Ellis Gaming and Hopland Band of Pomo Indians have been granted approval by
the National Indian Gaming Commission to move into a five-year management
contract in which Ellis Gaming will oversee all operations of the tribe’s
current casino in Northern California, Hopland Sho-ka-wah Casino. Located 82
miles north of San Francisco in Hopland, Calif. in the heart of the
California Wine Country, the current casino has 600 slot machines, six
tables, bingo and two restaurants. Plans to renovate the property are
underway.

“Through our dedication to the tribe and their property, we will implement a
training program which allows the employees to develop useful leadership
skills that will enhance the property’s success,” said Rick Richards, Chief
Operating Officer for Ellis Gaming.

“We are pleased to have an approved management agreement in place with Ellis
Gaming. Our ultimate purpose of this relationship is to inspire and maximize
the efficiency of our tribal members. This venture will further stabilize
the foundation of the tribe’s economic development,” said Tribal Chair Wanda
D. Balderama.

Tribal Governmental gaming generated revenue of approximately $20 billion in
2004. There are 354 Tribal Governmental gaming operations in the United
States, in which 30 of those are under management contracts. Ellis Gaming
manages operations for two Tribal Governmental properties and is awaiting
approval of a third property, which will make Ellis Gaming the second
largest Indian gaming management company in the country.

“On a very personal level I am honored to be affiliated with the Hopland
Band of Pomo Indians, a group for which I respect so much, in one of the
most beautiful places in the country,” said R. Shawn Ellis, President of
Ellis Gaming. “Ellis Gaming will work every day to improve the profitability
of the enterprise.”