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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

Filed by the Registrant ý

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

o

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

 

Definitive Additional Materials

o

 

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

ISLE OF CAPRI CASINOS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý

 

No fee required.

o

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
    (1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
        
 
    (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
        
 
    (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
        
 
    (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
        
 
    (5)   Total fee paid:
        
 

o

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

(1)

 

Amount Previously Paid:
        
 
    (2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
        
 
    (3)   Filing Party:
        
 
    (4)   Date Filed:
        
 

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ISLE OF CAPRI CASINOS, INC.
600 EMERSON ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63141
(314) 813-9200



NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be Held on Tuesday, October 16, 2012



        The 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. will be held at 600 Emerson Road, St. Louis, Missouri, on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 9:00 a.m., Central Time, for the following purposes:

        The record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof, is the close of business on August 20, 2012. A stockholder list will be available for examination for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours at our principal executive offices, located at 600 Emerson Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63141 for a period of 10 days prior to the meeting date. Additional information regarding the matters to be acted on at the Annual Meeting can be found in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

        In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow us to furnish proxy materials to you via the Internet, we have made these proxy materials available to you at www.proxyvote.com, or, upon your request, have delivered printed versions of these materials to you by mail. We are furnishing this proxy statement in connection with the solicitation by our Board of Directors of proxies to be voted at our 2012 Annual Meeting. Reference is made to the proxy statement for further information with respect to the items of business to be transacted at the Annual Meeting. We have not received notice of other matters that may be properly presented at the Annual Meeting.

        Your vote is important. Please read the proxy statement and the voting instructions on the proxy. Then, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, and no matter how many shares you own, please download, sign, date and promptly return the proxy. If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in "street name", your broker or bank, as the holder of record of the shares, must vote those shares in accordance with your instructions or, if you want to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a proxy from your broker or bank and bring that to the Annual Meeting. If you are a holder of record, you may also cast your vote in person at the Annual Meeting.

    BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

 

 


GRAPHIC
    Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

St. Louis, Missouri
August 22, 2012

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 2012
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 16, 2012

        Isle of Capri Casino's Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meetings of Stockholders is available at www.proxyvote.com.


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  Page  

Questions and Answers

    1  

When is the Annual Meeting, and why did I receive a one-page notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials this year instead of a full set of printed proxy materials?

    1  

On what am I being asked to vote?

    2  

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

    2  

What constitutes a quorum for the purposes of voting?

    2  

What if a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting?

    2  

How many votes do I have?

    2  

How many votes are needed to approve each item?

    2  

What if my stock is held by a broker?

    3  

How do I vote?

    3  

How do I vote using the proxy card?

    3  

Can I change my vote after I have submitted my proxy?

    4  

How will the votes be tabulated at the meeting?

    4  

Will the Company solicit proxies in connection with the Annual Meeting?

    4  

Election of Class II Directors

    4  

General

    4  

Class II Director Nominees for Election for Terms Expiring at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

    5  

Directors Whose Terms of Office Will Continue After this Annual Meeting

    6  

Director Who Retired and Is Not Seeking Reelection

    8  

Corporate Governance

    10  

Board Leadership Structure

    10  

Board of Directors' Role in Risk Oversight

    10  

Independence

    10  

Meetings

    11  

Committees

    11  

Compensation of Directors

    13  

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

    14  

Executive Sessions

    15  

Code of Conduct

    15  

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

    15  

Ownership of Our Capital Stock

    15  

Executive Officers

    18  

Executive Compensation

    19  

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

    19  

Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation

    32  

Summary Compensation Table

    33  

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

    34  

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

    35  

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

    36  

Employment Contracts

    39  

Certain Related Party Transactions

    41  

Audit Committee Report

    41  

Proposal 1—Election of Class II Directors

    43  

Proposal 2—To Approve the Adoption of the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan

    44  

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Proposal 3—Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    52  

Other Matters

    54  

Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

    54  

Stockholder Proposals

    54  

Delivery of Documents to Stockholders Sharing an Address

    54  

Additional Information

    55  

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ISLE OF CAPRI CASINOS, INC.
600 EMERSON ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63141
(314) 813-9200



PROXY STATEMENT
August 22, 2012



        We are furnishing this proxy statement to you in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., a Delaware corporation, of proxies for use at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, beginning at 9:00 a.m., Central Time, at 600 Emerson Road, St. Louis, Missouri, and at any adjournment(s) of the Annual Meeting. Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is referred to herein as the "Company," "we," "us" or "our," unless the context indicates otherwise.

        Our principal executive offices are located at 600 Emerson Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63141. A notice containing instructions on how to access our 2012 Annual Report to Stockholders, this proxy statement, and accompanying proxy card was first mailed to our stockholders on or about August 27, 2012.


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

When is the Annual Meeting, and why did I receive a one-page notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials this year instead of a full set of printed proxy materials?

        The Board of Directors of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., a Delaware corporation, seeks your proxy for use in voting at our 2012 Annual Meeting or at any postponements or adjournments of the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors is soliciting proxies beginning on or about August 27, 2012. Our Annual Meeting will be held at 600 Emerson Road, St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., Central Time. All holders of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, will receive a one-page notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials. Along with the proxy statement, you will also be able to access our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2012 on the Internet.

        Pursuant to the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we sent a notice to all of our stockholders as of the record date. All stockholders may access our proxy materials on the website referred to in the notice. Stockholders may also request to receive a printed set of our proxy materials. Instructions on how to access our proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed copy can be found on the notice. In addition, by following the instructions in the notice, stockholders may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email on an ongoing basis.

        Choosing to receive your future proxy materials by email will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by email, you will receive an email next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials by email will remain in effect until you terminate it.

        THE PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ISLE OF CAPRI CASINOS, INC.

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On what am I being asked to vote?

        At the Annual Meeting, the Company's stockholders will be asked to vote on the following proposals:

The stockholders may also transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

        The record date for the Annual Meeting is August 20, 2012, and only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at and attend the Annual Meeting.

What constitutes a quorum for the purposes of voting?

        A majority of the shares of the Company's common stock outstanding, represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, will constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and "broker non-votes" (explained below) are counted as present for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business. As of the record date, August 20, 2012, there were 39,312,915 shares of the Company's common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, which excludes 2,753,233 shares held by us in treasury.

What if a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting?

        If a quorum is not present during the meeting, we may adjourn the meeting. In addition, in the event that there are not sufficient votes for approval of any of the matters to be voted upon at the meeting, the meeting may be adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies.

How many votes do I have?

        Each outstanding share of the Company's common stock entitles its owner to one vote on each matter that comes before the meeting. Your proxy card indicates the number of shares of the Company's common stock that you owned as of the record date, August 20, 2012.

How many votes are needed to approve each item?

        Provided a quorum is present, directors will be elected by the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of our common stock present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the proposal. Withheld votes, if any, and broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the vote for the proposal. Stockholders are not allowed to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.

        Approval of the adoption of the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shares of our common stock present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the proposal. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the vote for this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal.

        Ratification of the Audit Committee's selection of Ernst & Young, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2013 fiscal year requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shares of our common stock present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and

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entitled to vote on the proposal. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the vote for this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal. If this selection is not ratified by our stockholders, the Audit Committee may reconsider its selection.

What if my stock is held by a broker?

        If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in "street name" by a broker, your broker, as the record holder of the shares, must vote those shares in accordance with your instructions. Certain matters submitted to a vote of stockholders are considered to be "routine" items upon which brokerage firms may vote in their discretion on behalf of their customers if such customers have not furnished voting instructions within a specified period prior to the meeting, so called "broker non-votes." For those matters that are considered to be "non-routine," brokerage firms that have not received instructions from their customers will not be permitted to exercise their discretionary authority. Each of the items listed above is a "non-routine" item.

How do I vote?

        Stockholders of record can choose one of the following ways to vote:

        By casting your vote in any of the four ways listed above, you are authorizing the individuals listed on the proxy to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions.

        If you hold our voting securities in "street name," only your broker or bank can vote your shares. If you want to vote in person at our Annual Meeting and you hold our voting securities in street name, you must obtain a proxy from your broker and bring that proxy to our Annual Meeting.

How do I vote using the proxy card?

        If the proxy is properly signed and returned, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting according to the instructions indicated on your proxy. If the proxy does not specify how your shares are to be voted, your shares represented by the proxy will be voted:

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Can I change my vote after I have submitted my proxy?

        Yes, a stockholder who has submitted a proxy may revoke it at any time prior to its use by:

        A written notice revoking the proxy should be sent to the Company's Secretary at the following address:

How will the votes be tabulated at the meeting?

        Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by the election inspectors appointed for the Annual Meeting, and such election inspectors also will determine whether or not a quorum is present.

Will the Company solicit proxies in connection with the Annual Meeting?

        Yes, the Company will solicit proxies in connection with the Annual Meeting. We will bear all costs of soliciting proxies including charges made by brokers and other persons holding stock in their names or in the names of nominees for reasonable expenses incurred in sending proxy material to beneficial owners and obtaining their proxies. In addition to solicitation by mail, our directors, officers, and employees may solicit proxies personally and by telephone, facsimile and email, all without extra compensation. We may retain a proxy solicitation firm to assist in the solicitation of proxies. If we retain such a firm, the fee to be paid for such services will be borne by us and is not expected to exceed $7,500 plus reasonable expenses.

ELECTION OF CLASS II DIRECTORS

        

General

        Our Certificate of Incorporation divides the Board of Directors into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, with the three-year terms of office of each class ending in successive years. The authorized number of directors is set at ten.

        At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will vote on the election of nominees listed below to serve as our Class II directors for three-year terms to expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2015 or until their respective successors, if any, have been elected and qualified. The three nominees, Jeffrey D. Goldstein, Virginia McDowell and Lee S. Wielansky, are currently serving on the Company's Board of Directors.

        In April 2012, the Nominating, Leadership Development and Corporate Governance Committee recommended that the Board of Directors expanded the size of the Board of Directors from nine to ten and elect Ms. McDowell, our president and chief executive officer, to fill the vacancy. On April 12, 2012, the Board of Directors accepted the recommendation of the Nominating, Leadership Development and Corporate Governance Committee and Ms. McDowell joined the Board of Directors as a Class II director immediately.

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        On July 19, 2012, Mr. Baker, currently a Class II director, notified us of his intention to retire from the Board of Directors effective upon the expiration of his current term at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on October 16, 2012. Accordingly, he is not standing for reelection to the Board. There will be one vacancy on our Board of Directors and the Board of Directors will either seek a candidate for such vacant position or reduce the authorized number of directors.

        The Company does not know of any reason why any nominee would be unable or unwilling to serve as a director. If any nominee is unable or unwilling to serve, the shares represented by all valid proxies will be voted for the election of such other person as the Company's Board may nominate.

        Additionally, pursuant to an agreement (the "Goldstein Governance Agreement"), dated as of January 19, 2011, among the Company, Robert S. Goldstein, our Vice Chairman, Jeffrey D. Goldstein and Richard A. Goldstein, two of our directors, and GFIL (as defined below), the Company agreed that until the Nomination Expiration Date (as defined below), it will take all action reasonably necessary for the Board of Directors to nominate and recommend for election by the Company's stockholders each of Jeffrey D. Goldstein, Robert S. Goldstein and Richard A. Goldstein (the "Goldstein Directors") (or, in the event that any of them dies or becomes legally incapacitated, another descendant of Bernard Goldstein (including a person legally adopted before the age of five) who is suitable to serve as our director pursuant to applicable Nasdaq requirements and other applicable law and designated by the remaining Goldstein Directors, who then are competent; provided, however, if our Board of Directors reasonably objects to such designee, another descendant reasonably acceptable to our Board of Directors may so be designated by the remaining qualified Goldstein Directors) at any annual meeting at which their respective directorship terms are scheduled to expire.

        The "Nomination Expiration Date" means the earlier to occur of (1) the tenth anniversary of the date of the Goldstein Governance Agreement and (2) such time as the sum of (i) and (ii) below do not equal in the aggregate at least 22.5% of the then outstanding shares of the Company's common stock, not including any shares of Class B common stock or shares of common stock issued upon conversion of any preferred stock: (i) the total number of Physical Shares of the Company's common stock directly owned by members of the Goldstein family (the "Goldstein Group"), including the Goldstein Directors, GFIL, spouses, children and grandchildren of certain members of the Goldstein family and entities associated with certain members of the Goldstein family, (other than GFIL) in the aggregate; and (ii) the total number of Physical Shares of the Company's common stock owned by GFIL multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the total number of Physical Shares of the membership interests of GFIL directly owned by members of the Goldstein Group and the denominator of which is equal to the then total outstanding membership interests of GFIL. "Physical Shares" means shares, units or interests of a corporation or other entity (such as a limited liability company, limited partnership or trust) beneficially owned by any person as to which such person directly or indirectly has voting and investment power and which are held either of record by such person or through a broker, dealer, agent, custodian or other nominee who is the holder of record of such shares.

Class II Director Nominees for Election for Terms Expiring at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

        The Board of Directors recommends that you vote "FOR" each of the following nominees for three-year terms expiring in 2015:

        Jeffrey D. Goldstein, age 59, has been a director since October 2001. Mr. Goldstein has held various leadership positions with Goldstein Group, Inc., a private family owned holding company, since 1975 and he currently serves as President and Vice Chairman of Goldstein Group, Inc. Since 1975 Mr. Goldstein has held various leadership positions with the barge and other transportation businesses owned by Goldstein Group, Inc. and he currently serves as Chairman and President of Alter Company

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and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alter Logistics Company, subsidiaries of Goldstein Group, Inc. Mr. Goldstein is the brother of Robert S. Goldstein and Richard A. Goldstein.

        The Board of Directors supports and approves Mr. Goldstein's nomination because of his extensive experience leading one of the largest barge transportation companies in the nation. He has extensive experience as an entrepreneur and in management of operations, corporate governance and strategic planning and brings to the Board of Directors invaluable perspectives on all aspects of the Company's business. His experience with riverboats and river traffic provides the Board of Directors with a unique understanding of issues impacting the Company's riverboat operations. Moreover, as a member of the Goldstein family—the largest beneficial owner of the Company's common stock—Mr. Goldstein's interests are uniquely and significantly aligned with the Company's efforts to grow long-term stockholder value.

        Virginia McDowell, age 54, has been a director since April 2012 and also serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Ms. McDowell joined us in July 2007 as our President and Chief Operating Officer. She was named our Chief Executive Officer in April 2011. From October 2005 to July 2007, Ms. McDowell served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2009. From 1997 through October 2005, Ms. McDowell served in a variety of positions at Argosy Gaming Company, including Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Senior Vice President of Operations.

        The Board of Directors supports and approves Ms. McDowell's nomination because she brings extensive industry experience to the Board of Directors and because her day-to-day leadership of the Company provides the Board of Directors with intimate knowledge of all aspects of our business.

        Lee S. Wielansky, age 61, has been a director since February 2007. Since March 2003, Mr. Wielansky has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Midland Development Group, Inc., a commercial real estate development company with locations in St. Louis, Missouri and Jacksonville, Florida. From November 2000 to March 2003, Mr. Wielansky served as President and Chief Executive Officer of JDN Development Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of JDN Corporation, a publicly traded real estate investment trust engaged in the development of retail shopping centers. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Wielansky was a Managing Director of Regency Centers Corporation, a publicly traded real estate investment trust. In 1983, Mr. Wielansky co-founded Midland Development Group, Inc. and served as Chief Executive Officer until 1998 when the company was acquired by Regency Centers Corporation. Mr. Wielansky serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pulaski Financial Corp., the holding company for Pulaski Bank, and serves as a director of Acadia Realty Trust, a real estate investment trust.

        The Board of Directors supports and approves Mr. Wielansky's nomination because of his extensive experience in management of operations, real estate investments and management, corporate governance, corporate finance and accounting. Mr. Wielansky brings to the Board of Directors important perspectives with respect to real estate and developments.

Directors Whose Terms of Office Will Continue After this Annual Meeting

Class III Directors (Terms expire at the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders)

        Robert S. Goldstein, age 57, has been a director since February 1993 and was named Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors in May 2008. Prior to being named Vice Chairman, Mr. Goldstein was Executive Vice Chairman from October 2005 to May 2008. Mr. Goldstein has held various leadership positions with Goldstein Group, Inc., a private family owned holding company, since 1977 and he currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of that entity. Mr. Goldstein also currently serves as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Alter Trading Corporation and has been

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associated with that company since 1977. Mr. Goldstein is the brother of Jeffrey D. Goldstein and Richard A. Goldstein.

        The Board of Directors supported and approved Mr. Goldstein's nomination in 2010 because of his extensive experience leading Alter Trading Corporation, one of the nation's leading scrap metal recyclers and brokers with operations throughout the central United States. He has extensive experience as an entrepreneur and in management of operations, corporate governance and strategic planning. Mr. Goldstein has served as a member of the Board of Directors for more than 18 years and brings to the Board of Directors an in-depth understanding of the Company's business, history, culture and organization. Moreover, as a member of the Goldstein family—the largest beneficial owner of the Company's common stock—Mr. Goldstein's interests are uniquely and significantly aligned with the Company's efforts to grow long-term stockholder value.

