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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-09-040440.txt : 20090817
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-09-040440.hdr.sgml : 20090817
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090626164809
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-09-040440
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090626

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MONARCH CASINO & RESORT INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000907242
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS AMUSEMENT & RECREATION [7990]
		IRS NUMBER:				880300760
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3800 S VIRGINIA STREET
		STREET 2:		EXECUTIVE OFFICES
		CITY:			RENO
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89502
		BUSINESS PHONE:		775-335-4600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3800 S VIRGINIA STREET
		STREET 2:		EXECUTIVE OFFICES
		CITY:			RENO
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89502
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.htm
<TEXT>

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<h1 style="font-weight:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></h1>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">June&nbsp;26,
2009</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">VIA
EDGAR FILING</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Max
Webb</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Assistant
Director</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">United
States</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Securities
and Exchange Commission</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Washington,
D.C., 20549</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">RE:&#160; Monarch Casino&nbsp;&amp; Resort,&nbsp;Inc.
(the &#147;Company&#148;), file No.&nbsp;000-22088, comments on Form&nbsp;10-K for the
fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2008 and Definitive Proxy Statement on
Schedule 14A.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Dear
Mr.&nbsp;Webb:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">We
are responding to the Securities and Exchange Commission&#146;s letter dated June&nbsp;15,
2009.&#160; The &#147;bold&#148; highlighted commentary
below is copied from your letter.&#160; Our
response immediately follows.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">We
acknowledge that we are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of the
disclosures in the filing.&#160; We further
acknowledge that the Commission&#146;s staff comments or changes to disclosures in
response to their comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any
action with respect to the filing.&#160; We
know that we may not assert staff comments as a defense in any proceeding
initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of
the United States.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<h1 style="font-weight:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;text-decoration:underline;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Definitive
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A</font></u></b></h1>

<h1 style="font-weight:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></h1>

<h1 style="font-weight:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;text-decoration:underline;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Compensation
Elements, page&nbsp;8</font></u></b></h1>

<h1 style="font-weight:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></h1>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 39.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1.</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">We note
your response to prior comment 1. Please expand your justification for your
belief that performance targets may be omitted due to the risk of competitive
harm.&#160; In your revised analysis, tell us
specifically how disclosure of historical EBITDA targets would enable
competitors to calculate the company&#146;s future operating metrics and tactical
plans.&#160; In so doing, please address the
following related questions:</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 39.0pt;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Tell us how a competitor could determine the
company&#146;s future plans, including short-term and long-term priorities and
upcoming operating expense levels, from the disclosure in the proxy statement
of performance targets for a past fiscal year;</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Explain why a past year&#146;s targets would
necessarily be predictive of the company&#146;s strategic plans in future years
given that the compensation committee may, from one year to the next, vary the
level of difficulty for achievement of the targets;</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Explain how a competitor could determine the
strategic weight the company places on marketing programs, promotional expenses
and staffing from the company&#146;s disclosure of the targets;</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Tell us how a competitor&#146;s comparison of the
targets against actual performance would enable it to draw a specific
conclusion with respect to the company&#146;s strategy and projected
performance.&#160; For instance,</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Might there be multiple variables that may
have affected actual performance that are unrelated to the specific targets or
the company&#146;s strategy for a past fiscal year?</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">How would a competitor be able to
differentiate among, and isolate the impact of, potential variables, in order
to project the company&#146;s future financial performance or otherwise glean useful
information from the difference between actual performance and targeted
performance?</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Explain
in greater detail how disclosure of performance targets could be expected to
allow competitors to create marketing, promotional and/or hiring programs
specifically targeted and designed to gain an advantage over you.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">In responding to the above questions, we encourage you to provide
illustrative examples to clearly demonstrate how the performance targets for a
past fiscal year could be used by your competitors to derive specific current
and future strategic information that could competitively harm the company.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">OUR RESPONSE:&#160; We will modify in
future filings as suggested to disclose the EBITDA target from the prior
year.&#160; For example, in the proxy
statement on Schedule 14A to be filed in 2010, we will disclose the EBITDA
target that was in place in 2009.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">We
also acknowledge the requirement to disclose the likelihood that the target in
the current year will be achieved.&#160; For
example, in the Schedule 14A to be filed in 2010, we will continue the
disclosure we have made in previous filings where we have disclosed the
following in the last sentence of the &#147;Annual Cash Bonus Award&#148; section under
Compensation Elements at page&nbsp;8:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">&#147;Based on the success the management team has had in achieving previous
financial profit and other performance targets, we believe it is likely that
future bonus awards will be paid fully.&#148;</font></i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To
provide the reader with greater insight into how the EBITDA target is
established, and to provide more color into the likelihood that we achieve the
target, we propose to modify that disclosure to read as follows:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;text-indent:3.0pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">&#147;The Board of Directors (the &#147;Board&#148;) sets the EBITDA target at a level
they believe is both challenging and achievable.&#160; By establishing a target that is challenging,
the Board believes that NEO performance, and therefore Company performance, is
maximized.&#160; By setting a target that is
also achievable, the Board believes that NEOs remain motivated to perform at
the high level required to achieve the target.</font></i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Over the five years ended December&nbsp;31, 2008, the EBITDA target was
achieved each year with the exception of 2008.&#160;
Based on the success the management team has had in achieving previous
financial profit and other performance targets, we believe it is likely that
future bonus awards will be paid fully.&#148;</font></i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="92%" style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-left:.5in;width:92.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Sincerely,</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/
  Ronald Rowan</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ronald
  Rowan</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Chief
  Financial Officer</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Monarch Casino&nbsp;&amp;
  Resort,&nbsp;Inc.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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