LAS VEGAS / Sept. 3, 1999--Years of detailed preparation and eager anticipation paid off as Paris Las Vegas Casino Resort opened Wednesday night in grandiose style on the famous Las Vegas Strip.

An all-star list of French and American performers took center stage among the property's authentic Parisian atmosphere.

The evening's celebration started with a gala party where more than 4,000 invited guests sampled fine French cuisine while being entertained by strolling French performers, jazz musicians and artists as they became the first to explore the streets of the $785 million casino resort.

A star-studded event atop the Paris Las Vegas pool deck followed, culminating in a spectacular "passing of the light" ceremony between the original Eiffel Tower in Paris and the property's 50-story Eiffel Tower replica to signify the arrival of Paris in Las Vegas.

"Paris Las Vegas is the realization of a dream," said Paul Pusateri, president of Paris Las Vegas. "Building this property has been a labor of love, and we are excited to bring the romance, excitement and savoir faire of Paris, France to Las Vegas."

The doors of Paris Las Vegas opened to the public at 10 p.m., as nearly 35,000 enthusiastic visitors spilled into the "city streets" of Paris. All guestrooms, shops, restaurants and other attractions are now open.

To further celebrate the property's grand opening, Paris Las Vegas' first major headliner will perform on Saturday, Sept. 4. World-renowned singer/songwriter, musician and producer Stevie Wonder will perform songs from his extensive list of recordings in the Grand Ballroom, beginning at 9 p.m.

Tickets are priced from $75 to $125, and may be purchased at the Bally's box office by calling 800/237-SHOW or 702/967-4567.

Paris Las Vegas Casino Resort features 2,916 spacious guest rooms, an 85,000-square-foot casino, eight French-inspired restaurants, five lounges, 140,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, 31,500 square feet of retail space, a two-acre rooftop pool and a European health spa.

Guests can make reservations by calling 888/BON-JOUR (888/266-5687). Room rates will range from $129 to $329 a night, with suites available from $350 to $5,000 a night.

Paris Las Vegas is owned and operated by Park Place Entertainment Corp., the world's largest gaming company, as measured by casino square footage and revenues, and the only casino gaming company with a leading presence in Nevada, New Jersey and Mississippi – the three largest gaming markets in the United States.

The company owns or has an interest in 17 gaming properties located throughout the United States and in Australia and Uruguay, with a total of 1.4 million square feet of casino space and more than 23,500 hotel rooms.

In April, Park Place Entertainment entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Caesars and other gaming assets of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. The transaction is scheduled to close in the fourth quarter of 1999, pending regulatory approval.

Geoffrey Davis
702/699-5037
Caesars