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EXHIBIT 10.31    
  


LEASE AGREEMENT  


    THIS LEASE, made this 1st day of July, 1996, by and between The Herbst Family Limited Partnership, hereinafter referred to as "Lessor", and
E-T-T, INC., hereinafter referred to as "Lessee". 


    WITNESSETH:
that the Lessor in consideration of the rent herein specified to be paid by the Lessee, and the covenants and conditions herein mentioned, does hereby lease, let and
demise, unto Lessee, and the Lessee does hereby rent from the Lessor those certain premises in the County of Nye, State of Nevada, more particularly described in Exhibit A, attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference. 


    TO
HAVE AND TO HOLD the same unto the said Lessee, its successors and assigns for the period and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. 


    THIS
INDENTURE OF LEASE is made by the Lessor and accepted by the Lessee upon each of the following terns and conditions, namely: 


    1.  TERM:  The term of this Lease shall be for a period of five (5) years, commencing on
July 1, 1996. 



    2.  RENTAL:  The Lessee agrees to pay to the Lessor as rental for said demised premises the sum of Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per month on the first of each month for the duration of said lease. 


    3.  SECURITY:  Lessee agrees that buildings and improvements located or erected on premises at any time
during the term of this Lease, or extension thereof, shall be and remain charged with the lien in favor of Lessor as security for the enforcement of all agreements of this lease by Lessee to be kept
and performed. Such lien shall be prior to all other contracts, liens and other encumbrances whatsoever
effecting the demised premises provided however that Lessor agrees that it will subordinate such lien for the actual cost of financing the erection of any improvements required by the Lessee for the
operation of a casino, in order to finance same. 


    4.  QUIET POSSESSION:  Lessor hereby covenants, warrants, and agrees that at all times during the term
hereof, provided Lessee is not in default hereunder, Lessee shall have the full, peaceful and quiet possession of the demised premises, and, further that Lessor has full right and power to make and
enter into this lease. 


    5.  TAXES AND UTILITY CHARGES:  Lessee agrees to pay all real taxes, and assessments which may be levied
against the improvements thereon and any personal property and trade fixtures located therein and will pay charges for light, power and other public utilities used by it in connection with the use of
the demised premises. 


    6.  ALTERATIONS:  The Lessee agrees that before commencing any construction work on said premises or
making any alterations on improvements placed upon said premises by him that he will notify Lessor in order that a notice of non-responsibility may be posted on said premises and recorded
in accordance with the provisions of the Mechanic's Lien Law of the State of Nevada. 


    7.  REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTERATIONS:  Lessee covenants and agrees that such alterations and/or changes shall
be at his sole cost and expense and that prior written consent of the Lessor shall be obtained therefore; and provided that such changes and alterations shall conform with building codes and zoning
regulations now or hereinafter legally effective, and promulgated by the State, County or Municipal authorities. 


    8.  REPAIRS:  Lessee agrees, at his cost and expense, to maintain and keep in good order, condition and
repair the casino and all ancillary buildings or improvements to be constructed thereon by Lessee and all fixtures and equipment, including visible plumbing and electrical fixtures. The Lessee agrees
to keep the premises clean and to have no nuisance, unsightly rubbish, or to commit or cause to 





 


be committed by its employees, and/or sub-tenants, any violation of the laws, rules or regulations of the State, County or Municipal Board of Health or appropriate sanitary agency. 



    9.  TITLE OF FIXTURES:  All buildings, fixtures and other property and materials installed in the demised
premises by the Lessee shall be and remain the property of the Lessee, and at the expiration of the Lease, the Lessee may, within thirty (30) days, remove from said premises all of such
fixtures, property, and materials, provided that all expenses connected with the removal thereof shall be at the
expense of the Lessee. The Lessee further agrees to repair at his sole expense all damage that may result from the removal of such building, fixtures and other property and to restore said premises to
the condition in which they were prior to the start of construction and that no building or improvements placed upon said premises by Lessee shall be removed during the term of this Lease or extension
thereof without the consent of Lessor first had and obtained. 


