IGT Installs Server Based Gaming at Barona

    LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Barona Valley Ranch Resort
 and Casino in San Diego, California, went "live" just before Christmas with
 the first IGT (NYSE:   IGT) server based gaming system and machines ever
 installed.
     IGT's server based gaming (sb(TM)) products now in operation at Barona
 include the sb(TM) system, 20 Game King sb(TM) machines and six video slot
 themes, all recently approved for use by the Barona Gaming Commission and
 certified by Gaming Laboratories Inc.
     "This is the first step in a long process of submittals, development and
 live testing, in jurisdictions throughout the world, which we hope will lead
 to widespread acceptance and use of this new technology," said Steve Morro,
 President of IGT's Gaming Group.  "Barona is a great partner that is forward
 thinking and committed to helping make these products successful for them and
 for their players."
     "We believe that the future value of server based gaming for the operator
 will be directly related to its value to the casino player.  We already
 analyze information from various sources with some pretty forward thinking
 predictive modeling.  Our goal is to help IGT incorporate those capabilities
 into this product," said Lee Skelley, assistant general manager of casino
 operations at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino.  "For the first time,
 an up-to-the-second slot experience, customized to the players' expectations,
 will become possible."
     Barona has been on the leading edge of new casino technological
 advancements since it opened as the first California casino to offer patrons
 Ticket-In/Ticket-Out and via its proprietary patron service system for the
 high denomination area.
     "As server based gaming evolves on Barona's casino floor and our
 understanding of its potential becomes more clear, our focus will be to
 integrate all of Barona's well known customer-centric capabilities and CRM
 strategies with this innovative technology," said Chuck Hickey, director of
 slot operations at Barona.
     Server based applications will allow casinos numerous operational
 advantages including downloading of game themes and machine configurations
 from one central computer, which will simplify the process that today is
 handled manually on each machine on a given casino floor.
 
     Statements in this release, which are not historical facts, are
 "forward-looking" statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
 Act of 1995.  Although IGT believes that the expectations reflected in any of
 its forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ
 materially from those projected or assumed.  IGT's future financial condition
 and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are
 subject to change and to inherent known and unknown risks and uncertainties.
 IGT does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update forward-looking
 statements to reflect future events or circumstances.
     Information on risks and factors that could affect IGT's business and
 financial results are included in our public filings made with the Securities
 and Exchange Commission.
 
     About IGT
     International Game Technology (www.IGT.com) is a global company
 specializing in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and sales
 of computerized gaming machines and systems products.
 
     About Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino
     Blending the best of San Diego's most elegant resorts with the gaming
 excitement of Las Vegas, the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino is San
 Diego's leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and
 suites, a 300,000 square foot casino, a lakefront wedding chapel, the AmBience
 Day Spa, a full-service events center, and the 18-hole championship Barona
 Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek
 Magazine.  For Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino reservations and
 information, visit www.barona.com or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).
 
 

SOURCE  IGT