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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 62-1411755
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
ONE HARRAH'S COURT
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89119
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. 2001 EXECUTIVE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
BRAD L. KERBY
CORPORATE SECRETARY
ONE HARRAH'S COURT, LAS VEGAS, NV 89119
(702) 407-6000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Securities to Amount to be Proposed Proposed Amount of
be Registered Registered Maximum Maximum Registration
(1) Offering Aggregate Fee
Price Per Offering Price
Share (2) (2)
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Common stock, par value 3,900,000 $36.755 $143,344,500 $35,836.13
$0.10 per share
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(1) In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933,
this registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan
described herein.
(2) For purposes of computing the registration fee only, pursuant to Rule
457(h), the Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share is based upon the
average of the high and low prices reported on the New York Stock Exchange
on June 21, 2001.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN SECTION 10 (A) PROSPECTUS
The document(s) containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8
will be sent or given to participating employees as specified by Rule 428(b)(1)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These documents and the documents
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of
Part II of this Registration Statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus
that meets the requirements of Section 10 (a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The Company hereby states that the documents listed in (a) through (c)
below are incorporated herein by reference and that all documents subsequently
filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in the registration statement and to be part thereof
from the date of filing of such documents.
(a) The Company's latest annual report filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(b) All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the registrant document
referred to in (a) above.
(c) The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 10 dated December 13, 1989, filed under
the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
Item 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
The legality of the securities registered hereby has been passed
upon by Brad L. Kerby, Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel of the
Company. At the time of filing this Registration Statement, Mr. Kerby owned
3,880 shares of Common Stock and holds options for 12,165 shares of Common
Stock, which options have been issued under the Company's 1990 Stock Option
Plan, as amended.
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Item 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware empowers the
Company to indemnify, subject to the standards set forth therein, any person who
is a party in any action in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding
brought or threatened by reason of the fact that the person was a director,
officer, employee or agent of such company, or is or was serving as such with
respect to another entity at the request of such company. The General
Corporation Law of Delaware also provides that a Delaware corporation may
purchase insurance on behalf of any such director, officer, employee or agent.
Article Tenth of our Certificate of Incorporation provides for
indemnification of our officers and directors to the full extent permitted by
the Delaware General Corporation Law.
We have entered into Indemnification Agreements with our directors,
executive officers and certain other officers. Generally, the Indemnification
Agreements provide that we will indemnify such persons against any and all
expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including
all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with
or in respect to such expenses, judgments, fines, penalties or amounts paid in
settlement) of any Claim by reason of (or arising in part out of) an
Indemnifiable Event. "Claim" is defined as any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding or any inquiry or investigation, whether conducted by
us or any other party, that the indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to
the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, investigative or other. "Indemnifiable Event" is defined as any
event or occurrence related to the fact that indemnitee is or was our director,
officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary, or is or was serving at our
request as a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other
enterprise, or by reason of anything done or not done by the indemnitee in any
such capacity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) our obligation to indemnify
the indemnitee shall be subject to the condition that the reviewing party shall
not have determined (in a written opinion, in any case in which special,
independent counsel is involved) that the indemnitee would not be permitted to
be indemnified under applicable law and (ii) our obligation to make an expense
advance shall be subject to the condition that, if, when and to the extent that
the reviewing party determines that the indemnitee would not be permitted to be
so indemnified under applicable law, we will be entitled to be reimbursed by the
indemnitee (who has agreed to reimburse us for any amounts theretofore paid;
provided, that if the indemnitee has commenced legal proceedings in a court of
competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that the indemnitee should be
indemnified under applicable law, any determination made by the reviewing party
that the indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable
law shall not be binding and the indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse
us for any expense advance until a final judicial determination is made with
respect thereto as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted
or lapsed).
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We carry insurance policies which cover our individual directors and
officers for legal liability and which would pay on our behalf for expenses of
indemnifying directors and officers in accordance with our Certificate of
Incorporation.
Under the merger agreements pursuant to which we acquired Showboat, Inc.,
Rio Hotel & Casino, Inc., and Players International, Inc., we agreed to
indemnify each person that served as a director and officer of Showboat, Rio,
and Players prior to the merger against all liabilities arising out of the fact
that such person was an officer or director of such entities to the full extent
that would have been permitted under Nevada law and the articles of
incorporation or bylaws of such entities. We also agreed to maintain in effect
for six years directors' and officers' liability insurance policies for each of
the directors and officers of Showboat, Rio, and Players with coverage at least
as favorable (subject to certain limitations) as the coverage provided to such
persons prior to the merger of Showboat, Rio or Players, as the case may be.
Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law enables a
Delaware corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation for the
elimination or limitation of the personal liability of a director to the
corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director. Any such provision cannot eliminate or limit a director's
liability (1) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders; (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (3) under
Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (which imposes liability on
directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchase or
redemption); or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. Article Thirteenth of our Certificate of
Incorporation eliminates the liability of each of our directors to us and our
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to
the full extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Item 8. EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description
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*EX-4.1 Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. 2001 Executive Stock Incentive
Plan.
*EX-5 Opinion of Brad L. Kerby as to the legality of the securities
being registered hereby.
*EX-23.1 Consent of Brad L. Kerby (included as part of Exhibit 5).
*EX-23.2 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants.
*EX-23.3 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLC, independent public
accountants.
*EX-24 Power of Attorney (incorporated into the signature pages
hereof).
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* Filed herewith.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Las Vegas, Nevada, on June ___, 2001.
HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
By: /s/ BRAD L. KERBY
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Brad L. Kerby
Corporate Secretary
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below, hereby constitutes and appoints Philip G. Satre, Stephen H. Brammell, and
Brad L. Kerby and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of
the other, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and
post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and conforming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of
them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in their
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
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/s/ JAMES B. FARLEY Director June 26, 2001
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(James B. Farley)
/s/ JOE M. HENSON Director June 26, 2001
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(Joe M. Henson)
/s/ RALPH HORN Director June 26, 2001
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(Ralph Horn)
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Signature Title Date
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/s/ GARY W. LOVEMAN Director, President and June 26, 2001
- --------------------------- Chief Operating Officer
(Gary W. Loveman)
/s/ R. BRAD MARTIN Director June 26, 2001
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(R. Brad Martin)
/s/ ROBERT G. MILLER Director June 26, 2001
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(Robert G. Miller)
/s/ WALTER J. SALMON Director June 26, 2001
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(Walter J. Salmon)
/s/ Director, Chairman, and June 26, 2001
- --------------------------- Chief Executive Officer
(Philip G. Satre)
/s/ BOAKE A. SELLS Director June 26, 2001
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(Boake A. Sells)
/s/ EDDIE N. WILLIAMS Director June 26, 2001
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(Eddie N. Williams)
/s/ ANTHONY D. McDUFFIE Vice President, Assistant June 26, 2001
- --------------------------- Controller and
(Anthony D. McDuffie) Principal Accounting Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description Sequential Page No.
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*EX-4.1 Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
2001 Executive Stock
Incentive Plan
*EX-5 Opinion of Brad L. Kerby
as to the legality of the
securities being registered hereby.
*EX-23.1 Consent of Brad L. Kerby
(included as part of Exhibit 5).
*EX-23.2 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants.
*EX-23.3 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent public accountants.
*EX-24 Power of Attorney (incorporated
into the signature pages hereof).
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* Filed herewith.
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EX-4.1
HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
2001 EXECUTIVE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE 1
PURPOSE
1.1 GENERAL. The purpose of the Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. 2001
Executive Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to promote the success and
enhance the value of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (the "Company") by linking the
personal interests of the members of the Board, employees, officers, and
executives of the Company and any Subsidiary, to those of Company stockholders
and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance
to generate superior returns to Company stockholders. The Plan is further
intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate,
attract, and retain the services of members of the Board, employees, officers,
and executives of the Company upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort
the successful conduct of the Company's operation is largely dependent.
ARTICLE 2
EFFECTIVE AND EXPIRATION DATE
2.1 EFFECTIVE DATE. The Plan is effective as of the date the Plan is
approved by the Company's stockholders (the "Effective Date"). The Plan will be
deemed to be approved by the stockholders if it receives the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares of stock of the Company present or
represented and entitled to vote at a meeting duly held in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the Company's Bylaws.
2.2 EXPIRATION DATE. The Plan will expire on, and no Award may be granted
pursuant to the Plan after, the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Any
Awards that are outstanding on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date shall
remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the Award Agreement.
ARTICLE 3
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
3.1 DEFINITIONS. The following words and phrases shall have the following
meanings:
"AWARD" means any Option, Restricted Stock Award, Performance
Share Award, or Performance-Based Award granted to a Participant pursuant to the
Plan.
"AWARD AGREEMENT" means any written agreement, contract, or
other instrument or document evidencing an Award.
"BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
"CAUSE" means (except as otherwise provided in an Award
Agreement) that the Board, in its reasonable and good faith discretion, has
determined that a Participant (i) has been convicted of any crime that
materially discredits the Company or is materially detrimental to the reputation
or goodwill of the Company, (ii) has committed any material act of fraud or
dishonesty against the Company, or an immoral or unethical act that materially
reflects negatively on the Company, or has engaged in willful misconduct;
provided that the Participant shall first have been provided with written notice
of the claim against him or her under this provision, or (iii) has materially
breached any employment agreement with the Company.
