First Internet Gaming Certificate granted in Pennsylvania

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Harrah's Philadelphia and Caesars Interactive Entertainment, LLC (CIE) have teamed to become the first operator granted approval of their petition for an Interactive Gaming Certificate for online gaming in Pennsylvania. This approval is the initial step in a process that is expected to see a trio of offerings launch for Pennsylvania residents and visitors including online slots, table games and poker.

Powered by Harrah’s Philadelphia, Caesars Entertainment Corporation’s land-based casino in Philadelphia, CIE will utilize its previous experience in Nevada and New Jersey to ensure a smooth and successful launch into the Keystone State when online gaming commences in the state. It is expected the CaesarsCasino.com and World Series of Poker brands will be among those launching in Pennsylvania after satisfaction of all “go live” conditions.

“We thank the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and look forward to continuing to work together on the next steps in bringing online gaming to Harrah’s Philadelphia,” said Harrah’s Philadelphia Senior Vice President and General Manager Chris Albrecht. “We see this as a great opportunity to bring new customers into our Total Rewards network and for all customers to play with us both online and at the property.”

CIE is the only U.S. operator with online gaming products in both Nevada and New Jersey, and will become the only operator in the United States to be able to offer services in the three largest regulated jurisdictions with online gaming – Pennsylvania, Nevada and New Jersey.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) approved internet gaming applications for the first time on Wednesday, granting approval of the conduct of operations across three game categories – slots, table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat, etc.) and poker. In July, CIE applied for licensing across all three categories, and PGCB’s approval means CIE can move forward with the next steps of the regulatory process in order to offer its online suite of interactive games to guests in Pennsylvania.

“We’re very bullish on the offering online gaming provides our guests and are excited for the opportunity Pennsylvania presents,” said Melanie Gross, CIE’s vice president of online casino. “We have a wealth of knowledge and experience from our six years in the online gaming space in the U.S. and believe we’ll be able to hit the ground running in Pennsylvania when online gaming commences in the state.”

WSOP.com: At launch, the WSOP.com real-money poker offering powered by Harrah’s Philadelphia will be available both via mobile and PC. Guests are expected to enjoy:

• Cash games, Sit & Go’s, Satellites and Multi-table Tournaments.
• Buy-ins for cash games that start as low as 1¢-2¢ and tournaments that start at $1.10.
• Freeroll tournaments for players of all levels.
• Limit and No-Limit Hold’em with full table and short-handed games, plus the popular Omaha variant including Omaha Hi-Lo, as well as Seven Card Stud.

CaesarsCasino.com: Just like at Caesars Atlantic City or Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, guests signing up to CaesarsCasino.com will find a wide variety of their favorite table games and slots to choose from. Among the expected action guests will find on CaesarsCasino.com:

• Blackjack.
• Roulette (both American and European-style).
• Baccarat.
• Video poker.
• Video slots – a whole host of slot content from the best in the business, including some of the most popular games and others you will surely enjoy.

Guests who are also Total Rewards members will earn Tier Credits and Reward Credits for play on both sites.

Further announcements will detail launch date plans.