        James B. Perry, age 62, has been a director since July 2007, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in August 2009 and was named Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors in April 2011. From March 2008 to April 2011, he served as our Chief Executive Officer. Prior to being named Chairman, Mr. Perry was Executive Vice Chairman from March 2008 to August 2009 and Vice Chairman from July 2007 to March 2008. Mr. Perry served as a Class III Director on the board of Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc. from May 2005 until July 2007. From July 2005 to July 2007, Mr. Perry served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Trump Entertainment Resort, Inc., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2009. Mr. Perry was President of Argosy Gaming Company from April 1997 through July 2002 and Chief Executive Officer of Argosy Gaming Company from April 1997 through May 2003. Mr. Perry also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Argosy Gaming Company from 2000 to July 2005.

        The Board of Directors supported and approved Mr. Perry's nomination in 2010 because he brings more than 30 years of industry experience to the Board of Directors. He also has extensive experience in executive management, corporate governance and strategic planning.

        Gregory J. Kozicz, age 51, has been a director since January 2010. Mr. Kozicz is president and chief executive officer of Alberici Corporation, a St. Louis-based diversified construction, engineering and steel fabrication company, and Alberici Constructors Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alberici Corporation. He also serves on the Eighth District Real Estate Industry Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. He has served as president and chief executive officer of Alberici Corporation and Alberici Constructors since 2005 and June 2004, respectively. Prior to his current roles, Kozicz was president of Alberici Constructors Ltd. (Canada). Before joining Alberici in 2001, Kozicz served as a corporate officer and divisional president for Aecon, a publicly-traded construction, engineering and fabrication company.

        The Board of Directors supported and approved Mr. Kozicz's nomination in 2010 because of his extensive experience in management of operations, the construction industry, real estate investments, corporate governance and strategic planning. Mr. Kozicz brings to the Board of Directors a wide range of experience, particularly with respect to construction and development matters.

Class I Directors (Terms expire at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders)

        Richard A. Goldstein, age 51, has been a director since October 2009. Mr. Goldstein has held various leadership positions with Goldstein Group, Inc., a private family owned holding company, since 1981 and he currently serves as a director and Executive Vice President of Goldstein Group, Inc. Mr. Goldstein also currently serves as a board member and Executive Vice President of Alter Trading Corporation and Alter Company, subsidiaries of Goldstein Group, Inc. and companies engaged in the business of scrap metal recycling, and has been associated with these companies since 1981. Additionally, since April 2006 Mr. Goldstein has worked on new developments for Goldstein

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Group, Inc., including energy-related ventures. Mr. Goldstein is the brother of Jeffrey D. Goldstein and Robert S. Goldstein.

        The Board of Directors supported and approved Mr. Goldstein's nomination in 2011 because he has extensive experience as an entrepreneur and in management of operations, corporate governance and strategic planning and brings to the Board of Directors invaluable perspectives on all aspects of the Company's business. Moreover, as a member of the Goldstein family—the largest beneficial owner of the Company's common stock—Mr. Goldstein's interests are uniquely and significantly aligned with the Company's efforts to grow long-term stockholder value.

        Alan J. Glazer, age 71, has been a director since November 1996 and in October 2009, was named Lead Director. He is currently a Senior Principal of Morris Anderson & Associates, Ltd., a national management consulting firm, where he has worked since 1984. Prior to joining Morris Andersen, Mr. Glazer was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Consolidated Foods Corp., a large international manufacturer and distributor of branded consumer products. Before joining CFC, Mr. Glazer spent 13 years at Arthur Andersen & Co., the last five as a General Partner. Mr. Glazer also serves as a director of Goldstein Group, Inc. The Board of Directors has designated Mr. Glazer as an "audit committee financial expert" as that term is defined in the SEC's rules adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

        The Board of Directors supported and approved Mr. Glazer's nomination in 2011 because he has extensive experience in corporate reorganizations (including structuring mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and balance sheet recapitalizations), crisis management, development and implementation of strategic business plans, operations management, financial transactions and succession planning. Mr. Glazer brings to the Board of Directors a deep understanding of financial statements, which is necessary to serve as chairman of our Audit Committee, and an extensive knowledge of the financial and accounting issues facing public companies. Mr. Glazer has served as a member of the Board of Directors for more than 14 years and brings to the Board of Directors an in-depth understanding of the Company's business, history, culture and organization.

        Scott E. Schubert, age 59, has been a director since August 2011. Mr. Schubert has served on the Board of Directors of Sonus Networks, Inc. since February 2009. From 2005 until June 2008, Mr. Schubert served as Chief Financial Officer of TransUnion LLC. From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Schubert served as Chief Financial Officer and, prior to that, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development of NTL, Inc. (now Virgin Media, Inc.). From 1999 to 2003, Mr. Schubert held the position of Chief Financial Officer of Williams Communications Group, Inc., a high technology company, which filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in April 2002 and emerged from bankruptcy in October 2002 as WilTel Communications Group, Inc. Mr. Schubert also served as head of BP Amoco's Global Financial Services, leading the initial integration of BP and Amoco's worldwide financial operations following the merger of the two companies. Mr. Schubert also served on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Audit Committee of a privately-held company.

        The Board of Directors supported and approved Mr. Schubert's nomination in 2011 because he has extensive executive management and leadership experience as chief financial officer of various companies; strong accounting, financial, risk analysis, corporate governance and administrative skills and experience.

Director Who Retired and Is Not Seeking Reelection

        W. Randolph Baker, age 65, has been a director since September 1997. Mr. Baker is a principal in Randolph Baker & Associates, a consulting firm located in San Antonio, Texas. From August 2006 to July 2008, Mr. Baker was Chair of the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming at San Diego State University, the nation's first academic program dedicated to the study of tribal gaming. Previously

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Mr. Baker served as Executive Director of the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of K-12 education in Shelby County, Tennessee. From June 1996 to Spring 2004, he served as Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Thompson Baker & Berry, a regional public relations and public affairs firm located in Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to that, Mr. Baker served as the Harrah's Visiting Professor of Gaming Studies in the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno, and as Director of Public Affairs for The Promus Companies Incorporated, then a holding company for casino and hotel brands (including Harrah's casino hotels) in Memphis, Tennessee.

        On July 19, 2012, Mr. Baker notified us of his decision to retire from the Board of Directors effective upon the expiration of his current term on October 16, 2012. Accordingly, Mr. Baker is not standing for re-election at our upcoming Annual Meeting.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Leadership Structure

        Mr. Perry, our Executive Chairman, leads the Board of Directors. Ms. McDowell, our President and Chief Executive Officer, has general charge and management of the affairs, property and business of the Company, while Mr. Perry, as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, provides independent oversight of senior management and Board matters and serves as a valuable bridge between the Board of Directors and our management. In addition, the Executive Chairman provides guidance to the Chief Executive Officer, sets the Board of Directors' agenda in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer and presides over meetings of stockholders and the Board.

        Mr. Glazer is our Lead Director. He has, in addition to the powers and authorities of any member of the Board of Directors, the power and authority to chair executive sessions and to work closely with the Executive Chairman in determining the appropriate schedule for the Board of Directors meetings and assessing the quality, quantity and timeliness of information provided from our management to the Board of Directors. The Lead Director position is at all times held by a director who is "independent" as defined in Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2).

        The Board of Directors believes that the leadership structure is appropriate at this time based on the Board's understanding of corporate governance best practice. The Board of Directors does not have a policy specifying a particular leadership structure as it believes that it should have the flexibility to choose the appropriate structure as circumstances change. Our independent directors meet in regular executive sessions without management being present. Additionally, each of the Compensation Committee, Audit Committee and Nominating, Leadership Development and Corporate Governance Committee is composed entirely of independent directors.

Board of Directors' Role in Risk Oversight

        The Board of Directors recognizes that, although risk management is primarily the responsibility of the Company's management team, the Board of Directors plays a critical role in the oversight of risk, including the identification and management of risk. The Board of Directors believes that an important part of its responsibilities is to assess the major risks we face and review our strategies for monitoring and controlling these risks. The Board of Directors' involvement in risk oversight involves the full Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee, the Audit Committee, the Nominating, Leadership Development and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compliance Committee. The Compensation Committee considers the level of risk implied by our compensation programs, including incentive compensation programs in which the Chief Executive Officer and other employees participate. The Audit Committee regularly considers major financial risk exposures and the steps taken to monitor and control such exposures, including our risk assessment and risk management policies. The Audit Committee also reviews risks associated with our financial accounting and reporting processes, litigation matters, and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Nominating, Leadership Development and Corporate Governance Committee monitors potential risks to the effectiveness of the Board of Directors, notably Director succession and Board of Directors composition. The Compliance Committee reviews potential regulatory compliance risks with various jurisdictions and evaluates the Company's risks with potential business transactions.

Independence

        The Board of Directors has determined that, other than Ms. McDowell and Mr. Perry, all of the directors and nominees are independent as defined in Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2).

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Meetings

        During the fiscal year ended April 29, 2012, which we refer to as "fiscal 2012," the Board of Directors met in person or telephonically eight times. During fiscal 2012, each of our incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors (held during the period for which he severed as a director) and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors during which period he served. Directors are expected to attend each Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Each member of the current Board of Directors that was a member of the Board of Directors in October 2011 attended last year's Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Committees

        The Board of Directors has four standing committees: the Compensation Committee, the Audit Committee, the Strategic Committee and the Nominating, Leadership Development and Corporate Governance Committee. During fiscal 2012, the Compensation Committee met ten times, the Audit Committee met eight times and the Nominating, Leadership Development and Corporate Governance Committee met formally three times and on an informal basis from time to time.

        Compensation Committee.    Messrs. Jeffrey D. Goldstein, Robert S. Goldstein, Kozicz and Schubert are members of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Kozicz is the chairman of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee acts as an advisory committee to the full Board with respect to compensation of our executive officers and other key employees, including administration of the long-term incentive plan, equity grants and bonuses. Additional information regarding the policies of the Committee is set forth in the "Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation" included in this proxy statement. In accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5605(d)(1)(B), each member of the Compensation Committee is "independent" as defined in Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2). The Compensation Committee Charter is posted on the Company's website at www.islecorp.com under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance.

        Audit Committee.    Messrs. Baker, Glazer, Richard A. Goldstein and Schubert are members of the Audit Committee. Mr. Glazer is the chairman of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee's responsibilities include selecting our independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing the plan, scope and results of the independent audit, reviewing the fees for the audit services performed, reviewing and pre-approving the fees for the non-audit services to be performed and reviewing all financial statements. Information regarding the functions performed by the Audit Committee during the fiscal year is set forth in the "Audit Committee Report," included in this proxy statement. Each member of the Audit Committee is "independent" as defined in Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2). The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is free from any relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment as a committee member. Mr. Glazer has been designated as our "audit committee financial expert" under the SEC Rules. The Audit Committee is governed by a written charter approved by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee Charter is posted on the Company's website at www.islecorp.com under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance.

        Strategic Committee.    Messrs. Glazer, Jeffrey D. Goldstein, Robert S. Goldstein and Wielansky are members of the Strategic Committee. Mr. Jeffrey D. Goldstein is the chairman of the Strategic Committee. The Strategic Committee acts as an advisory committee to the full Board in carrying out the Board's oversight responsibilities relating to the Company's strategic plan as well as potential mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other key strategic transactions outside the ordinary course of the Company's business.

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        Nominating, Leadership Development and Corporate Governance Committee.    Messrs. Richard A. Goldstein, Robert S. Goldstein, Kozicz and Wielansky are members of the Nominating, Leadership Development and Corporate Governance Committee (the "Nominating Committee"). Mr. Wielansky is the chairman of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee considers and makes recommendations concerning the size and composition of the Board of Directors, the number of non-executive members of the Board of Directors, and membership of committees of the Board of Directors. As a policy, the Nominating Committee generally does not consider nominees recommended by the Company's stockholders. The Nominating Committee is responsible for developing and periodically reviewing Board of Directors membership criteria. The Nominating Committee believes that each director must:

        The Nominating Committee also believes that diverse and inclusive leadership is essential to capitalizing on the growing talent pool and propelling the Company to success. Accordingly, the Nominating Committee believes that it is important to incorporate diversity of experience, skills, cultures and education on the Board of Directors. In addition, the Nominating Committee takes into account issues of judgment, independence, potential conflicts of interest, financial literacy, succession planning, related industry experience and the extent to which a particular candidate would fill a present need on the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee shall establish and adhere to its charter in performing its duties. In accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5605(e)(1)(B), each member of the Nominating Committee is "independent" as defined in Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2). The Nominating Committee Charter is posted on the Company's website at www.islecorp.com under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance.

        In addition to the foregoing committees of the Board of Directors, we also maintain a Compliance Committee that is comprised of directors, executive officers and independent third parties. Messrs. Baker, Richard A. Goldstein and Schubert, members of our Board of Directors, serve on the Compliance Committee, along with Harry Redmond and Steve DuCharme, independent third parties, and Arnold Block, our Chief Operating Officer, and Michael Fries, our Vice President of Legal Affairs. Mr. Baker is the chairman, Mr. Fries is our Compliance Officer. The Compliance Committee's responsibilities include maintaining compliance with the regulatory requirements imposed upon the Company by the jurisdictions in which it operates and evaluating relationships between the Company and persons and entities with whom the Company proposes to do business.

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Compensation of Directors

        Below is a table setting forth the annual compensation for our non-employee directors, including additional compensation for committee chairmen, as of October 11, 2011:

At-Large Directors

  Cash Retainer: $50,000
Meeting Attendance Fee: $2,000/meeting
Equity Award: $150,000 (29,746 shares)

Vice Chairman

 

Cash Retainer: $100,000
Meeting Attendance Fee: None
Equity Award: $275,000 (54,535 shares)

Audit Committee Chairman

 

Cash Retainer: $25,000
Equity Award: $15,000 (2,975 shares)

Compensation Committee Chairman

 

Cash Retainer: $12,500
Equity Award: $12,500 (2,479 shares)

Compliance Committee Chairman

 

Cash Retainer: $10,000

Nominating, Leadership Development & Corp. Governance Committee Chairman

 

Cash Retainer: $10,000

Strategic Committee Chairman

 

Cash Retainer: $10,000

        The annual cash retainers were paid in full in October 2011. The equity awards were awarded in shares of restricted stock and vest 50% on day of grant and 50% on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. The number of shares is determined by reference to the prior 20-day stock price and each board member was entitled to elect to receive up to 40% of his aggregate equity award in cash. With the exception of Mr. Perry's equity award, directors who are our employees receive no additional compensation for serving as directors. All directors are reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attending board meetings and meetings with management that they may be required to attend.

        Director compensation for the term commencing October 16, 2012 has not yet been set.

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Fiscal 2012 Director Compensation

        The following table sets forth information with respect to all compensation awarded the Company's directors during fiscal 2012:

Name
  Fees earned or
paid in
cash ($)(1)
  Stock
Awards
($)(2)
  All other
compensation
($)
  Total
($)
 

W. Randolph Baker

    124,750     105,501         230,251  

Alan J. Glazer

    85,000     174,076         259,076  

Jeffery D. Goldstein

    70,000     158,249         228,249  

Richard A. Goldstein

    60,000     158,249         218,249  

Robert S. Goldstein

    100,000     290,126         390,126  

Shaun R. Hayes(3)

                 

Gregory J. Kozicz

    129,139     125,170         254,309  

James B. Perry(4)

    63,300     94,951         158,251  

Scott E. Schubert

    113,892     139,020         252,912  

Lee S. Wielansky

    93,738     134,511         228,249  

(1)
The amounts in this column include the following amounts as the cash portion of the stock award that the director elected to receive in cash: Mr. Baker, $52,750; Mr. Kozicz, $51,431; Mr. Schubert, $47,475; Mr. Perry, $63,300; and Mr. Wielansky, $23,738.

(2)
The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted during fiscal 2011 computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. The assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts for stock awards are disclosed in Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2012 with the exception that for the directors no forfeiture rate is applied. For Mr. Schubert, the amount in this column includes the aggregate grant date fair value of the award granted to him upon joining the Board of Directors in August 2011.

(3)
Mr. Hayes resigned from the Board of Directors on May 4, 2011. Accordingly, Mr. Hayes was a member of the Board of Directors for ten days of fiscal 2012. Mr. Hayes received no compensation for those ten days.

(4)
The $250,000 salary received by Mr. Perry in fiscal 2012 for serving as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors is not included in this table. Other than a stock award (which is included in the above table), Mr. Perry did not receive additional compensation for his service as a director.

