For the sixth consecutive year, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) led the gaming industry in Casino Player's Best of Gaming Awards, the magazine's annual poll of gaming customers from across the country.
Harrah's 43 properties received first-place awards in a record 375 categories, up 47 percent from last year's performance. The company's 869 total awards were a 45 percent improvement over last year; the previous record was 598, set by Harrah's in 2003.
The company's performance in the 2005 competition was boosted by the addition of Caesars Entertainment's 18 casinos, which received 141 awards, including 62 first-place finishes.
Among the highlights of this year's competition:
- Five Harrah's properties were named "Best Overall Hotel Casino" in their markets: Harrah's Laughlin, Harrah's Lake Tahoe, Harrah's Council Bluffs, Horseshoe Bossier City and Casino Windsor.
- Total Rewards, Harrah's nationwide customer-loyalty program, was named "Best Slot Club" in eight markets: the Las Vegas Strip, Atlantic City, Chicagoland, Missouri, New Orleans, Iowa, Native Midwest and Laughlin.
- Celine Dion, star of "A New Day" at Caesars Palace, was named Best Headliner in Las Vegas.
- Two Harrah's casinos were named "Best Racinos" in their respective regions - Harrah's Louisiana Downs (Southern Region) and Bluffs Run (Midwest Region).
- Harveys Lake Tahoe led the company with 68 total honors, including 24 first-place finishes; sister property Harrah's Lake Tahoe closely followed with 64 awards, 38 first-place. Other strong performances were posted by Harrah's Laughlin (57 awards), Harrah's Rincon (52 awards), Caesars Indiana (49 awards), Harrah's New Orleans (48 awards), the Rio and Harrah's Council Bluffs (47 awards each), Horseshoe Bossier City and Casino Windsor (46 awards each) and Harrah's St. Louis (45 awards).
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada 67 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions, and acquisitions. On June 13, 2005, Harrah's Entertainment acquired Caesars Entertainment, Inc., and now owns or manages through various subsidiaries more than 40 casinos in three countries, primarily under the Harrah's, Caesars and Horseshoe brand names. With nearly 4 million square feet of casino space, more than 40,000 hotel rooms and nearly 100,000 employees, the Harrah's portfolio is the most diverse in the gaming industry. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.
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Monday, October 6 2008 
