SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
(X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
    SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD
    ENDED JUNE 30, 1997

                                       OR

( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
    SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD
    FROM                    TO                  .

Commission File No. 1-10410

                          HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Delaware                                   I.R.S.  No. 62-1411755
(State of Incorporation)                               (I.R.S. Employer
                                                      Identification No.)

                                1023 Cherry Road
                            Memphis, Tennessee 38117
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                 (901) 762-8600
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                     Yes         X               No
                               -------               -------

         At June 30, 1997, there were outstanding 100,937,295 shares of the 
Company's Common Stock.
                                  Page 1 of 113
                              Exhibit Index Page 41






                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                         ------------------------------
                          Item 1. Financial Statements
                          ----------------------------


     The accompanying  unaudited  Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of
Harrah's  Entertainment,   Inc.  ("Harrah's"  or  the  "Company"),   a  Delaware
corporation,  have been prepared in  accordance  with the  instructions  to Form
10-Q,  and  therefore do not include all  information  and notes  necessary  for
complete financial  statements in conformity with generally accepted  accounting
principles. The results for the periods indicated are unaudited, but reflect all
adjustments  (consisting only of normal recurring  adjustments) which management
considers  necessary for a fair  presentation of operating  results.  Results of
operations for interim periods are not necessarily  indicative of a full year of
operations.  These Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements should be read in
conjunction  with  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  notes  thereto
included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders.
























                                       -2-








                          HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share amounts)                      June 30,     Dec. 31,
                                                             1997         1996
                                                       ----------  -----------
ASSETS
Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                            $  106,867   $  105,594
  Receivables, less allowance for doubtful
    accounts of $15,537 and $14,064                        38,008       41,203
  Deferred income tax benefits                             25,429       25,551
  Prepayments and other                                    24,496       18,401
  Inventories                                              11,397       10,838
                                                       ----------   ----------
      Total current assets                                206,197      201,587
                                                       ----------   ----------
Land, buildings, riverboats and equipment               2,112,841    1,977,960
Less: accumulated depreciation                           (630,992)    (588,066)
                                                       ----------   ----------
                                                        1,481,849    1,389,894
Investments in and advances to nonconsolidated
  affiliates                                              242,413      215,539
Deferred costs and other                                  159,223      167,053
                                                       ----------   ----------
                                                       $2,089,682   $1,974,073
                                                       ==========   ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
  Accounts payable                                     $   40,179   $   44,934
  Construction payables                                    12,520       17,975
  Accrued expenses                                        153,267      139,892
  Current portion of long-term debt                         1,838        1,841
                                                       ----------   ----------
      Total current liabilities                           207,804      204,642

Long-term debt                                          1,012,565      889,538
Deferred credits and other                                 99,961       97,740
Deferred income taxes                                      40,950       45,443
                                                       ----------   ----------
                                                        1,361,280    1,237,363
                                                       ----------   ----------
Minority interests                                         16,710       16,964
                                                       ----------   ----------
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 3, 5, 6 and 7)

Stockholders' equity
  Common stock,  $0.10 par value,  authorized
    360,000,000  shares,  outstanding 100,937,295 
    and 102,969,699 shares (net of 2,950,977 and
    771,571 shares held in treasury)                       10,094       10,297
  Capital surplus                                         386,075      385,941
  Retained earnings                                       286,907      290,797
  Unrealized gains on marketable equity securities         43,656       51,394
  Deferred compensation related to restricted stock       (15,040)     (18,683)
                                                       ----------   ----------
                                                          711,692      719,746
                                                       ----------   ----------
                                                       $2,089,682   $1,974,073
                                                       ==========   ==========

