Press Release: 2005 World Series of Poker

[Talking Poker]

Harrah's Announces 2005 World Series of Poker Schedule
Monday October 25, 1:58 pm ET

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For 35 years, the World Series of Poker has been an all-Las Vegas affair. But in 2005, the road to poker's ultimate championship begins in Atlantic City.

From January 7-18, 2005, Harrah's Atlantic City will host the premiere event of the 2005 World Series of Poker Tournament Circuit, a series of five poker tournaments hosted by Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. The tournaments will precede the 36th Annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

"In 2005, the World Series of Poker begins its evolution from a month-long special event into a year-round sport," said Ginny Shanks, senior vice president of acquisition marketing for Harrah's. "The road to the World Series of Poker Championship will be a challenging and arduous one. But unlike professional football, basketball, golf or auto racing, even the greenest of amateurs can mount a challenge for the title."

Players will earn points based on their performance in the circuit tournaments and the World Series of Poker. The top 100 point-earners will receive a free invitation to the 2005 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions, where a single winner will take home a top prize of $2 million.

Following the January tournament in Atlantic City, the Tournament Circuit will make stops at Harrah's Rincon near San Diego (February 20-March 1), the Rio (March 12-22), Harveys Lake Tahoe (April 26-May 10) and Harrah's New Orleans (May 21-30). Each of the events will be taped and aired on ESPN.

The 36th Annual World Series of Poker is scheduled to begin June 2, and will run through July 15. An estimated 5,000 players are expected to participate in the $10,000 buy-in, no-limit Texas hold 'em Championship, double the number that competed in 2004.

To accommodate the large expected field of participants, most of the 2005 World Series of Poker will be held at the Rio, though the final two days of the championship tournament will be held at Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. The 2005 Tournament of Champions will take place soon after the conclusion of the World Series of Poker Championship event, and will be held at the Rio.

For additional information, call 1-877-367-9767, or visit .

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 .