learn more about the program including how to apply for help.

“Baton Rouge is a great city with a rich history and a wonderful citizenry,” Butera concluded. “We’re looking forward to working with community leaders to invest in the future business development of the City.”

About Tropicana Entertainment

Tropicana Entertainment, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Tropicana Casinos and Resorts, is one of the largest privately held gaming entertainment providers in the United States. The company operates 540,000 square feet of casino space with 15,000 slot machine positions. With more than 11,000 employees and 8,300 hotel rooms at its properties, it produces in excess of $1.2 billion annual revenue. More information is available at www.tropicanacasinos.com. None of the information contained on the company’s website shall be deemed incorporated by reference or otherwise included herein.

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