Deal signed with Harrah’s

Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001 | 9:04 a.m.

Aristocrat Technologies Inc. announced Tuesday it has signed a deal to supply a new progressive slot jackpot system to Harrah's Entertainment Inc., marking the first sale of the system to a large American casino operator.

Aristocrat's "Cash Express" system allows casinos to offer players multiple progressive jackpots on linked slot machines. When a game on the system enters a bonus round, the player is guaranteed to win one of four progressive jackpots, ranging from $20 to $40,000.

The system has proven popular in Australia, Aristocrat's home market, and other international markets, Aristocrat said.

Harrah's indicated it plans to install up to 25 of the systems at its 25 U.S. casinos, depending on performance. The value of the contract was not disclosed.

"We are sure this is just the beginning of many projects we will do with Aristocrat as they bring to the U.S. some of their products proven to be so successful in Australia," said Bruce Rowe, Harrah's vice president of slot operations.

Sydney-based Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. sells slot machines in more than 30 countries, but did not introduce its first U.S. products until last year. The company acquired Casino Data Systems, a Las Vegas-based supplier of casino management systems and game software, earlier this year for $181 million. Aristocrat Technologies, Aristocrat Leisure's U.S. subsidiary, is based in Las Vegas.