Thursday, April 10, 2008

Harrah's Entertainment to Change Name to Caesars After Absorbing Brand in 2005

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Harrah's Entertainment says its board of directors has decided to change the casino company's name to Caesars Entertainment Corporation.

Harrah's chairman and chief executive Gary Loveman said the change will boost the company's international name recognition and reputation as a luxury brand.

The new name "will provide our company with greater prestige and help attract strategic business partners as we pursue expansion opportunities in new jurisdictions," Loveman said in a statement.

Harrah's acquired the Caesars brand through a merger in 2005, making it the world's largest casino company by revenue.

It currently operates 50 casinos worldwide, including Caesars Palace, Flamingo and Bally's in Las Vegas, and Harrah's, Caesars Atlantic City and Bally's in Atlantic City, N.J.

Loveman says the Harrah's name will remain one of the company's three primary brands, along with Caesars and Horseshoe.

Harrah's was taken private by affiliates of private equity firms Apollo Global Management LLC and TPG Capital LP in a $17.1 billion deal completed in January.

It has recently scaled back plans for expansion into foreign markets by pulling out of joint ventures in Slovenia and the Bahamas.

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