Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno General Manager Receives Gaming Award

RENO, NV--(Marketwire - Jul 8, 2011) - Atlantis Casino Resort Spa (the "Atlantis") in Reno, Nevada, the wholly owned subsidiary of Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRI) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that Executive Vice President and General Manager, Darlyne Sullivan was presented with the '2010 Great Women of Gaming Proven Leader Award' from Casino Enterprise Management ("CEM") magazine, the leading gaming industry trade publication and the "Official Publication" of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers ("AGEM").

Ms. Sullivan and four other women were given the award. According to CEM, to qualify as a proven leader, candidates must have worked in the gaming industry for a minimum of 10 years. They must hold the position of director or higher and must have demonstrated exceptional achievement in at least three of the following areas: 1) ability to go above and beyond job responsibilities; 2) commitment to their company and co-workers; 3) contributions to the industry as a whole; 4) commitment to mentoring; and 5) strong overall life balance.

See the complete list of winners at: http://www.greatwomenofgaming.com/

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, a hotel/casino facility in Reno, Nevada. The Atlantis features approximately 61,000 square feet of casino space; 824 guest rooms; eight food outlets; two espresso and pastry bars; an approximate 30,000 square foot health spa and salon with an enclosed year-round pool; two retail outlets offering clothing and traditional gift shop merchandise; an 8,000 square-foot family entertainment center; and approximately 52,000 square feet of banquet, convention and meeting room space. The casino features approximately 1,450 slot and video poker machines; approximately 38 table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and others; a race and sports book; a 24-hour live keno lounge and a poker room. The Company and its predecessors have operated a facility on the Atlantis site since 1972. For more information please visit us at www.MonarchCasino.com.