LAS VEGAS,July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Melonie Johnson, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.'s vice president of finance for Harrah's and Horseshoe Tunica, recently received recognition by Casino Enterprise Management magazine as a 2009 Great Women of Gaming "Rising Star" and by the Memphis based Tri-State Defender newspaper with the 2010 "Women of Excellence" award.

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Johnson was one of 11 women recognized as a "Rising Star" for her exceptional achievement in gaming finance and for being a key leader in the Mid-South region gaming industry. One month earlier, she was one of 50 outstanding African American women to receive the Tri-State Defender's "Women of Excellence" award for her career achievements and civic contributions to the region, the community and to the business world.

"Melonie has worked diligently to create and nurture an outstanding team environment where those under her supervision truly enjoy their work life and strive for greatness," said Scott Barber, regional president for Harrah's Entertainment. "She is an example of how to give and get the best - there is no person more deserving of such honors."

Melonie is not only a role model within the gaming industry, but is also a devoted mother, mentor, and citizen. As a member of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Memphis, she embraces a younger generation in need and gives of her time, resources, and talents to help ensure Memphis area youth achieve their full potential.

An in-depth article featuring profiles of this year's 11 award winners is featured in the July issue of Casino Enterprise Management. The winners also received a prestigious crystal Great Women of Gaming award.

For more information about Casino Enterprise Management, visit www.casinoenterprisemanagement.com.

About Harrah's Entertainment Diversity and Inclusion:

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is committed to conducting business responsibly by providing employees with equal opportunities for growth and contribution under the direction of its diversity and inclusion department. Harrah's approaches diversity and inclusion in parallel paths, through traditional representational diversity and through cognitive diversity.

Employees' life experiences, background and skills are utilized in diverse-by-design teams to help drive better business outcomes. The diverse-by-design approach can be applied across all business functions to achieve better outcomes and to solve the company's hardest problems or its most complex opportunities. The use of the cognitive diversity model sets Harrah's apart as a leader in best diversity and inclusion practices.

Harrah's is the only company in the casino entertainment industry to receive a perfect score three times on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The Nevada Minority Business Council inducted Harrah's Entertainment into its hall of fame as "Corporation of the Decade," for the company's 15-year dedication to diversity and inclusion. Most recently, Profiles in Diversity Journal conferred its top honor, the "2010 Diversity Leader Award," to Harrah's for its outstanding diversity communications practices. Harrah's has a longstanding history of community engagement and social responsibility and was named Business Week's "Most Generous Company in America." Harrah's is committed to creating a dynamic and innovative culture where individual growth is not only encouraged, but also rewarded, recognized and celebrated.

About Harrah's Entertainment:

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment through operating subsidiaries. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada over 70 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions, and now owns or manages casinos on four continents. The company's properties operate primarily under the Harrah's, Caesars and Horseshoe brand names; Harrah's also owns the London Clubs International family of casinos. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.

More information about Harrah's is available at its website - www.harrahs.com.

SOURCE Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.