"CHANGE OF CONTROL" means and includes each of the following
(subject to (4) below):
(1) any "person" (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and
14(d) of 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 the acquisition of such securities by the acquiring person; or
(2) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals
who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new
director(s) (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
(1) or (3) 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 two year period or whose election or nomination for
election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a
majority thereof; or
(3) the holders of securities of the Company entitled to vote
thereon approve the following:
(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 (a) the
Company's then outstanding voting securities carrying the
right to vote in elections of persons to the Board, or (b) the
voting 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.
(4) Notwithstanding the definition of a "Change in Control" of
the Company as set forth above, 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, prior to the transaction or series of transactions,
by the Committee in its sole discretion which determination as to whether a
substantial portion is involved 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 (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion
prior to such transaction or series of transactions which determination as to
whether the 80% amount will be satisfied shall be final and conclusive). The
Committee may exercise any 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 above.
"CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"COMMITTEE" means the committee of the Board described in
Article 4.
"COVERED EMPLOYEE" means an Employee who is, or could be, a
"covered employee" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
"DISABILITY" means, for purposes of this Plan, that the
Participant qualifies to receive long term disability payments under the
Company's long term disability insurance program, as it may be amended from time
to time.
"EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
"FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any given date, the fair
market value of Stock on a particular date determined by such methods or
procedures as may be established from time to time by the Committee. Unless
otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of Stock as of any
date shall be the average of the high and low trading prices for the Stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange (or on any national securities exchange
on which the Stock is then listed) for that date or, if no such prices are
reported for that date, the average of the high and low trading prices on the
next preceding date for which such prices were reported.
"INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option that is intended to
meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision
thereto.
"NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board who
qualifies as a "Non-Employee Director" as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the
Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Board.
"NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION" means an Option that is not
intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
"OPTION" means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to
Article 7 of the Plan to purchase Stock at a specified price during specified
time periods. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a
Non-Qualified Stock Option.
"PARTICIPANT" means a person who, as a member of the Board,
employee, officer, or executive of the Company or any Subsidiary, has been
granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.
"PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS" means the Performance Share Awards
and Restricted Stock Awards granted to selected Covered Employees pursuant to
Articles 8 and 9, but which are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
Article 10. All Performance-Based Awards are intended to qualify as
"performance-based compensation" pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code.
"PERFORMANCE CRITERIA" means the criteria that the Committee
selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals
for a Participant for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will
be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: pre- or
after-tax net earnings, sales or revenue, operating earnings, operating cash
flow, return on net assets, return on stockholders' equity, return on assets,
return on capital, stockholder returns, gross or net profit margin, earnings per
share, price per share of Stock, and market share, any of which may be measured
either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as
compared to results of a peer group. The Committee shall, within the time
prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, define in an objective fashion the
manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such
Performance Period for such Participant.
"PERFORMANCE GOALS" means, for a Performance Period, the goals
established in writing by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon
the Performance Criteria. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to
establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in
terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a division, business
unit, or an individual. The Committee, in its discretion, may, within the time
prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, adjust or modify the calculation of
Performance Goals for such Performance Period in order to prevent the dilution
or enlargement of the rights of Participants (i) in the event of, or in
anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction,
event, or development, or (ii) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any
other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial
statements of the Company, or in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in
applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions.
"PERFORMANCE PERIOD" means the one or more periods of time,
which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Committee may select,
over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for
the purpose of determining a Participant's right to, and the payment of, a
Performance-Based Award.
"PERFORMANCE SHARE" means a right granted to a Participant
pursuant to Article 9, to receive cash, Stock, or other Awards, the payment of
which is contingent upon achieving certain performance goals established by the
Committee.
"PLAN" means this Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. 2001 Executive
Stock Incentive Plan, as amended.
"RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD" means Stock granted to a Participant
pursuant to Article 10 that is subject to certain restrictions and to risk of
forfeiture.
"STOCK" means the common stock of the Company and such other
securities of the Company that may be substituted for Stock pursuant to Article
12.
"SUBSIDIARY" means any corporation or other entity of which a
majority of the outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned
directly or indirectly by the Company.
ARTICLE 4
ADMINISTRATION
4.1 COMMITTEE. The Plan shall be administered by the Human Resources
Committee of the Board. The Committee shall consist of at least two individuals,
each of whom qualifies as (i) a Non-Employee Director, and (ii) an "outside
director" pursuant to Code Section 162(m) and the regulations issued thereunder.
Reference to the Committee shall refer to the Board if the Human Resources
Committee ceases to exist and the Board does not appoint a successor Committee.
