Update from Harrah’s

I just got a press release detailing what’s going on with Harrah’s casinos in the area affected by Hurricane Katrina. It’s not the end of the world for the company by any stretch of the imagination–they’ve got property damage and business interruption insurance–but things don’t sound that great for the Gulf Coast casinos, with no re-opening dates even guessed at.

From Harrah’s:

LAS VEGAS � August 30, 2005 � Harrah�s Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) today provides the following update on damage from Hurricane Katrina:

The company is still unable to estimate the full extent of damage at Harrah�s New Orleans, Grand Casino Biloxi and Grand Casino Gulfport, although it is apparent that the Biloxi and Gulfport properties have suffered extensive damage. Harrah�s has business interruption and property damage insurance covering each of the three properties, as well its other assets in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area. The company is working closely with its insurance carriers and claims adjusters to ascertain the full amounts due to Harrah�s. Harrah�s currently estimates its uninsured operating loss from the closure of the casinos will be approximately 0.5 percent of its annual Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA).

Harrah�s Entertainment currently expects that Harrah�s New Orleans will remain closed for a minimum of four weeks while the company assesses the property�s status and makes remediation and repairs in order to resume operations. The company is currently unable to provide an estimate on re-opening dates for Grand Casino Biloxi or Grand Casino Gulfport.

Harrah�s six other properties in Louisiana and Mississippi � Harrah�s Lake Charles, Horseshoe Bossier City, Harrah�s Louisiana Downs, Grand Casino Tunica, Horseshoe Tunica and Sheraton Casino & Hotel Tunica � are actively supporting relief efforts, and remain in full operation.

More than 6,000 employees work at the affected properties. Harrah�s intends to continue paying employees at the affected properties their regularly scheduled base pay for up to 90 days.

In addition, Harrah�s has established the Harrah�s Employee Recovery Fund to assist employees affected by the hurricane. The Harrah�s Foundation, a non-profit charitable corporation funded by Harrah�s Entertainment, has provided the relief fund with $1 million in initial financing.

With reports of both Grand Casino barges being washed ashore, you’ve got to wonder whether they can be salvaged, or whether the casinos will need to be completely rebuilt.