LAS VEGAS, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In 1970, Jack Binion hosted
the first World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe Casino in downtown Las Vegas,
establishing the world's foremost gambling tournament and laying the
foundation for the poker craze that took hold decades later.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021220/LAF055LOGO)
Now, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) is expanding this
world-famous tournament beyond its traditional Las Vegas home with the World
Series of Poker Tournament Circuit, a nationwide series of poker events
culminating in the 2005 World Series of Poker next summer. And Binion, who
created the original tournament while President and COO of Binion's Horseshoe,
is back to serve as host.
"It is difficult to imagine the World Series of Poker without a Binion,"
said Ginny Shanks, senior vice president of acquisition marketing for
Harrah's. "Like his legendary father Benny, Jack has built a reputation as
one of the best-known and most respected figures in the gaming industry. Most
of the world's elite poker players have known him for years, and consider him
a good friend. We're honored he's agreed to join us as we turn the tournament
he created into a national circuit."
"At Horseshoe, we were proud of the innovations we brought to the
industry, including the World Series of Poker," said Binion, who later
introduced the Horseshoe style of gaming to the South and Midwest as founder
of Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corp. "In that same spirit, this is very exciting
for me to be a part of this new poker circuit."
The inaugural World Series of Poker Tournament Circuit will kick off
January 7, 2005, with a 12-day tournament at Harrah's Atlantic City. The
five-event circuit will continue through May, with tournaments scheduled for
Harrah's Rincon (located near San Diego), the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in
Las Vegas, Harveys Lake Tahoe, and Harrah's New Orleans. Each of the five
tournaments will be taped and aired on ESPN.
Players will earn points based on their performance in these tournaments
and the 2005 World Series of Poker, scheduled for June 3-July 15 at the Rio in
Las Vegas. The top 100 point-earners will receive a berth in the 2005 World
Series of Poker Tournament of Champions.
For additional information, call 1-877-367-9767, or visit
http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com.
Various subsidiaries of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. own or manage
28 casinos in the United States, primarily under the Harrah's and Horseshoe
brand names. Founded 66 years ago, Harrah's Entertainment is focused on
building loyalty and value with its valued customers through a unique
combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution,
operational excellence and technology leadership.
Additional information about Harrah's Entertainment is available at
http://www.harrahs.com.
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