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

        The Board of Directors provides a process for stockholders to send communications to the Board of Directors or any of the directors, including the independent directors. All such communications must be in writing and shall be addressed to the Corporate Secretary, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., 600 Emerson Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63141, Attention: Stockholder Communications. All inquiries will be reviewed by the Secretary who will forward to the Board of Directors a summary of all such correspondence and copies of all communications that he determines require the attention of the Board of Directors. All communications will be compiled and submitted to the Board of Directors or the individual directors on a regular basis unless such communications are considered, in the reasonable discretion of the Secretary, to be improper for submission to the intended recipients. Examples of communications that would be deemed improper for submission include, without

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limitation, customer complaints, solicitations, communications that do not relate directly or indirectly to the Company or the Company's business or communications that relate to irrelevant topics.

Executive Sessions

        In accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5605(b)(2), the Board of Directors currently schedules regular meetings at which only independent directors are present. The executive sessions generally are scheduled in conjunction with each Board meeting at which the members of the Board of Directors meet in person. The Lead Director presides over these sessions.

Code of Conduct

        As required by Nasdaq Rule 5610, the Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct that applies to all of the Company's directors, officers and employees. In addition, the Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller and others performing similar functions and specifies the legal and ethical conduct expected of such officers. The Company's Code of Business Conduct and Code of Ethics are posted on the Company's website at www.islecorp.com under Investor Relations—Corporate Governance and will be provided free of charge upon request to the Company.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        In fiscal 2012, Messrs. Jeffrey D. Goldstein, Robert S. Goldstein, Hayes (until he resigned on May 4, 2011), Kozicz and Schubert served as members of the Compensation Committee. In fiscal 2012, there were no Compensation Committee interlocks (i.e., none of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or the compensation committee of another entity that has an executive officer serving as a member of the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee).


OWNERSHIP OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

        The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of August 20, 2012 (unless otherwise indicated) by: (1) each director and nominee for director, (2) the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table (i.e., the Named Executive Officers), (3) all directors, nominees for director and executive officers (including the Named Executive Officers) as a group, and (4) based on information available to us and filings made under Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), each person known by us

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to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock. Unless otherwise indicated, all persons listed have sole voting and dispositive power over the shares beneficially owned.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owners(1)
  Number of Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned(2)
  Percentage of
Outstanding
Shares Owned(2)
 

Robert S. Goldstein(3)

    16,291,662     41.4 %

Jeffrey D. Goldstein(4)

    16,230,679     41.3 %

Richard A. Goldstein(5)

    16,224,144     41.3 %

GFIL Holdings, LLC(6)

    16,065,457     40.9 %

Addison Clark Management, L.L.C.(7)

    3,741,527     9.5 %

PAR Capital Management, Inc.(8)

    2,022,294     5.1 %

W. Randolph Baker(9)

    86,451     *  

Dale R. Black(10)

    235,026     *  

Arnold L. Block(11)

    84,979     *  

Alan J. Glazer(12)

    149,127     *  

Eric L. Hausler(13)

    129,833     *  

Gregory J. Kozicz(14)

    45,667     *  

Virginia McDowell(15)

    514,160     1.3 %

Donn R. Mitchell, II(16)

    140,693     *  

James B. Perry(17)

    745,989     1.9 %

Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.(18)

    170,354     *  

Scott E. Schubert(19)

    24,155     *  

Lee S. Wielansky(20)

    83,718     *  

Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (15 persons)(21)

    18,826,771     47.2 %

*
Less than 1%.

Notes:

(1)
Unless otherwise indicated below, the business address for each member or affiliated entity of the Goldstein family listed below is 2117 State Street, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722.

(2)
Calculated pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act. Under Rule 13d-3(d), shares not currently outstanding that are subject to options, warrants, rights or conversion privileges exercisable within 60 days of August 20, 2012, are deemed outstanding for the purpose of calculating the number and percentage owned by such person, but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage owned by any other person listed.

(3)
The number of shares beneficially owned by Robert S. Goldstein includes 16,065,457 shares of which Robert S. Goldstein, as manager of GFIL (defined below), has indirect beneficial ownership, 99,476 shares in a family private foundation of which he is a director and 27,268 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting. Such indirect beneficial ownership arises from the power to vote or to direct the vote or the power to dispose or direct the disposition of such shares and does not necessarily constitute a personal ownership interest in such shares. The business address of Robert S. Goldstein is 700 Office Parkway, St. Louis, Missouri 63141.

(4)
The number of shares beneficially owned by Jeffrey D. Goldstein includes 16,065,457 shares of which Jeffrey D. Goldstein, as manager of GFIL, has indirect beneficial ownership, 99,476 shares in a family private foundation of which he is a director and 14,873 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting. Such indirect beneficial ownership arises from the power to vote or to direct the vote or the power to dispose or direct the

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(5)
The number of shares beneficially owned by Richard A. Goldstein includes 16,065,457 shares of which Richard A. Goldstein, as manager of GFIL, has indirect beneficial ownership, 99,476 shares in a family private foundation of which he is a director and 14,873 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting. Such indirect beneficial ownership arises from the power to vote or to direct the vote or the power to dispose or direct the disposition of such shares and does not necessarily constitute a personal ownership interest in such shares. The business address of Richard A. Goldstein is 700 Office Parkway, St. Louis, Missouri 63141.

(6)
Information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock is included herein in reliance on Schedule 13D/A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 19, 2010 and January 24, 2011. Shares owned by GFIL Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("GFIL"), are reported as beneficially owned by Jeffrey D. Goldstein, Robert S. Goldstein and Richard A. Goldstein. The address for GFIL Holdings, LLC is 2117 State Street, Suite 300, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722.

(7)
As reflected on a Form 13F filed on August 14, 2012 by Addison Clark Management, L.L.C. The address for Addison Clark Management, L.L.C. is 10 Wright Street, Suite 100, Westport, Connecticut 06880.

(8)
As reflected on a Form 13F filed on August 14, 2012, by PAR Capital Management, Inc. The address for PAR Capital Management, Inc. is One International Place, Suite 2401, Massachusetts 02110.

(9)
Includes 9,916 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting.

(10)
Includes 66,554 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting.

(11)
Includes 45,323 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting.

(12)
Includes 16,361 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting and 1,000 shares owned by Mr. Glazer's wife.

(13)
Includes 60,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days and 41,838 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting.

(14)
Includes 11,279 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting.

(15)
Includes 140,303 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting.

(16)
Includes 34,200 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days and 26,919 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting.

(17)
Includes 400,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days and 25,261 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting.

(18)
Includes 88,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days and 43,200 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting.

(19)
Includes 10,411 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting.

(20)
Includes 12,642 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting.

(21)
Information provided is for the individuals who were our executive officers, directors and nominees for director on August 20, 2012, and includes 582,200 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days and 507,021 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

        Below is a table that identifies our executive officers as of the date of this proxy statement, other than Mr. Perry and Ms. McDowell, who are identified in the above section regarding directors.

Name
  Age   Position(s)

Dale R. Black

    49   Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary

Arnold L. Block

    65   Chief Operating Officer

Eric L. Hausler

    42   Chief Strategic Officer

Donn R. Mitchell, II

    44   Chief Administrative Officer

Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr. 

    42   Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

        Dale R. Black joined us in December 2007 as our Chief Financial Officer. From December 2007 to July 2011, Mr. Black also served as a Senior Vice President. From November 2005 to December 2007, he served as Executive Vice President—Chief Financial Officer of Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2009. From April 1993 through October 2005, Mr. Black worked at Argosy Gaming Company in Alton, Illinois, becoming Chief Financial Officer in 1998 after serving as Vice President and Corporate Controller. Prior to joining Argosy, he spent seven years in the audit practice of Arthur Andersen LLP.

        Arnold L. Block joined us in December 2008. He has been our Chief Operating Officer since June 2011. From December 2008 to June 2011, Mr. Block was our Senior Vice President, Isle Operations. Prior to that, Mr. Block served as senior vice president and general manager of the Harrah's, St. Louis property from October 2005 to January 2008. From July 1993 to October 2005, Mr. Block worked in a variety of leadership capacities for Argosy Gaming Company, including serving as regional vice president from June 2002 until October 2005, when the company was sold. In that role, he was responsible for three Argosy properties; Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Kansas City, Missouri, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

        Eric L. Hausler joined us in September 2009. He has been our Chief Strategic Officer since July 2011. From September 2009 to July 2011, Mr. Hausler was our Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives. From October 2006 to August 2009, Mr. Hausler served as Senior Vice President of Development for Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2009. From August 2005 to September 2006, Mr. Hausler served as a Managing Director in Fixed Income Research, covering the gaming, lodging and leisure industries for Bear Stearns & Co. Inc.

        Donn R. Mitchell, II joined us in June 1996. He has been our Chief Administrative Officer since July 2011. From December 2007 to July 2011, Mr. Mitchell also served as a Senior Vice President. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from January 2006 to December 2007. Mr. Mitchell joined us in June 1996 as Director of Finance and served as Vice President of Finance from July 2001 to December 2005. Additionally, since October 2008, Mr. Mitchell has been an executive officer of our majority owned subsidiary Blue Chip Casinos Plc, a United Kingdom entity which owns and operates two casinos in the United Kingdom. In March 2009, Blue Chip filed for Administration in the United Kingdom under the Insolvency Act 1986. During fiscal year 2010, we completed the sale of our Blue Chip casino properties under a plan of administration and have no continuing involvement in its operation.

        Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.    joined us in July 2008. He has been our Chief Legal Officer since July 2011 and Secretary since July 2008. From July 2008 to July 2011, Mr. Quatmann was our Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Prior to joining us, Mr. Quatmann was the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of iPCS, Inc., a wireless telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, where he was employed from November 2004 to June 2008.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis

        For purposes of the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the terms "executives" and "executive officers" refer to the named executive officers of the Company as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, which appears on page 33 of this proxy statement, and the term the "Committee" refers to the Compensation Committee. For fiscal 2012, the named executive officers of the Company are the following;

Virginia McDowell   President and Chief Executive Officer, principal executive officer
Dale R. Black   Chief Financial Officer, principal financial officer
Arnold L. Block   Chief Operating Officer
Eric L. Hausler   Chief Strategic Officer
Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.    Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

Executive Summary

        The Committee remains committed to its executive compensation philosophy and key objectives, including pay for performance. Through refined fiscal discipline, restyled customer experiences and renewal of its asset base, the Company grew consolidated net revenue by approximately 4.3% from fiscal 2011. The Company also increased adjusted earnings before income taxes (EBT) from fiscal 2011 and the executives achieved 111% of the fiscal 2012 EBT target established by the Committee. However, the Company's total shareholder return was the lowest of the regional gaming companies and lower than the return of the Russell 200 Index. Accordingly, the executives did not receive an equity award on the financial component of the fiscal 2012 long-term incentive plan.

        The Committee believes that the compensation paid to the executive officers in fiscal 2012 is commensurate with the Company's performance.

Company Performance

        In fiscal 2012, the Company established and executed against a strategic plan for growth focusing on three core principles: (1) refined fiscal discipline, (2) restyled customer experiences and (3) a renewed asset base.

        Refined Fiscal Discipline.    The Company believes that its business benefits from a cost-effective approach to creating valuable customer experiences and a stronger balance sheet. The Company focuses on fiscal discipline by utilizing technology and our customer research platform, responsibly reducing our cost structure and identifying opportunities for operating efficiencies at our properties.

        Restyled Customer Experiences.    The Company focuses on customer satisfaction and delivering superior guest experiences by providing popular gaming, dining and entertainment experiences that are designed to exceed customer expectations in a clean, safe, friendly and fun environment. During fiscal 2012, the Company made considerable progress in restyling its customer experiences to exceed expectations. The Company completed customer-facing capital-efficient improvements to its casino, restaurant and/or hotel products in Black Hawk, Colorado; Pompano, Florida; Lake Charles, Louisiana; and Boonville, Missouri. The Company believes that each of these projects has bolstered the customer experience and resulted in improved operating results.

        Renewed Asset Base.    The Company believes its long-term success will depend substantially upon increasing the quality, reach and scope of its operating portfolio, including new-build developments, acquisitions, rebranding projects and, where appropriate, asset sales. During fiscal 2012, the Company entered into agreements for deleveraging transactions to monetize its second gaming license in Lake

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Charles, Louisiana, as well as its property in Biloxi, Mississippi. The transaction in Lake Charles is complete and the Company expects to close the transaction in Biloxi in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. The Company also began the rebranding of its Vicksburg, Mississippi, property to a Lady Luck-branded casino. The Company's $135 million development project in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is ahead of schedule and expected to debut in October 2012, and the Company plans to begin construction of its property at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Western Pennsylvania upon the successful conclusion of the appeal process currently before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

        For a complete discussion of the Company's performance in fiscal 2012, reference should be made to Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2012, a copy of which is included in the Annual Report to Stockholders delivered in connection with this Proxy Statement.

Peer Group

        In April 2011, the Committee reviewed the peer group it had used for benchmarking purposes for fiscal 2011 executive compensation to determine whether any changes were warranted. The Committee determined, based on the recommendation of its compensation consultant at the time, Towers Watson, that Trump Entertainment Resorts be added to the peer group for informational purposes when analyzing executive compensation for fiscal 2012. Accordingly, the peer group for fiscal 2012 consisted of the following gaming/entertainment companies:

        Generally, the companies that make up the Company's peer group are its business competitors as well as its primary source of, and primary competition for, executive talent. Many of the Company's executives have been recruited from other gaming operators. In addition, since gaming and racing are highly regulated industries, it takes a high degree of experience and prior knowledge to provide effective oversight to multiple gaming and racing properties in a variety of jurisdictions. Also, many of the Company's executive officers are required to submit to extensive investigations conducted by the state police or an equivalent investigatory agency of their personal financial records, their character and their competency in order to be found "suitable" to serve in their respective capacities in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Accordingly, the pool for executives capable and willing to serve in an executive capacity in a publicly traded, multi-jurisdictional gaming and racing company tends to consist mostly of individuals who are already working within the gaming industry and among our peer group. The Committee also recognizes that the market for executive talent for certain key executive positions is broader than gaming and entertainment. As a result, the Committee also benchmarks executive pay levels against general survey data.

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Executive Compensation Philosophy

        The Committee designed the executive compensation program to attract and retain superior executive talent, incentivize our executives to drive profitable growth and enhance long-term value for our stockholders. Key elements of the program include base salary and performance-based incentives (including both cash and equity opportunities).

        Key objectives of our executive compensation policy include:

        The executive compensation program is designed to reward the achievement of difficult but fair performance criteria and foster stock ownership among the executive team. The following principles provide the framework for the Company's executive compensation program:

        The Committee analyzes market data and evaluates individual executive performance with a goal of setting compensation at levels it believes, based on its general business and industry knowledge and experience, are comparable with compensation levels of executives in other companies of similar size operating in the gaming industry. The Committee engages compensation consulting firms to provide guidance regarding competitive compensation practices, industry peer analysis and recommendations. Using this guidance and peer group compensation information as a point of reference, the Committee then focuses on the Company's and executives' individual performance in determining each component of annual compensation.

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Overview of Executive Compensation Elements

        The use of multiple compensation elements enables the Company to reinforce its pay for performance philosophy as well as strengthen its ability to attract and retain high performing executive officers. The Company believes the combination of programs provides an appropriate mix of fixed and variable pay, balances short-term operational performance with long-term stockholder value creation, and facilitates executive recruitment and retention in a high-performance culture.

        The principle elements of the Company's executive compensation program are described below. Please see "Analysis of Fiscal 2012 Compensation" below for a discussion of the specific actions taken with respect to executive compensation for fiscal 2012.

        Base Salary.    Base salary compensates executives for competence in their roles. The base salary of each executive reflects a combination of factors, including competitive pay levels, the executive's experience and tenure, internal pay equity, the need to attract and retain excellent management talent, the Company's overall annual budget for merit increases and the executive's individual performance. The primary comparative reference point used by the Committee when setting salaries is the median of the peer group.

        Annual Incentive/Non-Equity.    The annual incentive/non-equity plan is designed to encourage profitable performance and to reward and recognize individuals who directly affect and contribute to the achievement of that performance. The Committee believes that, by linking incremental incentive compensation to Company performance over which the plan participants have a substantial degree of influence, the plan will promote higher levels of productivity and substantial additional value for the Company's stockholders. In order to accomplish the objective of increased financial performance, the plan was designed to meet the following criteria:

        Participants in the plan have a specific target incentive opportunity defined as a percentage of their base salary. The target incentive opportunities were developed for each executive considering competitive practices and consistency with the Company's internal structure. The plan provides that, for each fiscal year, the performance goals on which bonuses will be calculated are established by the Committee in its sole discretion using: (1) achievement of pre-determined Company financial goals and (2) a discretionary assessment of executive performance by the Committee. Each of these factors is independent of each other and weighted in the bonus calculation. The Committee sets a threshold level of financial performance that must be achieved for a participant to earn any bonus for the applicable fiscal year under the financial goal-based component of the plan. The bonus for financial performance will be calculated by determining the variance from the predetermined target performance. The bonus for the financial performance component could range between 50% of the target opportunity, assuming a threshold level of performance is achieved, and 150% of the target opportunity based on the achievement of the maximum performance goals. For the portion of the bonus based on the discretionary performance assessment, general performance criteria will be identified at the beginning of each fiscal year. These performance criteria may include Company performance, functional area performance or individual performance as recommended by the Chief Executive Officer and approved by the Committee. At the end of the fiscal year a determination will be made as to the level of payout earned based on performance relative to the criteria identified at the beginning of the fiscal year. The bonus for the discretionary performance assessment could range between 50% of the target

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opportunity, assuming a threshold level of performance is achieved, and 150% of the target opportunity based on the achievement of the maximum performance goals.

