WMS Gaming Premieres New Games and Innovative Technologies

Business Wire, Oct 18, 2000

Business Editors/Gaming Writers

World Gaming Congress 2000

Booth No. 1600

CHICAGO & LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 2000

New MONOPOLY(R) Brand, 15-Line Slot Machine and Newest

Addition to Dual Screen Platform Headline at World Gaming

Congress & Expo

WMS Gaming Inc., a subsidiary of WMS Industries Inc. (NYSE: WMS), premiers its new games, including the MONOPOLY(R) themed Money Grab(TM) and its first 15-line multi-coin video slot Wild Streak(TM), at the World Gaming Congress and Exposition, (WGC&E) (Booth No.1600) in Las Vegas now through Friday, October 20, 2000. In showcasing its new products, WMS also continues to make its mark as an industry innovator, introducing new technologies such as a top box design that includes a 3-D model and expanded applications of WMS' dual screen platform.

"Technology, innovation and entertaining games have always been the keys to the success of WMS' gaming products, and the World Gaming Congress and Expo continues to be the landmark event for showcasing new games to our customers," said Brian R. Gamache, President and Chief Operating Officer of WMS Industries. "This year we will introduce the newest version of our popular MONOPOLY themed participation game Money Grab, which features an innovative top box design that includes a 3-D model of MR. MONOPOLY, as well as additions to our popular products featuring new technology and innovations. Wild Streak is our first 15-line video slot and Ready to Rumble(R) Boxing advances our use of dual screen technology first made popular with Reel em In: Cast for Cash(TM), and is based on the boxing phrase made popular by Michael Buffer, `Let's Get Ready to Rumble!(R)'. With these and other products, WMS continues to offer players games with the highest entertainment value, thereby increasing returns to casino operators due to longer player interaction."

In addition to the premier of MONOPOLY(R) Money Grab(TM) and Wild Streak(TM), WMS Gaming will be showcasing many other new games. New multi-line, multi-coin video offerings include Ready to Rumble(R) Boxing, Off the Charts(TM) and Cash Crop(TM). Also, for the first time, WMS will be showcasing international versions of its gaming machines including Filthy Rich(TM), Reel `em In(R), Jackpot Party(R) and Winning Bid(TM) at the convention.

WMS will also be showcasing its new JUMBLE(R) branded participation product at the conference. Last month WMS reported that it had received approval from the Nevada Gaming Control Board to install JUMBLE and had received signed orders for nearly 1,000 units. JUMBLE, known to consumers worldwide as "that scrambled word game" and featured in more than 600 newspapers daily, is the first game in a new series of participation games from WMS called Puzzle Pays(TM). The second and third games in the Puzzle Pays series will be licensed products based on the famous SCRABBLE(R) (scheduled for release in Spring 2001), and PICTIONARY(R) (scheduled for release in Summer 2001) board games.

MONOPOLY(R) Money Grab(TM) Game Play

Money Grab is a nine-line, five-reel video slot featuring the WMS original song, "Doing the Money Grab." Characters include Miss Virginia Ave., Marvin Gardens, Louie the Counterfeiter, Mrs. Park Place, MR. MONOPOLY and his dog. On top of the machine sits a small money booth with MONOPOLY game money inside. The booth lights up and money swirls about during bonus rounds.

A special base game bonus is triggered when three Chance cards align on an active payline. Players choose a Chance card and are awarded credits or one of the three additional bonus features.

Money Grab offers two different second screen bonuses -- "Timer Money Grab" and "Cashier Money Grab." The player selects a contestant from the MONOPOLY game characters to enter the money booth on the top screen. The player interaction determines what MONOPOLY game bills the on-screen character grabs and awards are given based on the contestant's performance. Bonuses are activated when three timer clocks or cash registers line up on an active payline, or by selecting a Chance card.

MONOPOLY(R) Money Grab was developed under exclusive license with Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS).

Wild Streak(TM)

Wild Streak features the hilarious hit song from the 70's "The Streak." Its engaging and humorous characters include a few daring streakers that run across the screen: Ethel, an innocent and shocked bystander; the irate police officer who tries to catch the streakers to put an end to their fun; and a news reporter giving the play-by-play of the chase.

Wild Streak offers 15, 30, 45, 75, 90 and 150 coin configurations. The reels feature traditional slot symbols and things found in a city park such as trees, benches, garbage cans, fountains and hot dog carts. All of the animation is drawn in 1970's style including the streakers who wear gym shoes and sport hairstyles reminiscent of that decade.

Wild Streak offers a first screen bonus that starts when a streaker appears on an active payline in the first reel and a streaker symbol appears on an active payline on the last reel. The music begins, a news reporter appears in the corner of the screen and the streaker runs from his position to another reel symbol position. Ethel appears in one of the symbols and initially seems shocked by the activity. However, she soon begins peering through binoculars to watch the streaker. Sometimes she gets so caught up in the excitement that she sheds her clothing to streak as well.