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

                                       -3-





                          HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
                   CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share amounts) Second Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 1997 1996 1997 1996 --------- -------- -------- ------- Revenues Casino $336,924 $335,531 $650,749 $656,677 Food and beverage 48,751 46,921 94,442 90,835 Rooms 32,055 29,448 58,755 56,298 Management fees 7,259 4,501 12,865 8,110 Other 19,757 16,929 36,269 37,654 Less: casino promotional allowances (35,853) (32,264) (70,088) (65,625) -------- -------- -------- -------- Total revenues 408,893 401,066 782,992 783,949 -------- -------- -------- -------- Operating expenses Direct Casino 172,024 169,168 337,176 328,101 Food and beverage 25,317 23,179 48,122 45,613 Rooms 10,203 8,917 18,757 17,403 Depreciation of buildings, riverboats and equipment 26,079 23,572 50,661 43,643 Development costs 2,733 2,111 4,689 5,439 Preopening costs 549 4,802 8,015 5,016 Other 96,766 85,887 183,864 173,363 -------- -------- -------- -------- Total operating expenses 333,671 317,636 651,284 618,578 -------- -------- -------- -------- Operating profit 75,222 83,430 131,708 165,371 Corporate expense (8,085) (8,442) (15,677) (15,713) Equity in income (losses) of nonconsolidated affiliates (3,223) 73 (5,371) 234 Project reorganization costs (2,715) (6,099) (4,170) (8,500) -------- -------- -------- -------- Income from operations 61,199 68,962 106,490 141,392 Interest expense, net of interest capitalized (20,329) (17,016) (38,144) (33,595) Other income, including interest income 3,121 831 6,227 1,360 -------- -------- -------- -------- Income before income taxes and minority interests 43,991 52,777 74,573 109,157 Provision for income taxes (16,677) (20,400) (28,324) (41,783) Minority interests (1,941) (2,400) (3,765) (5,987) -------- -------- -------- -------- Income before extraordinary loss 25,373 29,977 42,484 61,387 Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt, net of income tax benefit of $4,477 (8,134) - (8,134) - -------- -------- -------- -------- Net income $ 17,239 $ 29,977 $ 34,350 $ 61,387 ======== ======== ======== ======== Earnings per share before extraordinary loss $ 0.25 $ 0.29 $ 0.42 $ 0.59 Extraordinary loss, net (0.08) - (0.08) - -------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings per share $ 0.17 $ 0.29 $ 0.34 $ 0.59 ======== ======== ======== ======== Average common shares outstanding 101,022 103,841 101,603 103,596 ======== ======== ======== ========
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. -4- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands) Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 1997 1996 --------- --------- Cash flows from operating activities Net income $ 34,350 $ 61,387 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities Extraordinary loss, before income taxes 12,611 - Depreciation and amortization 58,365 48,569 Other noncash items 7,554 17,884 Minority interests' share of net income 3,765 5,987 Equity in losses (income) of nonconsolidated affiliates 2,740 (234) Net gains from asset sales (943) - Net change in long-term accounts (1,908) (1,081) Net change in working capital accounts 5,238 (4,416) --------- --------- Cash flows provided by operating activities 121,772 128,096 --------- --------- Cash flows from investing activities Land, buildings, riverboats and equipment additions (144,647) (143,385) (Decrease) increase in construction payables (5,455) 5,444 Proceeds from asset sales 2,923 908 Investments in and advances to nonconsolidated affiliates (39,030) (42,066) Other (4,382) (1,350) --------- --------- Cash flows used in investing activities (190,591) (180,449) --------- --------- Cash flows from financing activities Net borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility 324,467 57,500 Early extinguishment of 10 7/8% Notes (200,000) - Scheduled debt retirements (1,481) (1,409) Premiums paid on early extinguishment of debt (9,666) - Purchases of treasury stock (39,298) - Minority interests' distributions, net of contributions (3,930) (6,837) --------- --------- Cash flows provided by financing activities 70,092 49,254 --------- --------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,273 (3,099) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 105,594 96,345 --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 106,867 $ 93,246 ========= =========
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. -5- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Organization - ----------------------------------------------- Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. ("Harrah's" or the "Company" and including its subsidiaries where the context requires), a Delaware corporation, is one of America's leading casino companies. Harrah's casino entertainment facilities include casino hotels in all five major Nevada and New Jersey gaming markets: Reno, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada; and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Harrah's riverboat and dockside casinos are in Joliet, Illinois; Shreveport, Louisiana; Tunica and Vicksburg, Mississippi; and North Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. During second quarter, the Company announced that it will sell its minority interest in and terminate the management contract for a casino in Auckland, New Zealand (see note 7). Harrah's manages casinos on Indian lands near Phoenix, Arizona and Seattle, Washington. Harrah's discontinued managing two limited stakes casinos in Colorado at the end of the first quarter 1997. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include the accounts of Harrah's and its majority-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. Investments in 20% to 50% owned companies and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method. Harrah's reflects its share of net income of these nonconsolidated affiliates in Equity in income (losses) of nonconsolidated affiliates (see Note 7). Certain amounts for the prior year second quarter and first six months have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. Note 2 - Stockholders' Equity - ----------------------------- In addition to its common stock, Harrah's has the following classes of stock authorized but unissued: Preferred stock, $100 par value, 150,000 shares authorized Special stock, 2,000,000 shares authorized - Series A, $1.125 par value In October 1996, Harrah's Board of Directors approved a plan which authorized the purchase in open market and other transactions of up to 10% of Harrah's outstanding shares of common stock. As of June 30, 1997, 2,864,400 shares had been purchased at an average price of $17.97 per share. The repurchased shares are being held in treasury and are reflected in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as if they were retired. -6- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) Note 3 - Long-Term Debt - ----------------------- Early Extinguishment of 10 7/8% Notes - ------------------------------------- On May 27, 1997, Harrah's principal operating subsidiary, Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. ("HOC"), redeemed its $200 million in 10 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2002 (the "Notes"), using proceeds from its revolving bank credit facility. As a result of the early extinguishment of this debt, the Company recorded an $8.1 million extraordinary loss, net of tax, which includes a premium paid to holders of the Notes and the write-off of related deferred finance charges. Interest Rate Agreements - ------------------------ To manage the relative mix of its debt between fixed and variable rate instruments, Harrah's enters into interest rate swap agreements to modify the interest characteristics of its outstanding debt without an exchange of the underlying principal amount. At June 30, 1997, Harrah's was a party to the following interest rate swap agreements pursuant to which it pays a variable interest rate in exchange for receiving a fixed interest rate. The average variable rate paid by Harrah's was 5.9% at June 30, 1997, and the average fixed interest rate received was 5.4%. The impact of these interest rate swap agreements on the effective interest rates of the associated debt was as follows: Effective Next Semi- Swap Rate at Annual Rate Associated Rate June 30, Adjustment Debt (LIBOR+) 1997 Date Swap Maturity - -------------- ------ -------- ----------- ------------- 8 3/4% Notes $50 million 3.42% 9.64% November 15 May 1998 $50 million 3.22% 8.95% July 15 July 1998 In accordance with the terms of the interest rate swap agreements, the effective interest rate on $50 million of these swaps was adjusted on July 15, 1997 to 9.19%. Harrah's also maintains seven additional interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert a total of $350 million in variable rate debt to a fixed rate. Pursuant to the terms of these swaps, all of which reset -7- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) Note 3 - Long-Term Debt (Continued) - ---------------------------------- quarterly, Harrah's receives variable payments tied to LIBOR in exchange for its payments at a fixed interest rate. The fixed rates to be paid by Harrah's and variable rates to be received by Harrah's are summarized in the following table: Swap Rate Swap Rate Received Paid (Variable) at Swap Notional Amount (Fixed) June 30, 1997 Maturity - --------------- --------- -------------- ------------ $50 million 7.910% 5.840% January 1998 $50 million 6.985% 5.781% March 2000 $50 million 6.951% 5.781% March 2000 $50 million 6.945% 5.781% March 2000 $50 million 6.651% 5.844% May 2000 $50 million 5.788% 5.813% June 2000 $50 million 5.785% 5.813% June 2000 In accordance with the terms of the swap which matures in January 1998, the variable interest rate was adjusted on July 8, 1997 to 5.719%. The differences to be paid or received under the terms of the interest rate swap agreements are accrued as interest rates change and recognized as an adjustment to interest expense for the related debt. Changes in the variable interest rates to be paid or received by Harrah's pursuant to the terms of its interest rate agreements will have a corresponding effect on its future cash flows. These agreements contain a credit risk that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreements. Harrah's minimizes that risk by evaluating the creditworthiness of its counterparties, which are limited to major banks and financial institutions, and does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties. -8- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) Note 4 - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Paid for Interest and Taxes - -------------------------------------------------------------------- The following table reconciles Harrah's interest expense, net of interest capitalized, per the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income, to cash paid for interest: Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 1997 1996 (In thousands) ------- ------- Interest expense, net of amount capitalized $38,144 $33,595 Adjustments to reconcile to cash paid for interest: Net change in accruals (3,823) (5,009) Amortization of deferred finance charges (1,545) (1,574) Net amortization of discounts and premiums (6) (10) ------- ------- Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized $32,770 $27,002 ======= ======= Cash payments of income taxes, net of refunds $15,066 $25,173 ======= ======= Note 5 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - ----------------------------------------------- Contractual Commitments - ----------------------- Harrah's is pursuing additional casino development opportunities that may require, individually and in the aggregate, significant commitments of capital, up-front payments to third parties, guarantees by Harrah's of third party debt and development completion guarantees. As of June 30, 1997, Harrah's had guaranteed third party loans and leases of $100 million, which are secured by certain assets, and had commitments of $80 million, primarily construction-related. In addition, definitive loan documents were completed subsequent to the end of the quarter pursuant to which Harrah's guarantees a $37 million third party loan for a new development. The agreements under which Harrah's manages casinos on Indian lands contain provisions required by law which provide that a minimum monthly payment be made to the tribe. That obligation has priority over scheduled payments of borrowings for development costs. In the event that insufficient cash flow is generated by the operations to fund -9- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) Note 5 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Continued) - ---------------------------------------------------------- this payment, Harrah's must pay the shortfall to the tribe. Such advances, if any, would be repaid to Harrah's in future periods in which operations generate cash flow in excess of the required minimum payment. These commitments will terminate upon the occurrence of certain defined events, including termination of the management contract. As of June 30, 1997, the aggregate monthly commitment pursuant to these contracts, which extend for periods of up to 84 months from opening date, was $1.2 million, including commitments for two projects with contracts approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission that are under development but not yet open. In addition to the amounts described above, as part of a transaction whereby Harrah's effectively secured an option to a site for a potential casino, Harrah's has extended its guarantee of a $22.9 million third party variable rate bank loan pursuant to an agreement which expires February 28, 1998. See Note 7 for discussion of the proposed completion guarantees issued by Harrah's related to development of the New Orleans' casino. Severance Agreements - -------------------- Harrah's has severance agreements with 36 of its senior executives, which provide for payments to the executives in the event of their termination after a change in control, as defined. These agreements provide, among other things, for a compensation payment of 1.5 or 2.99 times the average of the three highest years of annual compensation of the last five calendar years preceding the change in control, as well as for accelerated vesting of any compensation or awards payable to the executive under any of Harrah's incentive plans. The estimated amount, computed as of June 30, 1997, that would be payable under the agreements to these executives based on earnings and stock options aggregated approximately $26.2 million. -10- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) Note 5 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Continued) - ---------------------------------------------------------- Guarantee of Insurance Contract - ------------------------------- Harrah's has guaranteed the value of a guaranteed investment contract with an insurance company held by Harrah's defined contribution savings plan. Harrah's has also agreed to provide non-interest-bearing loans to the plan to fund, on an interim basis, withdrawals from this contract by retired or terminated employees. Harrah's maximum exposure on this guarantee as of June 30, 1997, was $6.2 million. Tax Sharing Agreements - ---------------------- In connection with the 1995 spin-off of certain hotel operations (the "PHC Spin-off") to Promus Hotel Corporation ("PHC"), Harrah's entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with PHC wherein each company is obligated for those taxes associated with their respective businesses. Additionally, Harrah's is obligated for all taxes for periods prior to the PHC Spin-off date which are not specifically related to PHC operations and/or PHC hotel locations. Harrah's obligations under this agreement are not expected to have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations. Harrah's is self-insured for various levels of general liability, workers' compensation and employee medical coverage. Insurance claims and reserves include accruals of estimated settlements for known claims, as well as accruals of actuarial estimates of incurred but not reported claims. Note 6 - Litigation - ------------------- Harrah's is involved in various inquiries, administrative proceedings and litigation relating to contracts, sales of property and other matters arising in the normal course of business. While any proceeding or litigation has an element of uncertainty, management believes that the final outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect upon Harrah's consolidated financial position or its results of operations. -11- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) Note 6 - Litigation (Continued) - ------------------------------ In addition to the matters described above, Harrah's and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in a number of lawsuits arising from the suspension of development of a land-based casino, and the closing of the temporary gaming facility, in New Orleans, Louisiana, by Harrah's Jazz Company, a partnership in which the Company owns an approximate 47% interest and which has filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (see Note 7). The ultimate outcomes of these lawsuits cannot be predicted at this time, and no provisions for the claims are included in the accompanying financial statements. The Company intends to defend these actions vigorously. In the event a bankruptcy reorganization plan is not consummated, the Company anticipates that such lawsuits, which are presently inactive, would become active, and additional lawsuits would be filed. Note 7 - Nonconsolidated Affiliates - ----------------------------------- Harrah's Jazz Company - --------------------- A Harrah's subsidiary owns an approximate 47% interest in Harrah's Jazz Company ("Harrah's Jazz"), a partnership formed for purposes of developing, owning and operating the exclusive land-based casino entertainment facility (the "Rivergate Casino") in New Orleans, Louisiana, on the site of the former Rivergate Convention Center. On November 22, 1995, Harrah's Jazz and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Harrah's Jazz Finance Corp., filed petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Harrah's Jazz filed a plan of reorganization with the Bankruptcy Court on April 3, 1996 and has filed several subsequent amendments to the plan (the "Plan"). On April 28, 1997, the Bankruptcy Court held a confirmation hearing and approved the Plan. The confirmed Plan contemplated, among other things, that a newly formed corporation, Jazz Casino Corporation ("JCC"), would be responsible for completing construction of the Rivergate Casino, a subsidiary of the Company would receive approximately 40% of the equity in JCC's parent, and Harrah's would make a $75 million equity investment in the project (less any debtor-in-possession financing provided to the project), guarantee $120 million of a $180 million bank credit facility, guarantee completion and opening of the Rivergate Casino and make an additional $20 million subordinated loan to JCC to finance the Rivergate Casino. -12- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) Note 7 - Nonconsolidated Affiliates (Continued) - ---------------------------------------------- However, the most recent session of the Louisiana State Legislature concluded in June without legislative approval of a component of the confirmed Plan - a modified casino operating contract with the State's gaming board. As a consequence of this failure, it is likely the confirmed Plan will not be consummated and Harrah's Jazz filed a modified plan with the Bankruptcy Court on June 26, 1997. The modified plan contemplates, among other things, the assumption of the existing casino operating contract and relief from payment of any gaming taxes under the casino operating contract. Harrah's Jazz is seeking confirmation of the modified plan by the Bankruptcy Count despite significant objections to the modified plan by the State of Louisiana. The Bankruptcy Court has scheduled the confirmation hearing for late September. In light of the State's failure to approve the confirmed Plan and its objections to the modified plan, and other impediments, the prospects for the confirmation and consummation of the modified plan, or any plan of reorganization of Harrah's Jazz, are uncertain. During the course of the bankruptcy of Harrah's Jazz, a subsidiary of the Company has made debtor-in-possession loans to Harrah's Jazz, totaling approximately $25.0 million as of June 30, 1997, to fund certain payments to the City of New Orleans and other cash requirements of Harrah's Jazz. On July 10, 1997, the Company notified Harrah's Jazz that, at such time, the Company was not prepared to commit to provide debtor-in-possession financing to Harrah's Jazz beyond the earlier of September 30, 1997 and the provision of $30 million of debtor-in-possession financing. The debtor-in-possession loans are super priority administrative claims in the bankruptcy, and are secured by a first lien on most Harrah's Jazz assets. If a plan of reorganization is consummated, it is expected that the principal amount of the debtor-in-possession loans to Harrah's Jazz would be repaid or converted into equity in the successor entity. However, if a plan of reorganization is not consummated and, thus, the debtor-in-possession loans are not repaid in full, it is likely that the value of the security will be inadequate to fund the full recovery by the Company of the debtor-in-possession loans. -13- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) Note 7 - Nonconsolidated Affiliates (Continued) - ---------------------------------------------- Other - ----- Summarized balance sheet and income statement information of nonconsolidated gaming affiliates, which Harrah's accounted for using the equity method, as of June 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996, and for the second quarters and six months ended June 30, 1997 and 1996 is included in the following tables. (In thousands) June 30, Dec. 31, 1997 1996 -------- -------- Combined Summarized Balance Sheet Information Current assets $ 28,256 $ 33,516 Land, buildings, and equipment, net 383,497 391,133 Other assets 164,180 171,748 -------- -------- Total assets 575,933 596,397 -------- -------- Current liabilities 111,852 129,114 Long-term debt 458,969 486,740 -------- -------- Total liabilities 570,821 615,854 -------- -------- Net assets $ 5,112 $(19,457) ======== ======== Second Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 1997 1996 1997 1996 (In thousands) -------- ------- -------- ------- Combined Summarized Statements of Operations Revenues $ 4,710 $ 7,838 $ 12,414 $14,633 ======== ======= ======== ======= Operating loss $ (9,016) $(4,675) $(17,030) $(7,594) ======== ======= ======== ======= Net loss $(14,366) $(5,843) $(20,748) $(8,967) ======== ======= ======== ======= -14- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) Note 7 - Nonconsolidated Affiliates (Continued) - ---------------------------------------------- Harrah's share of nonconsolidated affiliates' combined net operating results are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income as Equity in income (losses) of nonconsolidated affiliates. Harrah's investments in and advances to nonconsolidated affiliates are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as follows: June 30, Dec. 31, 1997 1996 (In thousands) -------- -------- Harrah's investments in and advances to nonconsolidated affiliates Accounted for under the equity method $137,915 $ 98,356 Equity securities available-for-sale and recorded at market value 104,498 117,183 -------- -------- $242,413 $215,539 ======== ======== In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities", Harrah's adjusts the carrying value of certain marketable equity securities to include unrealized gains. A corresponding adjustment is recorded in the Company's stockholders' equity and deferred income tax accounts. Condensed financial information relating to the Company's minority ownership interest in a restaurant affiliate has not been presented since its operating results and financial position are not material to Harrah's. Harrah's New Zealand - -------------------- Harrah's owns a 12.5% equity interest in Sky City Limited, a New Zealand publicly-traded company which owns a casino entertainment facility in Auckland, New Zealand. Harrah's also manages the facility for a fee. During second quarter 1997, Harrah's announced that it had agreed to sell, subject to regulatory approvals, its equity interest in Sky City Limited for approximately NZ$84 million. It was also announced that Sky City Limited will buy out Harrah's management contract. Harrah's will continue to manage the facility under its fee agreement until June 1998. -15- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) Note 8 - Summarized Financial Information - ----------------------------------------- HOC is a wholly owned subsidiary and the principal asset of Harrah's. Summarized financial information of HOC as of June 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 and for the second quarters ended June 30, 1997 and 1996 prepared on the same basis as Harrah's was as follows: June 30, Dec. 31, 1997 1996 (In thousands) ---------- ---------- Current assets $ 200,970 $ 199,838 Land, buildings, riverboats and equipment, net 1,481,849 1,389,894 Other assets 401,554 382,516 ---------- ---------- 2,084,373 1,972,248 ---------- ---------- Current liabilities 194,354 191,689 Long-term debt 1,012,565 889,538 Other liabilities 141,120 143,705 Minority interests 16,710 16,964 ---------- ---------- 1,364,749 1,241,896 ---------- ---------- Net assets $ 719,624 $ 730,352 ========== ========== Second Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 1997 1996 1997 1996 (In thousands) -------- -------- -------- -------- Revenues $408,842 $401,176 $782,904 $784,238 ======== ======== ======== ======== Income from operations $ 61,846 $ 68,183 $106,612 $140,013 ======== ======== ======== ======== Income before extraordinary loss $ 25,793 $ 29,471 $ 42,563 $ 60,491 ======== ======== ======== ======== Net income $ 17,659 $ 29,471 $ 34,429 $ 60,491 ======== ======== ======== ======== -16- HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) Note 8 - Summarized Financial Information (Continued) - ---------------------------------------------------- The agreements governing the terms of the Company's debt contain certain covenants which, among other things, place limitations on HOC's ability to pay dividends and make other restricted payments, as defined, to Harrah's. The amount of HOC's restricted net assets, as defined, computed in accordance with the most restrictive of these covenants regarding restricted payments (other than for repurchases of Harrah's common stock), was approximately $709.1 million at June 30, 1997. With respect to any payments by HOC to Harrah's for the purpose of providing funds to Harrah's for the repurchase of its common stock, the amount of HOC's restricted net assets under such covenant was approximately $571.1 million at June 30, 1997. -17- Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial ---------------------------------------------------------- Condition and Results of Operations ----------------------------------- The following discussion and analysis of the financial position and operating results of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., (referred to in this discussion, together with its consolidated subsidiaries where appropriate, as "Harrah's" or the "Company,") for second quarter and the first six months of 1997 and 1996 updates, and should be read in conjunction with, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations presented in Harrah's 1996 Annual Report. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - --------------------- Overall - ------- Thus far in 1997, Harrah's financial results continue to reflect, as do the results of many of its competitors, the impact of increased supply and competition within the casino entertainment industry. Also impacting Harrah's 1997 financial results were construction disruptions during both quarters and weather-related business interruptions during first quarter 1997 at several of its properties. Though Harrah's revenues increased slightly for second quarter and are essentially even for the first six months as compared to the prior year periods, the impact of increased competition and business interruptions significantly impacted Harrah's operating profit and margins, as noted in the following table.
Second Quarter Percentage Six Months Ended Percentage (in millions, except -------------- Increase/ ---------------- Increase/ earnings per share) 1997 1996 (Decrease) 1997 1996 (Decrease) ------ ------ ---------- ------ ------ ---------- Revenues $408.9 $401.1 1.9 % $783.0 $783.9 (0.1)% Operating profit 75.2 83.4 (9.8)% 131.7 165.4 (20.4)% Income from operations 61.2 69.0 (11.3)% 106.5 141.4 (24.7)% Income before extraordinary loss 25.4 30.0 (15.3)% 42.5 61.4 (30.8)% Net income 17.2 30.0 (42.7)% 34.4 61.4 (44.0)% Earnings per share Before extraordinary loss 0.25 0.29 (13.8)% 0.42 0.59 (28.8)% Net income 0.17 0.29 (41.4)% 0.34 0.59 (42.4)% Operating margin 15.0% 17.2% (2.2)pts 13.6% 18.0% (4.4)pts
-18- The impact on Harrah's operations of these factors can also be seen in the following table, which summarizes contributions to operating profit (income from operations before corporate expense, equity in income (losses) of nonconsolidated affiliates and project reorganization costs) by major operating division for the twelve month periods ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995 in millions of dollars and as a percent of the total for each of Harrah's divisions: Contribution for Twelve Months Ended June 30, -------------------------------------------- In Millions of Dollars Percent of Total ---------------------- ---------------- 1997 1996 1995 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Riverboat $121 $168 $142 39% 45% 41% Atlantic City 78 80 84 25 22 24 Southern Nevada 51 74 74 16 20 21 Northern Nevada 54 61 73 17 17 22 Indian/Limited Stakes 12 5 6 4 1 2 Development costs (12) (13) (24) (4) (4) (7) Other operations 7 (4) (11) 3 (1) (3) ---- ---- ---- --- --- --- Subtotal 311 371 344 100% 100% 100% Project writedowns === === === and reserves (52) (93) - Preopening costs (9) (6) (10) ---- ---- ---- Operating profit $250 $272 $334 ==== ==== ==== DIVISION OPERATING RESULTS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANS - ------------------------------------------------ Riverboat Division - ------------------ Second Quarter Percentage Six Months Ended Percentage -------------- Increase/ ---------------- Increase/ (in millions) 1997 1996 (Decrease) 1997 1996 (Decrease) ------ ------ ---------- ------ ------ ---------- Casino revenues $158.7 $157.9 0.5 % $306.7 $303.2 1.2 % Total revenues 169.5 165.8 2.2 % 326.8 317.9 2.8 % Operating profit 32.2 40.2 (19.9)% 61.3 81.2 (24.5)% Operating margin 19.0% 24.2% (5.2)pts 18.8% 25.5% (6.7)pts Despite increased revenues for the Division in second quarter and the first six months of 1997 over the comparable prior year periods, operating profits and margins declined in the face of new and increased competition in several riverboat markets over the past year. -19- Revenues, operating profit and margin at Harrah's Joliet in Illinois declined compared to the prior year due to the introduction of riverboat casinos in neighboring Indiana which more than doubled regional supply since June 1996. Gaming volume at Harrah's Joliet for second quarter and the first six months of 1997 declined 26.6% and 26.3%, respectively, from the prior year periods, significantly impacting property revenues. Operating profit and margins were further impacted by higher marketing and promotional expenses that resulted from the increased competition. The Company has made certain operating adjustments, including a modification of the cruising schedule, which have helped stabilize operating results at Joliet and contributed to a 3.2% increase in operating profit from first quarter 1997 to second quarter 1997. Though management believes that the property's operating results have stabilized, revenues and operating profit at Harrah's Joliet are not expected to return to the levels achieved prior to the entrance of the Indiana riverboats into the regional market. Subject to the receipt of necessary approvals, the Company plans to begin construction during fourth quarter 1997 of an expansion at the Joliet property. The $29.5 million project will include a 204-suite hotel and 9,000 square feet of meeting space. The project is scheduled to be completed in early 1999. Combined second quarter performance by Harrah's Mississippi properties improved over the prior year as operating income increased 66.0% to $1.7 million, primarily due to operating improvements in Tunica. The Tunica improvement is due in part to the second quarter 1997 closure of Harrah's original Tunica casino. The Company is now focusing all its efforts in the Tunica market on the newer Tunica Mardi Gras property, which opened in April 1996. The Company is continuing to explore its options for the ultimate disposition of the original Tunica property. A reserve for the impairment of the original Tunica property was recorded in fourth quarter 1996 and the Company believes such reserve remains adequate. However, the Company will continue to periodically review the adequacy of this reserve until the final disposition of the property. During second quarter 1997, the Company acquired its minority partner's interest in both Tunica properties. The cost of this acquisition was not material to Harrah's. Harrah's North Kansas City achieved higher revenues in second quarter and the first six months of 1997 over the 1996 periods, due primarily to the Company's addition of a second riverboat casino in May 1996. However, operating profit for the second quarter and year-to-date declined 14.1% and 17.1%, respectively, from the comparable prior year periods due to increased marketing and promotional costs as a result of additional competition, including a major new property that opened in January 1997. Also contributing to the decline for the first six months was the decision during first quarter 1996 to discontinue the property's admission charge. -20- Harrah's Shreveport's operating profit declined 2.6% for second quarter 1997 compared to the prior year, reflecting the impact of the entrance in third quarter 1996 of a new competitor into the market. Harrah's is continuing its evaluation of various expansion opportunities for its Shreveport facility. Any expansion project is subject to the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and reaching a definitive agreement with the City of Shreveport. Harrah's St. Louis Riverport casinos reported an operating loss of approximately $0.8 million for second quarter 1997. The St. Louis Riverport casino entertainment complex in Maryland Heights, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, opened on March 11, 1997. The facility includes four riverboat casinos, two of which are owned and operated by Harrah's, and shoreside facilities jointly-owned with another casino company. Harrah's pro-rata share of the operating losses of the shoreside facilities joint venture are reported separately from the results of its St. Louis casinos in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income and included in Equity in losses of nonconsolidated subsidiaries (see Other Factors Affecting Net Income). Atlantic City - ------------- Second Quarter Percentage Six Months Ended Percentage -------------- Increase/ ---------------- Increase/ (in millions) 1997 1996 (Decrease) 1997 1996 (Decrease) ----- ----- ---------- ------ ------ ---------- Casino revenues $80.2 $74.4 7.8 % $156.2 $147.1 6.2 % Total revenues 88.4 81.0 9.1 % 171.0 159.5 7.2 % Operating profit 20.1 17.7 13.6 % 35.0 32.4 8.0 % Operating margin 22.7% 21.9% 0.8 pts 20.5% 20.3% 0.2 pts In Atlantic City, the property's financial results reflect the impact of gaming volume increases of 2.3% and 4.5% for the second quarter and first six months of 1997. These increases more than offset the higher than historical complimentary and promotional expenses incurred in order to maintain its relative competitive position in the market. A new 416-room hotel tower, the final phase of an expansion and enhancement project started last year, was opened in late second quarter 1997. No decisions regarding whether or not to proceed with a possible second phase of the Atlantic City expansion have been made. Such decisions are dependent, in part, upon substantive progress on development of new casino hotel projects in the Marina area of Atlantic City by other companies. -21- Southern Nevada Division - ------------------------ Second Quarter Percentage Six Months Ended Percentage -------------- Increase/ ---------------- Increase/ (in millions) 1997 1996 (Decrease) 1997 1996 (Decrease) ----- ----- ---------- ------ ------ ---------- Casino revenues $44.0 $48.1 (8.6)% $ 87.7 $ 98.4 (10.9)% Total revenues 68.7 75.1 (8.5)% 133.3 150.7 (11.5)% Operating profit 10.4 18.9 (45.0)% 21.3 38.4 (44.5)% Operating margin 15.1% 25.2% (10.1)pts 16.0% 25.4% (9.5)pts 1997 second quarter results in Southern Nevada continued to be impacted by construction disruptions at Harrah's Las Vegas, where a $200 million expansion and renovation project continues. The construction activity has often impeded access to the Las Vegas property, resulting in a 9.7% decrease in second quarter gaming volume compared with the prior year period. Operating profits and margins have been further impacted due to the difficulty in reducing certain fixed costs proportionately with the revenue declines, along with higher operating costs associated with the construction disruptions. Most of the facade and sidewalk renovations along the Strip were completed early in the third quarter, with the remainder to be finished before the end of the third quarter. The positive impact of the opening of rooms in the new hotel tower has been offset by the closing for major renovation of rooms in the original hotel tower. Renovation of these rooms is expected to be completed by early fourth quarter and completion of the property's overall renovation is expected to be virtually complete by year-end. As of June 30, 1997, approximately $159 million had been spent on this project. Harrah's Laughlin continues to be affected by competition from neighboring Arizona and California Indian casinos and from high profile new Las Vegas area casino developments. For the first six months of 1997, gaming volume declined 5.2% from the prior year period, resulting in lower revenues, operating profit and operating margin. At the present time, no definitive plans have been completed related to Harrah's previously announced interest in the construction or acquisition of a second Las Vegas property, and there is no assurance the Company will construct or acquire such a property. -22- Northern Nevada Division - ------------------------ Second Quarter Percentage Six Months Ended Percentage -------------- Increase/ ---------------- Increase/ (in millions) 1997 1996 (Decrease) 1997 1996 (Decrease) ----- ----- ---------- ------ ------ ---------- Casino revenues $53.8 $54.9 (2.0)% $ 99.9 $107.7 (7.3)% Total revenues 71.7 71.9 (0.3)% 132.9 142.3 (6.6)% Operating profit 11.7 12.5 (6.4)% 16.9 22.9 (26.3)% Operating margin 16.3% 17.4% (1.1)pts 12.7% 16.1% (3.4)pts In Northern Nevada, the second quarter operating profit decline is due primarily to construction disruptions caused by an extensive casino renovation at Harrah's Tahoe. The resulting operating profit decline of 30.1% at Tahoe for the second quarter more than offset a 35.8% operating profit increase by Harrah's Reno. The improvement in Reno was due in part to higher demand generated by National Bowling Congress events. Operating results for the first six months of 1997 were significantly impacted by weather conditions occurring during first quarter 1997, when flooding in the region twice closed the primary access road to Lake Tahoe for a combined total of forty-five days, and closed Harrah's Reno for one day. Indian and Limited Stakes - ------------------------- Revenues and operating profit from Harrah's Indian and limited stakes casinos increased in second quarter and the first six months of 1997 over the 1996 period, due primarily to higher management fees from Harrah's Phoenix Ak-Chin casino. On March 31, 1997, Harrah's discontinued its management of both Colorado casinos. This action did not have a material impact on Harrah's first quarter 1997 financial statements. Harrah's continues to pursue additional development opportunities for casinos on Indian land and has received National Indian Gaming Commission ("NIGC") approval of development and management agreements with the Eastern Band of Cherokees for a casino development at Cherokee, North Carolina. Construction on this project is underway and the $82 million facility, which will contain approximately 60,000 square feet of casino space, is expected to open during fourth quarter 1997. Though Harrah's is not funding this development, it has guaranteed the related bank financing, of which $33.5 million was outstanding at June 30, 1997. -23- In early 1997, Harrah's received NIGC approval of development and management agreements with the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians for a development near Topeka, Kansas. Construction began during second quarter 1997 on a $37 million casino facility that will include approximately 27,000 square feet of casino space. This facility, which is expected to be completed during first quarter 1998, will be managed by a Harrah's subsidiary and is being financed by loans which Harrah's has guaranteed. Harrah's has also previously announced agreements with other Indian tribes, which are in various stages of negotiation and are subject to certain conditions, including approval from appropriate government agencies. If the necessary approvals for these projects are received, Harrah's would likely guarantee the related bank financing for the projects, which could be significant. The agreements under which Harrah's manages casinos on Indian lands contain provisions required by law which provide that a minimum monthly payment be made to the tribe. That obligation has priority over scheduled repayments of borrowings for development costs. In the event that insufficient cash flow is generated by the operations to fund this payment, Harrah's must pay the shortfall to the tribe. Such advances, if any, would be repaid to Harrah's in future periods in which operations generate cash flow in excess of the required minimum payment. These commitments will terminate upon the occurrence of certain defined events, including termination of the management contract. As of June 30, 1997, the aggregate monthly commitment pursuant to these contracts which extend for periods of up to 84 months from opening date, was $1.2 million, including commitments for two projects with contracts approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission that are under construction but not yet open. See DEBT and LIQUIDITY section for further discussion of Harrah's guarantees of debt related to Indian projects. Other Operations - ---------------- Other operations includes the management fees received by the Company from Harrah's Sky City in Auckland, New Zealand. During second quarter 1997, Harrah's announced that Sky City Limited, owner of the Sky City facility in Auckland, New Zealand, will buy-out Harrah's management contract. Harrah's will continue to manage the facility under its fee agreement until June 1998, when it will receive an estimated fee of US$14 million to terminate the contract. Harrah's has also agreed to sell, subject to regulatory approvals, its remaining equity interest in Sky City Limited for approximately NZ$84 million. If the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained, the sale of the equity interest is expected to close during third quarter 1997. -24- Other operations for second quarter and the first six months of 1997 also includes $2.3 million in nonrecurring income received by Harrah's from Interactive Entertainment Limited (IEL) in consideration for the termination of Harrah's management contract which occurred in conjunction with IEL's transformation into a publicly traded company. Development costs have decreased from prior year levels due to lower levels of development activity. Other Factors Affecting Net Income - ----------------------------------
