GTECH and Harrah's Enter into Strategic Alliance
May 11 2005 - 8:45AM
PR Newswire (US)
GTECH and Harrah's Enter into Strategic Alliance WEST GREENWICH,
R.I. and LAS VEGAS, May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GTECH
Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GTECH Holdings
Corporation (NYSE: GTK), and Harrah's Operating Company, Inc., a
subsidiary of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:HET), said today
they have entered into a strategic relationship whereby GTECH will
supply Harrah's properties with gaming machines, and the two
companies will work together to develop new game content. Over the
next two years, GTECH will place 200 leased video gaming machines
in Harrah's properties around the country. The companies will also
explore opportunities to expand the relationship with additional
slot products in future years, depending upon the performance of
the machines installed during the initial period. The companies
will also cooperate on potential development projects in
jurisdictions that could consider legalization of casino gaming,
including Suffolk Downs in Massachusetts and Kentucky's Turfway
Park, which is owned by GTECH, Harrah's, and Keeneland Corporation.
In addition, GTECH will support the proposed Narragansett Indian
casino in Rhode Island that would be operated by the State of Rhode
Island in conjunction with the Narragansett Indian Tribe and
Harrah's. GTECH President and CEO W. Bruce Turner said, "GTECH has
committed to a growth plan that anticipates substantial
contributions from our Gaming Solutions division. This agreement
with Harrah's provides us with a tremendous platform to introduce
our games and technology into the top casino markets in the world.
Perhaps as valuable as the placement of these machines is the
ability we will have through this relationship to develop new game
content in cooperation with Harrah's slot management staff."
Harrah's Chairman, CEO, and President Gary Loveman added, "The
gaming- machine segment of the commercial casino industry will
benefit from a successful entry by GTECH, whose commitment to
growth is evidenced by its purchase of Spielo and planned
acquisition of Atronic. We look forward to working with GTECH, and
sincerely appreciate its support of our development efforts with
the Narragansett Indian Tribe. GTECH is a successful Rhode Island
business that has demonstrated its commitment to improving the
economic climate of the state." Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew
Thomas commented that, "The Narragansetts and GTECH have had a
relationship of mutual respect and admiration that began with the
Company's support of our economic development activities in 1994.
We're pleased that they have joined our efforts to bring financial
prosperity and economic independence to our people. This is another
example of the important role a world-class company like Harrah's
can play in uniting respected and meaningful companies like GTECH
with our efforts. It is also another endorsement of the substantial
positive economic impact this project will have on all of Rhode
Island." "The Narragansett Indian Tribe earned our respect during
our support of their 1994 efforts to authorize a casino project in
West Greenwich. We appreciate the struggles they've had to endure
and the challenges they have had to overcome to make this project a
reality," said Mr. Turner. "GTECH also has a long history with
Harrah's through our joint ownership of Turfway Park. We enjoy
strong managerial relationships to the extent that Gary Loveman
will be the keynote speaker at GTECH's biennial customer event, the
World Leaders Forum, being held next week in Washington, DC. We
view this new relationship as a natural extension of our business
dealings with Harrah's, and look forward to future opportunities
for us to continue to expand our relationship. We are pleased to
lend our support and participate in the effort to make the
Narragansetts' project in West Warwick a reality." Mr. Turner added
that the market can support the new project as well as existing
facilities, and that the revenues the state derives from gaming
activities will increase once the facility is opened. He also
expressed confidence that Harrah's and the Narragansett Indians
will be able to deliver on their commitment to create a world-class
entertainment facility and one of the largest economic development
projects in the history of the state. Over the next two years,
GTECH expects to receive approximately $5.8 million in revenue for
the placement of 200 machines. Certain statements contained in this
press release are forward looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company identifies forward
looking statements by words such as "may," "will," "should,"
"could," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe,"
"estimate," "continue," or similar words that refer to the future.
Such statements include, without limitation, statements relating to
the prospects and financial outlook for the Company, which reflect
management assumptions regarding: (i) the future prospects for and
stability of the lottery industry and other businesses in which the
Company is engaged or expects to be engaged, (ii) the future
operating and financial performance of the Company (including,
without limitation, expected future growth in revenues, profit
margins and earnings per share), and (iii) the ability of the
Company to retain existing business and to obtain and retain new
business. Such forward looking statements reflect management's
assessment based on information currently available, but are not
guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated
in the forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to, those set forth above, in the
Company's subsequent press releases and on reports by the Company
on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, and other reports and filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as risks and
uncertainties respecting: (i) the potential impact of extensive and
evolving government regulations upon the Company's business; (ii)
the ability of the Company to continue to retain and extend its
existing contracts and win new contracts; (iii) the possibility of
slower than expected growth or declines in sales of lottery and
gaming goods and services by the Company or the Company's
customers; (iv) exposure to foreign currency fluctuations; (v)
risks and uncertainties inherent in doing business in foreign
jurisdictions; (vi) the relatively large percentage of the
Company's revenues attributable to a relatively small number of the
Company's customers; (vii) the possibility of significant
fluctuation of quarterly operating results; (viii) the intensity of
competition in the lottery and gaming industries; (ix) the
possibility of substantial penalties under and/or termination of
the Company's contracts; (x) the ability of the Company to respond
to technological change and to satisfy the future technological
demands of its customers; (xi) opposition to expansion of lottery
and gaming; (xii) the Company's ability to attract and retain key
employees; and (xiii) the possibility of adverse determinations in
pending legal proceedings. GTECH, a leading global information
technology company with over $1 billion in revenues and 5,300
people in over 50 countries, provides software, networks, and
professional services that power high-performance, transaction
processing solutions. The Company's core market is the lottery
industry, with a growing presence in commercial gaming technology
and financial services transaction processing. For more information
about the Company, please visit GTECH's website at
http://www.gtech.com/. Contact: Robert K. Vincent Public Affairs
GTECH Corporation 401-392-7452 DATASOURCE: GTECH Corporation
CONTACT: Robert K. Vincent, Public Affairs of GTECH Corporation,
+1-401- 392-7452 Web site: http://www.gtech.com/
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