San Diego, CA
February 9, 2001

 
    International Thunderbird Gaming Corporation (TSE - INB) announces its second skill machine facility has opened in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. The facility opened with 110 skill machines occupying approximately 4,000 square feet.  Thunderbird owns 33.33% of the equity of the Nuevo Laredo facility, and will receive 26.67% of the cash flow prior to the third party investors recouping their investment, and 40% of the cash flow after recovery of capital. The number of skill machines may increase at this location depending on market conditions and patron demand.

    Thunderbird is also pleased to announce that Fiesta Casino-Guayana in Venezuela is on schedule to open in April 2001. In addition, Thunderbird’s Casino in the InterContinental-Managua is on schedule to open on or before February 28, 2001. Thunderbird’s Casino in the Presidente Hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica is scheduled to open in April 2001.

    Thunderbird’s La Mina de Oro skill machine operation in Matamoros, Mexico continues to perform very well.  The 75 skill machines averaged $65 per day per machine for the month of January 2001. 

    Jack Mitchell, President and CEO, and Alex Winch, Director and Investor Relations will be traveling to update investors on the progress in building Thunderbird’s business in Mexico, Central and South America. Thunderbird will be hosting group meetings in Montreal on February 13th, Toronto on February 14th and Zurich on February 15th.  Please contact Investor Relations for details of group meetings. 

    International Thunderbird Gaming Corporation is an owner and manager of international gaming facilities. The Company’s shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol INB. Additional information about the Company is available on its World Wide Web site at www.thunderbirdgaming.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,
 

Jack R. Mitchell
President and CEO

Cautionary Notice: This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding potential revenue and plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's forward-looking statements include competitive pressures, unfavorable changes in regulatory structures, and general risks associated with business, all of which are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's documents filed from time-to-time with the TSE and other regulatory authorities.