Pinnacle Entertainment Names Sue Ascanio Vice President and General Manager at Belterra Casino Resort & Spa

LAS VEGAS and FLORENCE, Ind., Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Pinnacle
Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: PNK) announced today that Sue Ascanio, 45, has been
named Vice President and General Manager of the Company’s Belterra Casino Resort
& Spa in southern Indiana, subject to regulatory approval. In her new role, Ms.
Ascanio will manage all operations at the property, which include a
608-guestroom hotel, championship golf course, full-service spa, extensive
meeting space and a two-level casino featuring 1,600 slot machines, 46 table
games and a live poker room. Ms. Ascanio fills the position formerly held by
Kevin Kaufman, who was recently named General Manager of River Downs Racetrack
in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ms. Ascanio will report directly to Anthony Sanfilippo,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Entertainment.

Sue Ascanio brings over 23 years of gaming entertainment management experience
in several regional markets and Las Vegas to her new role at Pinnacle. For the
last two years, she served as Assistant General Manager of Hollywood Casino
Lawrenceburg in southern Indiana. Prior to that, Ms. Ascanio held senior
management positions at several Station Casinos properties in Las Vegas,
including as Vice President and General Manager of Texas Station Hotel and
Casino from 2007 to 2008, Vice President and General Manager of Sunset Station
Hotel and Casino from 2003 to 2006 and Director of Operations and Director of
Food and Beverage at Palace Station Hotel and Casino from 1996 to 2003.

Anthony Sanfilippo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle
Entertainment, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Sue to Pinnacle as she
brings a broad range of casino entertainment management skills and relevant
experience in the Indiana market to her new role at Belterra. Throughout her
career, Sue has consistently demonstrated an ability to deliver a leading guest
experience and improve operating performance. Her leadership and local market
expertise will be instrumental in our ability to continue distinguishing
Belterra’s high-quality gaming and resort options and to simultaneously further
strengthen operating margins.”

Sue Ascanio commented on her appointment, “I am excited to join the great team
in place at Belterra, which is known for its personalized guest service and
world-class amenities. I look forward to working with Anthony and all of
Belterra’s team members as Pinnacle continues its focus on creating unique
entertainment experiences for its guests.”

Belterra Casino Resort and Spa, located approximately 45 minutes southwest of
Cincinnati, Ohio, opened in October 2000 and features a 38,000-square-foot
casino on two levels with over 1,600 slot machines and 46 table games, including
a live poker room and high limit slots and tables. The resort also offers a
608-guestroom hotel, a diverse array of seven casual and fine dining venues, six
retail outlets, a spa and salon, the 1,500-seat CenterStage Showroom(TM), an
18-hole, Tom Fazio designed golf course and over 50,000-square-feet of meeting
and conference space.

About Pinnacle Entertainment

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. owns and operates a total of seven casinos, located
in Louisiana, Missouri, Indiana and Nevada, and a racetrack in Ohio. The Company
is also developing a casino in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that is scheduled to open
in December 2011.

All statements included in this press release, other than historical information
or statements of historical fact, are “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements, including
statements on strengthening operating margins, are based on management’s current
expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in
circumstances that could significantly affect future results. Accordingly,
Pinnacle cautions that the forward-looking statements contained herein are
qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those reflected by such statements. Such factors include, but
are not limited to: (a) the Company’s business may be sensitive to reductions in
consumers’ discretionary spending as a result of downtowns in the economy; (b)
significant competition in the gaming industry in all of the Company’s markets
could adversely affect the Company’s profitability; and (c) other risks,
including those as may be detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For more information on the
potential factors that could affect the Company’s business and financial
results, review the Company’s filings with the SEC, including, but not limited
to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its
Current Reports on Form 8-K.