4.2 ACTION BY THE COMMITTEE. A majority of the Committee shall constitute
a quorum. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which
a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee
in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of
the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or
other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of
the Company or any Subsidiary, the Company's independent certified public
accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional
retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.
4.3 AUTHORITY OF COMMITTEE. Subject to any specific designation in the
Plan, the Committee has the exclusive power, authority and discretion to:
Designate Participants to receive Awards;
Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each
Participant;
Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number
of shares of Stock to which an Award will relate;
Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted
pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant
price, or purchase price, any reload provision, any restrictions or limitations
on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions
on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, any
provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based
in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion
determines; provided, however, that the Committee shall not have the authority
to accelerate the vesting or waive the forfeiture of any Performance-Based
Awards;
Determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what
circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may
be paid in, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be
canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;
Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be
identical for each Participant;
Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection
with an Award;
Establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it
may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;
Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to,
the Plan or any Award Agreement; and
Make all other decisions and determinations that may be
required pursuant to the Plan or as the Committee deems necessary or advisable
to administer the Plan.
4.4 DECISIONS BINDING. The Committee's interpretation of the Plan, any
Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Award Agreement and all decisions and
determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and
conclusive on all parties.
ARTICLE 5
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
5.1 NUMBER OF SHARES. Subject to adjustment provided in Article 12, the
aggregate number of shares of Stock reserved and available for grant pursuant to
the Plan shall be 3,900,000, plus (i) the number of shares of Stock remaining
available for grant pursuant to the Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. 1990 Stock
Option Plan and the Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. 1990 Restricted Stock Plan (the
"Harrah's Former Plans") as of the Effective Date, and (ii) the number of shares
of Stock that were previously granted pursuant to Harrah's Former Plans and that
either terminate, expire, or lapse for any reason after the Effective Date. No
more than 300,000 shares available pursuant to the Plan shall be available for
grant as an Award other than an Option. Notwithstanding the above, the maximum
number of shares of Stock that may be issued as Incentive Stock Options pursuant
to the Plan is 3,900,000.
5.2 LAPSED OR ASSUMED AWARDS. To the extent that an Award terminates,
expires, or lapses for any reason, any shares of Stock subject to the Award will
again be available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. Additionally,
any shares of stock tendered or withheld to satisfy the exercise price or tax
withholding obligation pursuant to any
Award shall again be available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan.
To the extent permitted by applicable law or any exchange rule, shares of Stock
issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any
entity acquired in any form of combination by the Company or any Subsidiary
shall not be counted against shares of Stock available for grant pursuant to
this Plan.
5.3 STOCK DISTRIBUTED. Any Stock distributed pursuant to an Award may
consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Stock, treasury Stock
or Stock purchased on the open market.
5.4 LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF SHARES SUBJECT TO AWARDS. Notwithstanding any
provision in the Plan to the contrary, and subject to the adjustment in Article
12, the maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to one or more Awards
that may be granted to any one Participant during a rolling five-year period
(measured from the date of any grant) shall be 3,000,000.
ARTICLE 6
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
6.1 ELIGIBILITY.
GENERAL. Persons eligible to participate in this Plan include
all members of the Board, employees, officers, and executives of the Company or
a Subsidiary, as determined by the Committee.
FOREIGN PARTICIPANTS. In order to assure the viability of
Awards granted to Participants employed in foreign countries, the Committee may
provide for such special terms as it may consider necessary or appropriate to
accommodate differences in local law, tax policy, or custom. Moreover, the
Committee may approve such supplements to, or amendments, restatements, or
alternative versions of, the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate
for such purposes without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect
for any other purpose; provided, however, that no such supplements, amendments,
restatements, or alternative versions shall increase the share limitations
contained in Section 5.1 of the Plan.
6.2 ACTUAL PARTICIPATION. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the
Committee may, from time to time, select from among all eligible individuals,
those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount
of each Award. No individual shall have any right to be granted an Award
pursuant to this Plan.
ARTICLE 7
STOCK OPTIONS
7.1 GENERAL. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants
on the following terms and conditions:
EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price per share of Stock pursuant
to an Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award
Agreement; provided that the exercise price for any Option shall not be less
than the Fair Market Value as of the date of grant.
TIME AND CONDITIONS OF EXERCISE. The Committee shall determine
the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part
provided that the term of any Option granted under the Plan shall not exceed ten
years, provided that in the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, such Option
shall be exercisable for one year after the date of the Participant's death. The
Committee shall also determine the performance or
other conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option
may be exercised. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, an Option
will lapse immediately if a Participant's employment is terminated for Cause.