        The annual incentive will be paid based on the achievement of the corporate financial performance goals and the discretionary assessment. The portion of the bonus for any fiscal year based on the financial performance goals shall be paid if the financial performance goals are achieved (i.e., there is no discretion). The portion of the bonus for any fiscal year based on the discretionary assessment may be paid at the discretion of the Committee, regardless of whether the financial performance goals were achieved.

        In addition to the above-described annual incentive plan, under a plan originally adopted by the Committee in fiscal 2009, Ms. McDowell and Messrs. Perry, Black and Quatmann are eligible to receive in fiscal 2014 a one-time cash bonus based on the Company's financial performance over the five-year period ending with fiscal 2013. The plan was adopted by the Committee in order to incentivize the executives to take a long-term view of the business and to encourage retention. The Committee determined that operating free cash flow growth was the appropriate criteria because it takes into consideration financing decisions and capital allocation, as well as operating results, and also closely correlates with total shareholder return. The Committee established fiscal 2008 operating free cash flow of approximately $63 million as the base and set a threshold for each of the next five years of 12% compounded growth in operating free cash flow. If the Company does not achieve this threshold level of growth, then no bonus will be paid. In order to receive the bonus, the executive must be employed by the Company (or serving on the Company's Board of Directors) on the last day of fiscal 2013 and on the payment date in fiscal 2014. The bonuses will be paid in full upon the occurrence of a change in control. As of August 20, 2012, it is unlikely that any payouts will be earned under this plan.

        Long-Term Incentive/Equity.    The primary long-term incentive for executives is shares of restricted stock awarded pursuant to the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Until the shares vest they remain subject to forfeiture upon termination of employment and restrictions on transfer. If and when the shares vest, they are no longer "restricted," and the recipient is free to hold, transfer or sell them, subject to required tax withholding and compliance with applicable securities laws, our securities trading policy, our stock holding policy and any other legal requirements. The Committee's practice is to deliver 25% of the value of the long-term incentive in cash and 75% in shares of restricted stock. The rationale for paying 25% of the long-term incentive in cash is to promote and facilitate retention of the shares of restricted stock by providing cash to enable the award recipient to pay taxes if he or she chooses to do so. Long-term incentive awards with respect to a particular fiscal year are typically made within the first three months of the succeeding fiscal year. For example, the long-term incentive award for fiscal 2012 was awarded in July 2012 (during fiscal 2013).

        Long-term incentive awards are awarded based on a combination of three-year total stockholder return (60%) and the Committee's discretion (40%). Total stockholder return ("TSR") of the Company is measured against the TSR of other regional gaming companies and the Russell 2000 Index. The relative TSR goals are set forth in the below table:

 
   
  Comparative Benchmark
Level
  Payout Level   Regional Gaming   Russell 2000

Maximum

  200% of Target   Highest TSR   Index Return plus 10 percentage points

Target

  100% of Target   Third Highest   Index Return

Threshold

  50% of Target   Fourth Highest   Index Return minus 5 percentage points

        The Committee believes that the long-term performance-based plan motivates and rewards long-term stockholder value creation and individual performance and allows the Company to attract and retain key management talent. Each executive in the long-term performance-based plan has a

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specified target annual award opportunity based on the total compensation mix established by the Committee for each executive.

        Deferred Compensation.    The Company does not maintain any defined benefit pension programs for its executives. Instead, consistent with the competitive practices of the Company's peer group, the Company maintains an elective non-qualified deferred compensation plan for executives. None of the executives participated in this plan in fiscal 2012.

        Benefits and Perquisites.    The Committee believes that executives should be offered customary benefits and perquisites that are reasonable relative to the benefits provided to all employees and consistent with competitive practices among the Company's peer group. The standard benefits offered to all of the Company's employees include medical, dental and vision insurance, group life insurance, short and long-term disability and a 401(k) with certain contributions matched by the Company. In addition, all executives are enrolled in the Medical Executive Reimbursement Plan (the "MERP") in which an allocation in amount up to 5% of each executive's base salary aids with payment of certain medical expenses other than premiums. All such supplemental benefits and perquisites are subject to applicable federal, state and local taxation. The benefit paid under the MERP is grossed-up for taxes.

Role of Executive Officers and Board of Directors in Compensation Decisions

        The Chief Executive Officer assists the Committee in making compensation decisions for the executives primarily by making recommendations and evaluating day-to-day performance of the executives. The Chief Executive Officer and other executives do not play a role in determining their own compensation and are not present at the executive sessions in which their pay is discussed.

        The Committee's analysis and determinations are recommended to the Board of Directors for approval.

Role of Compensation Consultant

        The Committee utilized the firm of Towers Watson (formerly known as Watson Wyatt) as the Committee's independent compensation consultant from 2008 until October 2011, when the Committee engaged the firm of Farient Advisors, LLC to replace Towers Watson. Generally, the Committee's independent compensation consultant performs the following duties for the Committee:

Neither Towers Watson nor Farient receives fees or compensation from the Company for services other than for their services as compensation consultant.

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Results of Say-on-Pay Vote

        At our annual meeting in October 2012, we held an advisory (non-binding) vote on the compensation of our named executive officers. Our stockholders approved, on a non-binding, advisory basis, a resolution approving executive compensation. Although such advisory vote on executive compensation is non-binding, the Committee considered the outcome of this vote when making compensation decisions for our named executive officers. Accordingly, the Committee did not make any changes to our executive compensation program expressly as a result of such vote.

Analysis of Fiscal 2012 Compensation

        Overview.    Assuming performance at target, set forth below is the total targeted compensation for each of the executives for fiscal 2012:

Executive
  Base
Salary($)
  Target Annual
Incentive/
Non-Equity($)
  Target
Long-Term
Incentive
Equity($)
  Total
Targeted
Compensation($)
 

Ms. McDowell

    725,000     725,000     1,400,000     2,850,000  

Mr. Black

    500,000     350,000     500,000     1,350,000  

Mr. Block

    450,000     270,000     300,000     1,020,000  

Mr. Hausler

    375,000     225,000     300,000     900,000  

Mr. Quatmann

    400,000     240,000     300,000     940,000  

        Mr. Block's salary became effective on June 23, 2011, in connection with his promotion to Chief Operating Officer.

        Set forth below is the percentage of total targeted compensation that is performance-based for the executives for fiscal 2012:

Executive
  Percentage of
Total Targeted
Compensation
that was
Performance-
Based (%)
 

Ms. McDowell

    75 %

Mr. Black

    63 %

Mr. Block

    56 %

Mr. Hausler

    58 %

Mr. Quatmann

    57 %

        The Committee believes that that the total compensation mix for the executives for fiscal 2012 is appropriately heavily weighted towards performance-based compensation.

        Base Salary.    Early in fiscal 2012, the Committee reviewed the fiscal 2011 base salaries for the executives and compared them to the peer group. The Committee determined, based on the median compensation levels of the regional gaming companies in the peer group, that it was appropriate to adjust executive base salaries for fiscal 2012. The Committee also took into consideration that the Committee had not adjusted executive base salaries since fiscal 2010.

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        Set forth below are the base salaries for fiscal 2012 for the executives and the change from the prior fiscal year:

Executive
  Base
Salary($)
  Change from
Fiscal 2011(%)
 

Ms. McDowell

    725,000     5.1 %

Mr. Black

    500,000     7.9 %

Mr. Block

    450,000     45.6 %

Mr. Hausler

    375,000     10.3 %

Mr. Quatmann

    400,000     6.4 %

        The fiscal 2012 base salaries for Ms. McDowell and Mr. Block reflect their new positions of chief executive officer and chief operating officer, respectively. The fiscal 2012 base salaries for Messrs. Black, Hausler and Quatmann reflect market adjustments based on the Committee's review of the peer group.

        Annual Incentive/Non-Equity.    The following table shows the target incentive opportunity for each executive for fiscal 2012:

Executive
  Target
Bonus as
Percentage of
Base Salary (%)
 

Ms. McDowell

    100 %

Mr. Black

    70 %

Mr. Block

    60 %

Mr. Hausler

    60 %

Mr. Quatmann

    60 %

        For fiscal 2012, the Committee determined that 80% of each executive's annual non-equity bonus would be determined based on the Company's financial performance and 20% would be determined by the Committee in its discretion based on the executive's performance. As discussed above, each component is independent of the other. The Committee determined that this weighting provided the appropriate balance between quantitative financial performance of the Company and qualitative executive performance.

        With respect to the financial component, the Committee determined that the appropriate measure of the Company's performance for fiscal 2012 would be reported earnings before taxes, as adjusted for non-cash charges, write-offs and the impact of other one time or unusual items and equity issuances ("EBT"). The Committee selected EBT because it believed that compensating the executives for generating a pre-tax profit most directly aligned the executives with the stockholders. The Committee also established the following payout relationship for the financial component for fiscal 2012:

Performance
(Approx. % of Target)
  Incentive Payout
(% of Target)
 

< 40%

    No Payout  

40%

    50 %

100%

    100 %

160%

    150 %

>160%

    150 %

        If actual performance is between defined payout points, the actual earned incentive will be determined on a straight-line basis.

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        For fiscal 2012, the Company achieved 111% of the EBT target established by the Committee, which correlated to a payout of 109% of the financial component of the bonus.

        With respect to the discretionary component, each of the executives established individual goals and objectives for fiscal 2012 and communicated those goals and objectives to the Committee. At the conclusion of the fiscal year, the Committee measured each executive's accomplishments against the previously established goals and objectives and also took into consideration other accomplishments of each executive. For fiscal 2012, the Committee awarded Messrs. Block, Hausler and Quatmann 100% of their respective discretionary target, Mr. Black 80% of his discretionary target and Ms. McDowell 0% of her discretionary target. Ms. McDowell requested that she receive no discretionary component for fiscal 2012 because the Company's development project in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is expected to exceed the original budget of $125 million.

        Having determined Company performance under the financial component and each executive's performance under the discretionary component, the Committee paid cash bonuses to the executives for fiscal 2012 as follows:

Executive
  Percent of
Target
Bonus(%)
  Actual
Payment($)
 

Ms. McDowell

    87 %   632,444  

Mr. Black

    103 %   361,318  

Mr. Block

    107 %   268,899  

Mr. Hausler

    107 %   241,276  

Mr. Quatmann

    107 %   257,361  

        Long-Term Incentive/Equity.    For fiscal 2012, the Committee established targeted long-term incentive awards for each executive as follows:

Executive
  Target
Long-Term
Incentive
Award ($)
 

Ms. McDowell

    1,400,000  

Mr. Black

    500,000  

Mr. Block

    300,000  

Mr. Hausler

    300,000  

Mr. Quatmann

    300,000  

The targets were developed by considering competitive practices and consistency. As described above in "—Overview of Executive Compensation Elements—Long-Term Incentive/Equity", 60% of each executive's fiscal 2012 award was based on total stockholder return for the three fiscal years ending with fiscal 2012 and 40% was based on the discretion of the Committee.

        For the three fiscal years ending with fiscal 2012, the Company's total shareholder return was approximately (19.3)%, which return did not meet the threshold levels relative to regional gaming companies or the Russell 2000 Index. Accordingly, the Committee determined that payout on the financial component of the long-term incentive plan was 0% of target. With respect to the discretionary component, the Committee recommended that the Board approve awards at approximately 80% of target.

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        The calculation of each executive's award for fiscal 2012 is set forth below:

 
  Financial Component   Discretionary
Component
  Total  
Executive
  Percent of
Target(%)
  Amount($)   Percent of
Target(%)
  Amount($)   Percent of
Target(%)
  Amount($)  

Ms. McDowell

    0 %   0     80.6 %   451,613     32.3 %   451,613  

Mr. Black

    0 %   0     80.6 %   161,290     32.3 %   161,290  

Mr. Block

    0 %   0     80.6 %   96,774     32.3 %   96,774  

Mr. Hausler

    0 %   0     80.6 %   96,774     32.3 %   96,774  

Mr. Quatmann

    0 %   0     80.6 %   96,774     32.3 %   96,774  

        The total amount above for each executive was then adjusted based on the prior 20-day average stock price of the Company and the Committee granted long-term incentive awards to the executives in July 2012 as follows:

Executive
  Shares(#)   Grant date
Value of
Shares ($)
  Cash($)   Grant Date
Total
Value($)
 

Ms. McDowell

    57,273     345,643     115,210     460,853  

Mr. Black

    20,454     123,440     41,150     164,590  

Mr. Block

    12,273     74,068     24,686     98,754  

Mr. Hausler

    12,273     74,068     24,686     98,754  

Mr. Quatmann

    12,273     74,068     24,686     98,754  

Employment Agreements

        The Company generally seeks to enter into employment agreements with vice presidents and above and with the general manager of each of its gaming properties. In arriving at this determination, the Company sought to minimize the number of individuals with whom it had employment agreements while at the same time achieving the objectives set forth below. Relevant to this approach, the Company considers the standard competitive practices in the gaming industry.

        There are a number of strategic objectives that the Company expects to achieve by entering into employment agreements with certain key employees:

        Some of the key terms of the Company's employment agreements with executives are:

        Term.    The term of the employment agreements for the executives is one year; provided however that the term of the employment agreement for Ms. McDowell as president and chief executive officer is three years. The employment agreements renew for successive one-year terms unless notice is provided or the agreement is terminated earlier. The Company believes that the term of each employment term represents a reasonable period for which the Company and the executive will mutually commit to maintain the employment relationship. For the Company, this provides stability and predictability among its leadership ranks. For the executive, this provides a reasonable but limited

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assurance of job security designed to foster an environment of entrepreneurial risk taking where the executive can focus on building long-term stockholder value.

        Termination and Restrictive Covenants.    The Company offers certain additional payments to its executives if the Company elects to terminate the executive's employment without "cause" or as a result of death or total disability. Each employment agreement contains a set of restrictive covenants designed to provide the Company with a reasonable degree of protection of its strategic plans, intellectual property and human capital. Generally, each employment agreement contains prohibitions on (i) competition, (ii) solicitation of employees, and (iii) disclosure and use of confidential information, which prohibitions remain in place for one year following termination. The Board selected this time period based on its determination about the extent to which each individual's tenure with, and knowledge of, the Company might be used to adversely impact the Company's strategic plans, intellectual property or human capital.

        Change in Control.    In the event of a change in control, each executive is entitled to receive certain additional payments if employment is terminated. The Company believes that these payments provide an effective retention mechanism in connection with a change in control.

        For a detailed discussion of the terms contained in each executive's employment agreement, please refer to page 39 below.

Other Compensation Policies

Equity Awards Policy

        The Committee's procedure for timing of equity awards helps to provide assurance that grants are never manipulated or timed to result in favorable pricing for executives. Generally equity awards are awarded by the Committee as a dollar value, from which the number of shares awarded is determined based on the prior 20-day average stock price. The Company schedules Board of Directors and Committee meetings in advance. Meeting schedules and award decisions are made without regard to the timing of Company SEC filings or press releases. Equity awards are generally granted on the date approved by the Committee or, in the case of new hires, pursuant to the terms of an employment agreement.

Stock Holding Policy

        The Committee encourages executives to manage from an owner's perspective by having and maintaining an equity stake in the Company. To that end, all of our executives are also stockholders of the Company. In January 2009, the Board of Directors adopted the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Stock Holding Policy. The Stock Holding Policy provides that members of the Board of Directors and certain members of management are required to hold a certain percentage of the shares of our common stock received by them upon lapse of the restrictions on restricted stock and upon exercise of stock options (net of any shares utilized to pay for tax withholding and the exercise price of the option). The percentage ranges from 20% for our general managers to 50% for members of our Board of Directors, our chief executive officer and her or his direct reports.

Impact of Prior Compensation

        Amounts realized from prior compensation grants did not serve to increase or decrease fiscal 2012 compensation grants or amounts. The Company's and the Committee's primary focus is competitive pay opportunities on an annual basis.

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Risk Management Practices and Risk-Taking Incentives

        The Committee engaged its compensation consultant, Farient, to assess material risks that relate to compensation practices and policies for all employees to identify and prioritize compensation plan features that could trigger material harm to the company by inducing:

        Farient's risk assessment suggests that the Company has a balanced pay and performance executive compensation program that does not drive excessive risk taking. Accordingly, the Committee concluded that the Company's compensation policies enhance the Company's business interests by encouraging innovation and appropriate levels of risk taking.

