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<DIV><FONT size=4>The following is a sad note I received from Dave Von
Linsowe:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoTitle style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=left><SPAN
lang=EN-US><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoTitle style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=left><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:date Month="12" Day="23"
Year="2002"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">December 23,
2002</SPAN></st1:date><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoTitle style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=left><SPAN
lang=EN-US style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoTitle style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=left><SPAN
lang=EN-US style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoTitle style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><STRONG>CASINO EXECUTIVE
WILLIAM G. BENNETT DIES AT 78<o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoSubtitle style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><STRONG> </STRONG></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><st1:place><st1:City><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Las Vegas</SPAN></st1:City><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">, </SPAN><st1:State><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Nevada</SPAN></st1:State></st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> - William G. Bennett, owner of the Sahara Hotel and
Casino died Sunday at </SPAN><st1:place><st1:PlaceType><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Desert</SPAN></st1:PlaceType><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </SPAN><st1:PlaceType><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Springs</SPAN></st1:PlaceType><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </SPAN><st1:PlaceType><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Hospital</SPAN></st1:PlaceType></st1:place><SPAN
lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>He was 78.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Bennett began
his legendary career in </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Las Vegas</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> more than 30 years ago when he began working with Del
Webb.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Through innovative management
techniques, he worked his way from the ground level to one of the company’s top
executive posts in </SPAN><st1:State><st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Nevada</SPAN></st1:place></st1:State><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">In 1974 Bennett
made a move that would change the face of gaming when he and a partner Bill
Pennington purchased Circus Circus.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>They revolutionized the industry by increasing the role of slot machines
and providing quality food, lodging and entertainment with a premium on
value.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>During his 20 years as
chairman of Circus Circus Enterprises, Bennett opened, among other properties,
the Excalibur Hotel and Casino and Luxor Las Vegas.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With the success of the Excalibur and
</SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Luxor</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">, Bennett helped create the southern end of the Las
Vegas Strip as we know it today and broke new ground in themed
entertainment.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line">When Bennett purchased the
Sahara Hotel and Casino in 1995, he set his sights on rejuvenating the northern
end of the Las Vegas Strip.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Bennett
immediately embarked on a renovation plan that returned the grandeur to one of
</SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line">Las
Vegas</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line">' first resorts.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The </SPAN><st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line">Sahara</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN
lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line"> now has fresh
entertainment, dining and gaming options offered with the value standard, which
Bennett helped to create in </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line">Las
Vegas</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line">.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">“Our priority
is, and always has been, to provide quality and value to our customers--and to
listen to what they really want,” Bennett once said.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“We will continue to bring modern
entertainment and provide the amenities today’s traveler expects with the
nostalgic flair only the </SPAN><st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Sahara</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> can deliver.” <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The Sahara Hotel
and Casino opened on the Las Vegas Strip in 1952, and quickly established itself
as one of </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Las Vegas</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">’ most exciting destinations.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Bennett sought to combine the amenities
and services expected by today’s travelers with the glamour, style and charm
that established the property as a </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Las Vegas</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> icon.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Today, the Moroccan-themed hotel and casino features 1,720 guest rooms,
an 85,000-square-foot casino.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The
</SPAN><st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Sahara</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> property will continue under normal
operations.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Along with his wife Lynn,
Bennett is survived by a daughter, Diana, a son William A., a step-daughter,
Laura Lynn, four grandchildren and two great
grandchildren.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Funeral arrangements are
pending.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to the Bennett Foundation, an organization that
supports charities throughout the </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Las Vegas</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> community (i.e., UNLV and other educational development
foundations).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Donations may be
mailed to the Bennett Foundation at </SPAN><st1:address><st1:Street><SPAN
lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">2535 Las Vegas Blvd.
South</SPAN></st1:Street><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">,
</SPAN><st1:City><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Las
Vegas</SPAN></st1:City><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">,
</SPAN><st1:State><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">NV</SPAN></st1:State><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </SPAN><st1:PostalCode><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">89109</SPAN></st1:PostalCode></st1:address><SPAN
lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">###<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">FOR MORE
INFORMATION:<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Germaine
Thompson<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Entertainment and Publicity
Department<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Telephone: (702)
737-2503</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Verne
Koester<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>