ALLIANCE GAMING HITS THE JACKPOT WITH THE GENIUS OF RAY CHARLES LAS VEGAS, Aug 21, 2001 -- Alliance Gaming Corp. (Nasdaq: ALLY) today announced that its Bally Gaming and Systems business unit has entered into a development agreement with Ray Charles for a series of interactive gaming devices featuring the likeness and music of the American entertainment legend. Under the direction of Mr. Charles, Bally Gaming is developing three game titles -- Ray Charles' America The Beautiful, What'd I Pay and Ray's Jukebox -- scheduled for release by the end of the calendar year on a daily fee or revenue-share basis. Featuring new performance video of Mr. Charles at the piano surrounded by the gorgeous "Paylettes," the games will capitalize on the advanced audio and video features of Bally Gaming's new Evolution Series (EVO) platform. Two of the games are scheduled to be released as video slots on the EVO platform, while the third will be presented on the unique new interactive EVO SLOT platform scheduled to be unveiled at the upcoming Global Gaming Expo and World Gaming Congress trade shows in October. The trade shows will also serve as the official introduction of Bally Gaming's extensive list of new games titles. In addition to having a hit on the Billboard charts in six separate decades, Mr. Charles is a 12-time Grammy Award winner and has been inducted into nine separate Halls of Fame. He is also the only artist to have a top ten hit on the Billboard charts in five different musical categories. In 1979, the Georgia State Legislature changed the official state song to Mr. Charles' version of "Georgia On My Mind" and his version of "America The Beautiful" is used to sign off more television and radio stations than the National Anthem. Under the terms of agreement with Mr. Charles, who has been blind since an early age, all of the games in the series will include the option of offering audio-assist features and a Braille button deck that will allow visually impaired players the opportunity to experience the games. "This makes so much sense because you can do whatever you want by yourself," Mr. Charles said. "Independence is a helluva thing, man. And we all appreciate it. I know I do. So here's a device where I can use it, I can go out and have as much fun as the next guy and I don't have to depend on anybody else to do it. I think that's great." "It is an honor for Alliance Gaming to have such a close working relationship with a true American icon," said Robert Miodunski, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Gaming. "Our game development team is committed to creating a series of games that will serve as the definitive entertainment experience on the casino floor." "This is the most interactive slot machine ever produced," said Mickey Roemer, Vice President of Game Development for Bally Gaming, "Mr. Charles takes the player on a soulful musical journey intermixed with an exciting gambling experience." The audio assist feature and its related elements have been exclusively licensed to Bally Gaming by GamesMakers & Consultants, Inc., which holds the patent rights to the method of slot machine play by visually impaired people. GameMakers is also the exclusive licensee for Mr. Charles regarding gaming device usage. "Mr. Charles and I discussed contracting with several different manufacturers. It was Mr. Charles' decision to go with Alliance and Bally Gaming based on the fact that they have a history dating back to the 1930s and their management team clearly understood what he wanted this machine to accomplish," said Tony Gumina, President of GameMakers & Consultants. Alliance Gaming is a diversified gaming company with headquarters in Las Vegas. The company is engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution and operation of advanced gaming devices and systems worldwide, is the nation's largest gaming machine route operator, and operates two casinos. Additional information about the company can be found on the Alliance Gaming web site at www.ally.com. This news release may contain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Such information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect the results in future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Future operating results may adversely affected as a result of a number of risks detailed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Games are installed at the following locations: Harrah?s Jazz in New Orleans Louisiana 16 Games Mohegan Sun in Connecticut 12 Games Terrible in Las Vegas Nevada 2 Games Greek Isle in Las Vegas Nevada 2 Games Texas Station in North Las Vegas 2 Games Cache Creek in California 4 Games Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City New Jersey 6 Games Trump Plaza in Atlantic City New Jersey 5 Games