AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AMONG
HAMLET HOLDINGS LLC,
HAMLET MERGER INC.
AND
HARRAHS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Dated as of December 19, 2006
Glossary of Defined Terms
Defined Terms
|
Defined in Section |
| Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement |
Section 8.11(a) |
| Acquisition Proposal |
Section 5.02(g)(i) |
| Adjustment Date |
Section 1.06 |
| Affiliate |
Section 8.11(b) |
| Agreement |
Preamble |
| Alternative Acquisition Agreement |
Section 5.02(e)(B)(i) |
| Apollo |
Section 4.05(b) |
| Article Nine |
Section 3.03(b)(iv)(B) |
| Associate |
Section 8.11(b) |
| beneficial ownership |
Section 8.11(c) |
| Breakup Fee |
Section 7.03(c) |
| Burdensome Condition |
Section 5.05(f)(iv) |
| Business Day |
Section 8.11(d) |
| Bylaws |
Section 8.11(e) |
| Certificate of Incorporation |
Section 8.11(f) |
| Certificate of Merger |
Section 1.02 |
| Certificates |
Section 2.02(b) |
| Change of Board Recommendation |
Section 5.02(e)(x) |
| Closing |
Section 1.02 |
| Closing Date |
Section 1.02 |
| Code |
Section 1.08 |
| Company |
Preamble |
| Company Board Recommendation |
Section 3.03(b)(iii) |
| Company Financial Advisors |
Section 3.08 |
| Company Intellectual Property |
Section 3.15 |
| Company SEC Reports |
Section 8.11(g) |
| Company Securities |
Section 3.02(a) |
| Confidentiality Agreements |
Section 8.02 |
| Consent Solicitation |
Section 5.14(a) |
| Controlled Group Liability |
Section 8.11(h) |
| Convertible Indebtedness |
Section 3.02(a) |
| Convertible Indenture |
Section 5.14(c) |
| Convertible Notes |
Section 5.14(c) |
| Corporation Law |
Recitals |
| Current Employees |
Section 5.07(b) |
| Debt Financing |
Section 4.05(a) |
| Debt Financing Commitments |
Section 4.05(a) |
| Debt Tender Offer |
Section 5.14(a) |
| Delaware Secretary |
Section 1.02 |
| Derivative Share Consideration |
Section 2.04(a) |
| Discharge |
Section 5.14(b) |
| Disclosure Letter |
Article III |
|
Dissenting Shares |
Section 2.01 |
| Dual Voting Structure |
Section 4.07 |
| Effective Time |
Section 1.02 |
| Environment |
Section 3.14(b)(i) |
| Environmental Claim |
Section 3.14(b)(ii) |
| Environmental Law |
Section 3.14(b)(iii) |
| Environmental Permits |
Section 3.14(a) |
| Equity Financing |
Section 4.05(b) |
| Equity Financing Commitments |
Section 4.05(b) |
| ERISA |
Section 8.11(t) |
| ERISA Affiliate |
Section 3.09(c) |
| Exchange Act |
Section 3.04(b)(ii) |
| Excluded Party |
Section 5.02(b) |
| Expected Date |
Section 5.11(b) |
| Expenses |
Section 7.03(f) |
| Extended Date |
Section 7.01(c) |
| Financing |
Section 4.05(b) |
| Financing Commitments |
Section 4.05(b) |
| Foreign Antitrust Laws |
Section 3.04(b)(i) |
| GAAP |
Section 8.11(i) |
| Gaming Approvals |
Section 8.11(j) |
| Gaming Authorities |
Section 8.11(k) |
| Gaming Laws |
Section 8.11(l) |
| Governmental Entity |
Section 3.04(b) |
| Hazardous Materials |
Section 3.14(b)(iv) |
| hereby |
Section 8.11(m) |
| herein |
Section 8.11(m) |
| hereinafter |
Section 8.11(m) |
| HSR Act |
Section 3.04(b)(i) |
| including |
Section 8.11(n) |
| Indemnified Persons |
Section 5.06(a) |
| Indenture |
Section 5.14(a) |
| Intellectual Property Rights |
Section 3.15 |
| Investment Canada Act |
Section 3.04(b)(vi) |
| knowledge |
Section 8.11(o) |
| Laws |
Section 3.13 |
| Licensed Persons |
Section 4.07 |
| Liens |
Section 8.11(p) |
| Limited Guarantees |
Section 7.04 |
| Marketing Period |
Section 5.11(b) |
| Material Adverse Effect |
Section 8.11(q) |
| Material Contract |
Section 3.17(a) |
| Material Subsidiaries |
Section 5.01 |
| Merger |
Section 1.01 |
| Merger
Consideration |
Section 1.06 |
| Merger Shares |
Section 1.06 |
| Merger Sub |
Preamble |
| New Unsecured Credit Facility |
Section 5.01(e) |
| Notes |
Section 5.14(a) |
| Notice Period |
Section 5.02(e)(B)(i) |
| Notifying Party |
Section 5.05(c) |
| Option |
Section 2.04(a) |
| Other Filings |
Section 3.07 |
| Outside Date |
Section 7.01(c) |
| Owned Real Property |
Section 3.16(a) |
| Parent |
Preamble |
| Parent Disclosure Letter |
Article IV |
| Paying Agent |
Section 2.02(a) |
| Payment Fund |
Section 2.02(a) |
| Permits |
Section 3.13 |
| Permitted Liens |
Section 8.11(r) |
| Person |
Section 8.11(s) |
| Plan |
Section 8.11(t) |
| Preferred Shares |
Section 3.02(a)(i) |
| Proxy Statement |
Section 3.07 |
| Real Property Leases |
Section 3.16(b) |
| Regular Dividend Rate |
Section 5.01(c) |
| Release |
Section 3.14(b)(v) |
| Representatives |
Section 8.11(u) |
| Required Information |
Section 5.11(a)(iii) |
| Requisite Stockholder Vote |
Section 3.22 |
| Restricted Shares |
Section 2.04(c) |
| Reverse Breakup Fee |
Section 7.03(e) |
| SAR |
Section 2.04(a) |
| Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
Section 3.05(a) |
| SEC |
Section 3.05(a) |
| Securities Act |
Section 3.05(a) |
| Share |
Section 1.06 |
| Shares |
Section 1.06 |
| Solicitation Period End-Date |
Section 5.02(a) |
| Special Committee |
Recitals |
| Special Meeting |
Section 5.04 |
| Special Shares |
Section 3.02(a)(iii) |
| Subsidiary |
Section 8.11(v) |
| Subsidiary Securities |
Section 3.02(b)(iii) |
| Superior Proposal |
Section 5.02(g)(ii) |
| Surviving Corporation |
Section 1.01 |
| Takeover Laws |
Section 3.03(b)(v) |
| Target
Regulatory Approval Date |
Section 5.05(a)(ii) |
| Tax |
Section 3.12(h) |
| TPG |
Section 4.05(b) |
| WARN |
Section 3.10(d) |
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement"), dated as of December 19, 2006,
by and among Hamlet Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Parent"),
Hamlet Merger Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent
("Merger Sub"), and Harrahs Entertainment, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company, acting upon the recommendation
of a special committee of nonmanagement directors (the "Special Committee") thereof,
has determined that this Agreement and the transactions ce Merger, are advisable to, and in the best interests of, the stockholders of
the Company (other than Parent or Merger Sub);
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company, acting upon the recommendation
of the Special Committee, has (by a unanimous vote of all directors) adopted resolutions
approving the acquisition of the Company by Parent, the execution of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and recommending that
the Companys stockholders adopt this Agreement in accordance with Section 251 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Corporation Law");
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent and Merger Sub have each approved,
and the Board of Directors of Merger Sub has declared it advisable for Merger Sub
to enter into, this Agreement providing for the Merger in accordance with the Corporation
Law, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company desire to make certain representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, certain terms are used in this Agreement as defined subsequently in
this Agreement (including Section 8.11);
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth
herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
Section 1.01 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof,
and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Corporation Law, at the Effective
Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger"). The Company shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (the "Surviving Corporation")
under the name "Harrahs Entertainment, Inc." and shall continue its existence under
the Laws of the State of Delaware. In connection with the Merger, the separate corporate
existence of Merger Sub shall cease.
