Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (NASDAQ:MCRI), owner of the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno, Nevada, announced that it has broken ground on the previously announced expansion of the Atlantis.

Monarch Casino & Resort;
Completion is expected in the second quarter of 2008. New space will be added to the first floor casino level, the second and third floors and the basement level totaling approximately 116,000 square feet. The existing casino floor will be expanded by over 10,000 square feet, or approximately 20%. The first floor casino plans include a redesigned, updated and expanded race and sports book of approximately 4,000 square feet and an enlarged poker room.

The expansion will also include a New York-style deli restaurant. The second floor expansion will create additional ballroom and convention space of approximately 27,000 square feet, doubling the existing facilities. The spa and fitness center will be remodeled and expanded to create an ultra-modern spa and fitness center facility. The Company expects to fund the cost of the expansion entirely out of cash on-hand and operating cash flow.