PAYMENT. The Committee shall determine the methods by which
the exercise price of an Option may be paid, the form of payment, including,
without limitation, cash, promissory note, shares of Stock held for longer than
six months (through actual tender or by attestation), or other property
acceptable to the Committee (including broker-assisted "cashless exercise"
arrangements), and the methods by which shares of Stock shall be delivered or
deemed to be delivered to Participants.
EVIDENCE OF GRANT. All Options shall be evidenced by a written
Award Agreement between the Company and the Participant. The Award Agreement
shall include such additional provisions as may be specified by the Committee.
7.2 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only
to employees and the terms of any Incentive Stock Options granted pursuant to
the Plan must comply with the following additional provisions of this Section
7.2:
EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price per share of Stock shall be
set by the Committee, provided that the exercise price for any Incentive Stock
Option may not be less than the Fair Market Value as of the date of the grant.
EXERCISE. In no event, may any Incentive Stock Option be
exercisable for more than ten years from the date of its grant.
LAPSE OF OPTION. An Incentive Stock Option shall lapse
pursuant to the following circumstances.
(1) The Incentive Stock Option shall lapse ten years from the
date it is granted, unless an earlier time is set in the Award Agreement.
(2) The Incentive Stock Option shall lapse upon termination of
employment for Cause or for any other reason other than the Participant's
death or Disability, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement.
(3) If the Participant terminates employment on account of
Disability or death before the Option lapses pursuant to paragraph (1) or
(2) above, the Incentive Stock Option shall lapse, unless it is previously
exercised, on the earlier of (i) the scheduled termination date of the
Option; or (ii) 12 months after the date of the Participant's termination
of employment on account of Disability or death. Upon the Participant's
Disability or death, any Incentive Stock Options exercisable at the
Participant's Disability or death may be exercised by the Participant's
legal representative or representatives, by the person or persons entitled
to do so pursuant to the Participant's last will and testament, or, if the
Participant fails to make testamentary disposition of such Incentive Stock
Option or dies intestate, by the person or persons entitled to receive the
Incentive Stock Option pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and
distribution.
INDIVIDUAL DOLLAR LIMITATION. The aggregate Fair Market Value
(determined as of the time an Award is made) of all shares of Stock with respect
to which Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in any
calendar year may not exceed $100,000.00 or such other limitation as imposed by
Section 422(d) of the Code, or any successor provision. To the extent that
Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in excess of such
limitation, the excess shall be considered Non-Qualified Stock Options.
TEN PERCENT OWNERS. An Incentive Stock Option shall be granted
to any individual who, at the date of grant, owns stock possessing more than ten
percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of Stock of the
Company only if such Option is granted at a price that is not less than 110% of
Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is exercisable for no more
than five years from the date of grant.
EXPIRATION OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. No Award of an
Incentive Stock Option may be made pursuant to this Plan after the tenth
anniversary of the Effective Date.
RIGHT TO EXERCISE. During a Participant's lifetime, an
Incentive Stock Option may be exercised only by the Participant.
ARTICLE 8
PERFORMANCE SHARES
8.1 GRANT OF PERFORMANCE SHARES. The Committee is authorized to grant
Performance Shares to Participants on such terms and conditions as may be
selected by the Committee. The Committee shall have the complete discretion to
determine the number of Performance Shares granted to each Participant. All
Awards of Performance Shares shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
8.2 RIGHT TO PAYMENT. A grant of Performance Shares gives the Participant
rights, valued as determined by the Committee, and payable to, or exercisable
by, the Participant to whom the Performance Shares are granted, in whole or in
part, as the Committee shall establish at grant or thereafter. Subject to the
terms of the Plan, the Committee shall set performance goals and other terms or
conditions to payment of the Performance Shares in its discretion which,
depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number and
value of Performance Shares that will be paid to the Participant.
8.3 OTHER TERMS. Performance Shares may be payable in cash, Stock, or
other property, and have such other terms and conditions as determined by the
Committee and reflected in a written Performance Share Award Agreement. Unless
otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, Performance Shares will lapse
immediately if a Participant's employment is terminated for Cause.
ARTICLE 9
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
9.1 GRANT OF RESTRICTED STOCK. The Committee is authorized to make Awards
of Restricted Stock to Participants in such amounts and subject to such terms
and conditions as determined by the Committee. All Awards of Restricted Stock
shall be evidenced by a written Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
9.2 ISSUANCE AND RESTRICTIONS. Restricted Stock shall be subject to such
restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Committee may
impose (including, without limitation, limitations on the right to vote
Restricted Stock or the right to receive dividends on the Restricted Stock).
These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times,
pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the
Committee determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter.
9.3 FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the
time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, upon termination of employment
during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Stock that is at that time
subject to restrictions shall be forfeited; provided, however, that the
Committee may provide in any Restricted Stock Award Agreement that restrictions
or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock will be waived in whole or
in
part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the
Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or
forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock. Unless otherwise provided in
an Award Agreement, Restricted Stock will be forfeited immediately if a
Participant's employment is terminated for Cause.
