Company Press Release: Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
May 23, 2000
LAS VEGAS, NV -- The slot machines are heating up at Harrah's, Showboat and Rio casinos nationwide as the world's
largest and only multi-brand slot machine tournament is underway with a record 33 regional qualifying competitions
taking place through September. Now in its 6th year, the Harrah's Millionaire Maker National Championship of Slots
will attract more than 6,000 of the nation's most enthusiastic slot players -- nearly twice as many as any previous
year.
From the 33 qualifying property tournaments, approximately 220 finalists will advance to the Harrah's Millionaire
Maker finals being held Oct. 29-30 in Reno, where the Harrah's brand was born as a single bingo parlor. There,
the participants will compete in three rounds of slot machine action, accumulating points while they play. At the
conclusion of the event, the player with the highest point total during the finals is crowned National Champion
and takes home the $1 million prize.*
Millionaire Maker qualifying competitions are being held at Harrah's in Atlantic City, NJ; East Chicago, IN; Joliet,
IL; Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Reno and Laughlin, NV; New Orleans and Shreveport, LA; N. Kansas City and St. Louis,
MO; and Tunica and Vicksburg, MS. Qualifying rounds will also be held at the Rio in Las Vegas and Showboat Atlantic
City, both Harrah's-owned properties. Participants competing in the qualifying tournaments can earn up to $25,000
in cash prizes. Up to 10 of the top points leaders at each qualifying tournament will receive an all-expenses-paid
trip for two to the finals in Reno.
Harrah's Casinos has an exciting track record when it comes to slots. Since the beginning of the Harrah's Millionaire
Maker tournament, five $1 million National Champions have been crowned: Lisa Goldberg, Simi Valley, CA (1995);
Rina Borecky, Hutchinson, KS (1996); Mary Lee Flanagan, Florissant, MO (1997); Ruby Eanna Chan, Sacramento, CA
(1998); and Mary Jane Knipp, Fredericksburg, TX (1999).
``The response to Millionaire Maker by our players has been absolutely amazing,'' said Craig Hudson, Harrah's vice
president of brand marketing. ``The interest has been so intense that we've added more qualifying rounds this year
than ever before. And thanks to the recent acquisitions of the Rio and Showboat properties, Millionaire Maker 2000
is marking a milestone in the casino entertainment industry -- a multi-brand slot tournament.''
Slot enthusiasts interested in information on the tournament structure and entry criteria can call 1-800-HARRAHS.
Founded more than 60 years ago, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) 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, and Rio brand names. With a combined database of more than 19 million players, Harrah's is focused on
building loyalty and brand value with its targeted customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent
products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.
Upcoming Harrah's Millionaire Maker Qualifying Tournaments
The $1 million grand prize is paid in annual installments over 20 years.
SOURCE: Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.