Slot maker, Harrah's face patent lawsuit - 2004-02-09
Aristocrat Leisure Ltd., the world's second largest producer of slot machines, said an individual filed a lawsuit in Nevada against the company, claiming its "Hyperlink" branded linked jackpot games infringe on a U.S. patent.

Reno inventor Lawrence J. Torango filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Reno. The suit also names Harrah's Operating Co. Inc., Harveys Tahoe Management Co. Inc. and Harrah's Laughlin Inc., all subsidiaries of Harrah's Entertainment Inc., Las Vegas.

The suit lists Harrah's Reno, Harrah's Lake Tahoe, Harveys Lake Tahoe and Harrah's Laughlin as casinos that have machines, systems and technology using the Hyperlink technology.
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Report: N.J., casinos negotiating track deal - 2004-02-09
New Jersey's casinos are in negotiations to boost racetrack purses in exchange for a postponement on pursuing video lottery terminals at the tracks, according to a published report.

An agreement being brokered by the state would boost purses by a maximum of $25 million a year with a deal possibly finalized by the end of this month, The Press of Atlantic City reported, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.

Casino executives are concerned about the slot-machine-like video lottery terminals.
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