The Sands Regent Issues Preliminary Announcement of Better-Than-Expected Fiscal 2000 Year-End and Fourth-Quarter Results

- Anticipates Q4 2000 EPS Range of $0.21 to $0.25, Compared to $0.02 Per Share for Q4 1999
- Also Anticipates Fiscal 2000 EPS of $0.31 to $0.35, Compared to a Net Loss of $0.31 Per Share for Fiscal 1999

Company Press Release: The Sands Regent
RENO, NV -- The Sands Regent (Nasdaq: SNDS) yesterday announced preliminary earnings for its fiscal year 2000 and the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2000.

Net earnings for the fourth quarter are anticipated to be between $950,000 and $1.15 million, or $0.21 to $0.25 per share, on net revenues of $10.7 to $10.9 million. This is anticipated to be the best fourth quarter since June 1995 and compares favorably with net income of $92,000, or $0.02 per share, on revenues of $8.8 million, reported for the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999. Income from operations is also anticipated to more than double to an estimated $1.7 to $1.9 million, and EBITDA will improve from $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999 to an estimated $2.5 to $2.75 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000.

The Company's estimated operating results for the fiscal year are also significantly improved over the prior fiscal year. Net earnings for fiscal 2000 are anticipated to be between $1.4 million and $1.6 million, or $0.31 to $0.36 per share, as compared to a net loss of $1.4 million, or loss per share of $ 0.031, in fiscal 1999. EBITDA is also anticipated to more than double, to an estimated $6.0 to $6.2 million, on estimated net revenues of $36.2 to $36.5 million.

The fourth-quarter preliminary results reflect continued improvement in revenues as a result of improved market share, and reflect the positive effects of the Company's improved operating efficiencies, cost controls, management additions and property upgrades. The Company expects to release final fourth-quarter results in August 2000.

Ferenc B. Szony, President and CEO of the Sands Regent, commented, ``We continue to be pleased with our improved operating results, which are due in no small part to the hard work and efforts of our loyal and dedicated employees and our management team. Our multi-faceted approach to improving earnings -- by enhancing our facility, expanding services to our guests and improving our business practices to increase our operating efficiencies -- has been successful. Following the latest improvements to our property, the addition of a Bingo Parlor in February, we are currently adding a Mels Diner to enhance our guest offerings. All of our expanding services to our guests, including new and improved gaming options, have provided choices and variety favored by both the local Reno-area residents and visitors staying in our hotel.''

The Sands Regent owns and operates the Sands Regency Casino and Hotel in downtown Reno, Nevada. The Sands Regency is an 850-room hotel and casino with 27,000 square feet of gaming space offering table games, keno and slot machines. In addition to complete amenities and on-site brand-name restaurants, the Company's property also includes a 12,000-square-foot convention and meeting center which seats close to 1,000 people.

Statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, are ``forward-looking'' statements as contemplated by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements.

For more information, please contact: David Wood, CFO of The Sands Regent, 775-348-2210, fax 775-348-6241; or William Coffin, CEO, or Sean Collins, Vice President, both of Coffin Communications Group, 818-789-0100, fax 818-789-1152, for The Sands Regent.

SOURCE: The Sands Regent