Trump Announces Proposed Casino Plans For Orange County Indiana

Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts (THCR) (NYSE:DJT) has submitted a formal proposal to the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) in a significant step toward building and operating a $123.5 million casino property in Orange County Indiana. The casino itself would employ more than 600 workers upon opening in early 2006.

"We are very excited about this opportunity," said Donald J. Trump, president, chairman and CEO of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts. "In keeping with our hard-earned reputation for exceptional facilities and unequaled service, we have designed this proposal to be first class in every way."

The THCR proposal includes construction of a riverboat-style gaming facility; purchase and completed restoration of the historic West Baden Springs Historical Landmark; and financial support for improvements to additional area landmarks including the French Lick Springs Resort and Spa and the Indiana Railway Museum. In addition to an up-front contribution of $2 million, THCR proposes an ongoing allocation of one percent of adjusted gross revenue from the casino to the Historic Hotel Preservation Commission to assist in local renovation and development.

"With the continued success of the Trump Casino property in Gary and the current strength of the Trump brand, the time is right for us to expand our business in Indiana and to strategically continue the diversification of our operations," said Scott Butera, executive vice president and director of corporate and strategic development for Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts.

THCR is a seasoned Indiana business having operated a casino property in Gary, Ind., since 1996. In addition to creating a successful business, Trump Casino Hotel draws nearly 80 percent of its employees from the local county and has contributed millions of dollars to local communities for civic, safety and entertainment projects as well as scholarships for local students.

The proposed designs for the restoration and new construction will preserve and enhance the history of Orange County and create a marketable vacation destination to restore the flow of visitors who flocked to the region's mineral springs and other attractions in the early 1900s. The plan also includes potential enhancements to the area's world-class golf courses to be led by southern Indiana native and former Masters and U.S. Open champion Fuzzy Zoeller.

"Orange County has a rich history of tourism and gaming," said Robert M. Pickus, executive vice president and general counsel of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts. "We look forward to partnering this new gaming facility with the existing landmarks and attractions to create a vacation experience that will be unmatched in this part of the country."

Orange County is located in the south central portion of Indiana between Indianapolis and Louisville, Ky. It encompasses the towns of French Lick, Orleans, Paoli and West Baden. Area residents lobbied state legislators for several years in an attempt to obtain a casino license for the economically depressed region. After the Indiana General Assembly approved the license in 2003, Orange County voters confirmed it with a referendum vote in the November election.

"The people of Orange County and the surrounding areas have worked very hard to get to this point," said Pickus. "We are anxious to become an integral part of this winning team as the project moves forward."

The IGC and HHPC will review the THCR proposal along with those of any other respondents over the coming weeks and months. It is currently estimated that a casino operating partner will be chosen by late July 2004.


About Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts - THCR is a leading gaming company that owns and operates four properties and manages one property under the Trump brand name. THCR's owned assets include Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort and Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, located on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, N.J., Trump Marina Hotel Casino, located in Atlantic City's Marina District, and the Trump Casino Hotel, a riverboat casino located in Gary, Ind. In addition, the Company manages Trump 29 Casino, a Native American owned facility located near Palms Springs, Calif. Together, the properties comprise approximately 451,000 square feet of gaming space and 3,180 hotel rooms and suites. The Company is the sole vehicle through which Donald J. Trump conducts gaming activities and strives to provide customers with outstanding casino resort and entertainment experiences consistent with the Donald J. Trump standard of excellence. THCR is separate and distinct from Mr. Trump's real estate and other holdings.

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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