Professional Poker Player Phil Ivey to Host July 1 Charity Poker Tournament at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - June 18, 2008) - The Golden Nugget, the largest hotel-casino in downtown Las Vegas, and renowned poker professional Phil Ivey together will host The Budding Ivey Foundation Charity Poker Tournament on Tuesday, July 1 at 8:00 p.m. The no-limit Texas hold'em charity poker tournament will be emceed by celebrity tournament director Matt Savage and will take place inside the Golden Nugget event center where The Grand Poker Series is currently underway. All tournament proceeds will benefit the Budding Ivey Foundation. The recommended donation to participate is $1,000. There will be optional $500 re-donations for additional tournament chips throughout three 20-minute rounds and a $500 last chance add-on for two-times the starting stack. The first place sponsored prize is valued at $10,000.

The Budding Ivey Foundation is non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities and empowering at-risk children and their families to ultimately inspire them to believe, achieve, and succeed. Empowered 2 Excel gives underprivileged children who qualify academically a chance to participate in enhanced learning programs.

"Right now we are focused on raising funds for Empowered 2 Excel," said Ivey. "The North Las Vegas children's academy closed its doors this Spring due to a lack of funds. We want to see those doors open again."

The charity poker tournament will be held in conjunction with the Budding Ivey Game Night Celebration (BIGNC) and the Sixth Annual World Series of Barbecue (WSOB). Poker tournament participants may attend the private party that starts at 6:00 p.m. at The Tank, the Golden Nugget's newest attraction featuring exotic marine life, a three-story water slide, and seven private cabanas. The fully catered affair is sponsored by poker professionals Steve Zolotow and Howard & Suzie Lederer, The Golden Nugget and in-part by Curtis & Co. Watches, Who's Your Daddy Energy Drink, and Zizzazz. For more information on the 2008 WSOB and BIGNC at the Golden Nugget, please write WSOB08@mac.com.

The charity poker tournament is open to the public. To reserve a poker tournament seat, go to http://buddingiveyfoundation.org/contributions.html and make the recommended donation or contact event coordinator Lisa Wheeler at BIGNC@mac.com or (702) 327-7250. The Phil Ivey CPT and BIGNC is a GreasieWheels production. For more information, visit http://buddingiveyfoundation.org/events.html.

About the Golden Nugget Hotel-Casino

Winner of the AAA Four-Diamond Award since 1977, the Golden Nugget Las Vegas is the most luxurious resort on the Fremont Street Experience, and consistently receives critical acclaim for exceeding customer expectations. The Golden Nugget offers more than 1,900 deluxe guest rooms and suites; a high-energy casino featuring the most popular slot and video poker machines, table games, race and sports book and poker room; nightly entertainment; world-class restaurants; luxury spa and salon and The Tank, a year-round outdoor swimming pool complete with a live shark aquarium. In September 2005, Landry's Restaurants, Inc. purchased the Golden Nugget hotels and casinos in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev., and embarked on a 14-month, $100 million renovation project, which was completed November 2006. In December 2007, the Golden Nugget completed its $60 million Phase II project, which expanded the resort west onto First Street and introduced additional entertainment, event and dining venues. Hotel reservations and additional information are available by calling 800-634-3454, or by booking online at www.goldennugget.com.

About The Budding Ivey Foundation

The Budding Ivey Foundation was created and founded by Phil Ivey and his mother Pamela Simmons-Ivey. The Budding Ivey Foundation strives to continue to fulfill the desires of Phil Ivey's late grandfather and legendary philanthropist Leonard "Bud" Simmons. A trailblazer and staunch advocate for justice for all, Simmons had a deep passion for education, inclusion, and opportunity. He was the first in his community to pave the way to hope through public service and his numerous accomplishments. His desire was to offer hope to the lives of the underrepresented.

Contact Information: Contacts: Lisa Wheeler President - GreasieWheels, LLC 702 327-7250 Press and Media Inquiries: Justin McVay Golden Nugget Manager of Public Relations 702-386-8211