Section 1.02 Consummation of the Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the "Closing")
will take place at 10:00 a.m., local time, as promptly as practicable but in no
event later than the third Business Day after the satisfaction or waiver (by the
party entitled to grant such waiver) of the conditions (other than those conditions
that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the fulfillment
or waiver of those conditions) set forth in Article VI, at a location to be agreed
by the parties; provided, however, that if the Marketing Period has not ended at
the time of the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VI
(excluding conditions that cannot be satisfied until the Closing but subject to
the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions at the Closing), the Closing shall
occur on the earlier to occur of (a) a date during the Marketing Period specified
by Parent on no less than three (3) Business Days notice to the Company and (b)
the final day of the Marketing Period (subject in each case to the satisfaction
or waiver (by the party entitled to grant such waiver) of all of the conditions
set forth in Article VI for the Closing as of the date determined pursuant to this
proviso). The date of the Closing is referred to as the "Closing Date." On the Closing
Date and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Merger Sub and the Company
shall cause the Merger to be consummated by duly filing with the Secretary of State
of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Secretary") an executed certificate of merger
(the "Certificate of Merger"), as required by the Corporation Law, and shall take
all such reasonable further actions as may be required by Law to make the Merger
effective. The time the Merger becomes effective in accordance with applicable Law
is referred to as the "Effective Time."
Section 1.03 Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth
herein and in the applicable provisions of the Corporation Law.
Section 1.04 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Certificate of Incorporation
of the Company shall, by virtue of the Merger, be amended and restated in its entirety
to read as the Certificate of Incorporation of Merger Sub in effect prior to the
date of mailing of the Proxy Statement, except as thereafter amended, except that
Article I thereof shall read as follows: "The name of the Corporation is Harrahs
Entertainment, Inc." and except for any references to the incorporator or original
directors of Merger Sub and, as so amended, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation
of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as permitted by Law. The Bylaws
of the Company shall be amended in the Merger to be the same as the Bylaws of Merger
Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, except as thereafter
amended, and as so amended shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 1.05 Directors and Officers. The directors of Merger Sub immediately
prior to the Effective Time and the officers of the Company immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be the directors and officers, respectively, of the Surviving
Corporation, and such directors and officers shall hold office in accordance with
and subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 1.06 Conversion of Shares. Each share of common stock of the Company,
par value $0.10 per share (each, a "Share" and collectively, the "Shares"), issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, including all vested and
unvested Restricted Shares (other than Shares owned by Parent, Merger Sub or any
Subsidiary of Parent or the Company or held in the treasury of the Company, all
of which shall be canceled without any consideration being exchanged therefor, and
other than Dissenting Shares) shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
on the part of the holder thereof, be converted at the Effective Time into the right
to receive in cash an amount per Share equal to $90.00, without interest, upon the
surrender of the certificate representing such Shares as provided in Section 2.02
(the Shares so converted and the Dissenting Shares are hereinafter referred to as
the "Merger Shares"). In the event that the Effective Time shall not have occurred
by February 29, 2008 (the "Adjustment Date") the $90.00 cash amount per Share to
be paid pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be increased for each day after
the Adjustment Date, through and including the Closing Date, by adding thereto the
excess (which shall not be less than zero) of (i) an amount equal to $0.01973 per
day over (ii) any dividends or distributions (valued at the Closing Date using 8%
simple interest per annum from the applicable date of payment) declared, made or
paid (without duplication) on a Share from and after the Adjustment Date through
and including the Closing Date (the per Share amount to be paid pursuant to this
Section 1.06 (rounding to the nearest cent) is referred to herein as the "Merger
Consideration"). At the Effective Time all such Shares shall no longer be outstanding
and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of
such Shares shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right
to receive the Merger Consideration as provided herein.
Section 1.07 Conversion of Common Stock of Merger Sub. Each share of common stock,
$0.01 par value, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder
thereof, be converted into and become one share of common stock of the Surviving
Corporation. The Surviving Corporation shall be recapitalized effective as of the
Effective Time to implement the Dual Voting Structure. The voting shares issuable
by the Surviving Corporation shall be held by Parent, and the non-voting shares
issuable by the Surviving Corporation shall be held by equity providers.
Section 1.08 Withholding Taxes. Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall be
entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable to a holder
of Options, SARs or restricted stock units pursuant to the Merger or this Agreement
any amounts as are required to be withheld as to any holder subject to withholding
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or any applicable
provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law with respect to the making of such
payment. Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall also be entitled to deduct and
withhold from the Merger Consideration payable to a holder of Shares in those circumstances
where such withholding is required under the Internal Revenue Code or any applicable provision of state, local or foreign
Tax Law with respect to the making of such payment. To the extent that amounts are
so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement
as having been paid to the holder of the Shares, Options, SARs or restricted stock
units in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.
Section 1.09 Subsequent Actions. If at any time after the Effective Time any
deeds, bills of sale, assignments, assurances or any other actions or things are
necessary to continue, vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise the Surviving
Corporations right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, properties,
privileges, franchises or assets of the Company as a result of, or in connection
with, the Merger, or otherwise to carry out the intent of this Agreement, the officers
and directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be authorized to execute and deliver,
in the name and on behalf of the Company, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments
and assurances and to take and do, in the name and on behalf of the Company or otherwise,
all such other actions and things as may be necessary to vest, perfect or confirm
any and all right, title and interest in, to and under such rights, properties,
privileges, franchises or assets in the Surviving Corporation or otherwise to carry
out the intent of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
DISSENTING SHARES; PAYMENT FOR SHARES; OPTIONS
Section 2.01 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
the contrary, Shares that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time and which are held by stockholders properly exercising appraisal rights available
under Section 262 of the Corporation Law (the "Dissenting Shares") shall not be
converted into or be exchangeable for the right to receive the Merger Consideration,
unless and until such holders shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively
withdrawn or lost their rights to appraisal under the Corporation Law. Holders of
Dissenting Shares shall be entitled to payment of the appraised value of the Dissenting
Shares held by them to the extent permitted by and in accordance with Section 262
of the Corporation Law. If any such holder shall have failed to perfect or shall
have effectively withdrawn or lost such right to appraisal, such holders Shares
shall thereupon be converted into and become exchangeable only for the right to
receive, as of the later of the Effective Time and the time that such right to appraisal
shall have been irrevocably lost, withdrawn or expired, the Merger Consideration
without any interest thereon. The Company shall give Parent and Merger Sub (a) prompt
written notice of any demands for appraisal of any Shares, attempted withdrawals
of such demands and any other instruments served pursuant to the Corporation Law
and received by the Company relating to rights to be paid the "fair value" of Dissenting
Shares, as provided in Section 262 of the Corporation Law, and (b) the opportunity to participate in negotiations
and proceedings with respect to demands for appraisal under the Corporation Law.
The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent which will
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, voluntarily make or agree to make any material
payment with respect to any demands for appraisals of capital stock of the Company,
offer to settle or settle any such demands.
Section 2.02 Payment for Shares; Options; SARs; Restricted Stock Units.
(a) Prior to or simultaneously with the filing of the Certificate of Merger with
the Delaware Secretary, Parent will deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with
a bank or trust company designated by Parent and acceptable to the Company (the
"Paying Agent") for the benefit of the holders of the Shares and holders of Options,
SARs and restricted stock units, as applicable, cash in U.S. dollars sufficient
to pay (i) the aggregate Merger Consideration in exchange for all Merger Shares
(excluding Dissenting Shares) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
(including all vested and unvested Restricted Shares and restricted stock units)
and (ii) at the Companys election made at least two Business Days prior to the
Effective Time, the aggregate Derivative Share Consideration (as hereinafter defined)
in exchange for all Options and SARs outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time (such amounts being hereinafter referred to as the "Payment Fund"). The Payment
Fund shall not be used for any purpose other than to fund payments due pursuant
to Sections 1.06, 1.08 and 2.04, except to the extent expressly provided in this
Agreement.
