Caesars Entertainment Agrees to Sell Caesars Tahoe to Columbia Sussex Corporation

The purchase agreement with Columbia Sussex is subject to the right of the owner of the land on which the Caesars Tahoe property is located to purchase the property on the same terms as agreed to with Columbia Sussex. Under the terms of the Caesars Tahoe lease, that right must be exercised within 60 days.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2005 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions outlined in the purchase agreement.

"This acquisition represents a great opportunity to purchase a superior asset in a region in which we have been familiar for 14 years. We look forward to the opportunity to re-brand this property to a new customer base appealing to a younger, hipper audience and remain competitive in light of the proliferation of Indian Gaming in California," said William Yung, President of Columbia Sussex Corporation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Columbia Sussex will purchase certain assets of Caesars Tahoe and will assume certain related current liabilities. The aggregate consideration may be adjusted for changes in net working capital. Libra Securities is the exclusive financial advisor to Columbia Sussex and Caesars Entertainment was represented by CB Richard Ellis on the transaction.

About Columbia Sussex

Columbia Sussex and its affiliates are one of the largest privately held hotel owners in the country, and one of Marriott Corporation's top licensees. Columbia Sussex and its affiliates operate 64 hotels, resorts and casinos in 28 states and overseas, including the Lighthouse Point Casino in Greenville, Mississippi, the Horizon Casino Resort in South Lake Tahoe and the Westin Casuarina property on Grand Cayman Island. It has also recently opened the Westin Casuarina in Las Vegas, and purchased the River Palms Casino in Laughlin, Nevada.

About Caesars Entertainment

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: CZR) is one of the world's leading gaming companies. With $4.5 billion in annual net revenue, 28 properties on four continents, 26,000 hotel rooms, two million square feet of casino space and 52,000 employees, the Caesars portfolio is among the strongest in the industry. Caesars casino resorts operate under the Caesars, Bally's, Flamingo, Grand Casinos, Hilton and Paris brand names. The company has its corporate headquarters in Las Vegas.

In July 2004, the Board of Directors of Caesars Entertainment approved an offer from Harrah's Entertainment to acquire the company for approximately $1.8 billion and 66.3 million shares of Harrah's common stock. The offer must be approved by shareholders of both companies and federal and state regulators before the transaction can close.


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