Second Quarter Percentage Six Months Ended Percentage (Income)/Expense -------------- Increase/ ---------------- Increase/ (in millions) 1997 1996 (Decrease) 1997 1996 (Decrease) ----- ----- ---------- ----- ----- ---------- Preopening costs $ 0.5 $ 4.8 N/M $ 8.0 $ 5.0 N/M Equity in (income) losses of nonconsolidated affiliates 3.2 (0.1) N/M 5.4 (0.2) N/M Corporate expense 8.1 8.4 (3.6)% 15.7 15.7 - Project reorganization costs 2.7 6.1 (55.7)% 4.2 8.5 (50.6)% Interest expense, net 20.3 17.0 19.4 % 38.1 33.6 13.4 Other income (3.1) (0.8) N/M (6.2) (1.4) N/M Effective tax rate 37.9% 38.7% (0.8)pts 38.0% 38.3% (0.3)pts Minority interests $ 1.9 $ 2.4 (20.8)% $ 3.8 $ 6.0 (36.7)% Extraordinary loss, net of income taxes 8.1 - N/M 8.1 - N/M
Preopening costs for 1997 include costs incurred in connection with the first quarter 1997 opening of Harrah's St. Louis Riverport casino property, along with ongoing costs related to the expansion at Harrah's Las Vegas property. 1996 preopening costs related to the second quarter opening of Tunica Mardi Gras and an expansion at Harrah's North Kansas City property. Equity in (income) losses of nonconsolidated affiliates for second quarter and the first six months of 1997 consists primarily of losses from Harrah's share of the joint venture portion of the St. Louis development, including its $1.6 million share of the joint venture's preopening costs, partially offset by Harrah's share of income from a restaurant affiliate. Harrah's previously reported its share of joint venture pre-interest operating results in Revenues-other, and its share of joint venture interest expense as Interest expense, net, from nonconsolidated affiliates. Prior year amounts have been restated to conform to the current year's presentation. Corporate expense is essentially even with the prior year. Project reorganization costs represent Harrah's costs, including legal fees, associated with the on-going development of a reorganization plan -25- for the New Orleans casino (see Harrah's Jazz Company section). Interest expense increased in 1997 over 1996, primarily as a result of higher debt levels incurred to fund the stock repurchase program (see Equity Transactions section) and expansion projects. Other income increased in 1997 due to higher interest income earned by the Company on the cash surrender value of certain life insurance policies, the inclusion in 1997 of dividend income from Harrah's New Zealand investment and a gain on the sale of nonoperating property. The effective tax rates for all years are higher than the federal statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes. Minority interests reflect joint venture partners' shares of income at joint venture riverboat casinos and decreased in 1997 from the prior year level as a result of lower Joliet earnings. The extraordinary loss reported in second quarter 1997 is due to the early extinguishment of debt and includes the premium paid to holders of the debt retired and the write-off of related unamortized deferred finance charges. (See Debt and Liquidity Early Extinguishment of Debt.) In fourth quarter 1997, Harrah's will adopt the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share", which establishes new standards for computing and presenting earnings per share. The following table presents actual earnings per share and pro forma earnings per share computed as if the provisions SFAS No. 128 been in effect for the second quarter and first six months: Second Quarter First Six Months -------------- ---------------- 1997 1996 1997 1996 ----- ----- ----- ----- Earnings per share As reported $0.17 $0.29 $0.34 $0.59 Pro forma (basic) 0.17 0.29 0.34 0.60 Pro forma (diluted) 0.17 0.29 0.34 0.59 HARRAH'S JAZZ COMPANY - --------------------- For an update of the status of the efforts to reorganize Harrah's Jazz Company, which filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on November 22, 1995, see Note 7 to the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. -26- CAPITAL SPENDING AND DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY - ---------------------------------------- In addition to the specific development and expansion projects discussed above, Harrah's performs on-going refurbishment and maintenance at its casino entertainment facilities in order to maintain the Company's quality standards. Harrah's also continues to pursue development opportunities for additional casino entertainment facilities that meet its strategic and return on investment criteria. Prior to the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, the costs of pursuing development projects are expensed as incurred. Construction-related costs incurred after the receipt of necessary approvals are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the resulting asset. Preopening costs incurred during the construction period are deferred and expensed at the respective property's opening. The Company's planned development projects, if they go forward, will require, individually and in the aggregate, significant capital commitments and, if completed, may result in significant additional revenues. The commitment of capital, the timing of completion and the commencement of operations of casino entertainment development projects are contingent upon, among other things, negotiation of final agreements and receipt of approvals from the appropriate political and regulatory bodies. Cash needed to finance projects currently under development as well as additional projects being pursued by Harrah's are expected to be made available from operating cash flows, the bank Facility (see Debt and Liquidity section), Harrah's existing shelf registration (see Debt and Liquidity section), joint venture partners, specific project financing, guarantees by Harrah's of third party debt and, if necessary, additional Harrah's debt and/or equity offerings. Harrah's capital spending for the first six months of 1997 totaled approximately $188 million. Estimated total capital expenditures for 1997 are expected to be $320 million to $340 million, including the projects discussed in the Division Operating Results and Development Plans section, the refurbishment of existing facilities and other projects, but excluding the possible purchase or construction of a second Las Vegas property and the possible second phase of Harrah's Atlantic City expansion. DEBT AND LIQUIDITY - ------------------ Early Extinguishment of Debt - ---------------------------- On May 27, 1997, Harrah's principal operating subsidiary, Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. ("HOC"), redeemed its $200 million in 10 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2002 (the "Notes") at a call price of -27- 104.833%, plus accrued and unpaid interest through the redemption date. The Company retired the Notes using proceeds from its bank facility. An extraordinary charge, net of tax, of approximately $8.1 million was recorded during second quarter 1997 in conjunction with this early extinguishment of debt. In connection with the early extinguishment of the Notes, the Company terminated certain interest rate swap agreements which had been associated with the debt. The gain realized upon the termination of these swap agreements was not material. Bank Facility - ------------- As of June 30, 1997, $805.5 million in borrowings, including the funds drawn to retire the Notes, were outstanding under the Company's $1.1 billion revolving credit facility (the "Bank Facility"), with an additional $18.6 million committed to back letters of credit. After consideration of these borrowings, $275.9 million of additional borrowing capacity was available to the Company as of June 30, 1997. Interest Rate Agreements - ------------------------ As of June 30, 1997, Harrah's was a party to the following interest rate swap agreements which effectively convert fixed rate debt to a variable rate: Effective Next Semi- Swap Rate at Annual Rate Rate June 30, Adjustment Associated Debt (LIBOR+) 1997 Date Swap Maturity - --------------- ------ --------- ----------- ------------- 8 3/4% Notes $50 million 3.42% 9.64% November 15 May 1998 $50 million 3.22% 8.95% July 15 July 1998 In accordance with the terms of the interest rate swap agreements, the effective interest rate on $50 million of these swaps was adjusted on July 15, 1997, to 9.19%. -28- Harrah's also maintains the following interest rate swap agreements which effectively convert variable rate debt to a fixed rate: Swap Rate Received Swap Rate (Variable) at Swap Notional Amount Paid (Fixed) June 30, 1997 Maturity - --------------- ----------- ------------- ------------ $50 million 7.910% 5.840% January 1998 $50 million 6.985% 5.781% March 2000 $50 million 6.951% 5.781% March 2000 $50 million 6.945% 5.781% March 2000 $50 million 6.651% 5.844% May 2000 $50 million 5.788% 5.813% June 2000 $50 million 5.785% 5.813% June 2000 All seven swap agreements reset on a quarterly basis. In accordance with the terms of the swap which matures in January 1998, the variable interest rate was adjusted on July 28, 1997, to 5.719%. These agreements contain a credit risk that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreements. Harrah's minimizes that risk by evaluating the creditworthiness of its counterparties, which are limited to major banks and financial institutions, and does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties. Guarantees of Third Party Debt - ------------------------------ As part of a transaction whereby Harrah's has retained an option to a site for a potential casino, Harrah's has extended its guarantee of a third party's $22.9 million variable rate bank loan through February 28, 1998. In connection with this extension, Harrah's also agreed to fund the monthly interest payments to the lender on behalf of the third party, and is to be repaid from the proceeds from the sale of certain assets of the third party. The guaranty contains an element of risk that, should the borrower be unable to perform, the Company could become responsible for repayment of at least a portion of the obligation. Harrah's has reduced this exposure by obtaining a security interest in certain assets of the third party. As described in the Division Operating Results and Development Plans -- Indian and Limited Stakes section, Harrah's may guarantee all or part of the debt incurred by Indian tribes with which Harrah's has entered a management contract to fund development of casinos on the Indian lands. -29- For all existing guarantees of Indian debt, Harrah's has obtained a first lien on certain personal property (tangible and intangible) of the casino enterprise. There can be no assurance, however, the value of such property would satisfy Harrah's obligations in the event these guarantees were enforced. Additionally, Harrah's has received limited waivers from the Indian tribes of their sovereign immunity to allow Harrah's to pursue its rights under the contracts between the parties and to enforce collection efforts as to any assets in which a security interest is taken. Shelf Registration - ------------------ To provide for additional financing flexibility, Harrah's, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary HOC, have available until October 1997 an effective shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The statement allows the issuance of up to $200 million of Harrah's common stock or HOC preferred stock or debt securities. The issue price of the Harrah's common stock or the terms and conditions of the HOC preferred stock or debt securities, which would be unconditionally guaranteed by Harrah's, would be determined by market conditions at the time of issuance. EQUITY TRANSACTIONS - ------------------- In October 1996, Harrah's Board of Directors approved a plan which authorizes the purchase in the open market of up to ten percent of Harrah's outstanding shares of common stock. As of June 30, 1997, 2,864,400 shares had been purchased at a cost of approximately $51.5 million and are being held in treasury. The Company expects to acquire additional shares from time to time, in open market or privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions through the December 31, 1997 expiration of the approved plan. EFFECTS OF CURRENT ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS - ---------------------------------------------------- Competitive Pressures - --------------------- As compared to the early 1990's, the number of new markets opening for development in the past year has been much more limited and existing markets have become much more competitive. The focus of many casino operators has shifted to investing in existing markets, in an effort both to attract new customers and to gain a greater market share of existing customers. As companies have completed these expansion projects, supply has grown at a faster pace than demand in some markets and competition -30- has increased significantly. Furthermore, several operators, including Harrah's, have announced plans for additional developments or expansions in some markets. The impact that these projects will have on Harrah's operations, if they are completed, cannot be determined at this time. Harrah's properties in the traditional gaming markets of Nevada and New Jersey have generally reacted less significantly to the changing competitive conditions, as the amount of supply change within these markets has represented a smaller percentage change than that experienced in some riverboat markets. In Las Vegas, several major developments have opened within the past few years and numerous new developments and property expansions, including an expansion at Harrah's Las Vegas, are underway. Historically, the Las Vegas market has grown sufficiently to absorb these additions to its supply, but there can be no assurance that such growth will continue. In the Atlantic City market, additional casino space and hotel rooms have opened within the past year and several major developments are proposed. This activity has intensified competition during the last year, increasing promotional costs and reducing margins. In riverboat markets, the recent additions to supply have had a more noticeable impact, due to the fact that competition was limited in the early stages of many of these markets. In Joliet, the opening in late second quarter 1996 of Indiana riverboats, more than doubled the Chicago area capacity, has resulted in a significant decline in Harrah's gaming volume from the 1996 first half. In Tunica, a major new property opened in June 1996, and several existing properties, including Harrah's, added hotel rooms and other amenities and more are planned. In response to competitive pressures in this market and in order to focus its efforts on Harrah's Tunica Mardi Gras Casino, Harrah's closed its original Tunica property in May 1997 and continues to evaluate its plans for that property's disposition. In October 1996, a fourth casino entered the Shreveport market, and in January 1997, a major new development opened in the Kansas City market. Thus far, the Shreveport development has not significantly impacted Harrah's operating results. In Kansas City, Harrah's operating profit declined 21% as a result of the increasing competition in that market. Over the past several years, there has also been a significant increase in the number of casinos on Indian lands, made possible by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. Harrah's manages two such facilities and two additional properties are currently under development. The future growth potential from Indian casinos is also uncertain, however. -31- Although the short-term effect of these competitive developments on the Company has been negative, Harrah's is not able to determine the long-term impact, whether favorable or unfavorable, that these trends and events will have on its current or future markets. Management believes that the geographic diversity of Harrah's operations, its multi-market customer base and the Company's continuing efforts to establish Harrah's as a premier brand name have well-positioned Harrah's to face the challenges present within the industry. Harrah's has recently introduced WINet, a sophisticated nationwide customer database, and is scheduled to introduce later this year its national Gold Card, a nationwide frequent-player card, both of which it believes will provide competitive advantages, particularly with players who visit more than one market. Political Uncertainties - ----------------------- The casino entertainment industry is subject to political and regulatory uncertainty. In 1996, the U.S. government formed a federal commission to study gambling in the United States, including the casino gaming industry. At this time, the role of the commission and the ultimate impact that it will have on the industry is uncertain. From time to time, individual jurisdictions have also considered legislation which could adversely impact Harrah's operations, and the likelihood or outcome of similar legislation in the future is difficult to predict. The casino entertainment industry represents a significant source of tax revenues to the various jurisdictions in which casinos operate. From time to time, various state and federal legislators and officials have proposed changes in tax laws, or in the administration of such laws, which would affect the industry. It is not possible to determine with certainty the scope or likelihood of possible future changes in tax laws or in the administration of such laws. If adopted, such changes could have a material adverse effect on Harrah's financial results. INTERCOMPANY DIVIDEND RESTRICTION - --------------------------------- Agreements governing the terms of its debt require Harrah's to abide by covenants which, among other things, limit HOC's ability to pay dividends and make other restricted payments, as defined, to Harrah's. The amount of HOC's restricted net assets, as defined, computed in accordance with the most restrictive of these covenants regarding restricted payments (other than for the repurchase of Harrah's common stock) was approximately $709.1 million at June 30, 1997. With respect to any payments by HOC to Harrah's -32- for the purpose of providing funds to Harrah's for the repurchase of its common stock, the amount of HOC's restricted net assets under such covenant was approximately $571.1 million at June 30, 1997. Harrah's principal asset is the stock of HOC, a wholly-owned subsidiary which holds, directly and through subsidiaries, the principal assets of Harrah's businesses. Given this ownership structure, these restrictions should not impair Harrah's ability to conduct its business through its subsidiaries, to pursue its development plans or to complete the stock repurchase program. PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT - ---------------------------------------- The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward looking statements. Certain information included in this Form 10-Q and other materials filed or to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the Company) contains statements that are forward looking. These include statements relating to the following activities, among others: (A) operations and expansions of existing properties, including future performance, anticipated scope and opening dates of expansions, and exit plans with respect to certain properties; (B) planned openings and development of Indian casinos that would be managed by the Company; (C) the plan of reorganization and its various facets for New Orleans; (D) implementation of the stock repurchase program and planned capital expenditures for 1997; (E) the possible acquisition/construction of a second property in Las Vegas, Nevada; and (F) the impact of the WINet and Gold Card programs. These activities involve important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. These include, but are not limited to, the following factors as well as other factors described from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the SEC: construction factors, including zoning issues, environmental restrictions, soil conditions, weather and other hazards, site access matters and building permit issues; access to available and feasible financing; regulatory and licensing approvals, third party consents and approvals, and relations with partners, owners and other third parties; business and economic conditions; litigation, judicial actions and political uncertainties, including gaming legislation and taxation; and the effects of competition including locations of competitors and operating and marketing 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. -33- PART II - OTHER INFORMATION --------------------------- Item 1. Legal Proceedings -------------------------- On September 26, 1995, Harrah's New Orleans Investment Company ("HNOIC"), an indirect subsidiary of the Company, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana a suit styled Harrah's New Orleans Investment Company v. New Orleans Louisiana Development Corporation, Civil No. 95-3166. At issue in the suit is the percentage of ownership that New Orleans/Louisiana Development Corporation ("NOLDC") holds in Harrah's Jazz Company ("HJC"), a Louisiana partnership whose general partners are HNOIC, NOLDC and Grand Palais Casino, Inc. This declaratory judgment action seeks to confirm that, as of September 26, 1995, NOLDC's percentage interest in the Harrah's Jazz Company partnership was only 13.73% and, therefore, NOLDC is not a "Material Partner" in HJC. This case was put on "administrative hold" after the filing by NOLDC of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition on November 21, 1995. Should it be put back on the active list, HNOIC or the appropriate post-bankruptcy entity would vigorously prosecute it. At the time the case was put on "administrative hold," no discovery on the merits had been taken and no answer had been filed by NOLDC. On September 28, 1995, NOLDC filed suit against the Company and various of its corporate affiliates in New Orleans Louisiana Development Corporation v. Harrah's Entertainment, formerly d/b/a The Promus Companies, Harrah's New Orleans Investment Company, Harrah's New Orleans Management Company, Harrah's Jazz Company, and Promus Hotels, formerly d/b/a Embassy Suites, Inc., Civil No. 95-14653, filed in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. The case was subsequently removed by defendants to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. In this suit, NOLDC seeks to realign ownership interests in HJC among HNOIC and NOLDC. NOLDC also seeks an unspecified dollar amount of damages sufficient to compensate it for the losses it alleges it has suffered as a result of actions of defendants. NOLDC has indicated that it intends to seek to remand the suit to the Civil District Court. The case was also put on "administrative hold" by the District Court Judge as a result of NOLDC's bankruptcy filing. The Company and other defendants intend to vigorously defend the action should it be put back on the active case list. At the time it was put on "administrative hold," no answer had been filed by any defendant and no discovery had been taken. -34- Beginning on November 28, 1995, eight separate class action suits were filed against the Company and various of its corporate affiliates, officers and directors in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. They are Ben F. D'Angelo, Trustee for Ben F. D'Angelo Revocable Trust v. Harrah's Entertainment Corp., Michael D. Rose, Philip G. Satre and Ron Lenczycki; Max Fenster v. Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., Harrah's New Orleans Investment Company, Grand Palais Casino, Inc., Philip G. Satre, Colin V. Reed, Michael N. Regan, Christopher B. Hemmeter, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Salomon Brothers, Inc., and BT Securities Corp.; Goldie Rosenbloom v. Harrah's Entertainment Corp., Michael D. Rose, Philip G. Satre and Ron Lenczycki; Barry Ross v. Harrah's New Orleans Investment Company, Philip G. Satre, Colin V. Reed, Lawrence L. Fowler, Michael N. Regan, Cezar M. Froelich, Ulric Haynes, Jr., Wendell Gauthier, T. George Solomon, Jr., Duplain W. Rhodes, III, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Salomon Brothers Inc., and BT Securities Corp.; Louis Silverman v. Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., Harrah's New Orleans Investment Company, Grand Palais Casino, Inc., Philip G. Satre, Colin V. Reed, Michael N. Regan, Christopher B. Hemmeter, and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation; Florence Kessler v. Philip G. Satre, Colin V. Reed, Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr., Michael N. Regan, Lawrence L. Fowler, Christopher B. Hemmeter, Cezar M. Froelich, Ulric Haynes, Jr., Wendell H. Gauthier, T. George Solomon, Jr., Duplain W. Rhodes, III, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Salomon Brothers Inc., and BT Securities Corporation; Warren Zeiller and Judith M.R. Zeiller v. Harrah's Entertainment Corp., Michael D. Rose, Philip G. Satre, and Ron Lenczycki; and Charles Zwerving and Helene Zwerving v. Harrah's Entertainment Corp., Philip G. Satre, Colin V. Reed, Christopher B. Hemmeter, and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation. Per Court Order of January 26, 1996, the above plaintiffs filed a consolidated complaint in the action numbered 95-3925 In Re Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. Securities Litigation. The consolidated complaint alleges that various misstatements and omissions were made in connection with the sale of Harrah's Jazz Company 14.25% First Mortgage Notes and thereafter, and seeks unspecified damages, as well as costs of legal proceedings. On April 25, 1997, the United States District Court preliminarily approved a settlement of this matter, which settlement is contingent upon the consummation of a Plan of Reorganization for HJC. A final fairness hearing was held on June 26, 1997. On July 31, 1997, the Court ruled that the settlement was fair to class members. -35- On December 6, 1995 Centex Landis, the general contractor for the permanent casino being developed by HJC, filed suit against the Company, among others, in the Civil District Court for The Parish of Orleans in Centex Landis Construction Co., Inc. v. Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. formally d/b/a The Promus Companies, Inc.; and Ronald A. Lenczycki, Civil No. 95-18101. Defendants removed the case to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana and it was subsequently transferred to the Bankruptcy Court handling the HJC bankruptcy. A motion for remand is pending. This suit seeks to collect more than $40 million allegedly owed to Centex Landis by HJC from the Company under guarantee, fraud, fraudulent advertising and unfair trade practice theories. The Company and the other defendant intend to vigorously defend the action and have filed an answer denying all of plaintiff's allegations. No discovery has been taken in the action. Russell M. Swody, et al. v. Harrah's New Orleans Management Company and Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., Civil No. 95-4118, was filed against the Company on December 13, 1995 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and subsequently amended. Swody is a class action lawsuit under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act ("WARN Act") and seeks damages for alleged failure to timely notify workers terminated by Harrah's New Orleans Management Company at the time of the HJC bankruptcy. Plaintiffs seek unspecified damages, as well as costs of legal proceedings, for themselves and all members of the class. An answer has been filed denying all of plaintiffs' allegations. Swody was consolidated with Susan N. Poirier, Darlene A. Moss, et al. v. Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., Harrah's New Orleans Management Company, and Harrah's Operating Company, Civil No. 96-0215, which was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on January 17, 1996, and subsequently amended. Poirier seeks not only damages under the WARN Act, but also under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") for the alleged wrongful failure to provide severance to those terminated. Similar proofs of claims were filed by Ms. Poirier in the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in the HJC, HNOIC and Harrah's Jazz Finance Corp. bankruptcy cases. A settlement has been reached with the Swody and Poirier plaintiffs, which calls for a payment to be made by HJC in exchange for the dismissal of all actions, which settlement is contingent on the consummation of the Plan of Reorganization for HJC. That settlement has already been determined to be fair to all class members by the Bankruptcy Court. -36- On December 29, 1995 in the Civil District Court for The Parish of Orleans, the City of New Orleans filed suit against the Company and others in City of New Orleans and Rivergate Development Corporation v. Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (f/k/a The Promus Companies, Inc.), Grand Palais Casino, Inc., Embassy Suites, Inc., First National Bank of Commerce and Ronald A. Lenczycki, Civil No. 95-19285. This suit seeks to require the Company, among others, to complete construction of the permanent casino being developed by HJC under theories of breach of completion guarantee contract, breach of implied duty of good faith, detrimental reliance, misrepresentation, and false advertising. Plaintiff seeks unspecified damages, as well as costs of legal proceedings. Defendants have removed the suit to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana and it was then transferred to the Bankruptcy Court handling the HJC bankruptcy. A motion for remand is pending. The Company and the other defendants have filed an answer denying all of plaintiffs' allegations and intend to vigorously defend the action. Louisiana Economic Development and Gaming Corporation v. Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. and Harrah's Operating Company, Inc., Civil No. 424328, was filed on January 23, 1996 in the Nineteenth Judicial Court of the State of Louisiana, Parish of East Baton Rouge. On February 21, 1996, the Company and the other defendants removed the case to the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana and asked that it be transferred to the Bankruptcy Court handling the HJC bankruptcy. The case has been transferred. A motion for reconsideration has been filed by LEDGC. In this suit LEDGC seeks to require the Company and Harrah's Operating Company to complete construction of the permanent casino being developed by HJC under theories of breach of completion guarantee contract, breach of implied duty of good faith, detrimental reliance, misrepresentation and, in the alternative, seeks damages. The Company has filed an answer and counterclaim against LEDGC. LEDGC has moved to have that counterclaim dismissed and/or for summary judgment. No ruling has yet been made by the court. The defendants intend to vigorously defend the action and prosecute their counterclaim. -37- Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K ------------------------------------------ (a) Exhibits *EX-3.(ii)Bylaws of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., amended July 25, 1997. *EX-4.1 Termination of Swap Agreement dated May 28, 1997 between The Sumitomo Bank, Limited and Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. *EX-4.2 Termination of Swap Agreement dated May 28, 1997 between The Bank of Nova Scotia and Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. *EX-4.3 Termination of Swap Agreement dated May 27, 1997 between The Nippon Credit Bank, Ltd. and Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. *EX-4.4 Consent to Credit Agreements dated as of April 11, 1997, among Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., Harrah's Operating Company, Inc., Marina Associates, various lending institutions, and Bankers Trust Company, The Bank of New York, CIBC Inc., Credit Lyonnais, Atlanta Agency, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., The Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, Limited, New York Branch, NationsBank, N.A. (South), Societe Generale, The Sumitomo Bank, Limited, New York Branch, as Agents, and Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative Agent. *EX-4.5 Consent dated April 10, 1997 to Credit Agreement dated June 9, 1995, among Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., Harrah's Operating Company, Inc., Marina Associates, various lenders, and Bankers Trust Company, The Bank of New York, CIBC Inc., Credit Lyonnais, Atlanta Agency, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., The Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, Limited, New York Branch, NationsBank, N.A. (South), Societe Generale, The Sumitomo Bank, Limited, New York Branch, as Agents, and Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative Agent. *EX-4.6 Letter to Stockholders dated July 23, 1997 regarding Summary of Rights To Purchase Special Shares As Amended Through April 25, 1997. -38- *EX-10.1 Severance Agreement dated February 21, 1997 between Thomas J. Carr, Jr. and Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. *EX-10.2 Form of Amendment to Severance Agreement dated April 25, 1997 between Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. and John M. Boushy, Bradford W. Morgan, Ben C. Peternell, Colin V. Reed, E. O. Robinson, Jr. and Philip G. Satre. *EX-10.3 Amendment dated April 24, 1997, to Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.'s Deferred Compensation Plan. *EX-10.4 Amendment dated April 24, 1997 to Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.'s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. *EX-11 Computation of per share earnings. *EX-27 Financial Data Schedule. *Filed herewith. No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended June 30, 1997. -39- Signature --------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. August 13, 1997 BY: COLIN V. REED ----------------------- Colin V. Reed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Chief Accounting Officer) -40- Exhibit Index ------------- Sequential Exhibit No. Description Page No. - ----------- ------------ ---------- EX-3.(ii) Bylaws of Harrah's Entertainment, 43 Inc., amended July 25, 1997. EX-4.1 Termination of Swap Agreement 56 dated May 28, 1997 between The Sumitomo Bank, Limited and Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. EX-4.2 Termination of Swap Agreement 63 dated May 28, 1997 between The Bank of Nova Scotia and Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. EX-4.3 Termination of Swap Agreement 65 dated May 27, 1997 between The Nippon Credit Bank, Ltd. and Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. EX-4.4 Consent to Credit Agreements dated 66 as of April 11, 1997, among Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., Harrah's Operating Company, Inc., Marina Associates, various lending institutions, and Bankers Trust Company, The Bank of New York, CIBC Inc., Credit Lyonnais, Atlanta Agency, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., The Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, Limited, New York Branch, NationsBank, N.A. (South), Societe Generale, The Sumitomo Bank, Limited, New York Branch, as Agents, and Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative Agent. -41- EX-4.5 Consent dated April 10, 1997 to 76 Credit Agreement dated June 9, 1995, among Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., Harrah's Operating Company, Inc., Marina Associates, various lenders, and Bankers Trust Company, The Bank of New York, CIBC Inc., Credit Lyonnais, Atlanta Agency, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., The Long- Term Credit Bank of Japan, Limited, New York Branch, NationsBank, N.A. (South), Societe Generale, The Sumitomo Bank, Limited, New York Branch, as Agents, and Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative Agent. EX-4.6 Letter to Stockholders dated July 23, 83 1997 regarding Summary of Rights to Purchase Special Shares as Amended Through April 25, 1997. EX-10.1 Severance Agreement dated February 90 21, 1997 between Thomas J. Carr, Jr. and Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. EX-10.2 Form of Amendment to Severance Agreement 107 dated April 25, 1997 between Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. and John M. Boushy, Bradford W. Morgan, Ben C. Peternell, Colin V. Reed, E. O. Robinson, Jr. and Philip G. Satre. EX-10-3 Amendment dated April 24, 1997 to 109 Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.'s Deferred Compensation Plan. EX-10-4 Amendment dated April 24, 1997 to 111 Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.'s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. EX-11 Computation of per share earnings. 113 EX-27 Financial Data Schedule -42-