(b) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time but in any event no later
than two Business Days thereafter, the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Paying
Agent to mail to each record holder of an outstanding certificate or certificates
(the "Certificates") as of the Effective Time which immediately prior to the Effective
Time represented Shares (other than Shares owned by Parent, Merger Sub or any Subsidiary
of Parent or the Company, Shares held in the treasury of the Company and Dissenting
Shares), a form of letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall
be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon
proper delivery of the Certificates to the Paying Agent or affidavits of loss in
lieu thereof) and instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates
and receiving payment therefor. Following surrender to the Paying Agent of a Certificate
or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof, together with such letter of transmittal
duly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, the Surviving Corporation
shall cause the Paying Agent to mail to the holder of such Certificate, within five
days of the later to occur of (A) the Effective Time and (B) the Paying Agents
receipt of such Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof), cash in an
amount (subject to any applicable withholding Tax specified in Section 1.08) equal
to the product of the number of Shares represented by such Certificate multiplied
by the Merger Consideration, and such Certificate shall forthwith be canceled. No interest will be paid or
accrued on the cash payable upon the surrender of the Certificates. If payment is
to be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name the Certificate surrendered
is registered, it shall be a condition of payment that the Certificate so surrendered
shall be properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the
Person requesting such payment pay any transfer or other Taxes required by reason
of the payment to a Person other than the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered
or establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such
Tax has been paid or is not applicable. From and after the Effective Time and until
surrendered in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.02, except to the
extent otherwise provided in Section 2.01 in the case of Dissenting Shares, each
Certificate shall represent for all purposes solely the right to receive, in accordance
with the terms hereof, the Merger Consideration in cash multiplied by the number
of Shares evidenced by such Certificate, without any interest thereon.
(c) If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making
of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost,
stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Corporation, the posting by
such Person of an indemnity agreement or a bond in such customary and reasonable
amount as the Surviving Corporation may specify as indemnity against any claim that
may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Paying Agent will deliver
in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration
with respect to the Shares formerly represented thereby.
(d) Any portion of the Payment Fund (including the proceeds of any investments
thereof) that remains unclaimed by the former stockholders of the Company or holders
of Options, SARs or restricted stock units for one year after the Effective Time
shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation upon demand. Any former stockholders
of the Company or holders of Options, SARs or restricted stock units who have not
complied with this Section 2.02 or received payment under Section 2.04 prior to
the end of the applicable escheat period shall thereafter look to Parent and the
Surviving Corporation but only as general creditors thereof for payment of their
claim for the Merger Consideration or the Derivative Share Consideration, without
any interest thereon. Neither Parent nor the Surviving Corporation shall be liable
to any holder of Shares for any monies properly delivered from the Payment Fund
or otherwise to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar Law. If any Certificates shall not have been surrendered prior
to the end of the applicable escheat period (or such earlier date as shall be immediately
prior to the date that such unclaimed funds would otherwise become subject to any
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law), any such unclaimed funds
payable with respect to such Certificates shall, to the extent permitted by applicable
Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims
or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.
(e) The Paying Agent shall invest any cash included in the Payment Fund as reasonably
directed by Parent or, after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation; provided
that (i) no such investment shall relieve Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the
Paying Agent from making the payments required by this Article II, and (ii) such
investments shall be in short term obligations of the United States of America with
maturities of no more than thirty days or guaranteed by the United States of America
and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America or in commercial
paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
or Standard & Poors Corporation, respectively, or in a fund managed by an affiliate
of the Paying Agent that invests solely in the foregoing. After payment of the Merger
Consideration and the Derivative Share Consideration, any interest or income produced
by such investments will be payable to the Surviving Corporation or Parent, as Parent
directs.
Section 2.03 Closing of the Companys Transfer Books. At the Effective Time,
the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and no transfer of Shares
shall thereafter be made. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented
to the Surviving Corporation for transfer, they shall be canceled and exchanged
for payment of the Merger Consideration as provided in this Article II, subject
to Section 2.01 in the case of Dissenting Shares.
Section 2.04 Treatment of Equity-Based Awards & Deferred Compensation.
(a) The Company shall provide that, immediately prior to the Effective Time,
each option to purchase Shares (an "Option") and stock appreciation right (a "SAR")
granted under a Plan listed on Section 3.09(a) of the Disclosure Letter that is
outstanding and unexercised as of the Effective Time (whether vested or unvested)
shall be canceled, and converted into the right to receive at the Effective Time
from the Surviving Corporation (or, if the Company has made the election provided
in Section 2.02(a)(ii), the Payment Fund) or as soon as practicable thereafter (but
in no event later than five days after the Effective Time), in consideration for
such cancellation, an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the number of Shares
previously subject to such Option or SAR (whether vested or unvested) and (ii) the
excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the exercise price per Share previously
subject to such Option or SAR, less any required withholding Taxes (collectively,
the "Derivative Share Consideration").
(b) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time but in any event no later
than two Business Days thereafter, the Surviving Corporation shall pay, or if the
Company makes the election contemplated by Section 2.02(a)(ii), cause the Paying Agent to pay, to each holder of Options or SARs the Derivative
Share Consideration with respect to such Options and SARs.
(c) Each Share granted subject to vesting or other lapse restrictions pursuant
to any Plan (collectively, "Restricted Shares") which is outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall vest and become free of such restrictions as of
the Effective Time, and at the Effective Time the holder thereof shall, subject
to this Article II, be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration with respect
to each such Restricted Share.
(d) The Company shall take any actions reasonably necessary to effectuate the
termination of the Options and SARs effective at the Effective Time (at which time
the Options and the SARs shall represent the right to receive the applicable Derivative
Share Consideration); it being understood that the intention of the parties is that
following the Effective Time no holder of an Option, SAR, Restricted Share or restricted
stock unit or any participant in any Plan or other employee benefit arrangement
of the Company shall have any right thereunder to acquire any capital stock (including
any "phantom" stock or stock appreciation rights) of the Company, any Subsidiary
or the Surviving Corporation. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall deliver
to the holders of the Options, SARs, Restricted Shares and restricted stock units
appropriate notices, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent, setting
forth such holders rights pursuant to this Agreement.
(e) All restricted stock units under the Company TARSAP Deferral Plan, dated
as of July 28, 1999, shall accelerate immediately prior to the Effective Time and
will be converted on a one-for-one basis into Shares immediately prior to the Effective
Time, and at the Effective Time the holder thereof shall, subject to this Article
II, be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration with respect to each such Share,
less any required withholding Taxes.
Section 2.05 Further Actions. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, there shall
have been declared, made or paid any dividend or distribution on the Shares or the
issued and outstanding Shares shall have been changed into a different number of
shares or a different class by reason of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend, reclassification, redenomination, recapitalization, split-up, combination,
exchange of shares or other similar transaction (but excluding in any event the
effect of any cash dividends permitted under Section 5.01(c)), the Merger Consideration
and the Derivative Share Consideration shall be appropriately adjusted to provide
to the holders of the Shares, Options, SARs, Restricted Shares and restricted stock
units the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such action
and as so adjusted shall, from and after the date of such event, be the Merger Consideration
or the Derivative Share Consideration, as applicable, subject to further adjustment in accordance
with this Section 2.05; provided that this Section 2.05 shall be without prejudice
to the covenants contained elsewhere in this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to Parent as follows, except (a) to the extent
disclosed in the Company SEC Reports (other than with respect to Sections 3.02 and
3.05) filed or furnished with the SEC prior to the date of this Agreement (excluding
any disclosures set forth in any risk factor section thereof, or in any section
relating to forward looking statements, and any other disclosures included therein,
in each case, to the extent that they are cautionary, predictive or forward looking
in nature, and excluding any generic disclosures), and (b) to the extent disclosed
in the section of the disclosure letter dated the date of this Agreement and delivered
by the Company to Parent with respect to this Agreement on or prior to the date
hereof (the "Disclosure Letter") that specifically relates to such section, or,
if disclosed in another section of the Disclosure Letter, is reasonably apparent
on its face to relate to such section, of Article III below:
Section 3.01 Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries
is a duly organized and validly existing organization in good standing under the
Laws of its jurisdiction of formation, with all requisite entity power and authority
to own its properties and conduct its business as currently conducted and is duly
qualified and in good standing as a foreign entity authorized to do business in
each of the jurisdictions in which the character of the properties owned or held
under lease by it or the nature of the business transacted by it makes such qualification
necessary, except such power, authority, qualifications, good standing and authorization
the failure to have has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, owns any interest in any Person other than
the Companys Subsidiaries which interest would reasonably be expected to be material
to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section 3.02 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 720,000,000 Shares,
(ii) 150,000 shares of preferred stock of the Company, par value $100.00 per share
(the "Preferred Shares"), and (iii) 5,000,000 shares of special stock of the Company
(the "Special Shares"), par value $1.125 per share. As of the close of business
on December 14, 2006, 186,080,965 Shares (including Restricted Shares), no Preferred
Shares and no Special Shares were issued and outstanding, 35,657,985 Shares, no
Preferred Shares and no Special Shares were held in the Companys treasury, 8,504,368
Shares, no Preferred Shares and no Special Shares were reserved for issuance under
the Plans and no Shares, no Preferred Shares and no Special Shares were reserved for issuance pursuant to
outstanding debt securities of the Company that are convertible into equity securities
of the Company ("Convertible Indebtedness"), except for shares reserved for issuance
upon conversion of the Convertible Notes. No Shares, no Preferred Shares and no
Special Shares have been issued from December 14, 2006 to the date hereof, except
upon exercise of Options. In addition, as of such date, there were outstanding Options
to purchase an aggregate of 10,846,628 Shares, no Preferred Shares and no Special
Shares and 926,250 Shares, no Preferred Shares and no Special Shares are issuable
upon conversion of the Convertible Indebtedness. All of the outstanding Shares have
been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and
are free of preemptive rights. Section 3.02(a) of the Disclosure Letter contains
(in all but de minimis respects) a true, correct and complete list, as of the date
of this Agreement, of each Option, SAR, restricted stock unit and other equity-based
award outstanding, the number of Shares issuable thereunder or to which such award
pertains and the exercise or conversion price, if applicable, related thereto. The
per share exercise price or purchase price for each Option is equal to or greater
than the fair market value of the underlying Shares determined as prescribed by
such plan on the effective date of the corporate action effectuating the grant of
such Option. Except for the Options, SARs and restricted stock units and Convertible
Indebtedness, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding (A) securities
of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting
securities or ownership interests in the Company, (B) options, warrants, rights
or other agreements or commitments to acquire from the Company, or obligations of
the Company to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or other ownership interests
in (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities
or other ownership interests in) the Company, (C) obligations of the Company to
grant, extend or enter into any subscription, warrant, right, convertible or exchangeable
security or other similar agreement or commitment relating to the issuance of any
capital stock, voting securities or other ownership interests in the Company (the
items in clauses (A), (B) and (C), together with the capital stock of the Company,
being referred to collectively as "Company Securities") or (D) obligations of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make any payments directly or indirectly based
(in whole or in part) on the price or value of the Shares, Preferred Shares or Special
Shares. Except to the extent set forth in Section 3.02(a) of the Disclosure Letter,
as of the date of this Agreement there are no outstanding obligations, commitments
or arrangements, contingent or otherwise, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Company Securities other than pursuant
to any Plan, as required by Law, or as required by the Certificate of Incorporation
or the Bylaws, and other than such as would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. There are no voting
trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with respect to the voting of capital
stock of the Company.