    10.  LIABILITY AND FIRE INSURANCE:  The Lessor shall require the Lessee to carry, maintain and have in
full force and effect fire, workmens compensation, public liability, and product liability insurance with a recognized insurance company authorized to transact business in the State of Nevada for the
benefit of the Lessor and Lessee, and for the protection of all persons who may suffer injury while in, on or about said premises. The amount of said policy must be approved by Lessor in its sole
discretion, within normal and customary limits for an operation of this type. Lessor shall be furnished with copies of said policies and all endorsements thereto. 


    The
Lessee shall carry insurance against loss by destruction of the demised premises caused by fire, explosion or other action of the elements, except loss caused by earthquake, equal
to ninety per cent (90%) of the value of the improvements. 


    11.  COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW:  The Lessee shall conduct his business in such manner as will comply with
all requirements of State, Federal, County and Municipal authorities, appertaining to the business conducted upon the demised premises, and Lessee shall not permit the demised premises to be used for
any unlawful purposes. 


    12.  DEFAULT:  In the event Lessee shall be in default in the payment of any rent herein reserved, or in
the performance of any of the covenants or conditions of this Lease to be kept and performed by the Lessee, and such default shall continue for thirty (30) days from and after service upon the
Lessee of written notice of such default, signed by the Lessor or their duly authorized agents, then and in any such event, the Lessor may, at their option declare this Lease terminated and repossess
themselves of said premises and take such action or pursue such remedy as may be permitted under the law of the State of Nevada. However, if Lessee commences the necessary work to cure said default
before the expiration of the thirty (30) days, but the work takes in excess of thirty days, then Lessor shall not be allowed to declare this Lease terminated. 


    13.  LIENS:  The Lessee agrees that he will, at all times, save the Lessor and keep it blameless and the
demised premises free and harmless of and from any liability on account of or in respect to any mechanic's liens or liens in the nature thereof, for work and labor done, or materials furnished at the
instance and request of the Lessee, in, on or about the demised premises; provided, however, that the Lessee shall have the right to contest the claim of such lien, which event the Lessee shall, at
his expense, furnish to the Lessor a sufficient surety bond executed by a reputable and responsible surety company, in at least double the amount of such claim of such lien, conditioned upon the
diligent prosecution of such defense, and to hold the Lessor from and clear of all loss, costs, damages, and expenses of every kind and nature, arising either directly or indirectly out of said
contest, and to pay any judgment that may be obtained forthwith upon the same being entered. 


    14.  ATTORNEY FEE:  In the event of litigation arising from default in performance of any of the
provisions of this Lease by either the Lessor or Lessee, the prevailing party in such litigation shall be entitled to receive from the other party reasonable attorney fees and costs of action incurred
in 


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connection with said litigation. In the event that either Lessor or Lessee shall by reason of acts of omission or commission in violation of the terms of the Lease, be made a party to any litigation
commenced by a person other than the parties hereto, then such party performing the said act or suffering the said omission shall pay all costs, expenses and reasonable attorney fees incurred by the
other party which arise from or are in connection with such litigation. 


    15.  INDEMNIFICATION:  Lessee shall indemnify and hold harmless Lessor and its agents, servants,
employees and representatives from and against all claims, damages, losses and expenses, including attorneys' fees arising out of or resulting from Lessee's occupancy, provided however, that Lessor,
its agents, employees, representatives, successors, or assigns are not negligent with regards to same. This Paragraph shall have full force and effect upon execution of this Lease Agreement. 


    16.  ASSIGNMENT:  The Lessee shall not have the right to assign this Lease or hypothecate the same
without first receiving the written consent of the Lessor, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld. Lessee shall have the right to sublet any department and concession, providing that the
tenancy of such sub-tenant shall be subject to all the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease. 


    17.  WAIVER:  The waiver of either party of any of the covenants herein contained shall not be deemed a
waiver of such party's right to enforce the same or any other covenant contained herein. 


    18.  HOLDING OVER:  If the Lessee shall hold over the premises beyond the term herein specified, or any
renewal thereof, with the consent, express or implied of the Lessor such holding over shall be construed to be a month-to-month tenancy, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon. 