                                                                     EX-3.(ii)




                                     BYLAWS

                                       OF

                          HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

                             (Amended July 25, 1997)


                                    ARTICLE I

                                     OFFICES

     SECTION  1.   Registered   Office.   The  registered   office  of  Harrah's
Entertainment,  Inc.  (the  "Corporation")  shall be at 1013 Centre Road, in the
City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware.

      SECTION 2. Other Offices.  The  Corporation  may also have offices at such
other  places  both  within and  without  the State of  Delaware as the Board of
Directors of the  Corporation  (the "Board of Directors")  may from time to time
determine.

                                   ARTICLE II

                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

      SECTION  1.  Place  of  Meetings.  Meetings  of the  stockholders  for the
election of  directors or for any other  purpose  shall be held at such time and
place,  either  within or without the State of  Delaware as shall be  designated
from  time to time by the Board of  Directors  and  stated in the  notice of the
meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.

      SECTION 2. Annual  Meetings.  The annual meeting of stockholders  shall be
held on the first  Friday in May in each year or on such  other date and at such
time as may be fixed by the Board of  Directors  and stated in the notice of the
meeting,  for the purpose of electing  directors and for the transaction of only
such other business as is properly brought before the meeting in accordance with
these Bylaws.






                                      -43-





      Written  notice of an annual meeting  stating the place,  date and hour of
the meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting
not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting.

      To be properly brought before the annual meeting,  business must be either
(i)  specified in the notice of annual  meeting (or any  supplement or amendment
thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors,  (ii) otherwise
brought  before  the  annual  meeting  by or at the  direction  of the  Board of
Directors,  or (iii) otherwise  properly  brought before the annual meeting by a
stockholder.  In addition to any other applicable requirements,  for business to
be properly  brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder,  the stockholder
must have  given  timely  notice  thereof in  writing  to the  Secretary  of the
Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed
and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than
sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the  meeting,  provided,
however,  that in the event  that less than  seventy  (70) days  notice or prior
public  disclosure  of the  date  of the  annual  meeting  is  given  or made to
stockholders,  notice by a stockholder,  to be timely, must be received no later
than the close of business on the tenth  (10th) day  following  the day on which
such  notice  of the  date of the  annual  meeting  was  mailed  or such  public
disclosure  was made,  whichever  first occurs.  A  stockholder's  notice to the
Secretary  shall set forth (a) as to each  matter the  stockholder  proposes  to
bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief  description of the business desired
to be brought  before the annual  meeting and the reasons  for  conducting  such
business  at  the  annual  meeting,  and  (ii)  any  material  interest  of  the
stockholder in such business,  and (b) as to the  stockholder  giving the notice
(i) the name and record address of the  stockholder  and (ii) the class,  series
and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation  which are beneficially
owned  by the  stockholder.  Notwithstanding  anything  in these  Bylaws  to the
contrary,  no  business  shall be  conducted  at the  annual  meeting  except in
accordance  with the  procedures  set forth in this  Article II,  Section 2. The
officer of the  Corporation  presiding at an annual meeting shall,  if the facts
warrant,  determine  and declare to the annual  meeting  that  business  was not
properly  brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the provisions of
this  Article  II,  Section 2, and if such  officer  should so  determine,  such
officer  shall so  declare  to the  annual  meeting  and any such  business  not
properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

      SECTION 3. Special Meetings.  Unless otherwise prescribed by law or by the
Certificate of Incorporation,  special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose
or  purposes,  may only be called by a majority of the entire Board of Directors
or by the Chairman or the President.





                                      -44-





      Written notice of a special  meeting  stating the place,  date and hour of
the meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting
not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting.

      SECTION  4.  Quorum.  Except  as  otherwise  provided  by  law  or by  the
Certificate  of  Incorporation,  the holders of a majority of the capital  stock
issued  and  outstanding  and  entitled  to vote  thereat,  present in person or
represented  by  proxy,  shall  constitute  a  quorum  at  all  meetings  of the
stockholders for the transaction of business. If, however, such quorum shall not
be present or represented at any meeting of the  stockholders,  the holders of a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the  stockholders  entitled to vote
thereat,  present in person or represented by proxy may adjourn the meeting from
time to time,  without notice other than  announcement  at the meeting,  until a
quorum shall be present or  represented by proxy.  At such adjourned  meeting at
which a quorum shall be present or  represented,  any business may be transacted
which might have been  transacted at the meeting as originally  noticed.  If the
adjournment  is for more than thirty  days,  or if after the  adjournment  a new
record  date is fixed  for the  adjourned  meeting,  a notice  of the  adjourned
meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting.

      SECTION 5. Voting.  Unless  otherwise  required by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation  or these  Bylaws,  any  question  brought  before any  meeting of
stockholders  shall be decided by the vote of the  holders of a majority  of the
stock represented and entitled to vote thereat. Each stockholder  represented at
a meeting of  stockholders  shall be entitled to cast one vote for each share of
the capital  stock  entitled to vote  thereat held by such  stockholder,  unless
otherwise  provided by the Certificate of Incorporation.  Such votes may be cast
in person or by proxy but no proxy  shall be voted  after  three  years from its
date, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. The Board of Directors, in
its  discretion,  or the officer of the  Corporation  presiding  at a meeting of
stockholders, in his discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting
shall be cast by written ballot.

      SECTION  6. List of  Stockholders  Entitled  to Vote.  The  officer of the
Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation  shall prepare
and make,  at least ten days before every  meeting of  stockholders,  a complete
list  of  the  stockholders  entitled  to  vote  at  the  meeting,  arranged  in
alphabetical  order,  and showing the address of each stockholder and the number
of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to
the  examination  of any  stockholder,  for any purpose  germane to the meeting,
during ordinary business hours, for a period of at






                                      -45-





least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the
meeting  is to be held,  which  place  shall be  specified  in the notice of the
meeting, or, if not so specified,  at the place where the meeting is to be held.
The list shall also be  produced  and kept at the time and place of the  meeting
during the whole time thereof,  and may be inspected by any  stockholder  of the
Corporation who is present.

      SECTION 7. Stock Ledger.  The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the
only  evidence  as to who are the  stockholders  entitled  to examine  the stock
ledger,  the list  required by Section 6 of this  Article II or the books of the
Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                    DIRECTORS

      SECTION 1. Nomination of Directors. Nominations of persons for election to
the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  at the annual meeting may be made at
such meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors,  by any committee
or persons  appointed  by the Board of Directors  or by any  stockholder  of the
Corporation  entitled to vote for the  election of  directors at the meeting who
complies with the notice  procedures  set forth in this Article III,  Section 1.
Such  nominations by any stockholder  shall be made pursuant to timely notice in
writing to the  Secretary  of the  Corporation.  To be timely,  a  stockholder's
notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the  principal  executive
offices of the  Corporation  not less than sixty (60) days nor more than  ninety
(90) days prior to the meeting;  provided,  however, that in the event that less
than  seventy  (70) days notice or prior  public  disclosure  of the date of the
meeting  is given or made to  stockholders,  notice  by the  stockholder,  to be
timely, must be received no later than the close of business on the tenth (10th)
day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed
or such public disclosure was made,  whichever first occurs.  Such stockholder's
notice  to the  Secretary  shall  set  forth  (i) as to  each  person  whom  the
stockholder  proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director,  (a)
the name, age,  business  address and residence  address of the person,  (b) the
principal  occupation or  employment of the person,  (c) the class and number of
shares of capital stock of the Corporation  which are beneficially  owned by the
person, and (d) any other information relating to the person that is required to
be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors  pursuant to
the Rules and  Regulations  of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  under
Section 14 of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;  and (ii) as to
the stockholder giving the





                                      -46-





notice (a) the name and record address of the  stockholder and (b) the class and
number of shares of  capital  stock of the  Corporation  which are  beneficially
owned by the  stockholder.  The Corporation may require any proposed  nominee to
furnish such other  information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation
to determine the eligibility of such proposed  nominee to serve as a director of
the  Corporation.  No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the
Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth herein.
The officer of the  Corporation  presiding at an annual  meeting  shall,  if the
facts  warrant,  determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination  was not
made in accordance with the foregoing procedure,  and if he should so determine,
he shall  so  declare  to the  meeting  and the  defective  nomination  shall be
disregarded.  The  directors  shall be  elected  at the  annual  meeting  of the
stockholders,  except as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation,  and each
director elected shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified;
provided,  however,  that unless  otherwise  restricted  by the  Certificate  of
Incorporation  or by law, any  director or the entire Board of Directors  may be
removed,  either  with or  without  cause,  from the Board of  Directors  at any
meeting of stockholders  by a majority of the stock  represented and entitled to
vote thereat.

      SECTION 2. Meetings.  The Board of Directors of the  Corporation  may hold
meetings,  both  regular  and  special,  either  within or without  the State of
Delaware.  Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice
at such  time and at such  place as may from time to time be  determined  by the
Board of Directors.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by
the Chairman of the Board or the  President or a majority of the entire Board of
Directors.  Notice thereof stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall
be given to each director  either by mail not less than  forty-eight  (48) hours
before the date of the meeting,  by telephone  or telegram on  twenty-four  (24)
hours' notice,  or on such shorter notice as the person or persons  calling such
meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances.

      SECTION 3.  Quorum.  Except as may be otherwise  specifically  provided by
law, the Certificate of  Incorporation  or these Bylaws,  at all meetings of the
Board of Directors, a majority of the entire Board of Directors shall constitute
a quorum  for the  transaction  of  business  and the act of a  majority  of the
directors  present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of
the Board of  Directors.  If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the
Board of Directors,  a majority of the directors present thereat may adjourn the
meeting  from  time to time,  without  notice  other  than  announcement  at the
meeting, until a quorum shall be present.





                                      -47-





      SECTION 4. Actions of Board of Directors. Unless otherwise provided by the
Certificate of Incorporation  or these Bylaws,  any action required or permitted
to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof
may be taken without a meeting,  if all the members of the Board of Directors or
committee,  as the case may be, consent  thereto in writing,  and the writing or
writings are filed with the minutes of  proceedings of the Board of Directors or
committee.

      SECTION 5. Meetings by Means of  Conference  Telephone.  Unless  otherwise
provided by the  Certificate of  Incorporation  or these Bylaws,  members of the
Board of Directors of the Corporation,  or any committee designated by the Board
of  Directors,  may  participate  in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such
committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment
by means of which all persons  participating in the meeting can hear each other,
and  participation  in a meeting pursuant to this Section 5 of Article III shall
constitute presence in person at such meeting.

      SECTION 6. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by
a majority of the entire Board of Directors,  designate one or more  committees,
each  committee to consist of one or more of the  directors of the  Corporation.
The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate  members
of any  committee,  who may  replace  any absent or  disqualified  member at any
meeting of any such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of
a committee, and in the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors of an
alternate  member to replace the absent or  disqualified  member,  the member or
members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether
or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of
the Board of  Directors  to act at the  meeting  in the  place of any  absent or
disqualified member. Any committee, to the extent allowed by law and provided in
the resolution establishing such committee,  shall have and may exercise all the
powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business
and affairs of the  Corporation.  Each committee  shall keep regular minutes and
report to the Board of Directors when required.

      SECTION 7. Compensation. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any,
of  attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed
sum for  attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary
as director.  No such  payment  shall  preclude  any  director  from serving the
Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation  therefor.  Members
of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending
committee meetings.






                                      -48-





      SECTION 8. Interested  Directors.  No contract or transaction  between the
Corporation  and  one or more of its  directors  or  officers,  or  between  the
Corporation  and any  other  corporation,  partnership,  association,  or  other
organization  in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or
officers,  or have a financial  interest,  shall be void or voidable  solely for
this  reason,  or solely  because  the  director  or  officer  is  present at or
participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which
authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or their votes are
counted  for  such  purpose  if (i)  the  material  facts  as to  his  or  their
relationship  or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or
are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors
or  committee  in good faith  authorizes  the  contract  or  transaction  by the
affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors,  even though the
disinterested  directors be less than a quorum; or (ii) the material facts as to
his or their  relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are
disclosed  or are known to the  shareholder  entitled to vote  thereon,  and the
contract or  transaction is  specifically  approved in good faith by vote of the
shareholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation
as of  the  time  it is  authorized,  approved  or  ratified,  by the  Board  of
Directors,  a  committee  thereof  or the  shareholders.  Common  or  interested
directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of
the Board of  Directors  or of a  committee  which  authorizes  the  contract or
transaction.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    OFFICERS

      SECTION 1. General. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the
Board of Directors and shall be a President,  a Secretary  and a Treasurer.  The
Board of Directors,  in its discretion,  may also choose a Chairman of the Board
of Directors (who must be a director) and one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant
Secretaries,  Assistant Treasurers and other officers. Any number of offices may
be held by the same person,  unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Certificate
of  Incorporation  or these Bylaws.  The officers of the Corporation need not be
stockholders of the  Corporation  nor, except in the case of the Chairman of the
Board of Directors, need such officers be directors of the Corporation.

      SECTION 2.  Election.  The Board of  Directors  at its first  meeting held
after each  annual  meeting of  stockholders  shall  elect the  officers  of the
Corporation  who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such
powers and perform such duties as shall be  determined  from time to time by the
Board of Directors; and all officers of the Corporation





                                      -49-





shall hold office  until their  successors  are chosen and  qualified,  or until
their  earlier  resignation  or  removal.  Any  officer  elected by the Board of
Directors  may be removed at any time by the  affirmative  vote of a majority of
the Board of Directors.  Any vacancy  occurring in any office of the Corporation
shall be filled by the Board of Directors.  The salaries of all officers who are
directors of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

      SECTION 3. Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Powers of attorney,
proxies,  waivers of notice of meeting,  consents and other instruments relating
to  securities  owned by the  Corporation  may be executed in the name of and on
behalf of the  Corporation  by the President or any Vice  President and any such
officer may, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation,  take all such action
as any such  officer  may deem  advisable  to vote in  person or by proxy at any
meeting of security  holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own
securities  and at any such meeting  shall  possess and may exercise any and all
rights and power incident to the ownership of such  securities and which, as the
owner thereof,  the  Corporation  might have exercised and possessed if present.
The Board of Directors may, by resolution,  from time to time confer like powers
upon any other person or persons.

      SECTION 4. Chairman of the Board of  Directors.  The Chairman of the Board
of Directors, if there be one, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders
and of the  Board  of  Directors.  Except  where  by law  the  signature  of the
President is required,  the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall possess the
same  power as the  President  to sign all  contracts,  certificates  and  other
instruments  of  the  Corporation  which  may be  authorized  by  the  Board  of
Directors.  During the absence or disability of the  President,  the Chairman of
the Board of  Directors  shall  exercise  all the powers and  discharge  all the
duties of the  President.  The  Chairman  of the Board of  Directors  shall also
perform  such other  duties and may  exercise  such other powers as from time to
time may be assigned to him by these Bylaws or by the Board of Directors.

      SECTION 5. President.  The President shall,  subject to the control of the
Board of Directors and, if there be one, the Chairman of the Board of Directors,
have general  supervision of the business of the  Corporation and shall see that
all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. He
shall  execute all bonds,  mortgages,  contracts  and other  instruments  of the
Corporation  requiring a seal, under the seal of the  Corporation,  except where
required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except that
the other  officers of the  Corporation  may sign and execute  documents when so
authorized by these Bylaws, the





                                      -50-





Board of  Directors  or the  President.  In the  absence  or  disability  of the
Chairman of the Board of Directors,  or if there be none,  the  President  shall
preside at all  meetings of the  stockholders  and the Board of  Directors.  The
President  shall also  perform  such other  duties and may  exercise  such other
powers as from  time to time may be  assigned  to him by these  Bylaws or by the
Board of Directors.

      SECTION 6. Vice  Presidents.  At the  request of the  President  or in his
absence or in the event of his  inability  or refusal to act (and if there be no
Chairman of the Board of Directors),  the Vice President or the Vice  Presidents
if there is more than one (in the order  designated  by the Board of  Directors)
shall perform the duties of the  President,  and when so acting,  shall have all
the powers of and be subject to all the  restrictions  upon the President.  Each
Vice President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the
Board of Directors from time to time may  prescribe.  If there be no Chairman of
the Board of  Directors  and no Vice  President,  the Board of  Directors  shall
designate the officer of the Corporation who, in the absence of the President or
in the event of the inability or refusal of the President to act,  shall perform
the duties of the  President,  and when so acting,  shall have all the powers of
and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.

      SECTION 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board
of Directors  and all meetings of  stockholders  and record all the  proceedings
thereat in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; the Secretary shall also
perform like duties for the standing  committees  when  required.  The Secretary
shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and
special meetings of the Board of Directors,  and shall perform such other duties
as may be  prescribed  by the  Board of  Directors  or  President,  under  whose
supervision  he shall be. If the  Secretary  shall be unable or shall  refuse to
cause to be  given  notice  of all  meetings  of the  stockholders  and  special
meetings of the Board of Directors, and if there be no Assistant Secretary, then
either the Board of Directors or the  President  may choose  another  officer to
cause such notice to be given.  The Secretary  shall have custody of the seal of
the Corporation and the Secretary or any Assistant  Secretary,  if there be one,
shall have authority to affix the same to any  instrument  requiring it and when
so affixed,  it may be  attested by the  signature  of the  Secretary  or by the
signature  of any such  Assistant  Secretary.  The Board of  Directors  may give
general  authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and
to attest the affixing by his signature. The Secretary shall see that all books,
reports,  statements,  certificates  and other documents and records required by
law to be kept or filed are properly kept or filed, as the case may be.





                                      -51-





      SECTION  8.  Treasurer.  The  Treasurer  shall  have  the  custody  of the
corporate  funds and  securities  and shall keep full and  accurate  accounts of
receipts  and  disbursements  in books  belonging to the  Corporation  and shall
deposit all moneys and other  valuable  effects in the name and to the credit of
the  Corporation  in such  depositories  as may be  designated  by the  Board of
Directors.  The Treasurer  shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be
ordered  by  the  Board  of   Directors,   taking   proper   vouchers  for  such
disbursements,  and shall render to the President and the Board of Directors, at
its regular meetings,  or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of
all  his  transactions  as  Treasurer  and of  the  financial  condition  of the
Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the
Corporation  a bond in such sum and with  such  surety or  sureties  as shall be
satisfactory  to the Board of  Directors  for the  faithful  performance  of the
duties of his office and for the restoration to the Corporation,  in case of his
death,  resignation,  retirement or removal from office,  of all books,  papers,
vouchers,  money and other  property of whatever kind in his possession or under
his control belonging to the Corporation.

      SECTION 9. Assistant  Secretaries.  Except as may be otherwise provided in
these Bylaws, Assistant Secretaries,  if there be any, shall perform such duties
and have such  powers as from time to time may be  assigned to them by the Board
of  Directors,  the  President,  any Vice  President,  if  there be one,  or the
Secretary, and in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his disability
or refusal  to act,  shall  perform  the  duties of the  Secretary,  and when so
acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon
the Secretary.

      SECTION 10. Assistant Treasurers.  Assistant Treasurers,  if there be any,
shall  perform  such  duties  and have  such  powers as from time to time may be
assigned to them by the Board of Directors,  the President,  any Vice President,
if there be one, or the Treasurer, and in the absence of the Treasurer or in the
event of his  disability  or refusal  to act,  shall  perform  the duties of the
Treasurer,  and when so  acting,  shall have all the powers of and be subject to
all the restrictions upon the Treasurer.  If required by the Board of Directors,
an Assistant  Treasurer  shall give the  Corporation a bond in such sum and with
such surety or sureties as shall be  satisfactory  to the Board of Directors for
the faithful  performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to
the Corporation,  in case of his death, resignation,  retirement or removal from
office,  of all books,  papers,  vouchers,  money and other property of whatever
kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.








                                      -52-





      SECTION 11.  Controller.  The Controller  shall establish and maintain the
accounting  records of the  Corporation in accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles  applied on a consistent basis,  maintain proper internal
control of the assets of the  Corporation and shall perform such other duties as
the Board of Directors,  the President or any Vice President of the  Corporation
may prescribe.

      SECTION 12. Other Officers.  Such other officers as the Board of Directors
may choose  shall  perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time
may be assigned to them by the Board of  Directors.  The Board of Directors  may
delegate to any other officer of the  Corporation the power to choose such other
officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                      STOCK

      SECTION 1. Form of Certificates.  Every holder of stock in the Corporation
shall be entitled to have a certificate  signed,  in the name of the Corporation
(i) by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or a Vice President
and (ii) by the  Treasurer or an  Assistant  Treasurer,  or the  Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by
him in the Corporation.

      SECTION 2. Signatures. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may
be a facsimile,  including,  but not limited to,  signatures  of officers of the
Corporation and countersignatures of a transfer agent or registrar.  In case any
officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature
has been  placed  upon a  certificate  shall  have  ceased  to be such  officer,
transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued,  it may be issued
by the  Corporation  with the same effect as if he were such  officer,  transfer
agent or registrar at the date of issue.

      SECTION  3. Lost  Certificates.  The Board of  Directors  may direct a new
certificate to be issued in place of any certificate  theretofore  issued by the
Corporation  alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed,  upon the making of
an affidavit of that fact by the person  claiming the certificate of stock to be
lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the
Board of Directors may, in its  discretion  and as a condition  precedent to the
issuance  thereof,   require  the  owner  of  such  lost,  stolen  or  destroyed
certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise







                                      -53-





the same in such manner as the Board of Directors  shall require  and/or to give
the  Corporation  a bond in such sum as it may direct as  indemnity  against any
claim that may be made against the  Corporation  with respect to the certificate
alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

      SECTION 4. Transfers.  Stock of the  Corporation  shall be transferable in
the manner  prescribed by law and in these  Bylaws.  Transfers of stock shall be
made on the books of the Corporation only by the person named in the certificate
or by his attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the
certificate therefor, which shall be cancelled before a new certificate shall be
issued.

      SECTION 5. Record Date.  In order that the  Corporation  may determine the
stockholders  entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or
any adjournment  thereof,  or entitled to express consent to corporate action in
writing  without a meeting,  or entitled to receive  payment of any  dividend or
other  distribution  or  allotment  of any rights,  or entitled to exercise  any
rights in respect of any change,  conversion  or  exchange of stock,  or for the
purpose of any other lawful action,  the Board of Directors may fix, in advance,
a record  date,  which  shall not be more than sixty days nor less than ten days
before  the date of such  meeting,  nor more than  sixty days prior to any other
action.  A  determination  of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to
vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.

      SECTION  6.  Beneficial  Owners.  The  Corporation  shall be  entitled  to
recognize the exclusive  right of a person  registered on its books as the owner
of shares to receive  dividends,  and to vote as such owner,  and to hold liable
for  calls  and  assessments  a person  registered  on its books as the owner of
shares,  and shall not be bound to recognize  any equitable or other claim to or
interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not
it shall have express or other notice thereof,  except as otherwise  provided by
law.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                     NOTICES

     SECTION  1.  Notices.  Whenever  written  notice is  required  by law,  the
Certificate  of  Incorporation  or these  Bylaws,  to be given to any  director,
member of a committee or stockholder, such notice may be given by mail,






                                      -54-





addressed to such director, member of a committee or stockholder, at his address
as it appears on the records of the  Corporation,  with postage thereon prepaid,
and such  notice  shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be
deposited in the United States mail. Written notice may also be given personally
or by telegram, telex or cable.