(b) The Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries is the record and beneficial
owner of the equity interests held by it of each Subsidiary of the Company, free
and clear of any Lien other than Permitted Liens. As of the date of this Agreement,
there are no outstanding (i) securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other voting securities
or ownership interests in any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) options, restricted
stock, warrants, rights or other agreements or commitments to acquire from the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, or obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or other ownership interests in (or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities
or other ownership interests in) any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) obligations
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to grant, extend or enter into any subscription,
warrant, right, convertible or exchangeable security or other similar agreement
or commitment relating to the issuance of any capital stock, voting securities or
other ownership interests in any Subsidiary of the Company (the items in clauses
(i), (ii) and (iii), together with the capital stock of such Subsidiaries, being
referred to collectively as "Subsidiary Securities") or (iv) obligations of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make any material payment directly or indirectly
based (in whole or in part) on the value of any shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary
of the Company. Except to the extent set forth in Section 3.02(b) of the Disclosure
Letter, as of the date of this Agreement there are no outstanding obligations of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire
any outstanding Subsidiary Securities that have had or would reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Except to
the extent set forth in Section 3.02(b) of the Disclosure Letter, there are no voting
trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party with respect to the voting of capital stock of any Subsidiary
of the Company.
Section 3.03 Authority for this Agreement; Board Action.
(a) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and, subject to receipt of the Requisite Stockholder Vote,
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors
of the Company, acting upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, and no
other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize
this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, other than
the Debt Tender Offer, the Consent Solicitation and, with respect to completion of
the Merger, the adoption of this Agreement in accordance with Section 251 of the
Corporation Law) by the Requisite Stockholder Vote, prior to the consummation of
the Merger and the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary.
This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and,
assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by each of Parent and Merger
Sub, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability
relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles.
(b) The Companys Board of Directors (at a meeting or meetings duly called and
held) has by a unanimous vote of all directors, acting upon the recommendation of
the Special Committee, (i) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Merger, are advisable and in the best interests of, the stockholders
of the Company, (ii) approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby,
(iii) directed that this Agreement be submitted to the stockholders of the Company
for their consideration and, subject to Section 5.02(c), resolved to recommend the
approval and adoption of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby,
including the Merger, by the stockholders of the Company (the "Company Board Recommendation"),
(iv) irrevocably taken all actions necessary so that the restrictions (A) contained
in Section 203 of the Corporation Law and (B) Article Nine of the Certificate of
Incorporation ("Article Nine") shall be inapplicable to the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement, the consummation of the Merger, and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, assuming the accuracy of the representations
and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub in Section 4.09 hereof as of the date hereof,
and (v) irrevocably resolved to elect, to the extent permitted by Law, for the Company
not to be subject to any "moratorium," "control share acquisition," "business combination,"
"fair price" or other form of anti-takeover Laws or regulations (collectively, "Takeover
Laws") of any jurisdiction that may purport to be applicable to this Agreement or
the transactions contemplated hereby. For purposes of Article Nine, the action of
the Board of Directors of the Company referred to in clause (iv) above constitutes
the approval of the Merger by a majority of the "Continuing Directors" (as defined
in Article Nine).
Section 3.04 Consents and Approvals; No Violation.
(a) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) violate or conflict
with or result in any breach of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation
or Bylaws or the respective certificates of incorporation or bylaws or other similar governing documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) assuming
all consents, approvals and authorizations contemplated by clauses (i) through (vii)
of subsection (b) below have been obtained and are effective, any applicable waiting
periods have expired and all filings described in such clauses have been made, conflict
with or violate any Laws or injunctions, (iii) violate, or conflict with, or result
in a breach of any provision of, or require any consent, waiver or approval, or
result in a default or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, modification
or acceleration (or an event that, with the giving of notice, the passage of time
or otherwise, would constitute a default or give rise to any such right) under any
of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, lease, license,
agreement, contract, indenture or other instrument or obligation to which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound, or (iv) result (or,
with the giving of notice, the passage of time or otherwise, would result) in the
creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(other than Liens contemplated in connection with the Financing Commitments and
Permitted Liens), except, in case of clauses (i) (as to Subsidiaries only), (ii),
(iii) and (iv), as have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a (A) Material Adverse Effect, or (B) material adverse effect
on the ability of the Company to consummate the Merger without material delay.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company
and the consummation of the Merger by the Company do not and will not require any
consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to,
any foreign, federal, state or local government or subdivision thereof, or governmental,
judicial, legislative, executive, administrative or regulatory authority, agency,
commission, tribunal or body (a "Governmental Entity") except (i) the pre-merger
notification requirements under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act
of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), or applicable foreign antitrust, competition
or similar Laws ("Foreign Antitrust Laws"), (ii) the applicable requirements of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the New York Stock Exchange and such
other U.S. exchanges upon which the Shares are listed, (iii) the filing of the Certificate
of Merger with the Delaware Secretary, (iv) all applicable Gaming Approvals, (v)
compliance with any applicable foreign or state securities or blue sky Laws, (vi)
any filing under the Investment Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 28 (1st Suppl.), as
amended (the "Investment Canada Act"), or similar applicable Law of any jurisdiction
and (vii) any such consent, approval, authorization, permit, filing, or notification
the failure of which to make or obtain would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a (A) Material Adverse Effect, or (B) material
adverse effect on the ability of the Company to timely perform its obligations and
to consummate the Merger without material delay.
Section 3.05 Reports; Financial Statements.
(a) Since December 31, 2004, the Company has timely filed or in all material
respects furnished all forms, reports, statements, certifications and other documents
required to be filed or furnished by it with or to the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC"), all of which have complied, as to form, as of their respective filing
dates, or with respect to amendments to Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date
hereof, as of the date of the last such amendment, in all material respects with
all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Sarbanes-Oxley
Act") and, in each case, the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
None of such Company SEC Reports, at the time filed or furnished, contained any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. To the knowledge
of the Company, as of the date hereof, there are no material unresolved SEC comments.
None of the Companys Subsidiaries is required to file periodic reports with the
SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act other than Harrahs Operating Co., Inc.
(b) The audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements (including the
related notes thereto) of the Company included (or incorporated by reference) in
the Company SEC Reports, as amended or supplemented prior to the date of this Agreement,
have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited financial
statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis
for the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto)
and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of their respective dates, and the related
consolidated income, stockholders equity and consolidated cash flows for the periods
presented therein (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal and recurring
year-end adjustments and other adjustments described therein, including the notes
thereto).