Tax Deductibility of Compensation Programs

        Section 162(m) of the Code limits our deduction for compensation paid to the executives to $1 million unless certain requirements are met. The policy of the Committee with regard to Section 162(m) of the Code is to establish and maintain a compensation program that will optimize the deductibility of compensation. The Committee reserves the right to use its judgment, where merited by the Committee's need for flexibility to respond to changing business conditions or by an executive's individual performance, to authorize compensation that may not, in a specific case, be fully deductible.

Fiscal 2013 Compensation Actions

        As previously mentioned, in October 2011 the Committee retained the firm of Farient Advisors, LLC to replace Towers Watson as its independent compensation consultant. Farient conducted a comprehensive review of the Company's executive compensation programs. As a result of its review, Farient made several recommendations to the Committee and the Committee took the following actions with respect to fiscal 2013 executive compensation:

Peer Group

        In April 2012, based on Farient's recommendation, the Committee revised the peer group against which it will benchmark executive compensation for fiscal 2013 to more closely reflect the size, business characteristics, and geographic focus of the Company. Changes to the peer group included removing Wynn Resorts Limited, Las Vegas Sands Corp. and MGM Resorts International from the group due to the fact that each of these firms are substantially larger than the Company and earn a substantial portion of their revenue and profit from international operations. In addition, five new peers were included in the group that are outside of the regional casino gaming industry, but in businesses related to the Company in terms of size, skill set requirements, talent needs, and geography. It is the Committee's belief that the revised peer group listed below provides a more appropriate benchmark than the prior group in terms of reflecting the Company's size, skill base, management challenge, domestic focus, and the evolution of its industry.

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Long-Term Incentive Plan

        In April 2012, the Committee and Board approved, based on Farient's recommendation, a new long-term incentive program under which performance-based restricted stock units (RSUs) would be awarded to Ms. McDowell and her direct reports. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Company common stock at the end of the measurement period (May 7, 2012 to April 26, 2015). The number of RSUs that may be earned shall be determined at the end of the measurement period based on the average of the closing market prices of the Company's common stock for the ninety (90) calendar-day period ending on April 26, 2015, and is further contingent upon the Company achieving a threshold level of total shareholder return over the measurement period relative to certain other regional gaming companies.

        If the share price does not reach the threshold level, none of the RSUs will be earned and such unearned RSUs will expire at the end of the measurement period. Assuming that the participant remains employed at the end of the measurement period, fifty percent (50%) of the RSUs shall become immediately vested as of the last day of the measurement period (April 26, 2015) and the remaining fifty percent (50%) of the RSUs shall become vested one-year thereafter (April 26, 2016). All RSUs that have vested shall be issued within sixty (60) days of vesting. Other provisions apply in the event of death, disability, retirement, termination without cause and change of control.

        For the three-year measurement period beginning with fiscal 2013, the Committee established the following three-year award targets for the executives:

Executive
  Three-Year Target
Long-Term
Incentive Award
($)
 

Ms. McDowell

    2,000,000  

Mr. Black

    1,500,000  

Mr. Block

    900,000  

Mr. Hausler

    900,000  

Mr. Quatmann

    900,000  

        In May 2012, the Committee awarded RSUs to Messrs. Black, Block, Hausler and Quatmann reflecting the above long-term incentive awards. The Committee intends to make an award to Ms. McDowell in October 2012.

        The Committee believes that this new long-term incentive program will directly promote the interests of shareholders by both providing a strong retention tool and by focusing executive management on the strategies and tactics required to materially boost the Company's share price over the next three years.

Annual Incentive/Non-Equity

        As part of its review of the Company's executive compensation program, Farient also recommended to the Committee that the Company incorporate key annual milestones contained in the Company's strategic plan more directly into the Company's annual incentive plan for its executives. Accordingly, based on the recommendation of Farient, the Committee approved a revision to the annual incentive plan for fiscal 2013 that ties 30% of the award opportunity for executives to the

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Committee's evaluation of the achievement of team-based milestones and objectives contained in the Company's strategic plan, while 70% of the award opportunity will continue to be based on financial performance in the fiscal year. Farient also recommended that Mr. Block's target bonus be increased from 60% of his base salary to 70% of his base salary.

        Accordingly, the following table shows the target incentive opportunity for each executive for fiscal 2013:

Executive
  Target Bonus as
Percentage of
Base Salary (%)
 

Ms. McDowell

    100 %

Mr. Black

    70 %

Mr. Block

    70 %

Mr. Hausler

    60 %

Mr. Quatmann

    60 %

        In July 2012, based on Farient's review of the Company's executive compensation practices using the new peer group, the Committee approved the following base salaries for the executives with the objective of positioning their base salaries closer to the median of the new peer group:

Executive
  Base Salary($)   Change from
Fiscal 2012(%)
 

Ms. McDowell

    775,000     6.9 %

Mr. Black

    500,000     0 %

Mr. Block

    500,000     11.1 %

Mr. Hausler

    375,000     0 %

Mr. Quatmann

    400,000     0 %


Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation

        The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

By: The Compensation Committee:

Gregory J. Kozicz, Chairman
Jeffrey D. Goldstein
Robert S. Goldstein
Scott E. Schubert

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Summary Compensation Table

        The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation earned during the fiscal year ended April 29, 2012 by the Company's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and three other most highly compensated individuals serving as executive officers on the last day of such fiscal year (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"). Additionally, to the extent the Named Executive Officer was included in the table for such fiscal year, the table also includes compensation earned during the fiscal years ended April 24, 2011 and April 25, 2010.

Name & Principal Position
  Fiscal
Year
  Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)(1)
  Stock
Awards
($)(2)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
  All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
  Total
($)
 

Virginia McDowell(5)

    2012     752,210     115,210     345,643     632,444         1,845,507  

President and Chief Executive Officer

    2011     690,000     303,518     910,564     416,098         2,320,180  

    2010     596,576     118,653     355,947     398,496         1,469,672  

Dale R. Black

   
2012
   
517,827
   
41,150
   
123,440
   
361,318
   
24,936
   
1,068,671
 

Chief Financial Officer

    2011     463,507     165,850     497,564     244,570     10,571     1,382,062  

    2010     462,987     71,190     213,570     267,686     12,739     1,028,172  

Arnold L. Block

   
2012
   
442,906
   
24,686
   
273,514
   
268,899
   
31,797
   
1,041,802
 

Chief Operating Officer

                                           

Eric L. Hausler

   
2012
   
388,077
   
24,686
   
74,068
   
241,276
   
249,580
   
977,687
 

Chief Strategic Officer

                                           

Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr. 

   
2012
   
414,462
   
24,686
   
74,068
   
257,361
   
13,358
   
783,935
 

Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

    2011     376,002     99,511     298,537     170,057     40,132     984,239  

    2010     375,578     71,190     213,570     217,152     44,851     922,341  

(1)
The amounts in this column relate to the cash component of awards granted under the long-term incentive plan. See discussion of the long-term incentive plan on page 27.

(2)
The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. The assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are disclosed in the footnotes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the relevant fiscal year, with the exception that for the employees no forfeiture rate is applied. Included in Stock Awards for fiscal 2012 are restricted stock awards made in fiscal 2013 for performance in fiscal 2012. Included in Stock Awards for fiscal 2011 are restricted stock awards made in fiscal 2012 for performance in fiscal 2011. Included in Stock Awards for fiscal 2010 are restricted stock awards made in fiscal 2011 for performance in fiscal 2010. See discussion of the long-term incentive plan on page 27.

(3)
The amounts in this column relate to cash awards granted under the annual incentive bonus plan. See discussion of the annual incentive bonus plan on page 26.

(4)
All Other Compensation less than $10,000 in the aggregate is not included. The amounts in this column for fiscal 2012 consist of the following:

Executive
  401(k)
Matching
($)
  MERP
($)
  Life
Insurance
($)
  Relocation
Expenses
($)
  Misc.
Other
($)
 

Mr. Black

    4,125     17,877     798         2,136  

Mr. Block

    5,500     11,529     4,025         10,743  

Mr. Hausler

    4,125     9,081     383     234,721     1,270  

Mr. Quatmann

    4,125     8,715     416         102  

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(5)
Ms. McDowell's increase in base salary from fiscal 2011 to fiscal 2012 reflects her promotion to Chief Executive Officer.


Grants of Plan-Based Awards

        The following table sets forth certain information regarding grants of plan-based awards during fiscal 2012:

 
   
  Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(2)
  Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards(3)
 
Name
  Grant
Date(1)
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
 

Virginia McDowell

              752,210     1,128,315              

    7/12/2011                 700,000     1,400,000     1,800,000  

Dale R. Black

   
         
362,579
   
543,718
   
   
   
 

    7/12/2011                 250,000     500,000     1,000,000  

Arnold L. Block

   
         
265,744
   
398,615
   
   
   
 

    7/12/2011                 150,000     300,000     600,000  

Eric L. Hausler

   
         
232,846
   
349,269
   
   
   
 

    7/12/2011                 150,000     300,000     600,000  

Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr. 

   
         
248,677
   
373,016
   
   
   
 

    7/12/2011                 150,000     300,000     600,000  

(1)
In the case of the equity incentive plan awards, the grant date is the date that the Compensation Committee approved the targets for fiscal 2012. The awards for fiscal 2012 were made in July 2012 and are detailed in footnote 3 below.

(2)
These amounts reflect estimated future payouts for fiscal 2012 pursuant to the Company's non-equity annual incentive plan, which provides for the payment of incentive compensation upon the Company's achievement of pre-established goals. Based on performance in fiscal 2012, the executives received the following payouts: Ms. McDowell, $632,444 (87% of target); Mr. Black, $361,318(103% of target); Mr. Block, $268,899 (107% of target); Mr. Hausler, $241,276 (107% of target); and Mr. Quatmann, $257,361 (107% of target). See the discussion in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" beginning on page 19.

(3)
These amounts reflect estimated future payouts for fiscal 2012 performance pursuant to the Company's equity incentive plan, which provides for awards based on the Company's three-year total stockholder return (60%) and the Committee's discretion (40%). For fiscal year 2012, In July 2012 the executives received the following payouts under the Company's equity incentive plan, which payouts equate to 32.3% of target: Ms. McDowell, $451,613; Mr. Black, $161,290; Messrs. Block, Hausler and Quatmann, $96,774. See the discussion in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" beginning on page 19.

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

        The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding equity awards as of April 29, 2012, the last day of fiscal 2012:

 
  Option awards   Stock awards  
Name
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)(1)
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)(1)
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Number of
shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
(#)(2)
  Market value
of shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
($)(3)
 

Virginia McDowell

                            35,688     229,474  

                            27,228     175,076  

                            104,124     669,517  

Dale R. Black

                           
20,488
   
131,738
 

                            16,337     105,047  

                            56,897     365,848  

Arnold L. Block

                           
1,229
   
7,902
 

                            5,554     35,712  

                            23,617     151,857  

                            17,069     109,754  

Eric L. Hausler

   
40,000
   
60,000
   
11.25
   
9/15/2019
             

                            13,614     87,538  

                            34,138     219,507  

Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr. 

   
66,000
   
44,000
   
4.62
   
7/1/2018
             

                            5,932     38,143  

                            16,337     105,047  

                            34,138     219,507  

(1)
The vesting schedule for the options is five years with the first vesting occurring on the one year anniversary of the grant date and then annually thereafter.

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(2)
Set forth below is a table setting forth the number of shares of stock that have not vested, the grant date and the date each award is vested in full. With the exception of Mr. Block's award on June 23, 2011 (which vests ratably over five years), each award vests ratably over three years.

Name
  Number of
shares of
stock that
have not
vested (#)
  Grant Date   Vesting Date
(date award is
vested in full)
 

Virginia McDowell

    35,688     7/23/09     7/23/12  

    27,228     7/26/10     7/26/13  

    104,124     7/15/11     7/15/14  

Dale R. Black

   
20,488
   
7/23/09
   
7/23/12
 

    16,337     7/26/10     7/26/13  

    56,897     7/15/11     7/15/14  

Arnold L. Block

   
1,229
   
7/23/09
   
7/23/12
 

    5,554     7/26/10     7/26/13  

    23,617     6/23/11     6/23/16  

    17,069     7/15/11     7/15/14  

Eric L. Hausler

   
13,614
   
7/26/10
   
7/26/13
 

    34,138     7/15/11     7/15/14  

Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr. 

   
5,932
   
7/23/09
   
7/23/12
 

    16,337     7/26/10     7/26/13  

    34,138     7/15/11     7/15/14  
(3)
The aggregate market value of the shares of stock that have not vested was computed by multiplying $6.43 (the closing market price of a share of Company common stock on April 27, 2012) by the number of unvested shares outstanding as of April 29, 2012, for such executive.


Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

        The information below describes and quantifies compensation that would become payable under existing arrangements in the event of a termination of each Named Executive Officer's employment under several different circumstances or a change in control. The amounts shown assume that such termination or change in control was effective as of April 29, 2012, and thus include amounts earned through such time and are estimates of the amounts that would be paid to the Named Executive Officers upon their termination or a change in control. The actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of such Named Executive Officer's separation from the Company or a change in control.

        The following tables quantify the amounts payable to each of the Named Executive Officers under the described termination circumstances and upon a change in control.

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Virginia McDowell

 
  Involuntary
Termination
w/o Cause ($)
  Death ($)   Disability ($)   Change In
Control
Only ($)
  Change In
Control and
Termination ($)(1)
 

Vested Stock Option Spread Value

                     

Unvested Stock Option Spread Value(2)

                     

Restricted Stock Value(3)

    540,184     1,074,067     1,074,067     1,074,067     1,074,067  

Cash Severance—Salary Continuation(4)

    750,000     750,000     750,000         1,500,000  

Cash Severance—Annual Bonus(5)

        459,267     459,267         459,267  

Bonus for Year of Termination(6)

    632,444     632,444     632,444         632,444  

Continued Health and Welfare(7)

    48,100     48,100     48,100         96,200  

Banked Bonus(8)

                1,456,350     1,456,350  
                       

Total

    1,970,728     2,963,878     2,963,878     2,530,417     5,218,328  

Dale R. Black

 
  Involuntary
Termination
w/o Cause ($)
  Death ($)   Disability ($)   Change In
Control
Only ($)
  Change In
Control and
Termination ($)(1)
 

Vested Stock Option Spread Value

                     

Unvested Stock Option Spread Value(2)

                     

Restricted Stock Value(3)

    306,211     602,632     602,632     602,632     602,632  

Cash Severance—Salary Continuation(4)

    500,000     500,000     500,000         1,000,000  

Cash Severance—Annual Bonus(5)

        275,105     275,105         275,105  

Bonus for Year of Termination(6)

    361,318     361,318     361,318         361,318  

Continued Health and Welfare(7)

    40,714     40,714     40,714         81,428  

Banked Bonus(8)

                958,125     958,125  
                       

Total

    1,208,243     1,779,769     1,779,769     1,560,757     3,278,608  

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Arnold L. Block

 
  Involuntary
Termination
w/o Cause ($)
  Death ($)   Disability ($)   Change In
Control
Only ($)
  Change In
Control and
Termination ($)(1)
  Retirement ($)  

Vested Stock Option Spread Value

                         

Unvested Stock Option Spread Value(2)

                         

Restricted Stock Value(3)

        305,226     305,226     305,226     305,226     153,368  

Cash Severance—Salary Continuation(4)

    450,000     450,000     450,000         900,000      

Cash Severance—Annual Bonus(5)

                    163,333     163,333  

Bonus for Year of Termination(6)

    268,899     268,899     268,899         268,899     268,899  

Continued Health and Welfare(7)

    27,682     27,682     27,682         55,364     27,682  

Banked Bonus(8)

                         
                           

Total

    746,581     1,051,807     1,051,807     305,226     1,692,822     613,282  

Eric L. Hausler

 
  Involuntary
Termination
w/o Cause ($)
  Death ($)   Disability ($)   Change In
Control
Only ($)
  Change In
Control and
Termination ($)(1)
 

Vested Stock Option Spread Value

                     

Unvested Stock Option Spread Value(2)

                     

Restricted Stock Value(3)

        307,045     307,045     307,045     307,045  

Cash Severance—Salary Continuation(4)

    375,000     375,000     375,000         750,000  

Cash Severance—Annual Bonus(5)

                    175,319  

Bonus for Year of Termination(6)

    241,276     241,276     241,276         241,276  

Continued Health and Welfare(7)

    37,854     37,854     37,854         75,708  

Banked Bonus(8)

                     
                       

Total

    654,130     961,175     961,175     307,045     1,549,348  

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Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.

