Collectors Universe Provides Authentication of Memorabilia From the WORLD POKER TOUR(TM) (WPT) World Championship

Collectors Universe Provides Authentication of Memorabilia From the WORLD POKER TOUR(TM) (WPT) World Championship

Collectors' PSA/DNA Division Adds WPT Items to Its List of Authenticated and Certified Well-Known Autographed Collectibles

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLCT), a leading provider of value-added authentication and grading services to dealers and collectors of high-value collectibles, announced today that it has provided services under its PSA/DNA division to WPT Enterprises Inc. (NASDAQ:WPTE) to authenticate memorabilia from the WPT World Championship to be aired on June 29, 2005.

The WPT World Championship, the culminating event in THE WORLD POKER TOUR'S(TM) third season, was held from April 18-24, 2005 in the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The WPT World Championship attracts well-known and established professionals on the poker circuit and also draws a loyal fan base.

Collectors Universe authenticated a number of noteworthy items from this year's event that included poker chips signed by each of the six world-renowned players from the final, championship table, the two hole cards from each of the two players in the deciding and final championship hand in the poker game "Texas Hold 'Em" along with the five common cards from the center of the table in the championship hand, the felt from the championship poker table signed by both the WPT Champion and the second place finisher, and other poker items. These items will be listed on www.eBay.com beginning June 30, 2005.

Michael Haynes, Chief Executive Officer of Collectors Universe, commented, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the prestigious WORLD POKER TOUR and provide our authentication services to items used in such an exciting championship event. In our PSA/DNA division, we have authenticated more than a few famous items and we are pleased to be able to use our expertise in the WPT World Championship event. We believe these authentic memorabilia items from the championship table will make this year's event even more memorable for years to come."

WPTE's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Lipscomb, acknowledged the importance of Collectors' authentication. "We want our fans to know they are getting the real thing," he said. "It has become clear that fans and collectors value WORLD POKER TOUR memorabilia and collectibles. This assures our winning bidders that they are getting the genuine article -- a piece of the WORLD POKER TOUR."

The WPT World Championship Season III event will be broadcast on the Travel Channel on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 9 P.M. PT.

About Collectors Universe

Collectors Universe, Inc. is a leading provider of value added services to the high-value collectibles markets. The Collectors Universe brands are among the strongest and best known in their respective markets. The Company authenticates and grades collectible coins, sports cards, autographs and stamps. The Company also compiles and publishes authoritative information about collectible sports cards and sports memorabilia, United States and world coins, and entertainment memorabilia. This information is accessible to collectors and dealers at the Company's web site, http://www.collectors.com/, and is also published in print.

About WPT Enterprises, Inc.

WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:WPTE) is a company engaged in the creation of internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. WPTE is the creator of the World Poker Tour(R), a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that airs on the Travel Channel in the United States and more than 67 markets globally. WPT Enterprises currently licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games, and giftware. For show information, tools for improving poker play, and other WPT news, fans may log on to www.worldpokertour.com. The company is also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships. WPT Enterprises, Inc. is a majority owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:LACOE). Photos and media information can be found online at: www.worldpokertour.com.

Contacts:

Mike Lewis Chief Financial Officer Collectors Universe 949-567-1375 Email: mlewis@collectors.com

Brandi Piacente Investor Relations The Anne McBride Co. 212-983-1702 x208 Email: bpiacente@annemcbride.com

Jackie Lapin/Jim Llewellyn WORLD POKER TOUR 818-707-1473 Email: jackielapin@cs.com

Source: Collectors Universe, Inc.

CONTACT: Mike Lewis, Chief Financial Officer of Collectors Universe, +1-949-567-1375, mlewis@collectors.com; or Brandi Piacente, Investor Relations of The Anne McBride Co., +1-212-983-1702 ext. 208, bpiacente@annemcbride.com, for Collectors Universe, Inc.; or Jackie Lapin, jackielapin@cs.com, and Jim Llewellyn, both of the WORLD POKER TOUR, +1-818-707-1473

Web site: http://www.ebay.com/

Web site: http://www.worldpokertour.com/

Web site: http://www.collectors.com/

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