    19.  PHRASE INTERPRETATION:  The term "Lessor" shall include the singular, if necessary. The term
"Lessee" or the phrase "the term hereof" shall include any renewal or renewal thereof where permitted by the context hereof. 


    20.  PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS FOR NOTICES:  Any and all notices shall be forwarded to the following
addresses: 



    Lessee: 




E-T-T,
Inc.

5195 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Las Vegas, Nevada 89119

Attn: Edward J. Herbst 





    Lessor: 




Jerry
Herbst

5195 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 






    21.  NO OTHER AGREEMENTS:  Both parties hereby certify and declare that neither party has made any
representations nor agreements to or with any other party in addition to, or in conflict with the terms, covenants and conditions hereof, and this Lease contains all of the terms, covenants and
conditions and representations between the parties upon the subject matter hereof. 


    22.  TERMINATION OF LEASE IF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS FILED:  If, at any time during the term hereof,
proceedings in bankruptcy shall be instituted by or against the Lessee and result in an adjudication of bankruptcy, or if the Lessee shall file or any creditor shall file, or any person shall file any
Petition in Bankruptcy under Chapters 10 or 11 of the Bankruptcy Act of the United States of America as such act is now in force or as same may be amended, and shall by judicially approved, or if a
Receiver of the business or assets of the Lessee shall be appointed and if such appointment be not vacated within sixty (60) days after notice thereof to Lessee, or if a general assignment is
made by the Lessee for the benefit of creditors, or any sheriff, marshall, constable, or other duly constituted public 


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official take possession thereof by authority of any attachment or execution proceedings, and offer same for sale publicly, the Lessor may, at its option, in either or any of such events, without
notice to Lessee or any other person or persons, immediately recapture and take possession of the demised premises and terminate this Lease with or without the process of law, such process being
expressly waiver by Lessee. 


    23.  CARE OF PREMISES:  Lessee agrees that it will water, cultivate, trim and keep in a neat condition
any shrubs, plants or lawn planted on said premises and will keep the parking areas and black top in a neat and clean condition and will use for parking. 


    24.  OPTION TO RENEW:  The Lessee upon giving written notice to Lessor, at least sixty (60) days
prior to the date of the expiration of the term aforesaid, provided it has faithfully complied with the terms hereof, shall have the option of renewing this Lease for five additional consecutive five
(5) year terms subject to the same terms, covenants and conditions and agreements as contained herein other than this paragraph. The monthly rental for each renewal term shall be determined by
increasing the monthly rental payment for the preceding term by the greater of $2,500.00 or the amount by which one percent (1%) of the appraised value of the property exceeds the current monthly
rental amount. For purposes of determining the appraised value of the property at each renewal date the parties shall have an ALTA-certified appraiser appraise the property no more than
ninety (90) days prior to the end of the preceding term. If the parties are unable to agree on an appraiser, then each party may hire its own ALTA-certified appraiser and the
average of the two appraisals shall be used to determine the appraised value for purposes of determining the monthly rental amount. 


    25.  RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL:  In the event of a contemplated sale of the premises during the demised
term, the Lessor agrees to give Lessee a notice in writing at least ten (10) days before the contemplated sale of substance of terms on which it is proposed to be made, which notice shall be
registered mail directed to Lessee at his principal place of business for notices; and thereupon within ten (10) days from the date of mailing of notice the Lessee shall have the right exercise
its option to purchase upon the proposed terms and conditions. If the Lessee fails to exercise said option within the foregoing time, said option shall be and stand cancelled. 


    26.  TIME IS OF ESSENCE:  Time is of the essence in this Lease and of each and every one of the
provisions herein contained. 


    27.  BINDING EFFECT:  The covenants and agreements contained in this Lease shall be binding upon the
parties hereto and upon their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. 


    IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Lease to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first herein written. 


THE
HERBST FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

Lessor 



	/s/ Jerry Herbst
 Jerry Herbst, General Partner	 	/s/ Maryanna Herbst
 Maryanna Herbst, General Partner
	

 	
 	

 
	E-T-T, Inc.

Lessee	 	 
	

/s/ Edward J. Herbst
 Edward J. Herbst, President

	
 	

 




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EXHIBIT 10.31