Press Release
October 16, 2000
SAN DIEGO, CA -- Venture Catalyst Incorporated (Nasdaq:VCAT) has announced it will enter into a joint venture with
the Barona Band of Mission Indians, with whom VCAT has consulted on all aspects of casino development and marketing
for the past decade.
The venture will focus on gaming technology introduction, implementation and related services. This coincides with
VCAT's decision to consult with additional California tribal gaming clients. In addition, VCAT will be hosting
an invitation-only event during the upcoming World Gaming Congress & Expo 2000, which convenes at the Las Vegas
Convention Center October 18-20.
``This is a 'coming-out' party of sorts for our Gaming Division, which for the past ten years has focused most
of its efforts on Barona Casino,'' said Don Speer, chairman and CEO of VCAT. ``After helping Barona to develop
what was recently called 'the most advanced slot floor in the world' by the Las Vegas Investment Advisors, Inc.,
we've had requests for assistance from other California tribes and we've decided to accept additional tribal gaming
clients in partnership with Barona. We believe that you must be a technology company in order to be a successful
gaming company. Our experience in gaming, technology solutions, networking, integrated communications and the Internet
uniquely positions VCAT to be a leader in the California Gaming Resources market.''
``We at Barona would like to see other Native American tribes in California reach the same unparalleled level of
success that we have achieved,'' said Clifford LaChappa, Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. ``We believe
that no one is in a better position to help these tribes than VCAT, which for over a decade has used its extensive
gaming, finance and technology knowledge and relationships to help grow Barona into the multi-million dollar enterprise
it is today. We have partnered with VCAT in order to share our combined proprietary knowledge and experience with
tribes across California.''
VCAT originally recruited Sierra Design Group, along with IGT and Bally Gaming, to design and build the Voucher
In/Voucher Out technology slots at Barona. VCAT will offer an in-depth explanation of this complicated cross platform
technology at an exclusive event for Native American tribes, industry professionals and Native American leaders
at the Paris Hotel & Casino, during the upcoming World Gaming Congress in Las Vegas.
Various gaming industry analyses have estimated the California market will reach between $6 billion and $10 billion
in the next five years. VCAT plans to help central and northern California tribes, as it has with Barona, with
slot technology development, implementation, financing and casino floor layout. The Company will use its strong
reputation and industry relationships to promote and improve its clients' businesses.
VCAT can also provide tribal clients with networking, hardware and software technology solutions services, and
Web site design and development, as its skilled Web professionals recently did for www.barona.com.. The Company
additionally offers integrated communications solutions for its tribal clients in both online and offline environments.
``Many tribes in California have smaller, less well developed gaming operations, or are looking to enter the market
after recently signing a compact with the state of California. They need assistance but are not sure where to turn
for help,'' continued Speer. ``We believe that VCAT, after working with Indian tribes longer than any other gaming
consultant, is uniquely positioned in the industry to bring together tribes across California with vendors to help
grow their businesses.''
About Venture Catalyst
Venture Catalyst Incorporated provides professional services to support and facilitate its clients' businesses.
VCAT acts as a critical resource partner and has its central mission in growing client top line and bottom line
revenues at an increasing rate. The Company offers gaming and hospitality consulting, Web development, public and
governmental relations, Internet marketing, integrated communications, strategic planning, technology solutions,
and professional and technical expertise. Public since 1995, VCAT has offices in San Diego, Orange County and West
Los Angeles, and can be found on the Web at www.vcat.com.
Except for historical information contained within, this release includes certain forward-looking statements and
projections, including the statements of L. Donald Speer, II, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. These statements,
which relate to the Company's intentions with respect to future operations, are based on management's belief, as
well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. The statements regarding third
parties or industry analyses, including the size of the California market, about the Barona Band of Mission Indians
and the statements of Chairman Clifford LaChappa are not statements of the Company; nor are they projections or
assessments by Company. Such data and statements are not endorsed or adopted by the Company. While the Company
believes that its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurances that the Company's
plans, objectives and financial goals will be realized. Numerous factors (including risks and uncertainties) may
affect the Company's actual results and may cause its plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed
in the forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Some of these factors include the ability
to develop or exploit profitable service offerings, to recognize strategically valuable and less valuable services
and to execute its growth strategies; the success of the VCAT portfolio businesses and technology; the development
and existence of markets or customers as anticipated; and other factors detailed in the Company's Form 10-KSB,
Forms 10-QSB and other reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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Contact:
Venture Catalyst Incorporated
Investor Relations
Glenn Smith, 858/385-1000
ir@vcat.com
or
Media and Public Relations
Angelyn Lechman, 858/385-1000
alechman@vcat.com