(c) The Company and its Subsidiaries have implemented and maintain a system of
internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurances regarding
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements
in accordance with GAAP. The Company (i) has implemented and maintains disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) designed
to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated
Subsidiaries, is made known to the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial
Officer of the Company by others within those entities, and (ii) has disclosed to
the knowledge of the Company, based on its most recent evaluation prior to the date of this Agreement,
to the Companys outside auditors and the audit committee of the Companys Board
of Directors (A) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design
or operation of internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f)
of the Exchange Act) that would be reasonably likely to adversely affect the Companys
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (B) any
fraud, whether or not material (unless clearly inconsequential), that involves management
or other employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal controls
over financial reporting. Since December 31, 2004, any material change in internal
control over financial reporting or failure or inadequacy of disclosure controls
required to be disclosed in any Company SEC Report has been so disclosed.
(d) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities of any
nature, whether accrued, absolute, fixed, contingent or otherwise, whether due or
to become due, and whether or not required to be recorded or reflected on a balance
sheet under GAAP, other than such liabilities (i) as and to the extent reflected
or reserved against on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company
included in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement, or
in the notes thereto, (ii) with respect to or arising from transactions contemplated
hereby, (iii) incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
since the date of such balance sheet or (iv) as would not reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.06 Absence of Certain Changes.
(a) Since December 31, 2005 and through the date of this Agreement, the Company
and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses only in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice except for the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, and except to the extent set forth in Section 3.06 of the Disclosure
Letter, the Company and its Subsidiaries have not, (A) set aside, made or paid any
dividend or distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) on any shares of its
capital stock (other than cash dividends paid to the Company or one of its wholly
owned Subsidiaries by a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company with regard to its
capital stock), or authorized, committed or agreed to take any of the foregoing
actions, (B) except to the extent required by Law or collective bargaining agreement,
adopted, amended in any material respect or terminated any Plan or any other material
bonus, severance, insurance pension or other employee benefit plan or arrangement,
(C) made any acquisition, by means of a merger or otherwise, of any business, assets
or securities or any sale, lease, encumbrance or other disposition of assets or
securities, in each case involving the payment or receipt of consideration of $10,000,000
or more, except for purchases or sales of inventory made in the ordinary course
of business and consistent with past practice, (D) made any material change to any of the accounting
methods, principles or practices used by it, except to the extent required by GAAP
or with International Financial Reporting Standards, as applicable, (E) made any
material Tax election or settled or compromised any material federal, state, local
or foreign income Tax liability, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice or (F) authorized, committed or agreed to take any of the foregoing
actions.
(b) Since December 31, 2005 and through the date of this Agreement, the Company
and its Subsidiaries have not suffered any Material Adverse Effect and there has
not been any change, condition, event or development that, individually or in the
aggregate, is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.07 Proxy Statement; Other Filings. The letter to stockholders, notice
of meeting, proxy statement and form of proxy that will be provided in accordance
with this Agreement to stockholders of the Company in connection with the Merger
(including any amendments or supplements) and any schedules required to be filed
with the SEC in connection therewith (collectively, the "Proxy Statement"), at the
time the Proxy Statement is first mailed and at the time of the Special Meeting,
and any other document to be filed by the Company with the SEC in connection with
the Merger (the "Other Filings"), at the time of its filing with the SEC, will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, except that no representation
or warranty is made by the Company with respect to information supplied by or on
behalf of Parent, Merger Sub or any Affiliate of Parent or Merger Sub expressly
for inclusion therein. The Proxy Statement and the Other Filings will comply as
to form in all material respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Section 3.08 Brokers; Certain Expenses. No agent, broker, investment banker,
financial advisor or other firm or person is or shall be entitled, as a result of
any action, agreement or commitment of the Company or any of its Affiliates, to
any brokers, finders, financial advisors or other similar fee or commission in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except UBS
Securities LLC and Peter J. Solomon Company, L.P. (the "Company Financial Advisors"),
whose fees and expenses shall be paid by the Company and copies of whose engagement
letters or true and complete summaries thereof have been provided to Parent.
Section 3.09 Employee Matters.
(a) Section 3.09(a) of the Disclosure Letter contains a true, correct and complete
list of all material Plans in effect as of the date hereof. Within thirty (30) days
following the date hereof, the Company shall make available to Parent true, correct
and complete copies of each of the following, as applicable, with respect to each material Plan: (i) the current version of the
Plan or, with respect to any Plan that is not in writing, a written description
of the material terms thereof; (ii) any related trust agreement or insurance contract;
(iii) the most recent summary Plan description; (iv) the most recent actuarial report;
(v) the most recent required Internal Revenue Service Form 5500, including all schedules
thereto; (vi) the most recent determination or opinion letter received from the
Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Plan that is intended to be a "qualified
plan" under Section 401 of the Code; and (vii) the most recent certified financial
statement for each Plan for which such a statement was prepared. Except to the extent
specifically made available to Parent, as of the date hereof there are no material
amendments to any Plan that have been adopted or approved, nor has the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries undertaken to make any such amendments or to adopt or approve
any new material Plan.
(b) With respect to each Plan, (i) all material contributions due from the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries to date have been timely made and all material amounts
properly accrued to date or as of the Effective Time, (ii) each such Plan which
is an "employee pension benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) and
intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination
or opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service; and, to the knowledge of the
Company, nothing has occurred since the date of such letter that has adversely affected
such qualified status, (iii) with respect to any Plan maintained outside the United
States, all applicable foreign qualifications or registration requirements have
been satisfied in all material respects, except where any failure to comply would
not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect, (iv) there are no material actions, suits or claims pending (other
than routine claims for benefits) or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened
or anticipated with respect to any such Plan, and (v) it has been operated and administered
in compliance in all material respects with its terms and all applicable Laws and
regulations, including ERISA and the Code.
(c) Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries nor any trade or business, whether
or not incorporated, that, together with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
would be deemed to be a "single employer" within the meaning of Section 4001(b)
of ERISA (an "ERISA Affiliate"), (i) maintains or contributes to, or has maintained
or contributed to, (x) any "employee benefit plan" within the meaning of Section
3(3) of ERISA that is subject to Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412
of the Code, (y) a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section 3(37) and
4001(a)(3) of ERISA or (z) a "multiple employer plan" within the meaning of Sections
4063/4064 of ERISA or Section 413(c) of the Code or (ii) has incurred or reasonably
expects to incur any material liability pursuant to Title I or Title IV of ERISA
(including any Controlled Group Liability) or material penalty, excise Tax or joint
and several liability provisions of the Code or any foreign Law or regulation relating to employee benefit plans,
whether contingent or otherwise. With respect to each Plan that is a "multiemployer
plan," no complete or partial withdrawal from such plan has been made by the Company
or any Subsidiary, or by any other person, that could result in any liability to
the Company or any Subsidiary, whether such liability is contingent or otherwise,
except for liabilities that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect, no deduction for federal income Tax purposes has been or to the knowledge
of the Company is expected by the Company to be disallowed for remuneration paid
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by reason of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(e) No Plan is under audit or, to the knowledge of the Company, is, as of the
date hereof, the subject of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the
U.S. Department of Labor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any other
Governmental Entity, nor is any such audit or, to the knowledge of the Company,
investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened. With respect
to each Plan for which financial statements are required by ERISA, there has been
no change in the financial status of such Plan since the date of the most recent
such statements except any of the foregoing as would not have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Neither the execution or delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will, either alone or in conjunction
with any other event (whether contingent or otherwise), (i) result in any payment
or benefit becoming due or payable, or required to be provided, to any director,
employee or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii)
increase the amount or value of any benefit or compensation otherwise payable or
required to be provided to any such director, employee or independent contractor,
or (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment, vesting or funding of
any such benefit or compensation. Within thirty (30) days of the date hereof, the
Company will provide to Parent all information Parent reasonably requests related
to the calculation of "excess parachute payments" (within the meaning of Section
280G of the Code) that may be payable in connection with the Merger (alone or in
conjunction with any other events), assuming the Effective Time and any right to
such payments or benefits occurs as of the date hereof.
(g) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates has any
material liability with respect to an obligation to provide health or other non-pension
benefits to any Person beyond their retirement or other termination of service other than coverage mandated by Section 4980B of the Code
or state Law.
