Gaming briefs for August 25, 2004

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004 | 10:34 a.m.

Company hires PR agency

Caesars Entertainment Inc. has hired Fremont, Calif.-based Maita-Saviano Public Relations LLC to help increase Caesars' visibility among the technology trade press.

The Silicon Valley firm specializes in high-tech companies.

"In recent months we've focused on earning Caesars Entertainment more recognition for the leading role we have taken in rolling out new technology initiatives -- whether it is in the area of yield management, customer relationship management or efficiency improvement," Caesars spokesman Robert Stewart said. "So far, that effort is paying off."

Stewart declined to reveal the amount of the contract.

Eastwood slots to debut in Nevada in December

A slot machine manufacturer has signed a deal with Hollywood film star and director Clint Eastwood to use his likeness from films on future games.

WMS Gaming Inc., Waukegan, Ill., announced today that it has a licensing agreement with MGM Consumer Products, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Eastwood, who became famous with the release of a series of Italian-made westerns in the 1960s. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

WMS said it would use Eastwood-branded slots on the company's video-based wide-area progressive games and would introduce "A Fistful of Dollars," a nickel slot, in Nevada and tribal markets in December. The games are expected to be displayed at the Global Gaming Expo trade show Oct. 5-7.

The company said future games would be introduced highlighting the characters and roles Eastwood has played.

NATCHEZ, Miss.:

Florida developer Charles Cato says the mansion where Confederate president Jefferson Davis wed a Natchez aristocrat will soon house gamblers who crave history as much as a royal flush. Cato, president of the planned Emerald Star Casino and Resort, said he expects to close next week on a deal to buy the Briars Inn, a historic bed and breakfast built in 1814.