ISLE Isleworth Healthcare Acquisition Corporation

Isle of Capri Supports Illinois Officials' Announcements BILOXI, Miss., March 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. today issued a statement supporting Illinois Governor Blagojevich's call this afternoon for a full, open and public review of the auction process that led to the selection of Isle of Capri as the winning bidder for that state's dormant 10th casino license. Isle of Capri was selected as the winning bidder on Monday from among seven proposals originally submitted on January 19. "We support the Governor's and Attorney General Lisa Madigan's calls for a review of the auction process, because our proposal was the best proposal for the people of Illinois. The process was fair and open," said Timothy M. Hinkley, president and COO of Isle of Capri. "The selection of Isle of Capri provides the most tax dollars initially and over the long term to the state of Illinois. In addition, the gaming board's choice guarantees that the 10th license will begin generating taxdollars as soon as possible and more revenue will be shared with the largest number of communities." "Our company has been involved in numerous competitive situations over the years," Hinkley said, "and this one stood out as one of the most thorough and open processes we've ever been involved with. We commend the Attorney General for her role in developing the rules for this process. The rules were also approved by a federal bankruptcy judge, and the entire process was administered by a top-level investment bank and the Illinois Gaming Board." The company generates more than $1 billion in annual revenues and operates 16 casinos around the world, several of which have more gaming positions than the Illinois limit of 1,200 gaming positions. Hinkley stated, "We open our projects on time and on budget, and we do our job very well. And we've been through over 50 licensing, renewal and suitability reviews in our company's history and are currently licensed in six states and two foreign jurisdictions. We are proud of our reputation." Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., a leading developer and owner of gaming and entertainment facilities, operates 16 casinos in 14 locations. The company owns and operates riverboat and dockside casinos in Biloxi, Vicksburg, Lula and Natchez, Mississippi; Bossier City and Lake Charles (two riverboats), Louisiana; Bettendorf, Davenport and Marquette, Iowa; and Kansas City and Boonville, Missouri. The company also owns a 57 percent interest in and operates land-based casinos in Black Hawk (two casinos) and Cripple Creek, Colorado. Isle of Capri's international gaming interests include a casino that it operates in Freeport, Grand Bahama, and a two-thirds ownership interest in a casino in Dudley, England. The company also owns and operates Pompano Park Harness Racing Track in Pompano Beach, Florida. This press release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to change. These forward-looking statements may be significantly impacted, either positively or negatively by various factors, including without limitation, licensing, and other regulatory approvals, financing sources, development and construction activities, costs and delays, weather, permits, competition and business conditions in the gaming industry. The forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein. Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect the Company's financial condition, results of operations and expansion projects, is included in the filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 27, 2003 and Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended since that date. Contacts: Allan B. Solomon, Executive Vice President-561.995.6660 Rex Yeisley, Chief Financial Officer-228.396.7052 Lori Hutzler, Director of Corporate Communications-228.396.7031 Web site: http://www.islecorp.com/ http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020502/ISLELOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. CONTACT: Allan B.Solomon, Executive Vice President, +1-561-995-6660, or Rex Yeisley, Chief Financial Officer, +1-228-396-7052, or Lori Hutzler, Director of Corporate Communications, +1-228-396-7031, all of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Web site: http://www.islecorp.com/

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