      SECTION 2. Waivers of Notice.  Whenever any notice is required by law, the
Certificate  of  Incorporation  or these  Bylaws,  to be given to any  director,
member of a committee or stockholder,  a waiver thereof in writing,  signed,  by
the person or persons entitled to said notice,  whether before or after the time
stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

      SECTION 1. Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation,
subject to the provisions of the  Certificate of  Incorporation,  if any, may be
declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, and may be
paid in cash, in property,  or in shares of the capital stock. Before payment of
any  dividend,  there  may be set  aside  out of any  funds  of the  Corporation
available for dividends  such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to
time, in its absolute discretion,  deems proper as a reserve or reserves to meet
contingencies,  or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any
property  of the  Corporation,  or for any  proper  purpose,  and the  Board  of
Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

      SECTION 2. Disbursements. All checks or demands for money and notes of the
Corporation  shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or
persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

      SECTION 3. Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the  Corporation  shall end on
December 31 and the  following  fiscal year shall  commence on January 1, unless
the fiscal year is otherwise fixed by affirmative resolution of the entire Board
of Directors.

      SECTION 4. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon
the name of the Corporation and the words "Corporate Seal,  Delaware".  The seal
may be used by causing it or a facsimile  thereof to be  impressed or affixed or
reproduced or otherwise.








                                      -55-




                                                                     EX-4.1


                           THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED
                                 NEW YORK BRANCH
                                 277 PARK AVENUE
                              NEW YORK, N.Y. 10172
                                     -------
                                 (212) 224-4000
May 28, 1997


Ms. Katherine M. Weien,
Director of Finance
Embassy Suites, Inc.
(Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.)
1023 Cherry Road
Memphis, TN 38117-5423
Telephone:  901-762-8838
Telefax:  901-762-8998

Re:  Termination  Agreement  dated as of May 28, 1997 between The Sumitomo Bank,
Limited,  acting through its New York Branch  (`SBL-NY') and Harrah's  Operating
Company, Inc., formerly known as Embassy Suites,  Inc.("Harrah's")  (SBL-NY Ref.
No 100513)

Dear Ms. Weien:

This letter agreement  confirms the termination of the Swap Transaction  between
SBL-NY and  Harrah's  having a Trade Date of  October  22,  1992 with a Notional
Amount of USD 50,000,000.00 and an original Termination Date of October 15, 1997
(the "Original  Swap"). A copy of the Confirmation  evidencing the Original Swap
is annexed hereto as Exhibit A. This letter agreement constitutes a Confirmation
under the Interest Rate and Currency Exchange  Agreement dated as of October 22,
1992 between The Sumitomo  Bank,  Limited,  New York Branch and Embassy  Suites,
Inc. (the "Agreement"),  and it supplements,  forms a part of, and is subject to
such Agreement.  Capitalized  terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein
shall have their respective meanings as set forth in the Agreement.

1.       Termination  of Original  Swap.  The  Original  Swap and the rights and
         obligations of SBL-NY and Harrah's in respect thereof arising after May
         28,  1997  (the  "Effective  Termination  Date")  are  terminated.  The
         Agreement and all other Swap  Transactions  between SBL-NY and Harrah's
         shall remain in full force and effect, except as set forth therein.




                                      -56-





2.       Payments.  In consideration of the parties agreement to terminate the 
         Original Swap, SBL-NY shall pay USD 7,060.56 to Harrah's on May 29, 
         1997 in immediately available funds as follows:

Payments to Harrah's of USD amounts:

Depository:                         First Tennessee Bank
Address:                            Memphis, TN ABA 084000026
In Favor Of:                        Embassy Suites, Inc.
Account No.                         841900

3.        Representations  and Warranties.  Each party,  with respect to itself,
          represents  and  warrants  to the  other  party  that:  (i) it has the
          authority to enter into and perform this Termination  Agreement;  (ii)
          it has performed all actions and obtained all consents necessary to be
          performed and obtained by it in respect hereof;  (iii) the officer who
          signed  this  Termination  Agreement  is a duly  elected or  appointed
          officer  of the  party,  authorized  to act on behalf of such party in
          respect hereof;  (iv) it has not transferred or assigned  (outright or
          as collateral  security) any or all of its interests or obligations in
          respect of the Original Swap; and (v) no Event of Default or Potential
          Event of Default with respect to it or any of its  Specified  Entities
          has  occurred  and is  continuing  as of the date  hereof or will have
          occurred and be continuing as of the Effective Termination Date.
4.        Governing Law. This Termination  Agreement is governed by and shall be
          construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without
          reference to choice of law doctrine.
5.        Counterparts.   This   Termination   Agreement   may  be  executed  in
          counterparts,  each of which  shall be deemed to be an  original,  and
          signatures  evidenced  by  facsimile   transmission  shall  be  deemed
          effective as an original.
6.        Complete Agreement.  This Termination Agreement constitutes the entire
          agreement  and   understanding  of  the  parties  in  respect  of  the
          termination of the Original Swap as of the Effective Date.














                                      -57-





Please acknowledge receipt of this Termination  Agreement and your acceptance of
the terms,  stated  herein by returning (i) a signed,  facsimile  copy hereof to
SBL-NY at facsimile number (212) 593-9522, and (ii) one originally executed copy
of the Termination Agreement which is being sent to you in duplicate via regular
mail.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             The Sumitomo Bank, Limited,
                                                New York Branch

                                             By:      /s/Suresh S. Tata
                                                      ---------------------
                                             Name:     Suresh S. Tata
                                             Title:    Senior Vice President

ACCEPTED AND CONFIRMED:

Harrah's Operating Company, Inc.


By:      /s/Charles L. Atwood
         -----------------------
Name:
Title:
























                                      -58-





                                    EXHIBIT A
                                  CONFIRMATION
Date:    October 22, 1992

To:      Embassy Suites, Inc.
         Carol Champion
         1023 Cherry Road
         Memphis, TN 38117

From:    Mr. Tokuhiko Ieki
         The Sumitomo Bank, Limited,
         New York Branch
         One World Trade Center
         Suite 9651
         New York, NY 10048
         Telephone:  212-323-0346
         Telefax:  212-524-0612

Re:      USD 50,000,000.00 Swap Transaction, dated as of October 22, 1992 
         between The Sumitomo Bank, Limited, acting through its New York 
         Branch ("Party A") and Embassy Suites, Inc. ("Party B").

Sumitomo Bank, Limited, New York Branch Reference Number:  100513

The purpose of this letter agreement is to set forth the terms and conditions of
the Swap Transaction entered into between The Sumitomo Bank,  Limited,  New York
Branch and Embassy  Suites,  Inc. on the Trade Date  specified  below (the "Swap
Transaction"). This letter agreement constitutes a "Confirmation" as referred to
in the Interest  Rate and Currency  Exchange  Agreement  specified  below.  This
document  supersedes all previous  confirmations  and amendments with respect to
the above referenced transaction.

The  definitions  and  provisions  contained  in the 1991 ISDA  Definitions  (as
published by the International Swap Dealers  Association,  Inc.), without regard
to any  revision or  subsequent  edition  thereof,  are  incorporated  into this
Confirmation.  In the event of any  inconsistency  between those definitions and
provisions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation will govern.

1.       ISDA AGREEMENT:

This Confirmation supplements,  forms a part of, and is subject to, the Interest
Rate and  Currency  Exchange  Agreement  dated as of  October  22,  1992 and the
accompanying  schedule dated as of October 22, 1992 (the  "Agreement"),  between
The  Sumitomo  Bank,  Limited,  New York Branch and Embassy  Suites,  Inc..  All
provisions  contained in the Agreement shall govern this Confirmation  except as
expressly modified below.

                                      -59-





2.       TERMS OF SWAP TRANSACTION:

The terms of the particular Swap Transaction to which this Confirmation  relates
are as follows:

Notional Amount:                            USD 50,000,000.00

Trade Date:                                 October 22, 1992

Effective Date:                             October 26, 1992

Termination Date:                           October 15, 1997

FIXED AMOUNTS:                              (PARTY A)

Fixed Rate Payer:                           Sumitomo Bank, Limited,
                                            New York Branch

Fixed Rate Payer Payment Dates:             April 15, October 15, in
                                            each year from and including
                                            April 15,  1993  to  and
                                            including  October 15, 1997;  
                                            subject to  adjustment  in
                                            accordance with the 
                                            Modified Following Business
                                            Day Convention with No 
                                            Adjustment for Period End
                                            Dates

Fixed Rate:                                 6.13% (percent) per annum

Fixed Rate Day Count Fraction:              30/360

FLOATING AMOUNTS:                           (PARTY B)

Floating Rate Payer:                        Embassy Suites, Inc.

Floating Rate Payer Payment Dates:          April 15, October 15, in each
                                            year from  and including April
                                            15,  1993  to and including  
                                            October 15, 1997; subject to
                                            adjustment in accordance with
                                            the Modified Following 
                                            Business Day Convention

Floating Rate for Initial                   3.5625% (percent) per annum 
Calculation Period:


                                      -60-





Floating Rate Option:                       USD-LIBOR-BBA

Designated Maturity:                        6 Months

Spread:                                     Inapplicable

Floating Rate Day Count Fraction:           Actual/360

Reset Dates:                                First day of each Calculation
                                            Period

Compounding:                                Inapplicable

Business Days For Payments By               New York and London
Both Parties:

3.       CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENTS           Inapplicable

4.       PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

Payments to Sumitomo Bank, Limited, New York Branch of USD amounts:

Depository:                                 Morgan Guaranty Trust Co.
                                            of New York Branch
Address:                                    New York, NY
In Favor Of:                                Sumitomo Bank, Limited
                                            New York
Account No.:                                631-28-256

Payments to Embassy Suites Inc. of USD amounts:

Depository:       First Tennessee Bank
Address:          Memphis, TN  ABA 084000026
In Favor Of:      Embassy Suites, Inc.
Account No.:      841900
Attention:        Josh Hirsberg

Please  confirm  that  the  foregoing  correctly  sets  forth  the  terms of the
agreement  between you and us by executing this Confirmation and returning it to
the documentation contact above.

Yours Sincerely,

Sumitomo Bank, Limited, New York Branch

By:      /s/Eiji Sumino
         ------------------------


                                      -61-





Confirmed as of the date first written above:

Embassy Suites, Inc.

By:      /s/William S. McCalmont
         -------------------------
         William S. McCalmont
         Vice President and Treasurer









































                                      -62-




                                                                     EX-4.2

Scotiabank
The Bank of Nova Scotia


International Banking Division
Derivative Products
44 King Street West, 14th Floor,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1H1

DATE:              May 28, 1997

TELECOPY NO:       (901) 762-8998

NAME OF COMPANY:   HARRAH'S OPERATING COMPANY INC.

RE:                USD 100MM Interest Rate Swap Transaction
                   Unwind dated May 28, 1997
                   Our Ref: S08781 (Previously SW3372)

ATTENTION:         Katie Weien

FROM:              Kathryn J. Iozzo - Swap Documentation Officer
                   DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS
                   (416) 866-5415            FAX# 866-6865/4975

- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Confidentiality
This message is intended  only for the use of the  individual or entity to which
it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and
exempt from  disclosure.  If you are not the intended  recipient or the employee
responsible  for  delivering  the  message to the  intended  recipient,  you are
notified that any  dissemination,  distribution or copying of this communication
is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, kindly
notify us  immediately  by  telephone  (collect  if  necessary),  and return the
original message to us by mail or alternatively destroy this message.

Thank you
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING THIS COVERING PAGE:  1
COMMENTS:

         This  transaction  was effected  through Scotia  Capital  Markets (USA)
         Inc., a U.S. Broker-dealer subsidiary of The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS),
         who acted as agent in the transaction.


                                      -63-





This is to confirm  that THE BANK OF NOVA  SCOTIA,  (the "Bank") did on or about
the October 22, 1992 enter into a Swap Transaction  having a Notional  Principal
Amount of USD  100,000,000.00  with  HARRAH'S  OPERATING  COMPANY  INC.  whereby
HARRAH'S OPERATING COMPANY INC. would make Floating Payments to THE BANK OF NOVA
SCOTIA, in exchange for a series of Fixed Payments from THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA.

It is now the  intention  of both  parties  hereto  to settle  their  respective
obligations  under the Swap  Transaction  and to terminate the Swap  Transaction
(Ref:  S08781  -  Previously  SW3372)  and to that  end,  it is  agreed  that in
consideration of a payment of USD 25,150.00 for value May 29, 1997 from THE BANK
OF NOVA  SCOTIA to  HARRAH'S  OPERATING  COMPANY  INC.,  each party does  hereby
discharge and release the other party from all of its obligations under the Swap
Transaction (Ref: S08781 - Previously SW3372). The Swap Transaction (Ref. S08781
- - Previously SW3372) shall be considered to be terminated as of May 28, 1997.

We request that HARRAH'S OPERATING COMPANY INC. confirm their agreement to the 
foregoing by return fax or telex.  Please send your confirmation to the 
attention of Kathryn J. Iozzo - Swap Documentation Officer, Derivative 
Products, Fax No: (416) 866-6865/4975,

Regards,

/s/Kathryn J. Iozzo
Kathryn J. Iozzo
Senior Assistant Manager           HARRAH'S OPERATING COMPANY INC.


                                   By:      /s/Charles L. Atwood
/s/Ben Dunne                                -----------------------
Ben Dunne                          Name:
Senior Manager                     Title:
Derivative Products















                                      -64-




                                                                     EX-4.3



                          The Nippon Credit Bank, Ltd.
                          Los Angeles Agency
                          550 South Hope Street, Suite 2500
                          Los Angeles, CA 90071
                          Phone 215-243-5555


May 27, 1997


Ms. Katherine Weien
Director of Finance
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
1023 Cherry Road
Memphis, TN 38117-5423

Ref:     Cancellation of $50,000,000 swap your receiving 6.14% and
         paying float (6 month Libor), trade date 10/22/92, Maturity
         date 10/15/97 (Ref IRS09002600001)

Dear Ms. Weien,

This is to inform you of the  cancellation of our swap with you as of today. The
market  value of your swap is  $9,774.71.  Payment  will take place two business
days from today.  Therefore,  we will credit USD  9,774.71 to your  account with
First Tennessee Bank N.A., Memphis on May 29, 1997.

Thank you for your cooperation  regarding this matter. If you have any questions
and would like to discuss the cancellation, please contact me at 213-243-5561.

Sincerely,


/s/Carol S. Ito
Carol S. Ito
A.V.P. and Manager
Nippon Credit Bank, Ltd., Los Angeles







                                      -65-




                                                                     EX-4.4


                          CONSENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENTS


                  CONSENT TO CREDIT  AGREEMENTS  (this  "Consent"),  dated as of
April  11,  1997,  among  HARRAH'S  ENTERTAINMENT,   INC.  ("Parent"),  HARRAH'S
OPERATING  COMPANY,  INC. (the "Company"),  MARINA  ASSOCIATES  ("Marina"),  the
various lending  institutions  party to the Credit Agreements  referred to below
(the "Banks"),  BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,  THE BANK OF NEW YORK, CIBC INC.,  CREDIT
LYONNAIS,  ATLANTA AGENCY,  WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., THE LONG-TERM CREDIT BANK OF
JAPAN, LIMITED, NEW YORK BRANCH, NATIONSBANK, N.A. (SOUTH), SOCIETE GENERALE and
THE SUMITOMO  BANK,  LIMITED,  NEW YORK BRANCH,  as Agents (the  "Agents"),  and
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,  as Administrative  Agent (the  "Administrative  Agent").
Unless otherwise  defined herein,  all capitalized  terms used herein shall have
the respective  meanings  provided such terms in the 5-Year Credit  Agreement or
the 364-Day Credit Agreement, as the case may be, referred to below.

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

                  WHEREAS,  Parent,  the Company,  Marina, the Banks, the Agents
and the  Administrative  Agent are  parties to an Amended  and  Restated  Credit
Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1993 and amended and restated as of June 9, 1995
(as  amended,  modified or  supplemented  through the date  hereof,  the "5-Year
Credit Agreement");

                  WHEREAS,  Parent,  the Company,  Marina, the Banks, the Agents
and the Administrative Agent are parties to a Credit Agreement, dated as of June
9, 1995 (as  amended,  modified or  supplemented  through the date  hereof,  the
"364-Day Credit  Agreement," and together with the 5-Year Credit Agreement,  the
"Credit Agreements"); and

                  WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to consent to certain actions
to be taken under the Credit Agreements as herein provided;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed:

                  1.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  contained  in
Section  9.10 of the 5-Year  Credit  Agreement or in Section 8.10 of the 364-Day
Credit  Agreement,  the Banks  hereby  agree that the  Company  also may use the
proceeds of Loans incurred under each Credit Agreement to repurchase,  redeem or
otherwise retire outstanding 10-7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes.





                                      -66-





                  2.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  contained  in
Section  9.04(xi)(v) of the 5-Year Credit Agreement or in Section 8.04(xi)(v) of
the 364-Day Credit  Agreement,  the Banks hereby agree that the Company also may
concurrently use the proceeds of any Additional  Unsecured Senior Debt issued in
accordance  with the terms of such Sections to repay any  outstanding  Loans the
proceeds  of  which  were  used  to  repurchase,   redeem  or  otherwise  retire
outstanding  10-7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes as permitted by Section 1 of this
Consent.

                  3.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in the
definition of "Permitted Designated  Indebtedness" appearing in Section 11.01 of
the  5-Year  Credit  Agreement  and  in  Section  10.01  of the  364-Day  Credit
Agreement,  the Banks hereby agree that the  proceeds of any  Subordinated  Debt
which are used to repay any outstanding Loans the proceeds of which were used to
repurchase,  redeem or otherwise retire outstanding  10-7/8% Senior Subordinated
Notes as  permitted  by  Section 1 of this  Consent  also  shall not  constitute
Permitted Designated Indebtedness.

                  4. The Banks hereby  consent to, and direct and  authorize the
Collateral  Agent to effect,  the release of all of the Collateral  under all of
the  Collateral  Documents,  and authorize the  Collateral  Agent to execute and
deliver such documentation (including UCC-3 termination statements and the like)
deemed necessary or desirable by it in connection therewith.

                  5. In order to induce the Banks to enter into this Consent, 
Parent and each Borrower hereby represent and warrant that:

                  (x) as of the date hereof and as of the Consent Effective Date
         (as hereinafter defined),  the Company's Indebtedness is, and shall be,
         rated at least BBB-  Senior  Implied by S&P or Baa3  Senior  Implied by
         Moody's;

                  (y) no Default or Event of Default exists on the Consent 
         Effective Date, both before and after giving effect to this Consent; 
         and

                  (z) all of the  representations  and  warranties  contained in
         each  Credit  Agreement  shall  be true  and  correct  in all  material
         respects on and as of the Consent Effective Date, both before and after
         giving  effect to this  Consent,  with the same  effect as though  such
         representations  and  warranties had been made on and as of the Consent
         Effective Date (it being understood that any representation or warranty
         made as of a specified date shall be required to be true and correct in
         all material respects only as of such specific date).





                                      -67-





                  6.  This  Consent  is  limited  as  specified  and  shall  not
constitute a  modification,  acceptance or waiver of any other  provision of the
Credit Agreements or any other Credit Document.

                  7. This Consent may be executed in any number of  counterparts
and by the  different  parties  hereto on separate  counterparts,  each of which
counterparts when executed and delivered shall be an original,  but all of which
shall  together  constitute  one and the  same  instrument.  A  complete  set of
counterparts  shall be lodged with  Parent,  the Company and the  Administrative
Agent.

                  8. This Consent and the rights and obligations of the parties
hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of 
the State of New York.

                  9.  This  Consent  shall  become  effective  on the date  (the
"Consent Effective Date") when Parent,  the Borrowers,  each other Credit Party,
the  Collateral  Agent and the  Required  Banks  under,  and as defined in, each
Credit  Agreement  shall have signed a counterpart  hereof  (whether the same or
different   counterparts)  and  shall  have  delivered   (including  by  way  of
telecopier) the same to the Administrative Agent at the Notice Office.

                  10. From and after the Consent  Effective Date, all references
in the Credit Agreements and the other Credit Documents to each Credit Agreement
shall be deemed to be  references  to each such  Credit  Agreement  as  modified
hereby.


                                 *     *     *


                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the parties  hereto has caused a
counterpart  of this Consent to be duly  executed  and  delivered as of the date
first above written.

                                            HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

                                            By  /s/Charles L. Atwood
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President


                                            HARRAH'S OPERATING COMPANY, INC.

                                            By  /s/Charles L. Atwood
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President

                                      -68-





                                            MARINA ASSOCIATES

                                            By: HARRAH'S ATLANTIC CITY, INC.,
                                                  a general partner

                                            By  /s/Stephen H. Brammell
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Assistant Secretary


                                            By: HARRAH'S NEW JERSEY, INC.,
                                                  a general partner

                                            By  /s/Stephen H. Brammell
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Assistant Secretary


                                            HARRAH'S RENO HOLDING COMPANY, INC.

                                            By  /s/Michael N. Regan
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  VP, Treasurer


                                            HARRAH'S LAS VEGAS, INC.

                                            By  /s/Michael N. Regan
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Treasurer


                                            HARRAH'S LAUGHLIN, INC.

                                            By  /s/Michael N. Regan
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Treasurer


                                            HARRAH'S ATLANTIC CITY, INC.

                                            By  /s/Stephen H. Brammell
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Assistant Secretary





                                      -69-





                                            HARRAH'S NEW JERSEY, INC.

                                            By  /s/Stephen H. Brammell
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Assistant Secretary


                                            BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                                              Individually,
                                              as Administrative Agent,
                                              as Collateral Agent
                                              and as an Agent

                                            By  /s/Mary Kay Coyle
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:


                                            THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                              Individually and as an
                                              Agent

                                            By  /s/Gregory L. Batson
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President


                                            CIBC INC., Individually and
                                              as an Agent

                                            By  /s/Paul J. Chakmak
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Managing Director, CIBC
                                                      Wood Gundy Securities
                                                      Corp., AS AGENT


                                            CREDIT LYONNAIS, ATLANTA AGENCY,
                                              Individually and as an Agent

                                            By  /s/David M. Cawrse
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  First Vice President
                                                      & Manager





                                      -70-





                                            CREDIT LYONNAIS CAYMAN ISLAND
                                              BRANCH

                                            By  /s/David M. Cawrse
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Authorized Signature


                                            THE LONG-TERM CREDIT BANK OF JAPAN,
                                              LIMITED, NEW YORK BRANCH,
                                              Individually and as an Agent

                                            By  /s/John J. Sullivan
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Joint General Manager


                                            NATIONSBANK, N.A. (SOUTH),
                                              Individually and as an Agent,

                                            By  /s/Kimberly R. Dupuy
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President


                                            SOCIETE GENERALE, Individually and
                                              as an Agent

                                            By  /s/Donald L. Schubert
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President


                                            THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED,
                                              ATLANTA AGENCY, Individually
                                              and as an Agent

                                            By  /s/Gary Franke
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  VP









                                      -71-





                                            WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
                                              Individually and as Agent

                                            By  /s/Maureen Klippenstein
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  V.P.