(h) Each Plan that is a "nonqualified deferred compensation plan" within the
meaning of Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code and any award thereunder, in each case
that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, has been operated in good faith compliance
in all material respects with Section 409A of the Code since January 1, 2005, the
proposed regulations issued thereunder and the Internal Revenue Service Notice 2005-1.
Section 3.10 Employees.
(a) Schedule 3.10(a) of the Disclosure Letter lists as of the date hereof (i)
any collective bargaining agreement or any labor union contract that the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by, (ii) to the knowledge of the
Company, any works council or a labor organization representing any employees of
the Company or its Subsidiaries, or (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, any activities
or proceedings of any labor union to organize any employees of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries or compel the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to bargain
with any labor union or labor organization. As of the date hereof, there is no pending
or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened organized labor strike, walkout,
work stoppage, slowdown, demonstration, leafleting, picketing, boycott, work-to-rule
campaign, sit-in, sick-out, union election or, to the Companys knowledge, governmental
investigation or lockout with respect to employees of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and no such strike, walkout, slowdown, demonstration, leafleting, picketing,
boycott, work-to-rule campaign, sit-in, sick-out, union election, or governmental
investigation, or lockout has occurred since December 31, 2005, in any case which
would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect. No union grievance or labor arbitration demand or proceeding, or
unfair labor practice charge or proceeding, whether or not filed pursuant to a collective
bargaining agreement, has been filed, is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
has been threatened against the Company or its Subsidiaries that would reasonably
be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or otherwise
bound by, any consent decree with, or citation by, any Governmental Entity relating
to its current or former employees, officers or directors or employment practices
that would reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in
a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable
local, state, federal and foreign Laws relating to labor and employment, including
but not limited to Laws relating to discrimination, disability, labor relations, hours of work, payment of wages,
immigration, workers compensation, working conditions and occupational safety and
health, family and medical leave and employee terminations except for such noncompliance
which would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect. There are no complaints, lawsuits, arbitrations, administrative
proceedings, or other proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened
against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries brought by or on behalf of any applicant
for employment, any current or former employee, any person alleging to be a current
or former employee, any class of the foregoing, or any Governmental Entity, relating
to any such Law or regulation, or alleging breach of any express or implied contract
of employment, wrongful termination of employment, or alleging any other discriminatory,
wrongful or tortious conduct in connection with the employment relationship except
for those which would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Within the last six months, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
has incurred any liability or obligation which remains unsatisfied under the Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act ("WARN") or any state or local Laws regarding
the termination or layoff of employees or notice thereof except for those which
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect.
Section 3.11 Litigation. There is no claim, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration,
mediation or governmental investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened against or relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiaries of the Company, other than
any such claim, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, mediation or governmental
investigation that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. As of the date of this Agreement, to the
knowledge of the Company, no officer or director of the Company or its Subsidiaries
is a defendant in any claim, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, mediation or
governmental investigation in connection with his or her status as an officer or
director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than (i) stockholder litigation
to the extent of filings prior to the date hereof or similar claims filed thereafter
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) ordinary
course regulatory investigations in connection with license applications or renewals,
and (iii) ordinary course claims against the Company and its Subsidiaries that are
not material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole). There are no
SEC legal actions, audits, inquiries or investigations, other governmental actions,
audits, inquiries or investigations by other Governmental Entities or material internal
investigations pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, in each
case regarding any accounting practices of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
or any malfeasance by any director or executive officer of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries in connection with his or her status as such except for those which
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect.
Section 3.12 Tax Matters. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have timely filed all material returns
and reports relating to Taxes required to be filed by applicable Law with respect
to the Company and each of its Subsidiaries or any of their income, properties or
operations as of the date of this Agreement. All such returns are true, correct
and complete. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have timely paid all Taxes
shown as due and payable.
(b) The charges, accruals and reserves for Taxes with respect to the Company
and its Subsidiaries reflected on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of
the Company in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof are adequate
under GAAP to cover the Tax liabilities accruing through the date thereof.
(c) All federal, state, local and foreign income or franchise Tax returns of
the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have been audited and settled, or are closed
to assessment, for all years through 1998. There is no claim or assessment pending
or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries for any deficiency in Taxes where there is a reasonable
possibility of an adverse determination. There are no outstanding written agreements
in effect to extend the period of limitations for the assessment or collection of
any Tax for which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be liable.
(d) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have withheld from payments to their
employees, independent contractors, creditors, shareholders and any other applicable
persons (and timely paid to the appropriate taxing authority) proper and accurate
amounts for all periods through the date of this Agreement in compliance with all
Tax withholding provisions of applicable federal, state, local and foreign Laws
(including income, social security, and employment Tax withholding for all types
of compensation).
(e) There is no obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to contribute
to the payment of any Tax or any portion of a Tax (or any amount calculated with
reference to any portion of a Tax) of any Person other than the Company or its Subsidiaries,
including under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision
of state, local or foreign law) as a transferee, successor, by contract or otherwise.
(f) The Company and the Subsidiaries do not, and did not, "participate" in a
"listed transaction." To the extent the Company or the Subsidiaries "participate,"
or participated, in "reportable transactions" it complied with the applicable reporting
requirements and attached to Section 3.12(f) of the Disclosure Letter copies of
the IRS Forms 8886 (or similar form under state, local or foreign laws) that it
filed (all those terms as defined in Section 1.6011-4 of the Treasury Regulations,
or under equivalent provisions of state, local and foreign Tax laws).
(g) Section 3.12(g) of the Disclosure Letter lists each foreign Subsidiary for
which an election has been made pursuant to Section 7701 of the Code and regulations
thereunder to be treated as other than its default classification for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, and except to the extent set forth on such schedule each foreign
Subsidiary will be classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes according to
its default classification.
(h) For purposes of this Agreement, "Tax" shall mean all taxes, charges, fees,
levies, imposts, duties, and other similar assessments, including any income, alternative
minimum or add-on tax, estimated, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, transfer,
transactions, intangibles, ad valorem, value-added, escheat, franchise, registration,
title, license, capital, paid-up capital, profits, withholding, employee withholding,
payroll, workers compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, employment,
excise, severance, stamp, transfer occupation, premium, recording, real property,
personal property, federal highway use, commercial rent, environmental (including
taxes under Section 59A of the Code) or windfall profit tax, custom, duty or other
tax, fee or other like assessment or charge, together with any interest, penalties,
fines or additions to tax that may become payable in respect thereof imposed by
any country, any state, county, provincial or local government or subdivision or
agency thereof.
Section 3.13 Compliance with Law; Gaming Permits; No Default. Neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries is or since December 31, 2005 has been in conflict with,
in default with respect to or in violation of any statute, law, ordinance, rule,
regulation, order, writ, judgment, decree, stipulation, determination, award or
requirement of a Governmental Entity (including Gaming Laws) ("Laws") applicable
to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected which conflict, default
or violation has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries
have all permits, licenses, authorizations, consents, certificates, approvals and
franchises from Governmental Entities (including all authorizations under Gaming
Laws) required to own, lease and operate their properties and conduct their businesses
as currently conducted ("Permits") other than those Permits the failure to have
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2005 there has occurred no violation of, suspension, reconsideration, imposition of
penalties or fines, imposition of additional conditions or requirements or default
(with or without notice or lapse of time or both) under, or event giving rise to
any right of termination, amendment, suspension, revocation, non-renewal, adverse
modification or cancellation of, with or without notice or lapse of time or both,
any such Permit other than expirations of Permits in the ordinary course of business
and those such occurrences or matters which have not and would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Except
as has not had and would not be reasonably be expected to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries
are in material compliance with the terms of all Permits.
Section 3.14 Environmental Matters.
(a) Except in each case as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect:
Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries (A) is in compliance with applicable
Environmental Laws and (B) has received and is in compliance with all Permits required
under Environmental Laws for the conduct of its business ("Environmental Permits").
