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Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Elton John Extends Contract With Caesars Palace

Elton John Extends Contract With Caesars Palace

International Artist to Perform 'The Red Piano' Through 2008

LAS VEGAS, June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer, Elton John, and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas announced today that the artist will extend his exclusive show "The Red Piano" at Caesars Palace through 2008. "The Red Piano" originally was scheduled for 75 shows over a three-year period, beginning February 13, 2004. Responding to overwhelming popular demand, the resort accelerated the initially planned 25 shows per year, completing the original commitment in fewer than 18 months. The new agreement provides for an additional 150 shows through 2008.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050615/LAW041 )

"I am absolutely delighted with the extension of 'The Red Piano,'" said the famed entertainer. "I love playing at The Colosseum and it is the best venue in Las Vegas. Thank You Caesars!!"

"We are delighted with the run-away success of 'The Red Piano' and Elton's agreement to extend his association with Caesars," said Caesars Palace President Mark Juliano. "Caesars has a long-standing commitment to presenting premiere talent. The Palace's entertainment philosophy is a departure from the market's prevailing entertainment strategies, and it uniquely positions Caesars Palace as a Las Vegas destination where guests have an opportunity to see the world's greatest entertainers."

Performed exclusively at Caesars Palace, "The Red Piano" was directed and designed by David LaChappelle, with stunning visuals in the 4,100-seat Colosseum theatre. Performing with the artist in "The Red Piano" are his band: musical director Davey Johnstone on guitar; Guy Babylon on keyboards; Bob Birch on bass guitar; John Mahon on percussion; and Nigel Olsson on drums.

"The Red Piano" debut on Valentine's weekend in 2004 netted top ratings from critics in the U.S. and abroad. Reviewers' comments included:

"Most exciting show in Las Vegas 2004" -- Las Vegas Review-Journal
"A must-see." "A triumphant step forward" -- Los Angeles Times
"Eye-popping, jaw-dropping ... Elton John is Still Standing as one of
pop's indestructible talents." -- USA Today
"Elton John remains one of the world's genuine superstars" -- London
Telegraph
"Flamboyant rock star conquers Sin City!" -- Rolling Stone

The legendary career of Elton John has spanned more that three decades. By all measures, he is one of the world's most successful touring artists and one of the top-selling solo artists of all time. Elton John has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, with 29 consecutive Top 40 Hits and 35 gold and 25 platinum albums.

The last 18 months have brought non-stop triumphs for Elton John. In addition to performing for standing room audiences at Caesars Palace, he released in November 2004 "Peachtree Road," a critically acclaimed studio album; its debut single, "All That I'm Allowed," immediately hit the Top 20 in the United Kingdom.

While his Tony award-winning "Aida" and long-running "The Lion King" musicals reigned on tour and on Broadway, the artist wrote music for "Billy Elliot - The Musical." Based on the similarly titled hit movie, "Billy Elliot - The Musical" debuted in London's famed West End theatre district in May 2005. According to Variety magazine editor Peter Bart, "'Billy Elliot' will clearly rank as one of the best musicals of its generation" (May 31, 2005). Never content to rest on recent accomplishments, the artist also is working on songs for the Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures Broadway Musical "Vampire Lestat" with longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin.

At Caesars Palace, Elton John's "The Red Piano" will be presented July 26-31 and October 4-23, 2005. Tickets are available by calling 888-4-ELTONJ (888-435-8665), or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Caesars Palace Box Office.

About Caesars Palace and Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.

Caesars Palace is a Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., resort. Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:HET) 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.

More information about Harrah's is available at its Web site -- www.harrahs.com.

Safe Harbor

This release includes "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements contain words such as "may," "will," "project," "might," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "would," "estimate," "continue" or "pursue," or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. In particular, they include statements relating to, among other things, future actions, strategies, future performance and future financial results of Harrah's. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or quantified and, consequently, the actual performance of Harrah's may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following factors as well as other factors described from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained therein); financial community and rating agency perceptions of Harrah's; the effects of economic, credit and capital market conditions on the economy in general, and on gaming and hotel companies in particular; construction factors, including delays, zoning issues, environmental restrictions, soil and water conditions, weather and other hazards, site access matters and building permit issues; the effects of environmental and structural building conditions relating to our properties; the ability to timely and cost-effectively integrate into Harrah's operations the companies that it acquires, including with respect to its acquisition of Caesars; access to available and feasible financing on a timely basis; changes in laws (including increased tax rates), regulations or accounting standards, third-party relations and approvals, and decisions of courts, regulators and governmental bodies; litigation outcomes and judicial actions, including gaming legislative action, referenda and taxation; the ability of our customer-tracking, customer loyalty and yield-management programs to continue to increase customer loyalty and same store sales; our ability to recoup costs of capital investments through higher revenues; acts of war or terrorist incidents; abnormal gaming holds; and the effects of competition, including locations of competitors and operating and market competition.

Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made. Harrah's disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date stated, or if no date is stated, as of the date of this press release.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050615/LAW041
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN2
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Caesars Palace

CONTACT: Fran Curtis of Rogers & Cowan, +1-212-445-8423, for Elton John;
or Deborah Munch of Caesars Palace, +1-702-731-7367

Web site: http://www.harrahs.com/

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