For immediate release

Valle de Las Leñas, 05.07.2006 -- When the highly popular resort casino opened its doors to the public on 16 June 2006 - the first day of the 2006 winter season in the southern hemisphere - Casino Las Leñas was entering its 20th season of cooperation with Casinos Austria International.

The 2006 season will see a number of important changes at the casino, including the introduction of a VIP room with higher minimum and maximum bets, the launch of the very first Texas Hold'Em Poker table in Argentina's Mendoza province and a new CCTV system to further enhance casino security.

Set in South America's most exclusive ski resort at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level, Casino Las Leñas is the highest casino in the world and was the first private casino in Argentina. Located in the five-star Hotel Piscis, the largest hotel in the Valle de Las Leñas, the casino is a popular meeting point in the resort and a social highlight for all skiers in the area.

Casino Las Leñas currently offers 13 live gaming tables (4 American Roulette, 5 Black Jack, 3 Oasis Stud Poker and 1 full-size Punto y Banco) 26 slot machines, a VIP gaming room and a lively casino bar. A seasonal operation, the casino is only open in the southern hemisphere's winter season, welcoming guests each year from mid-June to mid-October.

Valle de Las Leñas has already had plenty of snow in 2006 and with more forecast, Casino Management is in no doubt that this is going to be another great season!

Casinos Austria International (CAI) is a leading player in the international casino industry. As of June 2006, CAI and its parent company, Casinos Austria AG, operated 74 casinos in 18 countries and on board 9 luxury cruise liners, including 4 casinos in Argentina. In 2005, the two companies together posted revenues (wins, registered tips, entrance) of EUR 1.17 billion (+17.1 %), welcomed a total of 18.5 million guests (+6.9 %) and employed around 10,400 staff (+13 %).

For further information on Casino Las Leñas, please contact

Gabriel Benvenutto
Casino Manager
Phone: +54 2627 471100
E-mail: casino@laslenas.com

For further information on Casinos Austria International, please contact

Hermann Pamminger
Head of Corporate Relations and Customer Care
Phone: +43 1 534 40 524
E-mail: hermann.pamminger@casinos.at