Harrah's Entertainment Earns Responsible Gaming Honor From AGA

Company Press Release: Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
June 5, 2000
LAS VEGAS, NV -- Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) will be inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame this fall as the recipient of the first-ever special achievement award for responsible gaming.

``For nearly two decades, Harrah's has set the standard within the industry for internal responsible gaming programs, many of which have been shared and replicated by other companies industry-wide,'' according to the award notification.

``It is a real tribute to be recognized for our commitment to responsible gaming,'' said Phil Satre, Harrah's Entertainment's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

``This issue is something I take very seriously, and I know my commitment is shared by our employees across the company,'' Satre said. ``Our approach to problem gambling underlines our very basic point of view that if anyone is playing at a Harrah's Entertainment casino other than for the sheer fun of it, they are there for the wrong reason.

``We are very pleased to receive this award and, even more, for the commitment we have demonstrated day in and day out to earn it. Our responsible gaming programs are an important part of the way we do business,'' he said.

The award also cites Project 21 and Operation Bet Smart -- both created at Harrah's Entertainment -- as industry-leading programs. Project 21 teaches casino employees, minors, parents and guardians about the consequences of under-age gambling. Operation Bet Smart is an awareness campaign targeting employees, guests and the industry that addresses gambling problems and provides recommendations and information on how to get help.

Harrah's Entertainment, which pioneered the casino-entertainment industry's first responsible gaming efforts in the 1980s, was the first recipient of the National Council on Problem Gambling's corporate award in 1990, which recognized the Company's pro-active efforts to address problem gambling.

The Company's latest award is to be presented at the 12th annual Gaming Hall of Fame dinner in Las Vegas Oct. 19, coinciding with the World Gaming Congress. It is co-sponsored by the American Gaming Association and International Gaming & Wagering Business.

Founded more than 60 years ago, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the most recognized and respected name in the casino entertainment industry, operating 21 casinos in 17 markets in the United States under the Harrah's, Showboat, Rio and Players brand names. With a combined database of more than 19 million players, Harrah's is focused on building loyalty and value with its targeted customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.

SOURCE: Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.