PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND – (December 18, 2008) – GTECH Corporation announced that it signed a licensing agreement with Harrah’s License Company LLC, giving GTECH worldwide rights to utilize the names, logos, as well as images and additional brand assets for three of Harrah’s most powerful brands – Harrah’s®, Caesars®, and World Series of Poker® (WSOP®) – for lottery games in the Instant, Online, and Monitor distribution channels.
Harrah’s-branded lottery games will provide lottery players with access to valuable benefits and privileges. Players will have the opportunity to win both cash prizes and/or trips to any of the Harrah’s 36 owned/managed casinos in the United States, stylish hotels, championship golf courses; Caesars VIP packages, luxurious resorts; and trips to the prestigious WSOP Academy and tickets to WSOP tournaments.
“Harrah’s can now extend the reach of our iconic brands outside of our resorts and across GTECH’s powerful lottery network,” said David Norton, Chief Marketing Officer, Harrah’s Entertainment. “We are confident that GTECH’s lottery players will find the prize packages compelling, particularly the chance to win trips to the WSOP Academy and seats in WSOP tournaments.”
“The Harrah’s portfolio provides our customers unique access to the strongest brand names in gaming today,” said Ross Dalton, GTECH Senior Vice President of Printed Products and Licensed Content. “We believe each of these three brands has unique player appeal and we are confident that they will prove to be strong performing games for our customers around the world. We are very excited to be adding these brands to our existing brand portfolio and working with Harrah’s Entertainment as we develop innovative and profitable lottery games and marketing programs for our customers.”
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. is the largest gaming and entertainment company in the world with 52 casinos in six countries and more than 100 million visitors each year. With Harrah’s-branded casinos and resorts in 17 locations across 11 states, the Harrah’s brand is synonymous with innovation and customer service excellence. Caesars is the world’s best-known resort-casino, offering guests iconic architecture and design, celebrity chefs, and luxurious accented accommodations. The prestigious Caesars brand name enjoys a richly-deserved reputation of a world-class gaming and entertainment establishment, with unsurpassed touches of elegance and sophistication.
WSOP is the number one global brand in the poker business and one of the highest rated shows on ESPN. The 2008 WSOP drew 58,870 entrants from 125 different countries and awarded more than $180 million in prize money.
“The WSOP license represents a great revenue opportunity for our customers throughout the world. Poker has never been more popular, and with WSOP now in Europe, our international customers can leverage this exciting brand,” said Mr. Dalton.