                                            ABN AMRO BANK N.V., SAN FRANCISCO
                                              BRANCH

                                            By  /s/L. T. Osborne
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Group Vice President

                                            By  /s/Joseph M. Vitale
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Portfolio Officer


                                            BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                                              AND SAVING ASSOCIATION

                                            By  /s/Scott Faber
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President


                                            THE BOATMEN'S NATIONAL BANK
                                              OF ST. LOUIS

                                            By  /s/Kimberly R. Dupuy
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  VP


                                            COMMERZBANK AG, LOS ANGELES BRANCH

                                            By  /s/W. Schmidbauer
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President

                                            By  /s/Karla Wirth
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Asst. Treasurer




                                      -72-





                                            DEPOSIT GUARANTY NATIONAL BANK

                                            By  /s/Larry C. Ratzlaff
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President


                                            FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK

                                            By  /s/Elizabeth H. Vaughn
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Senior Vice President


                                            FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE

                                            By  /s/Stephen M. Valdes
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President


                                            FLEET BANK, N.A.

                                            By  /s/John Cullinan
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  SVP


                                            GIROCREDIT BANK A.G. DER
                                              SPARKASSEN, GRAND CAYMAN
                                              ISLAND BRANCH

                                            By  /s/John Redding
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:

                                            By  /s/Richard Stone
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:










                                      -73-





                                            HIBERNIA NATIONAL BANK

                                            By  /s/S. John Castellano
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President


                                            THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN,
                                              LIMITED

                                            By  /s/Kazuo Iida
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  General Manager


                                            THE MITSUBISHI TRUST & BANKING
                                              CORP.

                                            By  /s/Patricia Lorete DeMola
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Senior Vice President


                                            THE NIPPON CREDIT BANK, LTD.,
                                              LOS ANGELES AGENCY

                                            By  /s/Jay Schwartz
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President &
                                                      Manager


                                            THE SANWA BANK, LIMITED,
                                              ATLANTA AGENCY

                                            By  /s/Dennis S. Losin
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President











                                      -74-





                                            SUNTRUST BANK, NASHVILLE, N.A.

                                            By  /s/Renee D. Drake
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President


                                            THE TOKAI BANK, LIMITED,
                                              NEW YORK BRANCH

                                            By  /s/Kaoru Oda
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Assistant General
                                                      Manager


                                            UNITED STATES NATIONAL BANK
                                              OF OREGON

                                            By  /s/Dale Parshall
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Assistant Vice
                                                      President


                                            WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK
                                              GIROZENTRALE, NEW YORK BRANCH

                                            By  /s/Ralph White
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Vice President

                                            By  /s/James Vineau
                                                -------------------------
                                              Title:  Senior Analyst











                                      -75-




                                                                     EX-4.5



                                     CONSENT


                                                          April 10, 1997



                  Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement,  dated as of
June 9, 1995, among Harrah's Entertainment,  Inc. ("Parent"), Harrah's Operating
Company, Inc. (the "Company"),  Marina Associates  ("Marina"),  the lenders from
time to time party thereto (the "Banks"), Bankers Trust Company, The Bank of New
York, CIBC Inc.,  Credit Lyonnais,  Atlanta Agency,  Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., The
Long-Term  Credit Bank of Japan,  Limited,  New York Branch,  NationsBank,  N.A.
(South),  Societe Generale and The Sumitomo Bank,  Limited,  New York Branch, as
Agents (the "Agents"),  and Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative  Agent (the
"Administrative Agent") (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time,
the "364-Day Credit  Agreement").  Unless otherwise defined herein,  capitalized
terms used herein  shall have the  respective  meanings  provided in the 364-Day
Credit Agreement.

                  Pursuant to Section  2.04(a) of the 364-Day Credit  Agreement,
the Company has  submitted  to the  Administrative  Agent the  attached  written
request (and  accompanied  officer's  certificate)  to extend the Final Maturity
Date of the 364-Day Credit  Agreement to May 27, 1998. In connection  therewith,
each of the undersigned Banks hereby agrees to extend its Maturity Date (and the
Final Maturity Date) to May 27, 1998.

                  This Consent may be executed in any number of counterparts and
by the  different  parties  hereto  on  separate  counterparts,  each  of  which
counterparts when executed shall be an original, but all of which shall together
constitute one and the same instrument.  A complete set of counterparts shall be
lodged with Parent and the Administrative Agent.

                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the parties  hereto has caused a
counterpart of this Consent to be duly executed and delivered.


                                            HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

                                            By /s/Charles L. Atwood
                                               -------------------------
                                              Title: Vice President


                                      -76-





                                            HARRAH'S OPERATING COMPANY, INC.

                                            By /s/Charles L. Atwood
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title: Vice President


                                            MARINA ASSOCIATES

                                            By: HARRAH'S ATLANTIC CITY, INC.,
                                                  a general partner

                                            By /s/Stephen H. Brammell
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  Assistant Secretary


                                            By: HARRAH'S NEW JERSEY, INC.,
                                                  a general partner

                                            By /s/Stephen H. Brammell
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  Assistant Secretary


                                            BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                                              Individually and as
                                              Administrative Agent
                                              and as an Agent

                                            By /s/Mary Kay Coyle
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:


                                            THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                              Individually and as an
                                              Agent

                                            By /s/Gregory L. Batson
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title: Vice President







                                      -77-





                                            CIBC INC., Individually and
                                              as an Agent

                                            By /s/Paul J. Chakmak
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  Managing Director, CIBC
                                                      Wood Gundy Securities
                                                      Corp., AS AGENT


                                            CREDIT LYONNAIS, ATLANTA AGENCY,
                                              Individually and as an Agent

                                            By /s/David M. Cawrse
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  First Vice President
                                                      & Manager


                                            CREDIT LYONNAIS CAYMAN ISLAND
                                              BRANCH

                                            By /s/David M. Cawrse
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  Authorized Signature


                                            WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
                                              Individually and as Agent

                                            By /s/Maureen Klippenstein
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  V.P.


                                            THE LONG-TERM CREDIT BANK OF JAPAN,
                                              LIMITED, NEW YORK BRANCH,
                                              Individually and as an Agent

                                            By /s/John J. Sullivan
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  Joint General Manager







                                      -78-





                                            NATIONSBANK, N.A. (SOUTH),
                                              Individually and as an Agent,

                                            By /s/Kimberly R. Dupuy
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title: Vice President


                                            SOCIETE GENERALE, Individually and
                                              as an Agent

                                            By /s/J. Blaine Shaum
                                               ------------------------------
                                              Title: Regional Manager


                                            THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED,
                                              ATLANTA AGENCY, Individually
                                              and as an Agent

                                            By /s/Masayuki Fukushima
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  Joint General Manager


                                            BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                                              AND SAVING ASSOCIATION

                                            By  /s/Scott Faber
                                                --------------------------
                                              Title: Vice President


                                            THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

                                            By /s/A. S. Norsworthy
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title: Sr. Team Leader-
                                                     Loan Operations










                                      -79-





                                            GIROCREDIT BANK A.G. DER
                                              SPARKASSEN, GRAND CAYMAN
                                              ISLAND BRANCH

                                            By  /s/John Redding
                                                --------------------------
                                              Title:

                                            By /s/Richard Stone
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:


                                            THE TOKAI BANK, LIMITED,
                                              NEW YORK BRANCH

                                            By /s/Stuart M. Schulman
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  Deputy General Manager


                                            THE BOATMEN'S NATIONAL BANK
                                              OF ST. LOUIS

                                            By /s/Kimberly R. Dupuy
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  VP


                                            FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK

                                            By /s/Elizabeth H. Vaughn
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  Senior Vice President


                                            FIRST TENNESSEE BANK NATIONAL
                                              ASSOCIATION

                                            By /s/James G. Moore, Jr.
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title: Vice President







                                      -80-





                                            THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN,
                                              LIMITED

                                            By  /s/Kazuo Iida
                                                --------------------------
                                              Title: General Manager


                                            PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                                              (success by merger to Midlantic
                                              Bank, N.A.)

                                            By /s/Denise D. Killen
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title: Vice President


                                            THE SANWA BANK, LIMITED,
                                              ATLANTA AGENCY

                                            By /s/Dennis S. Losin
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title: Vice President


                                            UNITED STATES NATIONAL BANK
                                              OF OREGON

                                            By /s/Dale Parshall
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title: Assistant Vice
                                                     President


                                            DEPOSIT GUARANTY NATIONAL BANK

                                            By /s/Larry C. Ratzlaff
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  Senior Vice President


                                            THE MITSUBISHI TRUST & BANKING
                                              CORP.

                                            By /s/Patricia Lorete DeMola
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  Senior Vice President


                                      -81-





                                            WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK
                                              GIROZENTRALE, NEW YORK BRANCH

                                            By  /s/Ralph White
                                                --------------------------
                                              Title: Vice President

                                            By  /s/James Vineau
                                                --------------------------
                                              Title: Senior Analyst


                                            ABN AMRO BANK N.V., SAN FRANCISCO
                                              BRANCH

                                            By /s/Jan-Paul Kranendonk
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title: Vice President

                                            By /s/Joseph M. Vitale
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title: Portfolio Officer


                                            SUNTRUST BANK, NASHVILLE, N.A.

                                            By /s/Renee D. Drake
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title: Vice President

                                            FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE

                                            By /s/Louis Ballero
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title: Sr. Vice President


                                            FLEET BANK N.A.

                                            By /s/John Cullinan
                                               --------------------------
                                              Title:  SVP






                                      -82-



                                                                     EX-4.6

Philip G. Satre                                                  Telephone
Chairman, President and                                          901/762-8600
Chief Executive Officer

                          HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
                    The Premier Name In Casino Entertainment

                                                                July 23, 1997

To Our Stockholders:

         On April 25, 1997, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. held its Annual Meeting
of  Stockholders.  At the meeting,  in addition to the election of three Class I
directors and the appointment of the Company's  independent public  accountants,
stockholders  were  asked to vote on a proposal  sponsored  by the HERE Union to
amend the Company's bylaws to eliminate the Company's  Stockholder  Rights Plan.
The proposal was opposed by the Board of Directors.

         On  behalf  of the  Board of  Directors,  I want to thank  you for your
participation  in the proxy  process and advise you of the final voting  results
from the 1997 stockholders meeting.

o        All Class I Directors were elected by over 98% of votes cast.

o        The appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's independent 
         public accounts for the 1997 calendar year was ratified.

o        The  stockholder   proposal  to  amend  the  bylaws  to  eliminate  the
         Stockholder  Rights Plan failed to pass.  It received  the  affirmative
         vote of only 32.7% of  outstanding  shares rather than the  affirmative
         vote  of  75% of  outstanding  shares  as  required  by  the  Company's
         Certificate of Incorporation.

         As you know from the Company's proxy materials,  the Board of Directors
opposed the  stockholder  proposal  because the Board  believes  the Rights Plan
protects the interests of all  stockholders and preserves the long-term value of
their  investments  in the Company,  and because we believe the  proposed  bylaw
amendment was legally invalid under Delaware law.

         I am taking this opportunity to enclose the current summary description
that outlines the principal  features of the Stockholder  Rights Plan. The Board
considers  these Rights to be a valuable means of protecting  both your right to
retain  your  equity  investment  in the  Company  and the  full  value  of that
investment, while not foreclosing

                                      -83-





a fair  acquisition  bid for the  Company.  The summary is for your  information
only, and no action by stockholders is required at this time. The Rights will be
exercisable  only if a person  or group  acquires  15% or more of the  Company's
common stock or announces a tender offer for 15% or more of the common stock.

         We  believe  the  overwhelming  vote of the  stockholders  to elect the
Company's  directors  reflects  confidence  in the  Board of  Directors  to make
decisions regarding the Company's future, and we thank you for that support. Our
overriding objective is to build value for Harrah's stockholders.


                                       Sincerely,


                                       /s/Philip G. Satre
                                       Philip G. Satre
                                       Chairman, President &
                                       Chief Executive Officer





























                                      -84-





     As described in the Rights Agreement, Rights which are held by or have been
held by Acquiring Persons or Associates or Affiliates thereof (as defined in the
Rights Agreement) shall become null and void.

                          SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
                                 SPECIAL SHARES
                        AS AMENDED THROUGH APRIL 25, 1997


                  On  July  19,  1996  the  Board  of   Directors   of  Harrah's
Entertainment,  Inc. (the  "Company")  declared a dividend of one Right for each
share of common  stock,  $0.10 par value (the "Common  Shares"),  of the Company
outstanding at the close of business on October 5, 1996 (the "Record Date").  As
long as the Rights are attached to the Common Shares, the Company will issue one
Right (subject to adjustment) with each new Common Share so that all such shares
will have  attached  Rights.  When  exercisable,  each  Right will  entitle  the
registered  holder to purchase from the Company one  two-hundredth of a share of
Series  A  Special  Stock  (the  "Special  Shares")  at a price  of $130 per one
two-hundredth of a Special Share,  subject to adjustment (the "Purchase Price").
The  description  and terms of the Rights  are set forth in a Rights  Agreement,
dated as of October 5, 1996,  as the same may be amended  from time to time (the
"Rights  Agreement"),  between the  Company and The Bank of New York,  as Rights
Agent (the "Rights Agent").

                  Until the  earlier to occur of (i) ten (10) days  following  a
public  announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated  persons
(an  "Acquiring  Person")  has  acquired,  or  obtained  the  right to  acquire,
beneficial  ownership of 15% or more of the Common  Shares or (ii) ten (10) days
(or such later  date as may be  determined  by action of at least a majority  of
Continuing Directors (as defined below) prior to such time as any Person becomes
an Acquiring  Person) following the commencement or announcement of an intention
to make a tender offer or exchange offer the  consummation of which would result
in the  beneficial  ownership  by a person or group of 15% or more of the Common
Shares  (the  earlier of (i) and (ii)  being  called  the  "Distribution  Date,"
whether or not either such date  occurs  prior to the Record  Date),  the Rights
will  be  evidenced,  with  respect  to  any of the  Common  Share  certificates
outstanding  as of the Record Date,  by such Common Share  certificate  together
with a copy of this Summary of Rights.

                  The Rights  Agreement  provides that,  until the  Distribution
Date, the Rights will be transferred with and only with the Common Shares. Until
the  Distribution  Date  (or  earlier  redemption,   exchange,   termination  or
expiration of the Rights), new Common Share certificates



                                      -85-





issued  after the close of  business  on the Record  Date upon  transfer  or new
issuance of the Common Shares will contain a notation  incorporating  the Rights
Agreement by  reference.  Until the  Distribution  Date (or earlier  redemption,
exchange,  termination or expiration of the Rights),  the surrender for transfer
of any certificates for Common Shares, with or without a copy of this Summary of
Rights,  will also  constitute  the transfer of the Rights  associated  with the
Common Shares represented by such certificate.  As soon as practicable following
the  Distribution  Date,  separate  certificates  evidencing  the Rights ("Right
Certificates")  will be mailed to holders  of record of the Common  Shares as of
the close of business on the Distribution  Date and,  thereafter,  such separate
Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.

                  The Rights are not exercisable  until the  Distribution  Date.
The Rights will  expire on October 5, 2006,  subject to the  Company's  right to
extend such date (the  "Final  Expiration  Date"),  unless  earlier  redeemed or
exchanged by the Company or terminated.

                  Each Special  Share  purchasable  upon  exercise of the Rights
will be entitled to a minimum  preferential  quarterly dividend payment of $1.00
per  share  but will be  entitled  to an  aggregate  dividend  of 200  times the
dividend,  if any,  declared per Common Share. In the event of liquidation,  the
holders  of the  Special  Shares  will be  entitled  to a  minimum  preferential
liquidation  payment  of $200 per share  but will be  entitled  to an  aggregate
payment of 200 times the payment made per Common Share.  Each Special Share will
have 200 votes and will vote together with the Common  Shares.  Finally,  in the
event of any merger,  consolidation or other  transaction in which Common Shares
are  exchanged,  each  Special  Share will be  entitled to receive 200 times the
amount  received  per Common  Share.  These  rights are  protected  by customary
antidilution provisions.  Because of the nature of the Special Share's dividend,
liquidation and voting rights, the value of one two-hundredth of a Special Share
purchasable  upon  exercise of each Right  should  approximate  the value of one
Common Share.

                  The Purchase Price  payable,  and the number of Special Shares
or other  securities  or  property  issuable,  upon  exercise  of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent  dilution (i) in the event of
a stock dividend on, or a subdivision,  combination or  reclassification  of the
Special Shares,  (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Special Shares of certain
rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase  Special  Shares or  convertible
securities at less than the current  market price of the Special Shares or (iii)
upon  the  distribution  to  holders  of the  Special  Shares  of  evidences  of
indebtedness,  cash,  securities  or assets  (excluding  regular  periodic  cash
dividends  at a rate  not in  excess  of 125% of the  rate of the  last  regular
periodic cash dividend theretofore paid or, in case regular


                                      -86-





periodic cash dividends have not theretofore  been paid, at a rate not in excess
of 50% of the average net income per share of the Company for the four  quarters
ended immediately prior to the payment of such dividend, or dividends payable in
Special Shares (which  dividends will be subject to the adjustment  described in
clause (i)  above)) or of  subscription  rights or  warrants  (other  than those
referred to above).

                  In the event that a Person becomes an Acquiring Person (except
pursuant to certain cash offers for all  outstanding  Common Shares  approved by
the Board) or if the Company were the surviving  corporation in a merger with an
Acquiring  Person or any  affiliate or associate of an Acquiring  Person and the
Common Shares were not changed or exchanged,  each holder of a Right, other than
Rights that are or were acquired or  beneficially  owned by the 15%  stockholder
(which  Rights  will  thereafter  be void),  will  thereafter  have the right to
receive   upon   exercise   that  number  of  Common   Shares  (or,  in  certain
circumstances,  cash,  property or other  securities  of the  Company)  having a
market value of two times the then  current  Purchase  Price of the Right.  With
certain exceptions, in the event that (i) the Company is acquired in a merger or
other business combination transaction in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation  or its Common Shares are changed or exchanged  (other than a merger
which follows certain cash offers for all outstanding  Common Shares approved by
the Board) or (ii) more than 50% of the  Company's  assets or  earning  power is
sold,  proper  provision  shall be made so that each  holder of a Right  (except
Rights which  previously  have been voided as set forth above) shall  thereafter
have the  right  to  receive,  upon the  exercise  thereof  at the then  current
Purchase  Price of the  Right,  that  number of  shares  of common  stock of the
acquiring  company  which at the time of such  transaction  would  have a market
value of two times the then current Purchase Price of the Right.

                  At any time  after a Person  becomes an  Acquiring  Person and
prior  to the  acquisition  by  such  Acquiring  Person  of 50% or  more  of the
outstanding  Common  Shares,  the Board of  Directors  may cause the  Company to
acquire the Rights  (other than Rights owned by an  Acquiring  Person which have
become void),  in whole or in part, in exchange for that number of Common Shares
having an  aggregate  value  equal to the Spread (the excess of the value of the
Common  Shares  issuable  upon  exercise  of a Right  after a Person  becomes an
Acquiring Person over the Purchase Price) per Right (subject to adjustment).

                  No  adjustment  in the Purchase  Price will be required  until
cumulative  adjustments  require an  adjustment  of at least 1% in such Purchase
Price.  No fractional  shares will be issued and in lieu  thereof,  a payment in
cash will be made based on the market  price of the  Special  Shares on the last
trading date prior to the date of exercise.

                                      -87-





                  The Rights may be  redeemed  in whole,  but not in part,  at a
price of $0.01 per Right (the  "Redemption  Price") by the Board of Directors at
any time prior to the earlier of (i) the first date of public  announcement that
a Person has become an Acquiring  Person or (ii) the Final  Expiration  Date. In
the event  that,  pursuant  to the last  sentence  of Section  1.1 of the Rights
Agreement,  the  Board of  Directors  determines  that a Person  has  become  an
Acquiring  Person  inadvertently,  and such  Person  divests  Common  Shares  in
accordance with such sentence,  then the Company's right of redemption  shall be
deemed  to  have  not  expired  as a  result  of such  inadvertent  acquisition.
Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company electing to
redeem the Rights, the Company shall make an announcement thereof, and upon such
election,  the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of
the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.

                  The term "Continuing  Directors" means any member of the Board
of Directors of the Company who was a member of the Board prior to the time that
any  Person  becomes an  Acquiring  Person,  and any person who is  subsequently
elected to the Board if such person is  recommended or approved by a majority of
the  Continuing  Directors.  Continuing  Directors  do not include an  Acquiring
Person,   or  an  affiliate  or  associate  of  an  Acquiring   Person,  or  any
representative of the foregoing.

                  Until a Right is exercised,  the holder thereof, as such, will
have no rights as a  stockholder  of the  Company  beyond  those as an  existing
stockholder,  including,  without  limitation,  the right to vote or to  receive
dividends.

                   Any of the provisions of the Rights  Agreement may be amended
by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to the  Distribution  Date. After
the Distribution Date, the Company and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so
directs,  amend or supplement the Rights  Agreement  without the approval of any
holders of Right  Certificates  to cure any ambiguity,  to correct or supplement
any provision  contained therein which may be defective or inconsistent with any
other  provisions  therein,  to shorten or lengthen  any time  period  under the
Rights  Agreement  (so long as,  under  certain  circumstances,  a  majority  of
Continuing  Directors approve such shortening or lengthening) or, so long as the
interests of the holders of Right  Certificates  (other than an Acquiring Person
or an affiliate or associate of an Acquiring Person) are not adversely  affected
thereby,  to make any other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising
thereunder  which  the  Company  and the  Rights  Agent  may deem  necessary  or
desirable, including but not limited to extending the Final Expiration Date. The
Company  may at any time prior to such time as any Person  becomes an  Acquiring
Person amend the Rights Agreement to lower the thresholds

                                      -88-





described above to not less than the greater of (i) any percentage  greater than
the  largest  percentage  of the  outstanding  Common  Shares  then known by the
Company  to be  beneficially  owned by any  person  or group  of  affiliated  or
associated persons and (ii) 10%.

                  A copy  of the  Rights  Agreement  has  been  filed  with  the
Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration  Statement on
Form 8-A. A copy of the Rights  Agreement is  available  free of charge from the
Company.  This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement,  which is
incorporated herein by reference.





































                                      -89-




                                                                     EX-10.1


                          HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.