9.4 CERTIFICATES FOR RESTRICTED STOCK. Restricted Stock granted pursuant
to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If
certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock are registered in the name
of the Participant, certificates must bear an appropriate legend referring to
the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and
the Company may, at its discretion, retain physical possession of the
certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.
ARTICLE 10
PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS
10.1 PURPOSE. The purpose of this Article 10 is to provide the Committee
the ability to qualify the Performance Share Awards pursuant to Article 8 and
the Restricted Stock Awards pursuant to Article 9 as "performance-based
compensation" pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code. If the Committee, in its
discretion, decides to grant a Performance-Based Award to a Covered Employee,
the provisions of this Article 10 shall control over any contrary provision
contained in Articles 8 or 9.
10.2 APPLICABILITY. This Article 10 shall apply only to those Covered
Employees selected by the Committee to receive Performance-Based Awards. The
Committee may, in its discretion, grant Restricted Stock Awards or Performance
Share Awards to Covered Employees that do not satisfy the requirements of this
Article 10. The designation of a Covered Employee as a Participant for a
Performance Period shall not in any manner entitle the Participant to receive an
Award for the period. Moreover, designation of a Covered Employee as a
Participant for a particular Performance Period shall not require designation of
such Covered Employee as a Participant in any subsequent Performance Period and
designation of one Covered Employee as a Participant shall not require
designation of any other Covered Employees as a Participant in such period or in
any other period.
10.3 DISCRETION OF COMMITTEE WITH RESPECT TO PERFORMANCE AWARDS. With
regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have full
discretion to select the length of such Performance Period, the type of
Performance-Based Awards to be issued, the kind and/or level of the Performance
Goal, and whether the Performance Goal is to apply to the Company, a Subsidiary
or any division or business unit thereof. Unless otherwise provided in an Award
Agreement, Performance-Based Awards will be forfeited if a Participant's
employment is terminated for Cause.
10.4 PAYMENT OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS. Unless otherwise provided in the
relevant Award Agreement, a Participant must be employed by the Company or a
Subsidiary on the day a Performance Award for such Performance Period is paid to
the Participant. Furthermore, a Participant shall be eligible to receive payment
pursuant to a Performance-Based Award for a Performance Period only if the
Performance Goals for such period are achieved. In determining the actual size
of an individual Performance-Based Award, the Committee may reduce or eliminate
the amount of the Performance-Based Award earned for the Performance Period, if
in its sole and absolute discretion, such reduction or elimination is
appropriate.
10.5 MAXIMUM AWARD PAYABLE. The maximum Performance-Based Award payable to
any one Participant pursuant to the Plan for a Performance Period is 500,000
shares of Stock, or in the event the Performance-Based Award is paid in cash,
such maximum Performance-Based Award shall be determined by multiplying 500,000
by the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock as of the date of grant of the
Performance-Based Award.
ARTICLE 11
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS
11.1 STAND-ALONE AND TANDEM AWARDS. Awards granted pursuant to the Plan
may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone, in addition
to, or in tandem with, any other Award granted pursuant to the Plan. Awards
granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at
the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.
11.2 TERM OF AWARD. The term of each Award shall be for the period as
determined by the Committee, provided that in no event shall the term of any
Option exceed a period of ten years from the date of its grant.
11.3 FORM OF PAYMENT FOR AWARDS. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable law or Award Agreement, payments or transfers to be made by the
Company or a Subsidiary on the grant or exercise of an Award may be made in such
forms as the Committee determines at or after the time of grant, including,
without limitation, cash, promissory note, Stock held for more than six months,
other Awards, or other property, or any combination, and may be made in a single
payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis, in each case
determined in accordance with rules adopted by, and at the discretion of, the
Committee.
11.4 LIMITS ON TRANSFER. No right or interest of a Participant in any
Award may be pledged, encumbered, or hypothecated to or in favor of any party
other than the Company or a Subsidiary, or shall be subject to any lien,
obligation, or liability of such Participant to any other party other than the
Company or a Subsidiary. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, no Award
shall be assigned, transferred, or otherwise disposed of by a Participant other
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
11.5 BENEFICIARIES. Notwithstanding Section 11.4, a Participant may, in
the manner determined by the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the
rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any
Award upon the Participant's death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal
representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is
subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement
applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan and Award Agreement
otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or
appropriate by the Committee. If the Participant is married and resides in a
community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant's
spouse as his beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participant's
interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written consent
of the Participant's spouse. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives
the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant
to the Participant's will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to
the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a
Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the
Committee.
