2005 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions to be Held Nov. 6-8 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas

Thursday, August 25th, 2005

LAS VEGAS -- Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., said today the World Series of Poker 2005 Tournament of Champions (TOC), a $2 million, free-roll tournament, featuring a select group of poker's biggest names, will be held November 6-8 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The final nine players from the World Series of Poker's 2005 main event are eligible to join more than 100 top players who qualified for the TOC at five World Series of Poker Circuit events earlier this year. The event will be taped for telecast by ESPN.

Among those eligible to participate in the TOC are top-ranked professional players, such as: Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, Antonio Esfandiari, Jennifer Harman, T.J. Cloutier, Chris Ferguson, Robert Williamson, Russ Hamilton, Yosh Nakano, Michael Mizrachi, Tony Le, Eric Cloutier, and Mimi Tran.

Other qualifiers include reigning WSOP Champion Joseph Hachem, who won $7.5 million at this year's main event, and fellow final-table millionaires Steve Dannenman, Derek Barch, Aaron Kanter, Andrew Black, Scott Lazar, Daniel Bergsdorf, Brad Kondracki, and Mike Matusow.

The TOC is a free-roll event - players aren't required to put up any of their own money to enter - that will award $2 million in prize money. First prize will be $1 million, second $325,000, third $250,000, fourth $150,000, fifth $100,000, sixth $75,000, seventh $50,000, and eighth and ninth $25,000.

"This Tournament of Champions is just one way of saying 'thank you' to the skilled and talented players who have helped make the World Series of Poker the richest sporting event on the planet," said Jeffrey Pollack, vice president of sports and entertainment marketing for Harrah's. "We're especially proud to host it at Caesars Palace, the premier luxury brand in the Harrah's portfolio."

Contacts

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., Las Vegas
Daniel Foley, 702-407-6370 (Investors)
Alberto Lopez, 702-407-6344 (Media)

U.S. handed deadline on Internet gaming

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2005

By Warren Giles
BLOOMBERG NEWS

A World Trade Organization arbitrator gave the United States until April 3 to end discrimination against foreign online betting companies following a complaint by the Caribbean island of Antigua.

WTO judges ruled April 7 that the U.S. ban, in the interests of "public morals," can stand only as long as the prohibitions don't discriminate against foreign companies. The United States has said it can comply with WTO rules by "clarifying" its restrictions, without opening itself to foreign Internet gambling.

Antigua-registered companies such as Sportingbet Plc and BetWWTS.com account for about a quarter of wagers in the estimated $7 billion to $12 billion global industry. The island, which developed online gambling to boost its tourism-dependent economy after a series of hurricanes, is seeking access to the U.S. gambling market, the world's biggest. U.S. residents account for about 55 percent of online bets.

Antigua, a nation of 67,800 people and the smallest WTO government ever to lodge a dispute, scored a victory against U.S. online gambling restrictions in November, when WTO judges said the Bush administration had failed to justify the ban on moral grounds and had committed itself to open the industry in 1995.

Jeff Gordon Announces "Moneymaker" for His Foundation with Harrah's Entertainment.

Monday, August 22nd, 2005

Through a series of "No Limit Hold'em" tournaments, motorsports fans and poker enthusiasts will be able to go "all-in" to support The Jeff Gordon Foundation. The series of high-stakes poker events, which will include online satellite tournaments and events at several Harrah's casinos (NYSE:HET), will begin this Fall and culminate in a championship to be held in March 2006 in Las Vegas, Nev. The championship, scheduled for the week of the annual race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will be held at Caesar's Palace -- one of Harrah's premier casinos.

Chris Moneymaker, who collected the $2.5 million first prize in the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event championship after qualifying through a $40 online satellite tournament, believes that playing a tournament for a charity is a great way to raise the awareness of child-related causes. He noted over 5,600 people entered the main event of the 2005 WSOP Tournament in July, more than double that of a year ago and about eight times that of two years ago.

"The Jeff Gordon Foundation Hold'em Tournament will raise both players' and fans' expectations about what a world class tournament benefiting charities can provide," said Chris Moneymaker. "As a fan of motorsports and a supporter of Jeff Gordon, I fully expect that this event can help make significant contributions to children in need of his Foundation's support."

"The popularity of these tournaments lends itself well to creating an environment where casual enthusiasts can enjoy participating in a star-filled event knowing that they are also supporting children through The Jeff Gordon Foundation," said Jeff Gordon, four-time Cup Series champion. "With the industry's support, we can help meet the overwhelming physical, social and intellectual needs of children and their families throughout the United States."

With a fan base estimated at 50 to 60 million who play poker at least once a month, The Jeff Gordon Foundation hopes to raise up to $1,000,000. In addition to reaching out to the fans of poker and motorsports, the tournament will provide opportunities for professional poker players and celebrities to play an important role in raising funds and awareness of today's needs by children and their families.

The Jeff Gordon Foundation Hold'em Tournament will be broadcast on a yet-to-be-determined network and be executive produced by Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment in combination with Tony Loiacono, the creator of the event. Off-camera, the select competitors, professional poker players and celebrities will enjoy high-stakes fun as they partake in a VIP Reception, and attend the hit shows at Harrah's casinos.