Such Environmental Permits are in full force and effect, and all applications, notices
or other documents have been timely filed as required to effect timely renewal,
issuance or reissuance of such Environmental Permits. To the knowledge of the Company,
as of the date hereof, all material Environmental Permits are expected to be issued
or reissued on a timely basis on such terms and conditions as are reasonably expected
to enable the Company and its Subsidiaries to continue to conduct their operations
in a manner substantially similar to the manner in which such operations are presently
conducted. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is currently the subject
of any written Environmental Claim and, to the knowledge of the Company, as of the
date hereof, no Environmental Claim is pending or threatened against either the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or against any Person whose liability for the
Environmental Claim was or may have been retained or assumed either contractually
or by operation of law by either the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. To the
knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any
other Person has managed, used, stored, or disposed of Hazardous Materials on, at
or beneath any properties currently leased, operated or used or previously owned,
leased, operated or used or vessels currently or previously owned, leased, operated
or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in violation of any Environmental
Law or Environmental Permit, and no Hazardous Materials are present at such properties,
in circumstances that would reasonably be expected to form the basis for a material
Environmental Claim against either the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. To the
knowledge of the Company, no properties currently owned, leased or operated by either
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries contain any landfills, surface impoundments,
disposal areas, underground storage tanks, aboveground storage tanks, asbestos or
asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, radioactive materials or
other Hazardous Materials that would be reasonably expected to give rise to material
closure, remediation, removal or retirement costs.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) "Environment" means any ambient, workplace or indoor air, surface water,
drinking water, groundwater, land surface (whether below or above water), subsurface
strata, sediment, plant or animal life, natural resources, and the sewer, septic
and waste treatment, storage and disposal systems servicing real property or physical
buildings or structures.
(ii) "Environmental Claim" means any claim, cause of action, investigation or
notice by any Person or any Governmental Entity alleging potential liability (including
potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup or remediation costs, governmental
or third party response costs, natural resource damages, property damage, personal
injuries, or fines or penalties) based on or resulting from (a) the presence or
Release of any Hazardous Materials at any location, whether or not owned or operated
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (b) any violation of any Environmental
Law.
(iii) "Environmental Law" means any Law (including common law) or any binding
agreement, memorandum of understanding or commitment letter issued or entered by
or with any Governmental Entity or Person relating to: (a) the Environment, including
pollution, contamination, cleanup, preservation, protection and reclamation of the
Environment, (b) exposure of employees or third parties to any Hazardous Materials,
(c) any Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials, including investigation,
assessment, testing, monitoring, containment, removal, remediation and cleanup of
any such Release or threatened Release, (d) the management of any Hazardous Materials,
including the use, labeling, processing, disposal, storage, treatment, transport,
or recycling of any Hazardous Materials or (e) the presence of Hazardous Materials
in any building, physical structure, product or fixture.
(iv) "Hazardous Materials" means any pollutant or contaminant, including any
constituent, raw material, product or by-product thereof, mold, petroleum, asbestos
or asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead paint, any hazardous,
industrial or solid waste, and any toxic, radioactive, infectious or hazardous substance,
material, or agent, including all substances, materials or wastes which are identified
by or subject to regulation or give rise to liability under any Environmental Law.
(v) "Release" means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, injection,
deposit, disposal, discharge or leaching into the indoor or outdoor Environment,
or into or out of any property, including movement through air, soil, surface water,
groundwater or property.
Section 3.15 Intellectual Property. Except as would not reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the Company
and its Subsidiaries own, or are validly licensed or otherwise have the right to
use, the patents, patent rights, inventions and discoveries (whether or not patentable
or reduced to practice), trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names,
business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and
other source or business identifiers, copyrights, trade secrets and all other confidential
or proprietary information and know-how, whether or not reduced to writing or any
other tangible form, and other proprietary intellectual property rights and computer
programs arising under the laws of the United States (including any state or territory),
any other country or group of countries or any political subdivision of any of the
foregoing, whether registered or unregistered (collectively, "Intellectual Property
Rights") to operate the business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
as operated as of the date of this Agreement (the "Company Intellectual Property").
Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, as of the date hereof, (a) no written
claim by a third party of invalidity or conflicting ownership rights with respect
to any Company Intellectual Property has been received by the Company and no such
Company Intellectual Property is the subject of any pending or, to the Companys
knowledge, threatened action, suit, claim, investigation, arbitration, interference,
opposition or other proceeding, (b) no Person has given written notice to the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company that the use of any Company Intellectual Property
by the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any licensee is infringing or has
infringed any domestic or foreign registered patent, trademark, service mark, trade
name, or copyright or design right, or that the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company
or any licensee has misappropriated or disclosed any trade secret, confidential
information or know-how, (c) the making, using, selling, manufacturing, marketing,
licensing, reproduction, distribution, or publishing of any process, machine, manufacture
or product related to any Company Intellectual Property, does not infringe any domestic
or foreign registered patent, trademark, service mark, trade name, copyright or
other Intellectual Property Right of any third party, and does not involve the misappropriation
or improper use or disclosure of any trade secrets, confidential information or
know-how of any third party of which the Company has knowledge, (d) to the knowledge
of the Company, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company (i) is engaged
in current conduct or use, and (ii) there exists no prior act or current use by
the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company that would void or invalidate any
Company Intellectual Property, and (e) the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby by the Company and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not breach, violate or
conflict with any instrument or agreement that the Company is party to and that
concerns any Company Intellectual Property, will not cause the forfeiture or termination or give rise
to a right of forfeiture or termination of any of the Company Intellectual Property
or impair the right of Parent to use, sell, license or dispose of, or to bring any
action for the infringement of, any Company Intellectual Property.
Section 3.16 Real Property.
(a) The Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof and Section 3.16(a)
of the Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all material
real property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary as of the date hereof (the
"Owned Real Property"). Except as set forth as Section 3.16(a) of the Disclosure
Letter, with respect to each Owned Real Property, (i) either the Company or a Subsidiary
of the Company has good and marketable title to such Owned Real Property, free and
clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens, (ii) there are no outstanding options
or rights of first refusal in favor of any other party to purchase such Owned Real
Property or any portion thereof or interest therein and (iii) there are no leases,
subleases, licenses, options, rights, concessions or other agreements affecting
any portion of such Owned Real Property, except other than, in the case of clauses
(ii) or (iii) above, which has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. There are no physical
conditions or defects at any of the Owned Real Properties at which casino or hotel
operations are conducted which have had or would be reasonably expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Except as has not had
and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect, (i) any lease involving payment of more than $10,000,000
per year is valid, binding and in full force and effect against the Company or a
Subsidiary thereof and all rent and other sums and charges payable to the Company
and its Subsidiaries as landlords thereunder are current and (ii) no termination
event or condition or uncured default of a material nature on the part of the Company
or, if applicable, its Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Company, the tenant
thereunder exists under any such lease. As of the date hereof, neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice of any pending, and to the knowledge
of the Company there is no threatened, condemnation proceeding with respect to any
of the Owned Real Properties.
(b) The Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof and Section 3.16(b)
of the Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all material
leases, subleases and other agreements under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
uses or occupies or has the right to use or occupy any material real property at
which casino or hotel operations are conducted as of the date of this Agreement
(the "Real Property Leases"). Except as has not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (i)
each Real Property Lease is valid, binding and in full force and effect and all rent and other sums and charges
payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as tenants thereunder are current
and (ii) no termination event (other than expirations in the ordinary course) or
condition or uncured default of a material nature on the part of the Company or,
if applicable, its Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Company, the landlord
thereunder exists under any Real Property Lease. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries
has a good and valid leasehold interest in each parcel of real property which is
subject to a Real Property Lease free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted
Liens. As of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received notice of any pending, and to the knowledge of the Company there is no
threatened, condemnation with respect to any property leased pursuant to any of
the Real Property Leases.
Section 3.17 Material Contracts.
(a) The Company has made available to Parent (or Parent has otherwise had access
to) true, correct and complete copies of each contract, agreement, commitment, arrangement,
lease (including with respect to personal property) and other instruments to which
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company, any of
its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets is bound (other
than Real Property Leases), as of the date hereof, that:
(i) would be required to be filed by the Company as a "material contract" pursuant
to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act or disclosed
by the Company on a Current Report on Form 8-K;
(ii) contain covenants that limit the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(or which, following the consummation of the Merger, could restrict the ability
of the Surviving Corporation or any of its Affiliates) to compete in any business
or with any person or in any geographic area, or to sell, supply or distribute any
service or product, except any such contract, agreement, commitment, arrangement,
lease (including with respect to personal property) and other instruments that may
be cancelled without any penalty or other liability to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries upon notice of 60 days or less;
(iii) relates to the formation, creation, operation, management or control of
any partnership or joint venture with a third party that is material to the business
of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(iv) relate to (A) indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred purchase price
of property and having an outstanding principal amount in excess of $25,000,000
or (B) conditional sale arrangements, the sale, securitization or servicing of loans
or loan portfolios, in each case in connection with which the aggregate actual or contingent obligations of the Company and
its Subsidiaries under such contract are greater than $25,000,000;
(v) entered into after December 31, 2005 or not yet consummated, that involve
the acquisition or disposition, directly or indirectly (by merger or otherwise),
of assets or capital stock or other equity interests of another person for aggregate
consideration under such contract in excess of $25,000,000 (other than acquisitions
or dispositions of assets in the ordinary course of business, including acquisitions
and dispositions of inventory);
(vi) by their terms call for aggregate payment or receipt by the Company and
its Subsidiaries under such contract of more than $25,000,000 over the remaining
term of such contract other than ordinary course of business procurement for supplies;
(vii) with respect to any acquisition pursuant to which the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries has continuing indemnification, "earn-out" or other contingent
payment obligations, in each case that could result in payments in excess of $50,000,000;
(viii) obligate the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to provide indemnification
or a guarantee that would reasonably be expected to result in payments in excess
of $25,000,000;
(ix) obligate the Company to make any capital commitment or expenditure (including
pursuant to any development project or joint venture) in excess of $25,000,000;
or
(x) provide for any standstill arrangements restricting the Companys ability
to acquire or combine with any assets, securities or businesses.
