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ESPN, Harrah's Entertainment Extend WSOP Telecast Agreement

LAS VEGAS -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- ESPN, Inc., the worldwide leader in sports, and Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:HET), the world's largest gaming company, today announced an agreement to extend ESPN's coverage of the World Series of Poker Presented by Milwaukee's Best Light through 2010.

The companies also announced that, for the first time in history, ESPN will offer a live pay-per-view telecast of final-table play at the $10,000 No-Limit Texas Hold'Em World Championship, widely regarded as the Main Event of the World Series of Poker. Last year the World Series of Poker awarded nearly $53 million in prize money to contestants of this event, with world champion Joe Hachem earning $7.5 million.

"Since 1993, ESPN has been the exclusive telecast partner of the World Series of Poker. Its programming expertise and global distribution has helped our tournament become the biggest and the best," said Jeffrey Pollack, Commissioner of the World Series of Poker. "This new agreement - by far the largest television deal in poker history - affirms our mutual commitment to growth and further establishes the World Series of Poker as the No. 1 brand in poker and as a leader on the sports and entertainment landscape."

"This agreement signifies our commitment to provide both our core and casual viewers with programming that offers the highest levels of competition and entertainment value across a variety of media assets," said John Wildhack, ESPN senior vice president, programming acquisitions and strategy. "We look forward to continuing to build this premier franchise with our partners at Harrah's."

The 2005 World Series of Poker awarded more than $103 million in total prize money, reinforcing its position as the richest and most prestigious event in gaming.

Poker enthusiasts will be able to see all the action from the final table of the Main Event as it unfolds with The World Series of Poker Live! The pay-per-view program, available on home television screens or live video screen at ESPN.com, is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Thursday, August 10, and continue until the new world champion is crowned.

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