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Trump Supports Illinois Riverboat License for South Suburbs

NEW YORK -- (Press Release) -- Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. ("THCR" or the "Company") (NYSE: DJT) announced today it's decision not to participate in the bidding process to merge with the bankrupt Emerald Casino, Inc. as a means of acquiring an Illinois riverboat license. THCR has aligned with the South Suburban communities of Crestwood, Riverdale, Blue Island, Ford Heights, Alsip, Midlothian, Posen, Robbins, Calumet Park and Phoenix, and supports the efforts of the South Suburban communities to develop a riverboat casino to be located in Crestwood. THCR believes that the gaming taxes and job creation from a Crestwood riverboat would do much to bolster the economy of the South Suburbs.

Several factors compel THCR to conclude that an alternative means of obtaining a riverboat license for the South Suburbs is necessary. The bidders for Emerald Casino are expected to include developers seeking to locate riverboats in Rosemont, Des Plaines and Waukegan. A riverboat located in the South Suburbs, an economically depressed area better meeting the criteria established by the Illinois legislature, can not generate as much revenue as a casino located in the more affluent suburbs. As a result, THCR's commitment to the South Suburbs places it at a competitive disadvantage to other bidders in the Emerald Casino bankruptcy. In addition, the South Suburban communities have not as yet reached agreement with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the owner of the proposed site in Crestwood, making it impossible for THCR to submit the "binding commitment" required by the Emerald Casino bankruptcy court bidding process.

Commenting on the THCR decision, Chairman Donald Trump said, "We have been urged to submit a bid for Emerald Casino simply as a way to publicize our support of the South Suburban communities. However, rather than submitting a non-conforming bid for a bankrupt company, we will continue to work with the South Suburban communities in an effort to obtain a riverboat license for a Crestwood riverboat."

THCR, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns and operates Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort and Trump Marina Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as well as Trump Casino Hotel in Gary, Indiana. The Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, also manages Trump 29 Casino located near Palm Springs, California.

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