 
  Involuntary
Termination
w/o Cause ($)
  Death ($)   Disability ($)   Change In
Control
Only ($)
  Change In
Control and
Termination ($)(1)
 

Vested Stock Option Spread Value

    119,460     119,460     119,460     119,460     119,460  

Unvested Stock Option Spread Value(2)

    39,820     79,640     79,640     79,640     79,640  

Restricted Stock Value(3)

    163,835     362,697     362,697     362,697     362,697  

Cash Severance—Salary Continuation(4)

    400,000     400,000     400,000         800,000  

Cash Severance—Annual Bonus(5)

        201,807     201,807         201,807  

Bonus for Year of Termination(6)

    257,361     257,361     257,361         257,361  

Continued Health and Welfare(7)

    35,861     35,861     35,861         71,722  

Banked Bonus(8)

                666,125     666,125  
                       

Total

    1,016,337     1,456,826     1,456,826     1,227,922     2,558,812  

Note:    No retirement scenario shown for executives not eligible for retirement.

(1)
Termination following change in control includes termination by executive for "good reason."

(2)
Unvested Stock Option Spread Value amounts represent the difference between the exercise price of each executive's options and the closing price ($6.43) of the Company's common stock April 27, 2012, the last trading day of fiscal 2012.

(3)
Restricted Stock Award values were computed based on the closing price ($6.43) of the Company's common stock April 27, 2012, the last trading day of fiscal 2012.

(4)
Basis for Cash Severance—Salary Continuation is fiscal 2012 base salary.

(5)
Cash Severance—Annual Bonus is the average of the last three years' annual bonus payments.

(6)
Basis for Bonus for Year of Termination is fiscal 2012 cash bonus.

(7)
Basis for Continued Health and Welfare is total cost for health and welfare benefits for executive and executive's family.

(8)
In the event of termination as a result of death or disability, each executive's estate is entitled to receive such executive's banked bonus, if any, at the conclusion of fiscal 2013. However, termination as a result of death or disability does not result in acceleration.


Employment Contracts

        The Company has employment agreements with each of the Named Executives Officers. Below is a summary of each agreement as currently in effect:

        Ms. McDowell serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. The material terms of Ms. McDowell's employment agreement are set forth below:

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        Mr. Black serves as our Chief Financial Officer. The material terms of Mr. Black's employment agreement are substantially the same as Ms. McDowell's agreement, except that Mr. Black's agreement had a one-year initial term that continues for a series of successive one-year terms unless earlier terminated.

        Mr. Block serves as our Chief Operating Officer. The material terms of Mr. Block's employment agreement are as follows:

        Mr. Hausler serves as our Chief Strategic Officer. The material terms of Mr. Hausler's employment agreement are substantially the same as Mr. Block's agreement.

        Mr. Quatmann serves as our Chief Legal Officer. The material terms of Mr. Quatmann's employment agreement are substantially the same as Mr. Black's agreement.

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CERTAIN RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

        Green Bridge Company, a company that is indirectly wholly owned by members of the Goldstein family, including Robert S. Goldstein, Jeffrey D. Goldstein and Richard A. Goldstein, provides an easement to the Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel in Bettendorf, Iowa for parking at an annual rent of $60,000. Additionally, as a result of the flooding of the Mississippi River in spring 2011, Alter Barge Line, Inc. and Blackhawk Fleet, Inc., two companies that are indirectly wholly owned by members of the Goldstein family, including Robert S. Goldstein, Jeffrey D. Goldstein and Richard A. Goldstein, provided emergency marine services to the Company's Rhythm City Casino in Davenport, Iowa, and the Company's Lady Luck Casino in Caruthersville, Missouri, for approximately $216,000 in the aggregate in fiscal 2012. Robert S. Goldstein, Jeffrey D. Goldstein and Richard A. Goldstein are members of the Board of Directors. Robert S. Goldstein is Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.

        It is our written policy that the Company expects that any transaction, arrangement or relationship or series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) in which (1) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any calendar year, (2) the Company is a participant, and (3) any related party has or will have a direct or indirect interest will be either approved or ratified by the unrelated Directors of the Board of Directors. In deciding whether to approve a related party transaction, the Board of Directors will take into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related party's interest in the transaction. If a related party transaction will be ongoing, the Board of Directors may establish guidelines for the Company's management to follow in its ongoing dealings with the related party. Thereafter, the Board of Directors, on at least an annual basis, would review and assess ongoing relationships with the related party to see that the transaction remains appropriate.


AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

        The Audit Committee oversees the Company's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the Company's internal control over financial reporting. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee reviewed and discussed with management the audited consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2012, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

        The Committee reviewed with our independent registered public accounting firm, who is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited consolidated financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company's accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Committee under the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). In addition, the Committee has discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm the accounting firm's independence from management and the Company, including the matters in the written disclosures and the letter required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the independent registered public accounting firm's independence and discussed matters required under SAS 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T.

        The Company's management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the Company's financial statements, establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting,

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and for management's report on internal control over financial reporting. The Company's independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for attesting to the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. The Committee's responsibility in this regard is to oversee the Company's financial reporting process and internal control over financial reporting. Throughout the year the Audit Committee monitored the Company's compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, and was satisfied that the Company would conclude that internal control over financial reporting would be effective as of April 29, 2012. Management, in fact, concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of April 29, 2012. The independent registered public accounting firm provided an attestation that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting in all material respects as of April 29, 2012.

        The Committee discussed with the Company's internal auditors and independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Committee meets with the internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company's internal control, and the overall quality of the Company's financial reporting.

        In reliance on the reviews and discussions referenced above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board of Directors has approved) that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2012 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee also appointed, subject to stockholder ratification, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for this fiscal year ended April 28, 2013.

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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF CLASS II DIRECTORS

        The Board of Directors has nominated the following persons, each of whom is currently serving as a director of the Company, to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve as our Class II directors to serve three-year terms to expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2015, or until their respective successors, if any, have been elected and qualified:

        In addition to the qualifications of each nominee for director set forth above in the section entitled "Election of Class II Directors," Jeffrey D. Goldstein, Virginia McDowell and Lee S. Wielansky are each standing for re-election based upon the judgment, financial acumen and skill they have previously demonstrated as members of the Board of Directors, as well as their commitment to service on the Board of Directors.

        Each nominee has consented to being named in this proxy statement and to serve if elected. Unless otherwise instructed on such proxy, the persons named as proxies intend to vote the shares represented by each properly executed proxy for each of the nominees standing for election. If a proxy is executed in such a manner as to withhold authority to vote for one or more nominees for director, such instructions will be followed by the persons named as proxies. While it is not anticipated that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve, if any should be unable or unwilling to serve, the persons named as proxies reserve the right to substitute any other person, in accordance with applicable law and our governing documents.

        Election of the three Class II director nominees requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of our common stock present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the proposal. Withheld votes, if any, will have no effect on the proposal. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the proposal.

        THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE CLASS II NOMINEES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

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Table of Contents

PROPOSAL 2
TO APPROVE THE ADOPTION OF THE ISLE OF CAPRI CASINOS, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2009 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

        Stockholders are being requested to vote on the adoption of the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Amended and Restated Plan"). A copy of the Amended and Restated Plan is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A. The following description of the Amended and Restated Plan is a summary of its principal terms and so is qualified by reference to the complete text of the Amended and Restated Plan.

Background

        The Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Original Plan") was adopted by our Board of Directors on August 20, 2009 and approved by our stockholders on October 6, 2009. The purpose of the Original Plan was to (a) attract and retain persons eligible to participate in the Original Plan; (b) motivate participants, by means of appropriate incentives, to achieve long-range goals; (c) provide incentive compensation opportunities that are competitive with those of other similar companies; and (d) further identify participants' interests with those of our other stockholders through compensation that is based on our common stock, and thereby promote our long-term financial interest, including the growth in value of our equity and enhancement of long-term stockholder return. The Original Plan replaced the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Amended and Restated 2000 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (the "2000 Plan"). To achieve the foregoing objectives, the Original Plan provides for the grant of non-qualified stock options ("NQSOs") and incentive stock options ("ISOs"), stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), full value awards and cash incentive awards.

        The Amended and Restated Plan was adopted by our Board of Directors on July 19, 2012, effective upon approval of our stockholders (such date being the "approval date"). The primary purpose for amending the Original Plan is to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance and to update certain of the provisions of the Original Plan. The Amended and Restated Plan replaces the Original Plan. No awards will be made under the Amended and Restated Plan unless and until it is approved by our stockholders. The provisions of the Amended and Restated Plan shall apply to awards made under the Amended and Restated Plan after the approval date.

Administration

        The Amended and Restated Plan is administered by our Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee selects the employees, officers and directors who will be granted awards under the Amended and Restated Plan and thereby become "participants" in the Amended and Restated Plan. All of our employees, officers and directors, and the directors, officers and employees of our affiliates are eligible to participate in the Amended and Restated Plan. Generally, a corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity is our affiliate during any period in which we, directly or indirectly, own at least 50% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock or 50% of the ownership interests in such entity, or if the entity, directly or indirectly, owns at least 50% of the combined voting power of all of our classes of stock. In the case of an ISO, an affiliate means a subsidiary corporation as defined under Internal Revenue Code rules.

        The Compensation Committee also determines the types of awards to be granted and the applicable terms, conditions, performance criteria, restrictions and other provisions of such awards. The Compensation Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by the Compensation Committee, except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of a stock exchange.

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Shares Reserved

        The number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the Amended and Restated Plan is the sum of (a) 2,750,000 shares plus (b) any shares of common stock remaining for issuance under the 2000 Plan as of the effective date of the Original Plan (including any shares added back to the 2000 Plan pursuant to the terms of the 2000 Plan from a plan other than the 2000 Plan), plus (c) any shares of common stock that would have been available for awards granted under the 2000 Plan due to forfeiture, expiration or cancellation of awards without delivery of shares of common stock or which result in the forfeiture of the shares of common stock back to us (including any shares that would have been available under the 2000 Plan pursuant to the terms of the 2000 Plan due to forfeiture, expiration or cancellation of awards made under a plan other than the 2000 Plan). Any shares allocated to an award which is forfeited or cancelled or that is settled in cash or used to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations will again become subject to awards under the Amended and Restated Plan. The common stock with respect to which awards may be made under the Amended and Restated Plan may be shares currently authorized but unissued, or currently held or subsequently acquired by us as treasury shares. Awards that are granted or shares of common stock that are issued by us in assumption or substitution or exchange for an award previously granted or the right or obligation to make a future award, in all cases by a company acquired by us or one of our affiliates will not reduce the number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Amended or Restated Plan or to a participant during any specified period as described below.

        The following additional limits will apply to awards under the Amended and Restated Plan: (1) no more than 1,000,000 shares of common stock authorized under the Plan may be issued for ISOs; (2) in the case of options or SARs that are intended to be "performance-based compensation" (determined under Internal Revenue Code rules), no more than 750,000 shares of common stock may be subject to options or SARs granted to any one individual in any one fiscal year period; (3) in the case of full value awards that are intended to be "performance-based compensation" and that are denominated in shares of common stock, no more than 750,000 shares of common stock may be subject to such awards granted to any one individual in any one fiscal year period; and (4) in the case of any cash incentive award made under the Amended and Restated Plan that is intended to be "performance-based compensation", no more than $1,000,000 may be subject to such awards to any one individual during any one fiscal year period. If a full value award is denominated in common stock but an equivalent amount of cash is delivered in lieu of shares of common stock, the foregoing limits are applied based on the methodology used to convert the number of shares into cash and if the award is denominated in cash but an equivalent number of shares are delivered in lieu of cash, the foregoing limits are applied based on the methodology used to convert the cash to shares of common stock.

        In the event of a corporate transaction involving us (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares), if the Compensation Committee determines that an adjustment is warranted to preserve benefits or potential benefits of awards, the Compensation Committee will adjust awards in the manner that it determines equitable in its sole discretion to preserve the benefits or potential benefits of the awards. Action by the Compensation Committee may include, in its discretion: (1) adjustment of the number and kind of shares which may be delivered under the Amended and Restated Plan (including adjustments to the number and kind of shares that may be granted to an individual during a specified time as described above); (2) adjustment of the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding awards; (3) adjustment of the exercise price of outstanding options and SARs; and (4) any other adjustments that the Compensation Committee determines to be equitable (which may include, without limitation, (I) replacement of awards with other awards that the Compensation Committee determines have comparable value and which are based on stock of a company resulting from the transaction, and (II) cancellation of the award in return for a cash payment of the current value of the award, determined as though the award is fully

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vested at the time of payment, which, in the case of an option or SAR, the amount of such payment may be the excess of the value of the stock subject to the option or SAR at the time of the transaction over the exercise price.

        The closing market price of a share of Company common stock on August 20, 2012 was $6.26.

Options and SARs

        Under the Amended and Restated Plan, the Compensation Committee may grant (a) options to purchase our common stock, which options may be either ISOs or NQSOs and (b) SARs. An option entitles the participant to purchase shares of our common stock at an exercise price established at the time the option is granted. An SAR entitles the participant to receive, in shares of our common stock or cash, as determined at the time the SAR is granted, value equal to (or based on) the excess of the value of a specified number of shares of our common stock over an exercise price established at the time the SAR is granted. In no event can the exercise price under an option or SAR be less than the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date the award is granted.

        Each option and SAR will be exercisable in accordance with the terms established by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant and the committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting dates set at the time of grant. In no event will an option or SAR be exercisable more than 10 years after it is granted.

        In order to exercise an option, a participant must deliver to us the full exercise price of each share of common stock purchased upon the exercise of the option. The exercise price may be paid in cash or cash equivalents or in shares of our common stock (valued at fair market value as of the day of exercise), or in any combination thereof. The Compensation Committee may permit a participant to pay the exercise price by irrevocably authorizing a third party to sell shares acquired upon exercise of the option and to remit proceeds to pay the exercise price and tax withholding, in which case the exercise price may be paid as soon as practicable after the exercise.

        The Compensation Committee may impose restrictions on the shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of an option or SAR, including restrictions relating to the disposition of the shares of common stock and forfeiture restrictions based on service, performance, stock ownership, conformity with our recoupment or clawback policies, if any, and other factors.

        Except for adjustments made in connection with corporate transactions or reductions of the exercise price approved by our stockholders, the exercise price for any outstanding option or SAR granted under the Amended and Restated Plan may not be decreased after the date of grant and no outstanding option or SAR granted under the Amended and Restated Plan can be surrendered to us for cash (other than as necessary to satisfy tax withholding obligations), another award or as consideration for the grant of a replacement option or SAR with a lower exercise price or a full value award. No repricing of an option or SAR will be permitted without the approval of our stockholders if that approval is required under the rules of any stock exchange on which such our shares of common stock are listed. In addition, no option or SAR granted under the Amended and Restated Plan can be surrendered to us in consideration for a cash payment if, at the time of such surrender, the exercise price of the option or SAR is greater than the then current fair market value of a share of common stock.

Full Value Awards and Cash Incentive Awards

        The Compensation Committee may grant full value awards and cash incentive awards under the Amended and Restated Plan. A full value award is the grant of one or more shares of our common stock or a right (other than an option or SAR) to receive one or more shares of our common stock in the future. The grant of a full value award may be in consideration of a participant's previously

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performed service or surrender of other compensation, may be contingent on the achievement of performance or other objectives during a specified period, may be subject to a risk of forfeiture or other restrictions that lapse on the achievement of one or more goals relating to completion of service or the achievement of performance or other objectives or may be subject to such other conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Compensation Committee determines, including conformity with our recoupment or clawback policies, if any.

        A cash incentive award is the grant of a right to receive a payment of cash or shares of our common stock having a value equivalent to the cash otherwise payable that is contingent on achievement of performance objectives over a specified period established by the Compensation Committee. Cash incentive awards may be subject to such other restrictions and contingencies as determined by the Compensation Committee, including provisions relating to deferred payment.

        If an employee's right to become vested in a full value award is conditioned on the completion of a specified period of service with us, without achievement of performance targets or other performance objectives (including the performance measures described below with respect to performance-based compensation) being required as a condition of vesting, then the required period of service for full vesting will be not less than one year. If the vesting of a full value award is conditioned on achievement of performance goals or targets, the required service period is at least three years. The Compensation Committee may, however, provide for pro rata vesting over the course of the one year or three year period (as applicable) and acceleration of vesting in the event of the participant's death, disability, retirement, change in control or involuntary termination. The foregoing vesting requirements do not apply to (a) grants made to newly eligible participants to replace awards from a prior employer, (b) grants that are a form of payment of earned performance awards or other incentive compensation, and (c) awards granted in lieu of other compensation.

Settlement of Awards

        Awards under the Amended and Restated Plan may be settled through cash payments, the delivery of shares of our common stock, the granting of replacement awards, or a combination thereof, as the Compensation Committee determines. Settlement may be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Compensation Committee shall determine.

        The Compensation Committee may permit or require the deferral of any payment with respect to an award, subject to such rules and procedures as it may establish, which may include provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or dividend equivalents or may include converting such credits into deferred common stock equivalents. Dividend equivalents may not be granted with respect to options or SARs, and options or SARs may not be converted into common stock equivalents.