11.6 STOCK CERTIFICATES. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates
evidencing shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and
until the Board has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance and
delivery of such certificates is in compliance with all applicable laws,
regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of
any exchange on which the shares of Stock are listed or traded. All Stock
certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan are subject to any stop-transfer
orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to
comply with Federal, state, or foreign jurisdiction, securities or other laws,
rules and regulations and the rules of any national securities exchange or
automated quotation system on which the Stock is listed, quoted, or traded. The
Committee may place legends on any Stock certificate to reference restrictions
applicable to the Stock. In addition to the terms and conditions provided
herein, the Board may require that a Participant
make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board, in
its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws,
regulations, or requirements.
11.7 ACCELERATION UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL. If a Change of Control occurs,
Awards are converted, assumed, or replaced by a successor, and the Participant's
employment with the Company is terminated without Cause within 18 months
following the date of the Change of Control, all outstanding Awards shall become
fully exercisable and all restrictions on outstanding Awards shall lapse. If a
Change of Control occurs and Awards are not converted, assumed, or replaced by a
successor, all outstanding Awards shall become fully exercisable and all
restrictions on outstanding Awards shall lapse. To the extent that this
provision causes Incentive Stock Options to exceed the dollar limitation set
forth in Section 7.2(d), the excess Options shall be deemed to be Non-Qualified
Stock Options. Upon, or in anticipation of, such an event, the Committee may
cause every Award outstanding hereunder to terminate at a specific time in the
future and shall give each Participant the right to exercise Awards during a
period of time as the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall
determine. In the event that the terms of any agreement between the Company or
any Company subsidiary or affiliate and a Participant contains provisions that
conflict with and are more restrictive than the provisions of this Section 11.7,
this Section 11.7 shall prevail and control and the more restrictive terms of
such agreement (and only such terms) shall be of no force or effect.
ARTICLE 12
CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE
12.1 SHARES AVAILABLE FOR GRANT. In the event of any change in the number
of shares of Stock outstanding by reason of any stock dividend or split,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination or exchange of shares or
similar corporate change, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock with
respect to which the Committee may grant Awards, the number of shares of Stock
subject to any Award, and any numeric limitation expressed in the Plan shall be
appropriately adjusted by the Committee.
12.2 OUTSTANDING AWARDS - INCREASE OR DECREASE IN ISSUED SHARES WITHOUT
CONSIDERATION. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the
Company, in the event of any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares
of Stock resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares of Stock or the
payment of a stock dividend (but only on the shares of Stock), or any other
increase or decrease in the number of such shares effected without receipt or
payment of consideration by the Company, the Committee shall proportionally
adjust the number of shares of Stock subject to each outstanding Award and the
exercise price per share of Stock of each such Award.
12.3 OUTSTANDING AWARDS - CERTAIN MERGERS. Subject to any required action
by the stockholders of the Company, in the event that the Company shall be the
surviving corporation in any merger or consolidation (except a merger or
consolidation as a result of which the holders of shares of Stock receive
securities of another corporation), each Award outstanding on the date of such
merger or consolidation shall pertain to and apply to the securities that a
holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Award would have
received in such merger or consolidation.
12.4 OUTSTANDING AWARDS - OTHER CHANGES. In the event of any other change
in the capitalization of the Company or corporate change other than those
specifically referred to in Article 12, the Committee may, in its absolute
discretion, make such adjustments in the number and class of shares subject to
Awards outstanding on the date on which such change occurs and in the per share
exercise price of each Award as the Committee may consider appropriate to
prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.
12.5 NO OTHER RIGHTS. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no
Participant shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation
of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or
decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class or any dissolution,
liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation.
Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no issuance by the Company of shares
of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any
class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with
respect to, the number of shares of Stock subject to an Award or the exercise
price of any Award.
ARTICLE 13
AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION
13.1 AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION. With the approval of the
Board, at any time and from time to time, the Committee may terminate, amend or
modify the Plan; provided, however, that (i) to the extent necessary and
desirable to comply with any applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange rule,
the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a
manner and to such a degree as required, and (ii) shareholder approval is
required for any amendment to the Plan that (A) increases the number of shares
available under the Plan (other than any adjustment as provided by Article 12),
(B) permits the Committee to grant Options with an exercise price that is below
Fair Market Value on the date of grant, or (C) permits the Committee to extend
the exercise period for an Option beyond ten years from the date of grant.
13.2 AWARDS PREVIOUSLY GRANTED. No termination, amendment, or modification
of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously
granted pursuant to the Plan without the prior written consent of the
Participant.