                                 February 21, 1997

Mr. Thomas J. Carr, Jr.
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
1023 Cherry Road
Memphis, Tennessee 38117

         Re:      Severance Agreement

Dear Mr. Carr:

         Harrah's Entertainment,  Inc. (the "Company") considers it essential to
the best interest of its stockholders to foster the continuous employment of key
management personnel. In this connection,  the Board of Directors of the Company
(the  "Board")  recognizes  that,  as  is  the  case  with  many  publicly  held
corporations,  the  possibility  of a change in control  may exist and that such
possibility,  and  the  uncertainty  and  questions  which  it may  raise  among
management,  may result in the departure or distraction of management  personnel
to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders.

         The Board has  determined  that  appropriate  steps  should be taken to
reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of the
Company's  management,  including  yourself,  to their  assigned  duties without
distraction in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the
possibility  of a change in control of the  Company,  although no such change is
now contemplated.

         In order to induce  you to remain in the employ of the  Company  and in
consideration  of your  agreements  set forth in  Subsection  2(b)  hereof,  the
Company  agrees that you shall receive the severance  benefits set forth in this
letter  agreement  ("this  Agreement")  in the event  your  employment  with the
Company  terminates  subsequent  to a "Change  in Control  of the  Company"  (as
defined in Section 2 hereof) under the circumstances described below.

         1. Term of Agreement.  This  Agreement  shall  commence on February 21,
1997 and shall continue in effect through December 31, 1997; provided,  however,
that  commencing on January 1, 1998 and each January 1  thereafter,  the term of
this Agreement shall automatically be extended for one




                                      -90-





additional  year unless,  not later than September 30 of the preceding year, the
Company shall have given notice that it does not wish to extend this  Agreement;
provided,  further,  if a Change in Control of the Company  shall have  occurred
during the original or extended term of this  Agreement,  this  Agreement  shall
automatically  continue in effect for a period of twenty-four  months beyond the
month in which such Change in Control occurred.

         2.  Change in Control.

         (a) No benefit  shall be payable to you  hereunder  unless  there shall
have been a Change in Control of the Company,  as set forth below.  For purposes
of this Agreement,  a "Change in Control of the Company" shall be deemed to have
occurred,  subject  to  subparagraph  (iv)  hereof,  if  any of  the  events  in
subparagraphs (i), (ii) or (iii) occur:

                  (i) Any  "person"  (as such term is used in Section  13(d) and
         14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
         Act")),  other  than an  employee  benefit  plan of the  Company,  or a
         trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit
         plan of the Company,  is or becomes the "beneficial  owner" (as defined
         in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),  directly or indirectly,  of 25%
         or more of the Company's then outstanding  voting  securities  carrying
         the right to vote in elections of persons to the Board,  regardless  of
         comparative voting power of such voting  securities,  and regardless of
         whether or not the Board shall have approved such Change in Control; or

                           (ii) During any period of two consecutive  years (not
         including  any  period  prior  to the  execution  of  this  Agreement),
         individuals  who at the beginning of such period  constitute  the Board
         and any new director (other than a director  designated by a person who
         shall  have  entered  into an  agreement  with the  Company to effect a
         transaction described in clauses (i) or (iii) of this Subsection) whose
         election  by the Board or  nomination  for  election  by the  Company's
         stockholders  was  approved  by a vote of at  least  two-thirds  of the
         directors  then  still in  office  who  either  were  directors  at the
         beginning of the period or whose  election or  nomination  for election
         was  previously  so  approved,  cease for any  reason to  constitute  a
         majority thereof; or

                  (iii) The holders of  securities  of the  Company  entitled to
vote thereon approve the following:






                                      -91-





                           (A) A merger or consolidation of the Company with any
                  other corporation  regardless of which entity is the surviving
                  company,  other  than a merger or  consolidation  which  would
                  result in the voting  securities  of the Company  carrying the
                  right to vote in elections of persons to the Board outstanding
                  immediately  prior thereto  continuing to represent (either by
                  remaining  outstanding  or  by  being  converted  into  voting
                  securities  of  the  surviving  entity)  at  least  80% of the
                  Company's  then  outstanding  voting  securities  carrying the
                  right to vote in  elections  of persons to the Board,  or such
                  securities of such surviving  entity  outstanding  immediately
                  after such merger or consolidation, or

                           (B) A plan of complete  liquidation of the Company or
                  an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all
                  or substantially all of the Company's assets.

                           (iv)  Notwithstanding  the definition of a "Change in
         Control" of the Company as set forth in this  Section  2(a),  the Human
         Resources  Committee of the Board (the "Committee") shall have full and
         final  authority,  which  shall  be  exercised  in its  discretion,  to
         determine  conclusively  whether a Change in Control of the Company has
         occurred,  and the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and
         any incidental matters relating thereto,  with respect to a transaction
         or series of  transactions  which  have  resulted  or will  result in a
         substantial  portion  of the  assets or  business  of the  Company  (as
         determined   immediately   prior  to  the   transaction  or  series  of
         transactions   by  the   Committee   in  its  sole   discretion   which
         determination   shall  be  final  and  conclusive)   being  held  by  a
         corporation  at  least  80%  of  whose  voting   securities  are  held,
         immediately  following such transaction or series of  transactions,  by
         holders of the voting securities of the Company (determined immediately
         prior to such transaction or series of transactions). The Committee may
         exercise such discretionary  authority without regard to whether one or
         more of the transactions in such series of transactions would otherwise
         constitute a Change in Control of the Company under the  definition set
         forth in this Section 2(a).

         (b) For purposes of this Agreement,  a "Potential  Change in Control of
the Company" shall be deemed to have occurred if the following occur:

                  (i) The Company enters into an agreement or letter of intent,
         the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a Change 
         in Control of the Company;






                                      -92-





                  (ii) Any person (including the Company) publicly  announces an
         intention to take or to consider  taking  actions which if  consummated
         would constitute a Change in Control of the Company;

                  (iii) Any person,  other than an employee  benefit plan of the
         Company,  or a trustee or other fiduciary  holding  securities under an
         employee benefit plan of the Company,  who is or becomes the beneficial
         owner,   directly  or   indirectly,   of   securities  of  the  Company
         representing  9.5% or more of the  Company's  then  outstanding  voting
         securities  carrying  the right to vote in  elections of persons to the
         Board  increases his beneficial  ownership of such  securities by 5% or
         more over the percentage so owned by such person on the date hereof; or

                  (iv) The Board  adopts a resolution  to the effect  that,  for
         purposes  of this  Agreement,  a  Potential  Change in  Control  of the
         Company has occurred.

         You agree that,  subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
in the event of a Potential Change in Control of the Company, you will remain in
the employ of the Company (or the  subsidiary  thereof by which you are employed
at the date such Potential Change in Control occurs) until the earliest of (x) a
date which is six months from the occurrence of such Potential Change in Control
of the Company,  (y) the  termination  by you of your  employment  by reasons of
Disability  or  Retirement  (at your  normal  retirement  age),  as  defined  in
Subsection 3(a), or (z) the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company.

         (c) Good Reason.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  "Good Reason" shall
mean,  without your express written  consent,  the occurrence  after a Change in
Control of the Company of any of the following circumstances unless, in the case
of paragraphs  (i), (v), (vi),  (vii) or (viii),  such  circumstances  are fully
corrected  prior  to  the  Date  of  Termination  specified  in  the  Notice  of
Termination,  as defined in Subsections  3(e) and 3(d),  respectively,  given in
respect thereof:

                  (i) The assignment to you of any duties inconsistent with your
         status as an executive officer of the Company or a substantial  adverse
         alteration in the nature or status of your  responsibilities from those
         in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company;

                  (ii) A reduction  by the Company in your annual base salary as
         in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased  from time
         to  time  except  for  across-the-board   salary  reductions  similarly
         affecting  all  executives  of the  Company and all  executives  of any
         person in control of the Company;



                                      -93-





                  (iii) The  relocation  of the  Company's  principal  executive
         offices  where  you are  working  immediately  prior to the  Change  in
         Control  of the  Company  to a  location  more  than 50 miles  from the
         location of such offices  immediately prior to the Change in Control of
         the Company or the Company's  requiring you to be based  anywhere other
         than the location of the Company's  principal  executive  offices where
         you were  working  immediately  prior to the  Change in  Control of the
         Company  except for  required  travel on the  Company's  business to an
         extent  substantially  consistent  with your  present  business  travel
         obligations;

                  (iv) The failure by the Company,  without your consent, to pay
         to you any portion of your current  compensation  except pursuant to an
         across-the-board   compensation   deferral   similarly   affecting  all
         executives  of the Company and all  executives of any person in control
         of the  Company,  or to pay to you any  portion  of an  installment  of
         deferred  compensation under any deferred  compensation  program of the
         Company, within thirty days of the date such compensation is due;

                  (v) The  failure  by the  Company  to  continue  in effect any
         compensation plan in which you are  participating  immediately prior to
         the Change in Control of the  Company  which is  material to your total
         compensation,  including but not limited to, the Company's  Bonus Plan,
         Executive  Deferred  Compensation  Plan,  Restricted Stock Plan, or any
         substitute  plans  adopted  prior to the Change in  Control,  unless an
         equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative
         plan) has been made with  respect to such plan,  or the  failure by the
         Company to continue your  participation  therein (or in such substitute
         or alternative plan) on a basis not materially less favorable,  both in
         terms  of the  amount  of  benefits  provided  and  the  level  of your
         participation  relative to other  participants,  as existed immediately
         prior to the Change in Control of the Company;

                  (vi) The  failure by the  Company to  continue  to provide you
         with benefits  substantially  similar to those enjoyed by you under any
         of the Company's pension,  savings and retirement plan, life insurance,
         medical,  health and accident,  or  disability  plans in which you were
         participating at the time of the Change in Control of the Company,  the
         taking of any action by the Company which would  directly or indirectly
         materially  reduce any of such  benefits or deprive you of any material
         fringe  benefit  enjoyed by you at the time of the Change in Control of
         the  Company,  or the  failure by the  Company to provide  you with the
         number of paid  vacation days to which you are entitled on the basis of
         years of service  with the  Company in  accordance  with the  Company's
         normal  vacation  policy in effect at the time of the Change in Control
         of the Company;



                                      -94-





                  (vii) The  failure  of the  Company  to obtain a  satisfactory
         agreement  from any  successor  to  assume  and agree to  perform  this
         Agreement, as contemplated in Section 5 hereof; or

                  (viii) Any  purported  termination  of your  employment by the
         Company  which is not  effected  pursuant  to a Notice  of  Termination
         satisfying  the   requirements   of  Subsection  3(d)  hereof  and  the
         requirements of Subsection 3(b) above;  for purposes of this Agreement,
         no such purported termination shall be effective.

         Your right to terminate your employment  pursuant to this Agreement for
Good Reason shall not be affected by your  incapacity  due to physical or mental
illness.  Your continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver
of rights with respect to, any circumstance constituting Good Reason hereunder.

         3.  Termination  Following  Change  in  Control.  If any of the  events
described  in  Subsection  2(a) hereof  constituting  a Change in Control of the
Company shall have occurred,  you shall be entitled to the benefits  provided in
Subsection  4(c) hereof upon the subsequent  termination  of your  employment if
such  termination is (y) by the Company other than for Cause,  or (z) by you for
Good Reason, or by your Voluntary Termination as provided in Subsection 3(c)(ii)
hereof.

         (a) Disability;  Retirement.  If, as a result of your incapacity due to
physical  or mental  illness,  you shall  have been  absent  from the  full-time
performance  of your duties with the Company  for six  consecutive  months,  and
within thirty days after written  notice of  termination  is given you shall not
have returned to the full-time  performance of your duties,  your employment may
be  terminated  for  "Disability".  Termination  by the  Company  or you of your
employment  based on  "Retirement"  shall mean  termination at age 65 (or later)
with ten years of  service  or  retirement  in  accordance  with any  retirement
contract between the Company and you.

         (b) Cause.  Termination  by the Company of your  employment for "Cause"
shall mean termination  upon your engaging in willful and continued  misconduct,
or your willful and continued failure to substantially  perform your duties with
the Company (other than due to physical or mental  illness),  if such failure or
misconduct is materially damaging or materially  detrimental to the business and
operations of the Company,  provided that you shall have received written notice
of such failure or misconduct and shall have continued to engage in such failure
or  misconduct  after 30 days  following  receipt of such notice from the Board,
which notice specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that
you





                                      -95-





have engaged in such failure or misconduct.  For purposes of this Subsection, no
act, or failure to act, on your part shall be deemed  "willful"  unless done, or
omitted to be done, by you not in good faith and without  reasonable belief that
your action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. Notwithstanding
the foregoing,  you shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless
and until there shall have been  delivered  to you a copy of a  resolution  duly
adopted by the affirmative  vote of not less than  three-quarters  of the entire
membership  of the Board at a  meeting  of the  Board  called  and held for such
purpose (after  reasonable  notice to you and an opportunity  for you,  together
with your counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith
opinion of the Board you were guilty of failure to  substantially  perform  your
duties  or  of  misconduct  in  accordance  with  the  first  sentence  of  this
Subsection,  and of continuing such failure to substantially perform your duties
or  misconduct  as aforesaid  after notice from the Board,  and  specifying  the
particulars thereof in detail.

         (c) Voluntary Resignation. After a Change in Control of the Company and
for purposes of receiving the benefits  provided in Subsection 4(c) hereof,  you
shall be entitled to terminate your employment by voluntary resignation given at
any time during the two years following the occurrence of a Change in Control of
the Company  hereunder,  provided such resignation is (i) by you for Good Reason
or (ii) by you  voluntarily  without Good Reason if such  voluntary  termination
occurs by written  notice  given by you to the  Company  during the thirty  days
immediately  following the one year  anniversary  of the Change in Control (your
"Voluntary  Termination"),  provided,  however,  for purposes of this Subsection
3(c)(ii)  only,  the  language  "25% or more" in  Subsection  2(a)(i)  hereof is
changed to "a majority".  Such  resignation  shall not be deemed a breach of any
employment contract between you and the Company.

         (d) Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of your employment
by the Company or by you shall be  communicated by written Notice of Termination
to the other party hereto in accordance  with Section 6 hereof.  For purposes of
this  Agreement,  a "Notice  of  Termination"  shall mean a notice  which  shall
indicate the specific  termination  provision in this Agreement  relied upon and
shall set forth in  reasonable  detail  the facts and  circumstances  claimed to
provide a basis for  termination  of your  employment  under  the  provision  so
indicated.

         (e)      Date of Termination, Etc.  "Date of Termination" shall mean:








                                      -96-





                  (i) If your  employment is terminated for  Disability,  thirty
         days after Notice of Termination is given  (provided that you shall not
         have returned to the full-time  performance  of your duties during such
         thirty day period), and

                  (ii) If your  employment is terminated  pursuant to Subsection
         (b) or (c) above or for any other reason (other than  Disability),  the
         date  specified in the Notice of Termination  (which,  in the case of a
         termination  pursuant  to  Subsection  (b) above shall not be less than
         thirty days,  and in the case of a  termination  pursuant to Subsection
         (c) above  shall  not be less than  fifteen  nor more than  sixty  days
         (thirty days in case of your Voluntary Termination), respectively, from
         the date such Notice of Termination is given);

provided that if within  fifteen days after any Notice of  Termination is given,
or, if later,  prior to the Date of Termination (as determined without regard to
this  provision),  the party  receiving such Notice of Termination  notifies the
other  party  that a dispute  exists  concerning  the  termination,  the Date of
Termination shall be the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either
by mutual written agreement of the parties,  by a binding  arbitration award, or
by a final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (which
is not  appealable  or with respect to which the time for appeal  therefrom  has
expired and no appeal has been  perfected);  provided  further  that the Date of
Termination  shall be  extended  by a notice of dispute  only if such  notice is
given in good faith and the party giving such notice  pursues the  resolution of
such dispute with reasonable diligence. Notwithstanding the pendency of any such
dispute,  the Company will continue to pay you your full  compensation in effect
when the notice giving rise to the dispute was given (including, but not limited
to, base salary) and continue you as a participant in all  compensation,  bonus,
benefit  and  insurance  plans in which you were  participating  when the notice
giving rise to the dispute was given,  until the dispute is finally  resolved in
accordance  with this  Subsection.  Amounts  paid under this  Subsection  are in
addition to all other  amounts due under this  Agreement and shall not be offset
against or reduce any other amounts due under this Agreement.

     4. Compensation Upon Termination Following a Change of Control. Following 
a Change  in  Control  of  the  Company,  as  defined  in  Subsection  2(a),  
upon termination of your employment, you shall be entitled to the following 
benefits:

         (a)      Deleted.






                                      -97-





         (b) If your  employment  shall be  terminated by the Company for Cause,
the Company shall pay you your full base salary  through the Date of Termination
at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given, plus all other
amounts to which you are entitled under any compensation  plan of the Company at
the  time  such  payments  are  due,  and the  Company  shall  have  no  further
obligations to you under this Agreement.

         (c) If your  employment by the Company  shall be terminated  (y) by the
Company other than for Cause or (z) by you for Good Reason, or by your Voluntary
Termination  as provided in Subsection  3(c)(ii),  then you shall be entitled to
the benefits provided below:

                  (i) The Company  shall pay you your full base  salary  through
         the Date of  Termination  at the rate in effect  at the time  Notice of
         Termination is given,  plus all other amounts to which you are entitled
         under any compensation or benefit plan of the Company, at the time such
         payments are due;

                  (ii) In lieu of any further salary payments to you for periods
         subsequent  to the  Date  of  Termination,  the  Company  shall  pay as
         severance  pay to you a lump  sum  severance  payment  (the  "Severance
         Payment")  equal to 2.99 times the  average of the Annual  Compensation
         (as  defined  below)  which was  payable  to you by the  Company or any
         corporation  affiliated  with the Company within the meaning of Section
         1504 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for
         the three highest calendar years in terms of Annual Compensation during
         the five calendar years preceding the calendar year in which the Change
         in Control  occurred.  If you were not  employed  by the Company or its
         affiliates during the entire five calendar years preceding the calendar
         year in which the Change in Control  occurred,  then such average shall
         be  an  average  of  the  three   highest  years  in  terms  of  Annual
         Compensation  during the complete  calendar  years (if any) and partial
         calendar year (if any) during which you were so employed  provided that
         the amount for any such partial  calendar  year shall be an  annualized
         amount  based on the amount of Annual  Compensation  paid to you during
         the partial  calendar  year. If you were not employed by the Company or
         its affiliates for three complete or partial calendar years, the amount
         will be an  average of your  Annual  Compensation  during the  complete
         calendar  year(s)  (if  any)  and  partial  calendar  year(s)  (if any)
         (annualized)  you were so  employed.  If you were not  employed  by the
         Company or its  affiliates  during such preceding  calendar year,  then
         such  average  shall be an  annualized  amount  based on the  amount of
         Annual  Compensation  paid to you during the calendar year in which the
         Change of Control occurred. Annual





                                      -98-





         Compensation is your base salary and your annual bonus under the Annual
         Management  Bonus Plan of the  Company  that was  payable to you by the
         Company  or any of its  affiliates  during a calendar  year  determined
         without any  reduction  for any  deferrals of such salary or such bonus
         under any deferred  compensation  plan (qualified or  unqualified)  and
         without  any  reduction  for any  salary  reductions  used  for  making
         contributions  to  any  group  insurance  plan  of the  Company  or its
         affiliates.

                           (iii) The  Company  shall also pay to you the amounts
         of any  compensation  or awards payable to you or due to you in respect
         of any period  preceding  the Date of  Termination  under any incentive
         compensation plan of the Company (including,  without  limitation,  the
         Company's  Restricted  Stock Plan and Stock  Option  Plan (the  "Option
         Plan") and under any agreements with you in connection  therewith,  and
         shall make any other  payments and take any other actions  provided for
         in such plans and agreements.

                  (iv)  In  lieu  of  shares  of  common  stock  of the  Company
         ("Company  Shares") issuable upon exercise of outstanding  options,  if
         any  ("Options")  granted to you under the Option Plan  (which  Options
         shall be cancelled  upon the making of the payment  referred to below),
         you shall  receive  an amount in cash  equal to the  product of (y) the
         excess  of,  the  higher  of the  closing  price of  Company  Shares as
         reported  on the New York  Stock  Exchange  on or  nearest  the Date of
         Termination  (or,  if not  listed  on such  exchange,  on a  nationally
         recognized  exchange or  quotation  system on which  trading  volume in
         Company  Shares is  highest) or the highest per share price for Company
         Shares  actually paid in  connection  with any change in control of the
         Company,  over the per share  exercise price of each Option held by you
         (whether  or not then  fully  exercisable),  times  (z) the  number  of
         Company Shares covered by each such option.

                  (v) The  Company  shall  also  pay to you all  legal  fees and
         expenses incurred by you as a result of such termination (including all
         such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting or disputing any
         such  termination  or in  seeking  to  obtain or  enforce  any right or
         benefit  provided by this Agreement or in connection with any tax audit
         or proceeding to the extent  attributable to the application of Section
         4999 of the Code to any payment or benefit provided hereunder).