Dividends and Dividend Equivalents

        An award under the Amended and Restated Plan (other than an option or SAR) may provide the participant with the right to receive dividend payments or dividend equivalent payments with respect to our common stock subject to the award (both before and after the common stock subject to the award is earned, vested, or acquired), provided that no dividends or dividend equivalent units will be paid or settled with respect to performance-based awards prior to the date on which the underlying award is earned based on satisfaction of the performance targets. The dividends or dividend equivalent units may either be made currently or credited to an account for the participant and may be settled in cash or shares of our common stock, as determined by the Compensation Committee. Any settlements, and any crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents or reinvestment in shares of common stock, may be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Compensation Committee establishes, including the reinvestment of such credited amounts in common stock equivalents.

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Performance-Based Compensation

        The Compensation Committee may designate whether any full value award or cash incentive award being granted to any participant under the Amended and Restated Plan is intended to be "performance- based compensation" as that term is used in section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Any such awards that are designated as intended to be "performance-based compensation" shall be conditioned on the achievement of one or more performance targets and one or more of the following "performance measures", as selected by the Compensation Committee: (i) earnings including operating income, net operating income, same store net operating income, earnings before or after taxes, earnings before or after interest, depreciation, amortization, or extraordinary or special items or book value per share (which may exclude nonrecurring items) or net earnings; (ii) pre-tax income or after-tax income; (iii) earnings per share (basic or diluted); (iv) operating profit; (v) revenue, revenue growth or rate of revenue growth; (vi) return on assets (gross or net), return on investment (including cash flow return on investment), return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital), or return on equity; (vii) returns on sales or revenues; (viii) operating expenses; (ix) stock price appreciation; (x) cash flow (before or after dividends), free cash flow, cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations, cash flow in excess of cost of capital or cash flow per share (before or after dividends); (xi) implementation or completion of critical projects or processes; (xii) economic value created; (xiii) cumulative earnings per share growth; (xiv) operating margin or profit margin; (xv) stock price or total stockholder return; (xvi) cost targets, reductions and savings, productivity and efficiencies; (xvii) strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified market penetration, geographic business expansion, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, human resources management, supervision of litigation and other legal matters, information technology, and goals relating to contributions, dispositions, acquisitions, development and development related activity, capital markets activity and credit ratings, joint ventures and other private capital activity including generating incentive and other fees and raising equity commitments, and other transactions, and budget comparisons; (xviii) personal professional objectives, including any of the foregoing performance targets, the implementation of policies and plans, the negotiation of transactions, the development of long term business goals, formation and reorganization of joint ventures and other private capital activity including generating incentive and other fees and raising equity commitments, research or development collaborations, and the completion of other corporate transactions; (xix) funds from operations (FFO) or funds available for distribution (FAD); (xx) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (xxi) stock price performance; (xxii) improvement in or attainment of expense levels or working capital levels; (xxiii) operating portfolio metrics including leasing and tenant retention, or (xxiv) any combination of, or a specified increase in, any of the foregoing. Where applicable, the performance targets may be expressed in terms of attaining a specified level of the particular criteria or the attainment of a percentage increase or decrease in the particular criteria, and may be applied to one or more of the us, an affiliate, or a division or strategic business unit of us, or may be applied to our performance relative to a market index, a group of other companies or a combination thereof, all as determined by the Compensation Committee. The performance targets may include a threshold level of performance below which no payment will be made (or no vesting will occur), levels of performance at which specified payments will be made (or specified vesting will occur), and a maximum level of performance above which no additional payment will be made (or at which full vesting will occur). Each of the foregoing performance targets shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, if applicable, and shall be subject to certification by the Compensation Committee; provided that the Compensation Committee shall have the authority to exclude, the impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items and other unusual or non-recurring events, the cumulative effects of tax or accounting principles which are identified in financial statements, notes to financial statements, management's discussion and analysis or other SEC filings and items that may not be infrequent or unusual but which may have inconsistent effects on performance and which are in

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adjusted in accordance with Regulation G issued under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

        Generally, full value awards or cash incentive awards that are intended to be performance-based compensation cannot be settled or paid until the Compensation Committee has determined that the performance targets have been satisfied. If, however, a participant's employment terminates because of death or disability or if a change in control (as defined in the Amended and Restated Plan) occurs prior to a participant's termination date, a full value award may become vested without regard to whether the award will be performance-based compensation.

Imposition of Additional Restrictions

        The Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may impose such conditions, restrictions, and contingencies on common stock acquired pursuant to the Amended and Restated Plan as the Compensation Committee determines to be desirable.

Nontransferability

        Except as otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, awards under the Amended and Restated Plan are not transferable except as designated by the participant by will or by laws of descent and distribution. In no event may any award be transferred for value. To the extent that a participant has the right to exercise an award made under the Amended and Restated Plan, the award may be exercised during the lifetime of the participant only by the participant.

Change in Control

        In the event of a Change in Control (i) pursuant to which the company does not survive (or survives as a direct or indirect subsidiary of another entity) and (ii) following which our voting stock or voting stock of our successor (including a parent of us or our successor if the company survives as a subsidiary) ceases to be traded on any national securities exchange, an award that remains outstanding under the Amended and Restated Plan on and after such Change in Control will be converted to an award to receive cash equal to or based on the per share value paid (or payable) to our stockholders in connection with the Change in Control and payable at the same time as the award would otherwise have been paid as determined under the award agreement and subject to the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Plan; provided, however, that in such circumstances, any option or SAR will be cancelled upon the Change in Control in exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the option or SAR at the time of the Change in Control over the exercise price payable at such time as permitted determined by the Compensation Committee in accordance with section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

        Except as otherwise permitted under the Amended and Restated Plan or an award agreement (and in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Plan) reflecting the applicable award, in the event that (1) a participant is employed or in service on the date of a Change in Control and (2) the participant's employment or service, as applicable, is terminated in a "qualifying termination" (as defined in the Amended and Restated Plan) on or within twelve months following the Change in Control, then all outstanding options, SARs and related awards which have not otherwise expired or otherwise vested shall become immediately exercisable and all other outstanding awards shall become fully vested. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and to the extent permitted under section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, the Compensation Committee may also provide for accelerated payment of all or any portion of an award upon such a qualifying termination.

Withholding of Taxes

        We may require a participant to pay the amount of any withholding taxes payable upon the settlement of any award under the Amended and Restated Plan or withhold from amounts otherwise payable (including in the form of common stock) to the participant under the Amended and Restated Plan.

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Amendment and Termination

        The Amended and Restated Plan may be amended or terminated at any time by the Board, provided that no amendment or termination may adversely affect the rights of any participant (or, if the participant is not living, an affected beneficiary) under any then outstanding award without the participant's or beneficiary's consent. Adjustment to awards in the context of corporate transactions are not subject to the foregoing limitations. In addition, no amendment or termination of the Amended and Restated Plan is permitted without stockholder approval if that approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the plan (including any applicable stock exchange listing requirement or to prevent us from being denied a tax deduction under section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code). No amendment of the option re-pricing provisions of the Amended and Restated Plan can be made unless our shareholders approve the amendment.

Federal Income Tax Effects

        The following is a brief description of the U.S. federal income tax treatment that will generally apply to awards under the Amended and Restated Plan based on current U.S. federal income taxation with respect to us and participants who are subject to U.S. federal income tax. Note that Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code may apply to certain types of awards under the Amended and Restated Plan.

        The grant of an NQSO will not result in taxable income to the participant and we will not be entitled to a deduction at the time of grant. Except as described below, the participant will realize ordinary income at the time of exercise in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common stock acquired over the exercise price for those shares, and we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. Gains or losses realized by the participant upon disposition of such shares will be treated as capital gains and losses, with the basis in such common stock equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise.

        The grant of an ISO will not result in taxable income to the participant and we will not be entitled to a deduction at the time of grant. The exercise of an ISO will not result in taxable income to the participant provided that the participant was, without a break in service, our employee or the employee of one of our direct corporate subsidiaries (determined under Internal Revenue Code rules) during the period beginning on the date of the grant of the option and ending on the date three months prior to the date of exercise (one year prior to the date of exercise if the participant dies or is disabled as determined under Internal Revenue Code rules). The excess of the fair market value of the common stock at the time of the exercise of an ISO over the exercise price is an adjustment that is included in the calculation of the participant's alternative minimum taxable income for the tax year in which the ISO is exercised. For purposes of determining the participant's alternative minimum tax liability for the year of disposition of the shares acquired pursuant to the ISO exercise, the participant will have a basis in those shares equal to the fair market value of the common stock at the time of exercise.

        If the participant does not sell or otherwise dispose of the common stock acquired upon exercise of an ISO within two years from the date of the grant of the ISO or within one year after the transfer of such common stock to the participant, then upon disposition of such stock, any amount realized in excess of the exercise price will be taxed to the participant as capital gain, and we will not be entitled to a corresponding deduction for federal income tax purposes. The participant will recognize capital loss to the extent that the amount realized is less than the exercise price. If these holding period requirements are not met, the participant will generally realize ordinary income at the time of the disposition of the shares, in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the excess of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price, or (2) the excess, if any, of the amount realized upon disposition of the shares over the exercise price. If the amount realized exceeds the value of the shares on the date of exercise, any additional amount will be capital gain. If the

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amount realized is less than the exercise price, the participant will recognize no income, and a capital loss will be recognized equal to the excess of the exercise price over the amount realized upon the disposition of the shares.

        The grant of an SAR will not result in taxable income to the participant and we will not be entitled to a deduction at the time of grant. Upon exercise of an SAR, the amount of cash or the fair market value of common stock received will be taxable to the participant as ordinary income, and we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. Gains and losses realized by the participant upon disposition of any such shares will be treated as capital gains and losses, with the basis in such shares equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise.

        The federal income tax consequences of a full value award will depend on the type of award. The tax treatment of the grant of shares of common stock depends on whether the shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (determined under Code rules) at the time of the grant. If the shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the participant will not recognize taxable income at the time of the grant and when the restrictions on the shares lapse (that is, when the shares are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture), the participant will recognize ordinary taxable income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares at that time. If the shares are not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or if the participant elects to be taxed at the time of the grant of such shares under Section 83(b) of the Code, the participant will recognize taxable income at the time of the grant of shares in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares at that time, determined without regard to any of the restrictions. If the shares are forfeited before the restrictions lapse, the participant will be entitled to no deduction on account thereof. The participant's tax basis in the shares is the amount recognized by him or her as income attributable to such shares. Gain or loss recognized by the participant on a subsequent disposition of any such shares is capital gain or loss if the shares are otherwise capital assets.

        In the case of other full value awards, such as restricted stock units or performance stock units, the participant generally will not have taxable income upon the grant of the award provided that there are restrictions on such awards that constitute a substantial risk of forfeiture under applicable Code rules. Participants will generally recognize ordinary income when the restrictions on awards lapse, on the date of grant if there are no such restrictions or, in certain cases, when the award is settled. At that time, the participant will recognize taxable income equal to the cash or the then fair market value of the shares issuable in payment of such award, and such amount will be the tax basis for any shares received. In the case of an award which does not constitute property at the time of grant (such as an award of units), participants will generally recognize ordinary income when the award is paid or settled.

        We are generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount, and at the same time, as the income is recognized by the participant.

        Any acceleration of the vesting or payment of awards under the Amended and Restated Plan in the event of a change in control of us may cause part or all of the amounts paid to be treated as an "excess parachute payment" under the Internal Revenue Code, which may subject the participant to a 20% excise tax and preclude our deduction.

        Under section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, we generally will not be able to deduct annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to our chief executive officer and our four most highly compensated employees. However, amounts that constitute "performance-based compensation" are not counted toward the $1 million limit. Certain awards under the Amended and Restated Plan will automatically qualify as performance-based compensation and the Compensation Committee may designate whether any other award is intended to constitute performance-based compensation.

        THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE ADOPTION OF THE ISLE OF CAPRI CASINOS, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2009 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN.

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PROPOSAL 3
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

        The Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young, LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending April 28, 2013, and has recommended to the Board of Directors that the stockholders ratify such selection. Although stockholder ratification of the Audit Committee's action in this respect is not required, the Board of Directors considers it desirable for stockholders to pass upon the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm and, if the stockholders do not ratify the selection, may reconsider its selection.

        Ratification of the appointment of an independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shares of our common stock present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions from voting will have the same effect as voting against the proposal and broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.

        Representatives of Ernst & Young, LLP, who are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

        We have been informed by Ernst & Young, LLP that neither the firm nor any of its members or their associates has any direct financial interest or material indirect financial interest in us or any of our affiliates.

        The following table summarizes the fees billed to the Company for professional services by Ernst & Young, LLP for fiscal 2012 and 2011:

 
  2012   2011  

Audit Fees(1)

  $ 2,181,146   $ 2,588,750  

Audit-Related Fees(2)

    22,500     22,000  

Tax Fees(3)

         

All Other Fees

         
           

  $ 2,203,646   $ 2,610,750  
           

(1)
Audit fees include fees for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and reports on internal control over financial reporting, the review procedures on the consolidated financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q, as well as accounting consultations, statutory audits and other services related to Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including comfort letters and consents.

(2)
Audit-related fees include fees for the audit of our 401(k) plan.

(3)
Tax fees consist of amounts billed for tax compliance assistance and tax planning and advice.

        The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and pre-approving any non-audit services to be performed by the Company's outside accounting firm. The Audit Committee may delegate its pre-approval authority to the Chairman of the Audit Committee to act between meetings of the Audit Committee. Any pre-approval given by the Chairman of the Audit Committee pursuant to this delegation is presented to the full Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee or Chairman of the Audit Committee reviews, and if appropriate, approves all non-audit service engagements, taking into account the proposed scope of the non-audit services, the proposed

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fees for the non-audit services, whether the non-audit services are permissible under applicable law or regulation, and the likely impact of the non-audit services on the principal accountant's independence.

        The Audit Committee pre-approved each engagement of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm to perform non-audit related services during fiscal year 2012.

        The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence and believes the provision of the services referenced above is compatible.

        THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE'S SELECTION OF ERNST & YOUNG, LLP AS ISLE OF CAPRI CASINOS, INC. INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.

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OTHER MATTERS

        The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business that may come before the Annual Meeting. However, if additional matters properly come before the meeting, proxies will be voted at the discretion of the proxyholders.


SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

        To the Company's knowledge, based solely upon our review of forms filed by the Company's directors, officers and 10% stockholders (the "Section 16(a) Reporting Persons") pursuant to Section 16 of the 1934 Act and furnished to us, with respect to the fiscal year ended April 29, 2012, the Section 16(a) Reporting Persons complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements; provided, however, that (i) a Form 4 filing for Mr. Kozicz reporting an award of restricted stock was filed on June 13, 2011, but was due June 6, 2011, and (ii) a Form 4 filing for Mr. Glazer reporting an award of restricted stock was filed on October 7, 2011, but was due on October 6, 2011.


STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

        Stockholders who, in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the Securities and Exchange Commission, wish to present proposals for inclusion in our proxy materials to be distributed in connection with our 2013 Annual Meeting must submit their proposals no later than April 24, 2013, at our principal executive offices, Attention: Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr., Chief Legal Officer and Secretary. As the rules of the Commission make clear, simply submitting a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion.

        Under our Bylaws, stockholder proposals not intended for inclusion in the proxy statement, but intended to be raised at our 2013 Annual Meeting, including nominations for election of director(s) other than the Board of Director's nominees, must be received by Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr., Chief Legal Officer and Secretary at our principal executive offices either by personal delivery or by United States mail not later than August 17, 2013 and must comply with the procedures outlined in our Bylaws.


DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

        If you share an address with any of our other stockholders, your household might receive only one copy of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, unless you have instructed us otherwise. This delivery method is referred to as "householding" and can result in savings for us. To take advantage of this opportunity, we deliver a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to multiple stockholders who share an address. We will promptly deliver upon oral or written request a separate copy of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to any stockholder of a shared address to which a single copy of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials was delivered. If you prefer to receive separate copies of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, either now or in the future, or if you currently are a stockholder sharing an address with another stockholder and wish to receive only one copy of future Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for your household, please call us at (314) 813-9200 or send your request in writing to us at the following address: Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., 600 Emerson Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri 63141, Attention: Secretary.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

        A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2012, is being distributed concurrently with this proxy statement to all stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K is not incorporated into this proxy statement and shall not be deemed to be solicitation material. We hereby undertake to provide to any recipient of this proxy statement, upon his or her request, a copy of any of the exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Requests for such copies should be directed in writing to Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr., Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., 600 Emerson Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri 63141.

    BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

 

 


GRAPHIC
    Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

August 22, 2012
St. Louis, Missouri

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Appendix A

ISLE OF CAPRI CASINOS, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
2009 LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1

GENERAL

        1.1.    Purpose and History.    The Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") was established by Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (the "Company") to (a) attract and retain persons eligible to participate in the Plan; (b) motivate Participants, by means of appropriate incentives, to achieve long-range goals; (c) provide incentive compensation opportunities that are competitive with those of other similar companies; and (d) further identify Participants' interests with those of the Company's other stockholders through compensation that is based on the Company's common stock, and thereby promote the long-term financial interest of the Company and its Affiliates, including the growth in value of the Company's equity and enhancement of long-term stockholder return. The Plan replaced the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Amended and Restated 2000 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (the "Prior Plan"). The Plan is hereby amended and restated to increase the number of shares of Stock available for issuance hereunder and to update certain other provisions. The Plan as amended and restated was adopted by the Board on July 19, 2012 and shall become effective upon the Approval Date. No Awards shall be made under the Plan as amended and restated unless and until it is approved by the Company's stockholders.