ARTICLE 14
GENERAL PROVISIONS
14.1 NO RIGHTS TO AWARDS. No Participant, employee, or other person shall
have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the
Company nor the Committee is obligated to treat Participants, employees, and
other persons uniformly.
14.2 NO STOCKHOLDERS RIGHTS. No Award gives the Participant any of the
rights of a stockholder of the Company unless and until shares of Stock are in
fact issued to such person in connection with such Award.
14.3 WITHHOLDING. The Company or any Subsidiary shall have the authority
and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the
Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy Federal, state, and local taxes
(including the Participant's FICA obligation) required by law to be withheld
with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising as a result
of this Plan. With the Committee's consent, a Participant may elect to (i) have
the Company withhold from those shares of Stock that would otherwise be received
upon the exercise of any Option, a number of shares having a Fair Market Value
equal to the minimum statutory amount necessary to satisfy the Company's
applicable federal, state, local or foreign income and employment tax
withholding obligations with respect to such Participant, or (ii) tender
previously-owned shares of Stock held by the Participant for six months or
longer to satisfy the Company's applicable federal, state, local, or foreign
income and employment tax withholding obligations with respect to the
Participant.
14.4 NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICES. Nothing in the Plan or any Award
Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or
any Subsidiary to terminate any Participant's employment or services at any
time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ or
service of the Company or any Subsidiary.
14.5 UNFUNDED STATUS OF AWARDS. The Plan is intended to be an "unfunded"
plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a
Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award
Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a
general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary.
14.6 INDEMNIFICATION. To the extent allowable pursuant to applicable law,
each member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held
harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be
imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or
resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be
a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure
to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him
or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against
him or her provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own
expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and
defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall
not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons
may be entitled pursuant to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have
to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
14.7 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER BENEFITS. No payment pursuant to the Plan shall
be taken into account in determining any benefits pursuant to any pension,
retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit
plan of the Company or any Subsidiary.
14.8 EXPENSES. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by
the Company and its Subsidiaries.
14.9 TITLES AND HEADINGS. The titles and headings of the Sections in the
Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict,
the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.
14.10 FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued and
the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, whether cash shall be given in
lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares shall be eliminated
by rounding up or down as appropriate.
14.11 SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. With respect to any person who is, on the
relevant date, obligated to file reports pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange
Act, transactions pursuant to this Plan are intended to comply with all
applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors pursuant to the Exchange
Act. To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee fails to
so comply, it shall be void to the extent permitted by law and voidable as
deemed advisable by the Committee.
14.12 GOVERNMENT AND OTHER REGULATIONS. The obligation of the Company to
make payment of awards in Stock or otherwise shall be subject to all applicable
laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by government agencies as
may be required. The Company shall be under no obligation to register pursuant
to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, any of the shares of Stock paid
pursuant to the Plan. If the shares paid pursuant to the Plan may in certain
circumstances be exempt from registration pursuant to the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, the Company may restrict the transfer of such shares in such
manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption.
GOVERNING LAW. The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware
EX-5
June 26, 2001
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
One Harrah's Court
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
RE: Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
2001 Executive Stock Incentive Plan
------------------------------------------
Gentlemen:
I am Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel of the Company. At
your request, I have examined the Form S-8 Registration Statement (the
"Registration Statement") that you intend to file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission in connection with the registration pursuant to the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.10
per share (the "Shares"), issuable pursuant to the Company's 2001 Executive
Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Plan").
The Shares will be issued pursuant to the Plan in accordance with the
terms of said Plan. I am familiar with the proceedings undertaken in connection
with the authorization and issuance of the Shares in accordance with the Plan.
Additionally, I have examined such questions of law and fact as I have
considered necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the Shares have been
duly authorized, and upon the issuance of Shares pursuant to the terms of the
Plan and delivery and payment therefor of consideration set forth in the
Delaware General Corporation Law at least equal to the aggregate par value of
the Shares issued, such Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
I consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the reference to my name in the Registration Statement under
the heading "Interests of Named Experts and Counsel."
Very truly yours,
/s/ BRAD L. KERBY
--------------------------------------
Brad L. Kerby
Corporate Secretary and
Associate General Counsel
EX-23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this registration statement of our reports dated March 21, 2001,
included (or incorporated by reference) in Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.'s Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, and to all references to our Firm
included in this registration statement on Form S-8.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
June 21, 2001
EX-23.3
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated
March 30, 2001 (relating to the financial statements of JCC Holding Company
presented separately herein, which report expresses an unqualified opinion
and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the accounting for the
confirmed plan of reorganization in 1998 and an emphasis paragraph relating
to the confirmed plan of reorganization which became effective in March
2001), appearing in the Annual Report on Fom 10-K of Harrah's Entertainment,
Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2000.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Memphis, Tennessee
June 25, 2001