                                      -99-





                           (vi) In the event  that you  become  entitled  to the
         payments (the "Severance  Payments")  provided under  paragraphs  (ii),
         (iii), and (iv), above (and Subsections (d) and (e), below), and if any
         of the Severance Payments will be subject to the tax (the "Excise Tax")
         imposed by Section  4999 of the Code,  the Company  shall pay to you at
         the time specified in paragraph (vii), below, an additional amount (the
         "Gross-Up  Payment")  such that the net amount  retained by you,  after
         deduction of any Excise Tax on the  Severance  Payments and any federal
         (and  state and  local)  income  tax and  Excise  Tax upon the  payment
         provided  for by this  paragraph,  shall be equal to the  amount of the
         Severance  Payments.  For  purposes of  determining  whether any of the
         Severance  Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of
         such Excise Tax the following will apply:

                           (A) Any other payments or benefits  received or to be
                  received by you in connection  with a Change in Control of the
                  Company or your termination of employment (whether pursuant to
                  the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,  arrangement or
                  agreement with the Company, any person whose actions result in
                  a Change in  Control of the  Company or any person  affiliated
                  with  the  Company  or  such  person)   shall  be  treated  as
                  "parachute  payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)
                  of the Code, and all "excess  parachute  payments"  within the
                  meaning of Section  280G(b)(1)  shall be treated as subject to
                  the Excise Tax, unless in the opinion of tax counsel  selected
                  by the Company's  independent  auditors and  acceptable to you
                  such other  payments or benefits  (in whole or in part) do not
                  constitute  parachute  payments,   or  such  excess  parachute
                  payments   (in   whole  or  in  part)   represent   reasonable
                  compensation for services actually rendered within the meaning
                  of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code in excess of the base amount
                  within the meaning of Section  280G(b)(3)  of the Code, or are
                  otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax;

                           (B) The amount of the Severance  Payments which shall
                  be  treated as subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the
                  lesser of (y) the total  amount of the  Severance  Payments or
                  (z) the amount of excess parachute payments within the meaning
                  of Section 280G(b)(1) (after applying clause (A), above); and

                           (C)  The  value  of  any  non-cash  benefits  or  any
                  deferred  payment  or  benefit  shall  be  determined  by  the
                  Company's  independent  auditors in accordance  with proposed,
                  temporary or final regulations  under Sections  280G(d)(3) and
                  (4) of the Code or, in the  absence  of such  regulations,  in
                  accordance with the





                                      -100-





                  principles  of  Section  280G(d)(3)  and (4) of the Code.  For
                  purposes of  determining  the amount of the Gross-Up  Payment,
                  you shall be deemed to pay Federal income taxes at the highest
                  marginal rate of federal income  taxation in the calendar year
                  in which  the  Gross-Up  Payment  is to be made and  state and
                  local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in
                  the  state  and  locality  of your  residence  on the  Date of
                  Termination,  net of the maximum  reduction in Federal  income
                  taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and
                  local  taxes.  In the event  that the  amount  of  Excise  Tax
                  attributable to Severance Payments is subsequently  determined
                  to be less than the amount taken into account hereunder at the
                  time of termination of your employment, you shall repay to the
                  Company  at the time  that the  amount  of such  reduction  in
                  Excise Tax is finally  determined  the portion of the Gross-Up
                  Payment  attributable  to such reduction  (plus the portion of
                  the  Gross-Up  Payment  attributable  to the  Excise  Tax  and
                  Federal  (and  state and  local)  income  tax  imposed  on the
                  Gross-Up Payment being repaid by you if such repayment results
                  in a reduction  in Excise Tax and/or a Federal  (and state and
                  local)  income tax  deduction)  plus interest on the amount of
                  such  repayment at the rate provided in Section  1274(b)(2)(B)
                  of the Code. In the event that the Excise Tax  attributable to
                  Severance  Payments is  determined  to exceed the amount taken
                  into account  hereunder at the time of the termination of your
                  employment  (including  by reason of any payment the existence
                  or amount of which  cannot  be  determined  at the time of the
                  Gross-Up  Payment),  the  Company  shall  make  an  additional
                  gross-up  payment in respect of such excess (plus any interest
                  payable  with  respect  to such  excess)  at the time that the
                  amount of such excess is finally determined.

                           (vii) The payments  provided for in paragraphs  (ii),
         (iii), (iv) and (vi) above,  shall be made not later than the fifth day
         following  the  Date of  Termination,  provided,  however,  that if the
         amounts of such payments cannot be finally determined on or before such
         day,  the  Company  shall  pay to  you on  such  day  an  estimate,  as
         determined in good faith by the Company,  of the minimum amount of such
         payments and shall pay the  remainder of such payments  (together  with
         interest at the rate provided in Section  1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code) as
         soon as the amount thereof can be determined but in no event later than
         the thirtieth day after the Date of Termination.  In the event that the
         amount of the estimated payments exceeds the amount







                                      -101-





         subsequently  determined to have been due, such excess shall constitute
         a loan by the Company to you  payable on the fifth day after  demand by
         the Company  (together  with  interest at the rate  provided in Section
         1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code).

         (d) If your  employment  shall be  terminated  (y) by the Company other
than for Cause,  or (z) by you  voluntarily for Good Reason or by your Voluntary
Termination,  then for a twenty-four  month period after such  termination,  the
Company shall arrange to provide you with life, disability,  accident and health
insurance  benefits  substantially  similar  to those  which  you are  receiving
immediately prior to the Notice of Termination. Benefits otherwise receivable by
you pursuant to this Subsection  4(d) shall be reduced to the extent  comparable
benefits  are  actually  received  by you during the  twenty-four  month  period
following your termination, and any such benefits actually received by you shall
be reported to the Company.

         (e) In the event a Change in Control of the  Company  occurs  after you
and the  Company  have  entered  into  any  retirement  agreement  including  an
agreement providing for early retirement, then the present value, computed using
a discount  rate of 8% per  annum,  of the total  amount of all unpaid  deferred
payments  as payable to you in  accordance  with the payment  schedule  that you
elected  when the  deferral  was  agreed  to and using  the plan  interest  rate
applicable to your situation,  or other payments payable or to become payable to
you or your estate or beneficiary  under such retirement  agreement  (other than
payments  payable  pursuant  to a plan  qualified  under  Section  401(a) of the
Internal  Revenue  Code)  including,  without  limitation,  any unpaid  deferred
payments  under  the  Company's  Executive  Deferred  Compensation  Plan and the
Company's other deferred compensation plans shall be paid to you (or your estate
or  beneficiary  if  applicable)  in cash  within five  business  days after the
occurrence  of the Change in Control of the  Company.  If you and the Company or
its affiliates have executed a retirement agreement and if the Change in Control
of the Company  occurs before the effective  date of your  retirement,  then you
shall receive the Severance Payment payable under Subsection  4(c)(ii) herein in
addition to the present value of your unpaid  deferred  retirement  payments and
other payments under the retirement  agreement as aforesaid.  All other benefits
to  which  you or  your  estate  or any  beneficiary  are  entitled  under  such
retirement  agreement  shall  continue in effect  notwithstanding  the Change in
Control of the Company. This Subsection 4(e) shall survive your retirement.

         (f)  Notwithstanding  that a  Change  in  Control  shall  not  have yet
occurred,  if you so elect,  by written  notice to the Company given at any time
after the date hereof and prior to the time such amounts are  otherwise  payable
to you:



                                      -102-





                  (i) The Company shall  deposit with an escrow agent,  pursuant
         to an escrow agreement between the Company and such escrow agent, a sum
         of  money,  or  other  property  permitted  by such  escrow  agreement,
         sufficient in the opinion of the  Company's  management to fund payment
         of the following amounts to you, as such amounts become payable:

                           (A) Amounts payable,  or to become payable, to you or
                  to your  beneficiaries  or your  estate  under  the  Company's
                  Executive Deferred  Compensation Plan and under any agreements
                  related  thereto in existence at the time of your  election to
                  make the deposit into escrow.

                           (B) Amounts payable,  or to become payable, to you or
                  to  your  beneficiaries  or  your  estate  by  reason  of your
                  deferral of payments  payable to you prior to the date of your
                  election  to make the  deposit  into  escrow  under  any other
                  deferred  compensation  agreements between you and the Company
                  in existence at the time of your  election to make the deposit
                  into   escrow,   including   but  not   limited  to   deferred
                  compensation  agreements relating to the deferral of salary or
                  bonuses.

                           (C) Amounts payable,  or to become payable, to you or
                  to your  beneficiaries  or your  estate  under  any  agreement
                  relating  to  your  retirement  from  the  Company  (including
                  payments   described   under   Subsection  4(e)  above)  which
                  agreement is in existence at the time of your election to make
                  the deposit into escrow,  other than amounts payable by a plan
                  qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.

                           (D) Subject to the approval of the Committee, amounts
                  then due and payable to you, but not yet paid, under any other
                  benefit  plan or  incentive  compensation  plan of the Company
                  (whether  such  amounts are stock or cash) other than  amounts
                  payable to you under a plan qualified  under Section 401(a) of
                  the Code.

                  (ii) Upon the occurrence of a Potential Change of Control, the
         Company  shall  deposit  with an escrow  agent (which shall be the same
         escrow  agent,  if one  exists,  acting  pursuant to clause (i) of this
         Subsection  4(f)),  pursuant to an escrow agreement between the Company
         and such escrow agent, a sum of money, or other property permitted









                                      -103-





         by  such  escrow  agreement,  sufficient  in  the  opinion  of  Company
         management  to fund the  payment  to you of the  amounts  specified  in
         Subsection 4(c) of this Agreement.

                  (iii) It is  intended  that any  amounts  deposited  in escrow
         pursuant  to the  provisions  of clause (i) or (ii) of this  Subsection
         4(f), be subject to the claims of the Company's creditors, as set forth
         in the form of such escrow agreement.

         (g) You shall not be  required  to  mitigate  the amount of any payment
provided for in this Section 4 by seeking other  employment  or  otherwise,  nor
shall the amount of any  payment or benefit  provided  for in this  Section 4 be
reduced by any compensation earned by you as the result of employment by another
employer,  by retirement  benefits,  by offset  against any amount claimed to be
owed by you to the Company,  or otherwise  (except as  specifically  provided in
this Section 4).

         (h) In addition to all other amounts  payable to you under this Section
4, you shall be  entitled  to  receive  all  benefits  payable  to you under any
benefit plan of the Company in which you participate to the extent such benefits
are not paid under this Agreement.

         5.       Successors; Binding Agreement.

         (a) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect,
by purchase, merger,  consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of
the  business  and/or  assets of the  Company to  expressly  assume and agree to
perform  this  Agreement  in the same  manner  and to the same  extent  that the
Company would be required to perform it if no such  succession  had taken place.
Failure of the  Company to obtain such  assumption  and  agreement  prior to the
effectiveness  of any such  succession  shall be a breach of this  Agreement and
shall entitle you to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the
same  terms  as you  would  be  entitled  to  hereunder  if you  terminate  your
employment  voluntarily  for Good  Reason  following  a Change in Control of the
Company,  except that for purposes of  implementing  the foregoing,  the date on
which  any  such  succession  becomes  effective  shall  be  deemed  the Date of
Termination.  As used in this  Agreement,  "Company"  shall mean the  Company as
hereinbefore  defined  and  any  successor  to its  business  and/or  assets  as
aforesaid  which  assumes and agrees to perform  this  Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.








                                      -104-





         (b) This Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
your personal or legal representatives,  executors, administrators,  successors,
heirs,  distributees,  devises and legatees.  If you should die while any amount
would still be payable to you hereunder if you had  continued to live,  all such
amounts,  unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement to your devisee,  legatee or other designee or, if there
is no such designee, to your estate.

         6.  Notice.  For the purpose of this  Agreement,  notices and all other
communications  provided for in this Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be
deemed  to have been  duly  given  when  delivered  or  mailed by United  States
registered  or  certified  mail,  return  receipt  requested,  postage  prepaid,
addressed  to the  respective  addresses  set  forth on the  first  page of this
Agreement,  provided  that all notices to the  Company  shall be directed to the
Secretary  of the  Company,  or to such other  address as either  party may have
furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith,  except that notice of
change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

         7.  Miscellaneous.  No  provision  of this  Agreement  may be modified,
waived or discharged unless such waiver,  modification or discharge is agreed to
in writing and signed by you and such officer as may be specifically  designated
by the Board.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the
other party hereto of, or  compliance  with,  any condition or provision of this
Agreement  to be  performed  by such  other  party  shall be  deemed a waiver of
similar or  dissimilar  provisions  or conditions at the same or at any prior or
subsequent time. No agreement or representations,  oral or otherwise, express or
implied,  with  respect to the  subject  matter  hereof have been made by either
party  which  are not  expressly  set  forth in this  Agreement.  The  validity,
interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed
by the laws of the State of Delaware. All references to sections of the Exchange
Act or the Code shall be deemed  also to refer to any  successor  provisions  to
such  sections.  Any payments  provided for  hereunder  shall be paid net of any
applicable   withholding  required  under  federal,  state  or  local  law.  The
obligations  of the Company under Section 4 shall survive the  expiration of the
term of this Agreement.

         8.  Validity.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of 
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other 
provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.








                                      -105-





          9.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in several  
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together  will constitute one and the same instrument.

         10.  Arbitration.  Any  dispute  or  controversy  arising  under  or in
connection  with this Agreement  shall be settled  exclusively by arbitration in
Memphis,  Tennessee in  accordance  with the rules of the  American  Arbitration
Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in
any court having jurisdiction;  provided, however, that you shall be entitled to
seek specific performance of your right to be paid until the Date of Termination
during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection
with this Agreement.

         11.  Similar Provisions in Other Agreement.  The Severance Payment 
under this Agreement supersedes and replaces any other severance payment to 
which you may be entitled under any previous agreement between you and the 
Company or its affiliates.

         If this letter sets forth our agreement on the subject  matter  hereof,
kindly  sign and return to the Company the  enclosed  copy of this letter  which
will then constitute our binding agreement on this subject.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.



                                       By:      /s/E.O. Robinson, Jr.
                                                -------------------------
                                                E. O. Robinson, Jr.
                                                Senior Vice President



Agreed:

/s/Thomas J. Carr, Jr.
- ----------------------------
Thomas J. Carr, Jr.









                                      -106-




                                                                     EX-10.2


                          HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.


                                 April 25, 1997


[Name of Executive Officer]
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
1023 Cherry Road
Memphis, Tennessee 38117

         Re:      Amendment to Severance Agreement

Dear [Name]:

         This  letter  agreement  ('this  Amendment")  will amend the  Severance
Agreement dated [Date] (the "Agreement") between you and Harrah's Entertainment,
Inc.

         In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and for other
good and valuable consideration,  receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is
agreed as follows:

         1.   Effective Date.  This Amendment is effective April 25, 1997.

         2.   Amendment of Section 3, "Termination Following Change in 
Control".

              (a)  Subsection (y) of the first paragraph of Section 3 is 
              amended to read as follows:

                   "(y) by the Company other than for Cause, or"

         3.   Amendment of Section 4, "Compensation Upon Termination or During 
Disability Following a Change in Control".

              (a)  The caption of Section 4 is amended to read as follows:

                   "Compensation Upon Termination Following a Change in 
                   Control".





                                      -107-





              (b)  The first three lines of Section 4 ending in the word 
              "benefits" is amended to read as follows:

                   "Following a Change in Control of the Company, as defined in
                   Subsection  2(a), upon termination of your employment,  you 
                   shall be entitled  to the  following benefits:"

              (c)  The language of subsection (a) of section 4 is deleted and 
              the word "Deleted" is inserted in lieu thereof.

              (d)  Subsection (y) in subsection (c) of Section 4 is amended to 
              read as follows:

                   "(y) by the Company other than for Cause or"

              (e)  Subsection (y) in subsection (d) of Section 4 is amended to 
              read as follows:

                   "(y) by the Company other than for Cause, or"

         4.  Defined Terms.  Unless otherwise defined herein, all terms used in
this Amendment that are defined in the Agreement will have the meanings 
given to such terms in the Agreement.

         5.  No Other Modifications.  Except as specifically modified herein, 
all terms and conditions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full 
force and effect.

         If this letter sets forth our agreement on the subject  matter  hereof,
please  sign and return to the Company the  enclosed  copy of this letter  which
will then constitute our binding agreement on this subject.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.



                                       By:
                                            --------------------------



Agreed to:


- ---------------------------
[Name of Executive Officer]

                                      -108-




                                                                     EX-10.3






                      Amendment dated April 24, 1997 to the
                          Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
                       Deferred Compensation Plan ("Plan")




         Pursuant to approval by the Human  Resources  Committee of the Harrah's
Entertainment, Inc. Board of Directors, the following paragraph 5.3A is added to
the Plan after paragraph 5.3:

         5.3A Amendment of Form of Payment.  Each  Participant in the Plan as of
         April  25,  1997  (referred  to  in  this  paragraph  5.3A  as  "Active
         Participants"  and excluding  Participants who are not active employees
         of the  Company or its  direct or  indirect  subsidiaries  on April 25,
         1997, and excluding director  Participants who are not actively serving
         on the Company's  Board of Directors on April 25, 1997) will be offered
         a one-time  opportunity (the "Amendment  Opportunity") to amend his/her
         previously  made  elections  as to the  form  of  payment  of  benefits
         permitted  under  paragraphs  5.1 and 5.3 of the Plan,  subject  to the
         following terms and conditions:

                  (a) The Amendment Opportunity will be offered on or before May
                  31, 1997 to Active  Participants  by sending  them an election
                  form which they must complete in order to revise any or all of
                  their   previous   distribution    elections   (the   "Revised
                  Elections").

                  (b) To be effective,  a completed  Revised Elections form must
                  be received by the Company within a reasonable time period but
                  not later than June 30, 1997.

                  (c) Revised  Elections will only apply to  distributions  that
                  will occur due to leaving the payroll on or after July 1, 1998
                  (or,  in the case of  director  Participants,  due to  leaving
                  active  service on the Board of  Directors on or after July 1,
                  1998).  Accordingly,  if  an  Active  Participant  leaves  the
                  payroll (or leaves  active  service on the Board of Directors)
                  on or before June 30, 1998, any Revised Elections submitted by
                  that  individual  will not be  effective.  In such  case,  the
                  original elections for



                                      -109-





                  that  individual  shall  govern.  For example,  if an employee
                  stops active  employment on December 31, 1997 and is placed on
                  salary continuation which lasts until June 30, 1998, then this
                  individual's  Revised  Elections  will not have any effect and
                  his/her  distributions  will be governed  by his/her  original
                  elections.  However, if employment or salary continuation went
                  through July 1, 1998 or later, the Revised  Elections would be
                  effective.  If an Active  Participant  leaves  the  payroll or
                  leaves  active  service  on the  Board  before  notice  of the
                  Amendment  Opportunity  is mailed,  the Amendment  Opportunity
                  will not be offered to such individual.

                  (d) Pursuant to this  paragraph  5.3A,  an Active  Participant
                  will  only  be  permitted  to  change  a lump  sum  to  annual
                  installments  or  extend  existing  annual  installments  to a
                  longer period, provided installments cannot be extended beyond
                  a period of ten years from the  commencement  of  payments.  A
                  participant will not be permitted to compress  installments to
                  a shorter period or to change installments to a lump sum.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this  Amendment has been executed as of this 24th
day of April, 1997.

                                       Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.



                                       By:  /s/Neil F. Barnhart
                                            ------------------------

                                       Title: Vice President
                                              ---------------

















                                      -110-



                                                                     EX-10.4






                      Amendment dated April 24, 1997 to the
                          Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
                  Executive Deferred Compensation Plan ("Plan")




         Pursuant to approval by the Human  Resources  Committee of the Harrah's
Entertainment, Inc. Board of Directors, the following paragraph 5.7A is added to
the Plan after paragraph 5.7:

         5.7A Amendment of Form of Payment.  Each  Participant in the Plan as of
         April  25,  1997  (referred  to  in  this  paragraph  5.7A  as  "Active
         Participants"  and excluding  Participants who are not active employees
         of the  Company or its  direct or  indirect  subsidiaries  on April 25,
         1997, and excluding director  Participants who are not actively serving
         on the Company's  Board of Directors on April 25, 1997) will be offered
         a one-time  opportunity (the "Amendment  Opportunity") to amend his/her
         previously  made  elections  as to the  form  of  payment  of  benefits
         permitted  under  paragraph  5.7 of the Plan,  subject to the following
         terms and conditions:

                  (a) The Amendment Opportunity will be offered on or before May
                  31, 1997 to Active  Participants  by sending  them an election
                  form which they must complete in order to revise any or all of
                  their   previous   distribution    elections   (the   "Revised
                  Elections").

                  (b) To be effective,  a completed  Revised Elections form must
                  be received by the Company within a reasonable time period but
                  not later than June 30, 1997.

                  (c) Revised  Elections will only apply to  distributions  that
                  will occur due to leaving the payroll on or after July 1, 1998
                  (or,  in the case of  director  Participants,  due to  leaving
                  active  service on the Board of  Directors on or after July 1,
                  1998).  Accordingly,  if  an  Active  Participant  leaves  the
                  payroll (or leaves  active  service on the Board of Directors)
                  on or before June 30, 1998, any Revised Elections submitted by
                  that  individual  will not be  effective.  In such  case,  the
                  original elections for



                                      -111-





                  that  individual  shall  govern.  For example,  if an employee
                  stops active  employment on December 31, 1997 and is placed on
                  salary continuation which lasts until June 30, 1998, then this
                  individual's  Revised  Elections  will not have any effect and
                  his/her  distributions  will be governed  by his/her  original
                  elections.  However, if employment or salary continuation went
                  through July 1, 1998 or later, the Revised  Elections would be
                  effective.  If an Active  Participant  leaves  the  payroll or
                  leaves  active  service  on the  Board  before  notice  of the
                  Amendment  Opportunity  is mailed,  the Amendment  Opportunity
                  will not be offered to such individual.

                  (d) Pursuant to this  paragraph  5.7A,  an Active  Participant
                  will only be permitted to change a lump sum to installments or
                  extend  existing  installments  to a longer  period,  provided
                  installments  cannot be  extended  beyond a period of  fifteen
                  years from the  commencement of payments.  A participant  will
                  not be permitted to compress  installments to a shorter period
                  or to change installments to a lump sum.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this  Amendment has been executed as of this 24th
day of April, 1997.

                                       Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.


                                       By:  /s/Neil F. Barnhart
                                            -----------------------

                                       Title: Vice President
                                              --------------


















                                      -112-



                                                                     Exhibit 11
                          HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
                       COMPUTATIONS OF PER SHARE EARNINGS

Second Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 1997 1996 1997 1996 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Income before extraordinary loss $25,373,000 $29,977,000 $42,484,000 $61,387,000 Extraordinary loss, net (8,134,000) - (8,134,000) - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net income $17,239,000 $29,977,000 $34,350,000 $61,387,000 =========== =========== =========== =========== Primary Earnings Per Share Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 100,549,789 102,720,947 101,125,128 102,656,047 Common stock equivalents Additional shares based on average market price for period applicable to: Restricted stock 19,902 47,349 964 52,981 Stock options 452,258 1,072,222 476,844 886,961 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Average number of primary common and common equivalent shares outstanding 101,021,949 103,840,518 101,602,936 103,595,989 =========== =========== =========== =========== Primary earnings per common and common equivalent share Income before extraordinary loss $ 0.25 $ 0.29 $ 0.42 $ 0.59 Extraordinary loss, net (0.08) - (0.08) - ------ ------ ------ ------ Net income $ 0.17 $ 0.29 $ 0.34 $ 0.59 ====== ====== ====== ====== Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share Average number of primary common and common equivalent shares outstanding 101,021,949 103,840,518 101,602,936 103,595,989 Additional shares based on period-end price applicable to: Restricted stock 2,940 - - - Stock options - - - - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Average number of fully diluted common and common equivalent shares outstanding 101,024,889 103,840,518 101,602,936 103,595,989 =========== =========== =========== =========== Fully diluted earnings per common and common equivalent share Income before extraordinary loss $ 0.25 $ 0.29 $ 0.42 $ 0.59 Extraordinary loss, net (0.08) - (0.08) - ------ ------ ------ ------ Net income $ 0.17 $ 0.29 $ 0.34 $ 0.59 ====== ====== ====== ======
-113-
 


5 1,000 6-MOS DEC-31-1997 JUN-30-1997 106,867 0 53,545 15,537 11,397 206,197 2,112,841 630,992 2,089,682 207,804 1,012,565 0 0 10,094 701,598 2,089,682 0 782,992 0 676,502 0 0 38,144 74,573 28,324 42,484 0 8,134 0 34,350 0.34 0.34