        1.2.    Operation, Administration, and Definitions.    The operation and administration of the Plan, including the Awards made under the Plan, shall be subject to the provisions of Section 7 (relating to operation and administration). Capitalized terms used in the Plan are defined in Section 9.

        1.3.    Participation.    For purposes of the Plan, a "Participant" is any Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted under the Plan. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall determine and designate, from time to time, from among the Eligible Persons those persons who will be granted one or more Awards under the Plan.


SECTION 2

OPTIONS AND SARS

        2.1.    Definitions.    

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        2.2.    Exercise Price.    The "Exercise Price" of each Option and SAR granted under this Section 2 shall be established by the Committee, or shall be determined by a method established by the Committee, at the time the Option or SAR is granted; provided, however, that in no event shall the Exercise Price be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant (or, if greater, the par value of a share of Stock on such date). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options and SARs granted under the Plan in replacement for awards under plans and arrangements of the Company or an Affiliate assumed in business combinations may provide for Exercise Prices that are less than the Fair Market Value of the Stock at the time of the replacement grants if the Committee determines that such Exercise Price is appropriate to preserve the economic benefit of the award and provided that all requirements of section 409A of the Code are satisfied.

        2.3.    Exercise/Vesting.    Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, Options and SARs shall become vested and exercisable in accordance with such terms and conditions and during such periods as may be established by the Committee as set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any vesting dates set by the Committee in such Award Agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the exercisability of any Option or SAR, which acceleration shall not affect the terms and conditions of such Option or SAR other than with respect to exercisability. No Option or SAR may be exercised after the Expiration Date applicable to that Option or SAR.

        2.4.    Payment of Option Exercise Price.    The payment of the Exercise Price of an Option granted under this Section 2 shall be subject to the following:

        2.5.    Settlement of Award.    Settlement of Options and SARs is subject to subsection 5.5.

        2.6.    Post-Exercise Limitations.    The Committee, in its discretion, may impose such restrictions on shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option or SAR as it determines to be desirable, including, without limitation, restrictions relating to the disposition of the shares and forfeiture restrictions based on service, performance, Stock ownership by the Participant, conformity with the Company's recoupment or clawback policies, if any, and such other factors as the Committee determines to be appropriate.

        2.7.    No Repricing.    Except for either adjustments pursuant to subsection 4.2 (relating to the adjustment of shares), or reductions of the Exercise Price approved by the Company's stockholders, the Exercise Price for any outstanding Option or SAR may not be decreased after the date of grant nor may an outstanding Option or SAR granted under the Plan be surrendered to the Company for other

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Awards or as consideration for the grant of a replacement Option or SAR with a lower exercise price or a Full Value Award. Except as approved by the Company's stockholders or in accordance with subsection 4.2, in no event shall any Option or SAR granted under the Plan be surrendered to the Company in consideration for a cash payment if, at the time of such surrender, the Exercise Price of the Option or SAR is greater than the then current Fair Market Value of a share of Stock. In addition, no repricing of an Option or SAR shall be permitted without the approval of the Company's stockholders if such approval is required under the rules of any stock exchange on which the Stock is listed.

        2.8.    Required Notice of ISO Share Disposition.    Each Participant who is awarded an ISO under the Plan shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date he or she makes a disqualifying disposition of any Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of such ISO. A disqualifying disposition is any disposition (including any sale) of such Stock before the later of (a) two years after the date of grant of the ISO or (b) one year after the date the Participant acquired the Stock upon exercise of the ISO.

        2.9.    Limits on ISOs.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2, if an ISO is granted to a Participant who owns stock representing more than ten percent of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company and its Affiliates, the Expiration Date shall not be later than the fifth anniversary of the date on which the ISO was granted and the Exercise Price shall be at least 110 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Stock subject to the ISO (determined on the date of grant). To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of shares of Stock with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by any individual during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and all Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as NQSOs to the extent required by section 422 of the Code.

        2.10.    Expiration Date.    The "Expiration Date" with respect to an Option or SAR means the date established as the Expiration Date by the Committee at the time of grant. In no event shall the Expiration Date of an Option or SAR be later than the ten-year anniversary of the date on which the Option or SAR is granted or such shorter period required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Stock is listed).


SECTION 3

FULL VALUE AWARDS AND CASH INCENTIVE AWARDS

        3.1.    Definitions.    

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        3.2.    Special Vesting Rules.    Except for (a) awards granted in lieu of other compensation, (b) grants that are a form of payment for earned performance awards or other incentive compensation, and (c) grants made to newly eligible Participants to replace awards from a prior employer (I) if an employee's right to become vested in a Full Value Award is conditioned on the completion of a specified period of service with the Company or the Affiliates, without achievement of performance targets or other performance objectives (whether or not related to Performance Measures) being required as a condition of vesting, then the required period of service for full vesting shall be not less than three years, and (II) if an employee's right to become vested in a Full Value Award is conditioned upon the achievement of performance targets or other performance objectives (whether or not related to Performance Measures) being required as a condition of vesting, then the required vesting period shall be at least one year, subject, to the extent provided by the Committee, to pro rated vesting over the course of such three or one year period, as applicable, and to acceleration of vesting in the event of the Participant's death, disability, involuntary termination or retirement or in connection with a Change in Control.

        3.3.    Performance-Based Compensation.    The Committee may designate a Full Value Award or Cash Incentive Award granted to any Participant as "Performance-Based Compensation" within the meaning of section 162(m) of the Code and regulations thereunder. To the extent required by section 162(m) of the Code, any Full Value Award or Cash Incentive Award so designated shall be conditioned on the achievement of one or more performance targets as determined by the Committee and the following additional requirements shall apply:

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Nothing in this Section 3 shall preclude the Committee from granting Full Value Awards or Cash Incentive Awards under the Plan or the Committee, the Company or an Affiliate from granting any Cash Incentive Awards or other cash awards outside the Plan that are not intended to be Performance-Based Compensation; provided, however, that, at the time of grant of Full Value Awards or Cash Incentive Awards by the Committee, the Committee shall designate whether such Awards are intended to constitute Performance-Based Compensation. To the extent that the provisions of this Section 3 reflect the requirements applicable to Performance-Based Compensation, such provisions shall not apply to the portion of the Award, if any, that is not intended to constitute Performance-Based Compensation.


SECTION 4

SHARES RESERVED, LIMITATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS TO AWARDS

        4.1.    Shares Subject to Plan.    The shares of Stock for which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following:

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        4.2.    Adjustments to Shares and Awards.    In the event of a corporate transaction involving the Company (including any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares), sale of assets or subsidiaries, combination, or other corporate transaction that affects the Stock such that the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that an adjustment is warranted in order to preserve the benefits or potential benefits or prevent the enlargement of benefits or Awards under the Plan, the Committee shall, in the manner that it determines equitable in its sole discretion, adjust the Awards. Action by the Committee may include, in its sole discretion: (a) adjustment of the number and kind of shares which may be delivered under the Plan (including adjustments to the number and kind of shares that may be granted to an individual during any specified time as described in subsection 4.1); (b) adjustment of the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding Awards; (c) adjustment of the Exercise Price of outstanding Options and SARs; and (d) any other adjustments that the Committee determines to be equitable (which may include, without limitation, (i) replacement of Awards with other Awards which the Committee determines have comparable value and which are based on stock of a company resulting from the transaction, and (ii) cancellation of the Award in return for cash payment of the current value of the Award, determined as though the Award is fully vested at the time of payment, provided that in the case of an Option or SAR, the amount of such payment may be the excess of value of the Stock subject to the Option or SAR at the time of the transaction over the Exercise Price).

        4.3.    Change in Control.    

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SECTION 5

MISCELLANEOUS

        5.1.    General Restrictions.    Delivery of shares of Stock or other amounts under the Plan shall be subject to the following:

        5.2.    Tax Withholding.    All Awards and other payments and distributions under the Plan are subject to withholding of all applicable taxes, and the Committee may condition the delivery of any shares or other payments or benefits under the Plan on satisfaction of the applicable withholding obligations. The Committee, in its discretion, and subject to such requirements as the Committee may impose prior to the occurrence of such withholding, may permit such withholding obligations to be satisfied through (a) cash payment by the Participant, (b) through the surrender of shares of Stock acceptable to the Committee which the Participant already owns, or (c) through the surrender of shares of Stock to which the Participant is otherwise entitled under the Plan; provided, however, that previously-owned shares of Stock that have been held by the Participant or to which the Participant is entitled under the Plan may only be used to satisfy the minimum tax withholding required by applicable law (or other rates that will not have a negative accounting impact).

        5.3.    Grant and Use of Awards.    In the discretion of the Committee, a Participant may be granted any Award permitted under the provisions of the Plan, and more than one Award may be granted to a Participant. Subject to subsection 2.7 (relating to repricing) Awards may be granted as alternatives to or replacement of awards granted or outstanding under the Plan, or any other plan or arrangement of the Company or an Affiliate (including a plan or arrangement of a business or entity, all or a portion of which is acquired by the Company or an Affiliate). Subject to the overall limitation on the number of shares of Stock that may be delivered under the Plan, the Committee may use available shares of Stock as the form of payment for compensation, grants or rights earned or due under any other compensation plans or arrangements of the Company or an Affiliate, including the plans and arrangements of the Company or an Affiliate assumed in business combinations.

        5.4.    Dividends and Dividend Equivalents.    An Award (other than an Option or SAR Award) may provide the Participant with the right to receive dividend payments or dividend equivalent payments with respect to Stock subject to the Award (both before and after the Stock subject to the Award is earned, vested, or acquired), which payments may be either made currently or credited to an account for the Participant, and may be settled in cash or Stock, as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, no dividends or dividend equivalent rights will be paid or settled on performance-based awards prior to the date on which such awards have been earned based on the performance criteria established (and such dividends or dividend equivalent units may be

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accumulated during the performance period and paid after the award is earned). Any such settlements, and any such crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents or reinvestment in shares of Stock, may be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Committee shall establish, including the reinvestment of such credited amounts in Stock equivalents

        5.5.    Settlement of Awards.    The obligation to make payments and distributions with respect to Awards may be satisfied through cash payments, the delivery of shares of Stock, the granting of replacement Awards, or combination thereof as the Committee shall determine. Satisfaction of any such obligations under an Award, which is sometimes referred to as "settlement" of the Award, may be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Committee shall determine. The Committee may permit or require the deferral of any Award payment, subject to such rules and procedures as it may establish (consistent with section 409A of the Code, if applicable), which may include provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or dividend equivalents may include converting such credits into deferred Stock equivalents; provided, however, that dividend equivalents may not be granted with respect to Options or SARs and neither Options nor SARs may be converted to Stock equivalents. Each Affiliate shall be liable for payment of cash due under the Plan with respect to any Participant to the extent that such benefits are attributable to the services rendered for that Affiliate by the Participant. Any disputes relating to liability of an Affiliate for cash payments shall be resolved by the Committee.

        5.6.    Transferability.    Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, Awards under the Plan are not transferable except as designated by the Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In no event, however, shall any Award be transferred for value. To the extent that the Participant who receives an Award under the Plan has the right to exercise such Award, the Award may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant.

        5.7.    Form and Time of Elections.    Unless otherwise specified herein, each election required or permitted to be made by any Participant or other person entitled to benefits under the Plan, and any permitted modification, or revocation thereof, shall be in writing filed with the Committee at such times, in such form, and subject to such restrictions and limitations, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall require.

        5.8.    Agreement With Company.    An Award under the Plan shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, prescribe. The Company shall require a Participant to enter into an agreement (as "Award Agreement") with the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable in a form (including electronic) specified by the Committee, which sets forth the terms and conditions of the Award, which requires the Participant to agree to the terms and conditions of the Plan and/or which contains such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe. An agreement shall be treated as an Award Agreement for purposes of the Plan even if the Participant is not required to sign the agreement.

        5.9.    Action by Company or Affiliate.    Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Company or any Affiliate shall be by resolution of its board of directors, or by action of one or more members of the board (including a committee of the board) who are duly authorized to act for the board, or (except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or applicable rules of any stock exchange) by a duly authorized officer of such company. Any action required or permitted to be taken by an Affiliate which is a partnership shall be by a general partner of such partnership or by a duly authorized officer thereof.

        5.10.    Gender and Number.    Where the context admits, words in any gender shall include any other gender, words in the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular.

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        5.11.    Limitation of Implied Rights.    

        5.12.    Evidence.    Evidence required of anyone under the Plan may be by certificate, affidavit, document or other information which the person acting on it considers pertinent and reliable, and signed, made or presented by the proper party or parties.

        5.13.    Payments to Persons Other Than Participants.    If the Committee shall find that any person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for his affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such person or his estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to his spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such person, or any other person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.

        5.14.    Governing Law.    The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and performed wholly within the State of Delaware.

        5.15.    Severability.    If any provision of the Plan or any Award agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

        5.16.    Duration.    The Plan shall be unlimited in duration and, in the event of Plan termination, shall remain in effect as long as any Awards under it are outstanding; provided, however, that no Awards may be granted under the Plan after the ten-year anniversary of the Approval Date.


SECTION 6

COMMITTEE

        6.1.    Administration.    The authority to control and manage the operation and administration of the Plan shall be vested in the Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Committee") in accordance with this Section 6. So long as the Company is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be selected by the Board and shall consist of not fewer than two members of the

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Board or such greater number as may be required for compliance with Rule 16b-3 issued under the Exchange Act and shall be comprised of persons who are independent for purposes of applicable stock exchange listing requirements. Any Award granted under the Plan which is intended to constitute Performance-Based Compensation (including Options and SARs) shall be granted by a Committee consisting solely of two or more "outside directors" within the meaning of section 162(m) of the Code and applicable regulations. If the Committee does not exist, or for any other reason determined by the Board, and to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of any stock exchange, the Board may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, with respect to Awards to a director of the Company who is not an employee of the Company or any Affiliate, the Committee shall be the Board.

        6.2.    Powers of Committee.    The Committee's administration of the Plan shall be subject to the following:

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is the intention of the Company that, to the extent that any provisions of this Plan or any Awards granted hereunder are subject to section 409A of the Code, the Plan and the Awards comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code and that the Plan and Awards be administered in accordance with such requirements and the Committee shall have the authority to amend any outstanding Awards to conform to the requirements of section 409A of the Code.

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        6.3.    Delegation by Committee.    Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of any stock exchange on which the Stock is listed, the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.

        6.4.    Information to be Furnished to Committee.    The Company and the Affiliates shall furnish the Committee with such data and information as it determines may be required for it to discharge its duties. The records of the Company and the Affiliates as to an employee's or Participant's employment or provision of services, termination of employment or cessation of service, leave of absence, reemployment and compensation shall be conclusive on all persons unless determined to be incorrect. Participants and other persons entitled to benefits under the Plan must furnish the Committee such evidence, data or information as the Committee considers desirable to carry out the terms of the Plan.


SECTION 7

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

        The Board may, at any time, amend or terminate the Plan and the Committee may amend any Award Agreement, provided, however, that:


SECTION 8

DEFINED TERMS

        In addition to the other definitions contained herein, the following definitions shall apply:

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TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. Signature (Joint Owners) Date Date Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. ISLE OF CAPRI CASINOS, INC. 600 EMERSON ROAD, SUITE 300 ST. LOUIS, MO 63141 M49273-P29212 To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. ISLE OF CAPRI CASINOS, INC. Withhold All For All For All Except The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR ALL of the listed nominees: ! ! ! Vote on Class II Directors of the Company 1. Election of Class II Directors Nominees 01) Jeffrey D. Goldstein 02) Virginia McDowell 03) Lee S. Wielansky Against For Abstain The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: ! ! ! 2. To approve the adoption of the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan. ! ! ! 3. To ratify the Audit Committee's selection of Ernst & Young, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2013 fiscal year. NOTE: The Proxies are authorized to vote in their discretion, upon all such matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

 


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com. M49274-P29212 Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders To be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 The undersigned stockholder(s) of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby appoint(s) Virginia McDowell, Dale R. Black and Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr., and each of them, attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all of the shares of common stock of the Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, to be held at 600 Emerson Road, St. Louis, Missouri, on October 16, 2012 at 9:00 a.m., Central Time, and at any and all adjournments, postponements, continuations or reschedulings thereof (the "Annual Meeting"), with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present at the Annual Meeting, as directed on this ballot. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO SUCH DIRECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE CLASS II NOMINEES FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE, FOR PROPOSALS 2 and 3 AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING. Continued and to be signed on reverse side