LAS VEGAS, May 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Station Casinos, Inc. (NYSE:STN) ("Station" or "the Company") today announced the Thunder Valley Casino, owned by the United Auburn Indian Community and managed by Station, will open to the public on June 9, 2003. It is anticipated that Thunder Valley Casino will open with approximately 1,900 Class III slot machines and 94 table games, a 500-seat buffet and a food court.

Construction of the facility began on October 26, 2002, and the Company anticipates that the remaining amenities will be completed during the second half of 2003. Upon completion, the facility will have two private VIP gaming areas, a high-limit Asian gaming area, and numerous dining and entertainment amenities, including the Falls Bar, Austin's Steakhouse, Shainghi Fat's Asian Bistro, the Thunder Valley Cafe and parking for approximately 3,000 vehicles. "We are extremely pleased with the speed at which this facility is being constructed. The initial opening will be less than eight months from the start of construction. After the project opens, there is still significant construction remaining to complete the amenities, as well as major road improvements to insure convenient access to the property," stated Glenn C. Christenson, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

The cost of the project is expected to be approximately $215 million. The UAIC has obtained $142.5 million of financing for the project through a group of bank lenders. The Company has provided a completion guaranty and credit support. The Company is continuing its efforts to provide additional third-party financing. In the event this is not obtained, the remainder of the financing will be provided by the Company. See Company Information and Forward Looking Statements for risks associated with this development project.

On September 17, 2002, the United States Department of the Interior accepted a 49-acre parcel of property in Placer County, California into trust on behalf of the UAIC. On December 19, 2002, the National Indian Gaming Commission approved the Management Agreement between the UAIC and the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Development Services Agreement and Management Agreement, the Company is assisting the UAIC in developing Thunder Valley Casino, and, upon opening, the Company will manage the facility and receive a fee equal to 24% of the income of the facility (as defined in the Management Agreement) for a period of seven years.

Station Casinos, Inc. is the leading provider of gaming and entertainment to the residents of Las Vegas, Nevada. Station's properties are regional entertainment destinations and include various amenities, including numerous restaurants, entertainment venues, movie theaters, bowling and convention/banquet space, as well as traditional casino gaming offerings such as video poker, slot machines, table games, bingo and race and sports wagering. Station owns and operates Palace Station Hotel & Casino, Boulder Station Hotel & Casino, Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino, Wildfire Casino and Wild Wild West Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel and Fiesta Rancho Casino Hotel in North Las Vegas, Nevada, and Sunset Station Hotel & Casino and Fiesta Henderson Casino Hotel in Henderson, Nevada. Station also owns a 50 percent interest in both Barley's Casino & Brewing Company and Green Valley Ranch Station Casino in Henderson, Nevada and a 6.7 percent interest in the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the business, financial condition, results of operations, dispositions, acquisitions and expansion projects of the Company and its subsidiaries which involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, financial market risks, the ability to maintain existing management, integration of acquisitions, competition within the gaming industry, the cyclical nature of the hotel business and gaming business, economic conditions, regulatory matters and litigation and other risks described in the filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and its Registration Statement on Form S-4 File No. 333-66140. Construction projects, such as Thunder Valley Casino, entail significant risks, including shortages of materials or skilled labor, unforeseen regulatory problems, work stoppages, weather interference, floods and unanticipated cost increases. The anticipated costs and construction periods are based on budgets, conceptual design documents and construction schedule estimates. There can be no assurance that the budgeted costs or construction period will be met. The Company has not completed the financing arrangements and there can be no assurance that the remainder of such financing will be available to the Company on acceptable terms, if at all. In September 2002, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of the Department of the Interior and the UAIC and granted the Department of the Interior's and the UAIC's motions for summary judgment, resulting in the dismissal of the claims challenging the Department of the Interior's decision to accept land into trust for the benefit of the UAIC. This decision has been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. There can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of such appeal. Additional financial information, including presentations from recent investor conferences, is available in the "Investors" section of the Company's website at www.stationcasinos.com .

Source: Station Casinos, Inc.