Each contract of the type described in clauses (i) through (x) above is referred
to herein as a "Material Contract."
(b) Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Material Contract is valid
and binding on the Company and any Subsidiary of the Company that is a party thereto
and, to the knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto and is in full force
and effect, and (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries have performed and complied
with all obligations required to be performed or complied with by them under each
Material Contract. There is no default under any Material Contract by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, by any other party,
and no event has occurred that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or
both would constitute a default thereunder by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
or to the knowledge of the Company, by any other party, except in either case which has not had and
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect.
Section 3.18 Insurance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is covered by
valid and currently effective insurance policies issued in favor of the Company
or one or more of its Subsidiaries and self-insurance amounts, which together are
customary in all material respects in terms and coverage amounts for companies of
similar size in the industry and locales in which the Company and its Subsidiaries
operate.
Section 3.19 Questionable Payments. To the knowledge of the Company, none of
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (nor any of their respective directors,
executives, representatives, agents or employees acting on behalf of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries) in any material respect (a) has used or is using any
corporate funds for any illegal contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful
expenses relating to political activity (in the case of representatives, agents,
or non-executive employees, that could reasonably be material to the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole), (b) has used or is using any corporate funds
for any direct or indirect unlawful payments to any foreign or domestic government
officials or employees, (c) has violated or is violating any provision of the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, (d) has established or maintained, or is maintaining,
any unlawful fund of corporate monies or other properties or (e) has made any bribe,
unlawful rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of
any nature.
Section 3.20 Related Party Transactions. To the Companys knowledge, as of the
date hereof, there are no material transactions, or series of related transactions,
agreements, arrangements or understandings, nor are there any currently proposed
material transactions, or series of related transactions, between the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Company, any current or former
director, officer, partner, employee, Affiliate or Associate of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries or any Person who beneficially owns 5% or more of the Shares
(or any of such Persons immediate family members or Affiliates) (other than Company
Subsidiaries), on the other hand, that would be required to be disclosed under Item
404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.
Section 3.21 Opinions. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Company
Financial Advisors have each delivered to the Special Committee their opinion to
the effect that, as of the date thereof and based upon and subject to the matters
set forth therein, the Merger Consideration is fair to the stockholders of the Company
from a financial point of view. A true, correct and complete copy of each of the
opinions will be delivered to Parent solely for informational purposes promptly
after receipt thereof by the Company.
Section 3.22 Required Vote of Company Stockholders. The only vote of the holders
of outstanding securities of the Company required by the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, by Law or otherwise to complete the Merger is the affirmative
vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding Shares, voting
together as a single class. The vote required by the previous sentence is referred
to together as the "Requisite Stockholder Vote."
Section 3.23 Gaming Approvals. Except as set out in Section 3.23 of the Disclosure
Letter or as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect, (i) there have been no adversarial proceedings to rescind
or suspend the Companys gaming licenses since December 15, 2003, and (ii) to the
knowledge of the Company, no Gaming Authority is investigating or has concluded
that the Company has breached any relevant Gaming Law or any applicable conduct
restriction.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB
Parent and Merger Sub jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Company
as follows, except to the extent disclosed in the section of the disclosure letter
dated the date of this Agreement and delivered by Parent with respect to this Agreement
on or prior to the date hereof (the "Parent Disclosure Letter"):
Section 4.01 Organization and Qualification; Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws.
Each of Parent and Merger Sub is a duly organized and validly existing limited liability
company or corporation in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization with all requisite limited liability company or corporate power and
authority to own its properties and conduct its business as currently conducted.
All of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Merger Sub is owned directly
or indirectly by Parent. Parent has heretofore furnished to the Company a true,
correct and complete copy of its certificate of incorporation or certificate of
formation, as the case may be, and bylaws, if any, each as amended to date. Merger
Sub has heretofore furnished to the Company a true, correct and complete copy of
the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Merger Sub, each as amended to date.
Such certificate of incorporation and bylaws are in full force and effect. Merger
Sub is not, nor has it been, in violation of any of the provisions of its certificate
of incorporation or bylaws.
Section 4.02 Authority for this Agreement. Each of Parent and Merger Sub has
all requisite corporate or limited liability company power and authority to execute
and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby,
except as has not and would not reasonably be expected to prevent or materially
delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution
and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary corporate or limited liability company proceedings on the part of Parent
and Merger Sub and no other corporate or limited liability company proceedings on the part of
Parent or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub and, assuming due authorization, execution
and delivery by the Company, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of
each of Parent and Merger Sub enforceable against each of Parent and Merger Sub
in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to
or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles.
Section 4.03 Proxy Statement; Other Filings. None of the information supplied
by or on behalf of Parent, Merger Sub or any Affiliate of Parent or Merger Sub for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement will, at the date of filing with the SEC, at the
time the Proxy Statement is mailed and at the time of the Special Meeting, and none
of the information supplied or to be supplied by Parent, Merger Sub or any Affiliate
of Parent or Merger Sub for inclusion in Other Filings, will, at the date of filing
with the SEC, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent makes no representation or warranty with respect
to any information supplied by or on behalf of the Company that is contained in
any of the foregoing documents.
Section 4.04 Consents and Approvals; No Violation.
(a) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent or Merger
Sub nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) violate
or conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the respective organizational
documents of Parent or Merger Sub, (ii) assuming all consents, approvals and authorizations
contemplated by clauses (i) through (vii) of subsection (b) below have been obtained
and are effective, any applicable waiting periods have expired and all filings described
in such clauses have been made, conflict with or violate any Law, or (iii) violate
or conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, or require any consent,
waiver or approval, or result in a default or give rise to any right of termination,
cancellation, modification or acceleration (or an event that, with the giving of
notice, the passage of time or otherwise, would constitute a default or give rise
to any such right) under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note,
bond, mortgage, lease, license, agreement, contract, indenture or other instrument
or obligation to which Parent or Merger Sub is a party or by which Parent or Merger
Sub or any of its or their respective properties assets may be bound, except in
the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), which would not prevent or materially delay
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each of Parent
and Merger Sub and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by each
of Parent and Merger Sub do not and will not require any consent, approval, authorization
or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except
(i) the pre-merger notification requirements under the HSR Act and Foreign Antitrust
Laws, (ii) the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Delaware
Secretary, (iv) all applicable Gaming Approvals, (v) compliance with any applicable
foreign or state securities or blue sky Laws, (vi) any filing under the Investment
Canada Act or any similar Law under applicable jurisdictions, and (vii) any such
consent, approval, authorization, permit, filing, or notification the failure of
which to make or obtain would not prevent or materially delay the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.05 Financing. Parent has delivered to the Company true, complete and
correct copies of (a) executed commitment letters (as the same may be amended or
replaced pursuant to Section 5.11(b), the "Debt Financing Commitments"), pursuant
to which the lender parties thereto have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions
thereof, to provide or cause to be provided the debt amounts set forth therein (the
"Debt Financing"), and (b) executed equity commitment letters (the "Equity Financing
Commitments", and together with the Debt Financing Commitments, the "Financing Commitments"),
pursuant to which Apollo Management VI, L.P. on behalf of affiliated investment
funds ("Apollo") and TPG Partners V, L.P. ("TPG") have committed, subject to the
terms and conditions thereof, to invest the amount set forth therein (the "Equity
Financing," and together with the Debt Financing, the "Financing"). Except in each
case to the extent amended or replaced in a |