-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, NUBi9fYTtogqmdMoqxxBpWVvgOZxYbTJAvXQJbYg0dCoFlMXj9nYQpCkoDAwGNle aVjro49e4Qv4C+oF5Nm9Tw== 0001104659-04-032427.txt : 20041028 0001104659-04-032427.hdr.sgml : 20041028 20041028172417 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-04-032427 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20040630 FILED AS OF DATE: 20041028 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20041028 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ALLIANCE GAMING CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000002491 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS AMUSEMENT & RECREATION [7990] IRS NUMBER: 880104066 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NV FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-31558 FILM NUMBER: 041103549 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 6601 S. BERMUDA RD. CITY: LAS VEGAS STATE: NV ZIP: 89119 BUSINESS PHONE: 7028967700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 6601 S. BERMUDA RD. CITY: LAS VEGAS STATE: NV ZIP: 89119 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: UNITED GAMING INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: GAMING & TECHNOLOGY INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19890206 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ADVANCED PATENT TECHNOLOGY INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19830519 10-K/A 1 a04-12266_110ka.htm 10-K/A

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-K/A-1

Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K

 

 

 

ý ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (No Fee Required)

 

 

For the transition period from            to            .

 

Commission File Number 0-4281

ALLIANCE GAMING CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

NEVADA

 

88-0104066

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

6601 S. Bermuda Rd. Las Vegas, Nevada 89119

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number: (702) 270-7600

Registrant’s website: www.alliancegaming.com

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.10 par value

 

(Title of Class)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

ý Yes   o  No

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

ý  Yes    o  No

 



 

The aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $457,627,900 as of October 27, 2004.

 

The number of shares of Common Stock, $0.10 par value, outstanding as of October 27, 2004, according to the records of registrant’s registrar and transfer agent, was 51,043,670.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

None.

 

2



 

General

 

Alliance Gaming Corporation (“Alliance”, the “Company” or the “Registrant”) hereby amends its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 by (i) deleting its responses to Items 10-13 contained in its original filing and replacing them with the following Items 10-13 and (ii) adding certain exhibits to be filed in accordance with Item 15.

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10.                                              DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

The following tables and accompanying information sets forth the names of, and certain information with respect to, each of the directors, executive officers and other significant employees of the Company.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position with the Company

Richard Haddrill

 

51

 

Director and Chief Executive Officer(1)

David Robbins

 

45

 

Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Jacques André

 

67

 

Director

Anthony DiCesare

 

42

 

Director

Joel Kirschbaum

 

53

 

Director

Kevin Verner

 

46

 

Director

Robert Saxton

 

51

 

Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Mark Lerner

 

55

 

Senior Vice President for Law and Government, General Counsel and Secretary

Steven Des Champs

 

39

 

Senior Vice President – Finance and Chief Accounting Officer

Robert Miodunski

 

53

 

Consultant (2)

 


(1)  Mr. Haddrill became Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective as of October 1, 2004.

 

(2)  Mr. Miodunski was previously the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, but resigned effective as of September 30, 2004.  He is remaining with the Company until December 31, 2004, in order to assist in the transition to Mr. Haddrill as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  Commencing January 1, 2005, Mr. Miodunski will be retained by the Company as a consultant.

 

The Company’s bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of no fewer than three nor more than nine directors, with the exact number to be fixed by the Board of Directors.  The Company’s bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible, with each class having a term of three years.  The Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors at seven, of which six positions are filled.  The resignation of Mr. Miodunski from the Board of Directors effective as of September 30, 2004 has created a vacancy, and the directors are in active discussions with qualified candidates for the position.  See “Meetings of the Board of Directors; Committees” for additional information.

 

The following table sets forth the term of each director and committee assigments for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, and as of October 27, 2004.  See “Meetings of the Board of Directors; Committees” for additional information.

 

 

 

Director

 

Term

 

Committee Membership

 

Director

 

Since

 

Expires

 

as of June 30, 2004

 

as of October 27, 2004

 

Jacques André

 

1996

 

2004

 

 

(1)(3)

 

 

(1)(2)(3)

 

Richard Haddrill

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

(1)(3)

 

None.

 

 

Anthony DiCesare

 

1994

 

2005

 

 

(2)

 

None.

 

 

Joel Kirschbaum

 

1994

 

2005

 

 

(2)(3)

 

None.

 

 

Kevin Verner

 

2001

 

2005

 

 

(1)(3)

 

 

(1)(2)(3)

 

David Robbins

 

1997

 

2006

 

 

(1)(2)(3)

 

 

(1)(2)(3)

 

 

3



 


(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

(3) Member of the Compensation Committee.

 

Director, Executive Officer and Other Significant Employee Biographies

 

Richard Haddrill was appointed a director in April 2003 and effective October 1, 2004, was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Haddrill was the President and Chief Executive Officer and board member of Manhattan Associates, a leading supply chain software company.  Prior to joining Manhattan Associates, Haddrill was President, Chief Executive Officer and a board member of Powerhouse Technologies. He joined Powerhouse in 1994 as Executive Vice President and was promoted to President and CEO in 1996. From 1992 to 1994, Haddrill was based in Paris, France, as President of computer software company KnowledgeWare’s international subsidiaries, which included responsibility for 24 offices on three continents. Mr. Haddrill also held key leadership positions with the accounting firm Ernst & Young from 1975 until 1991.  Mr. Haddrill is also the President of Bally Gaming, a subsidiary of Alliance.  He also serves as Vice-Chairman of Manhattan Associates and is on the boards of Danka Business Products and Outlooksoft.

 

David Robbins served as a director from July 1994 to September 1997 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company from February 1997 to September 1997.  In December 1997 he was again elected to the Board of Directors and since that time has served as Chairman of the Board.  Mr. Robbins is a certified public accountant and since 1984 has been a practicing attorney, and from September 1995 to the present has been with Reitler Brown LLC, where he was formerly a partner and is presently of counsel.  Mr. Robbins is also a private investor and investment manager and has since October 2001 served on the board of directors of Medisys plc, a U.K. public company.

 

Jacques André was appointed a director in August 1996.  Since October 2002, Mr. André has been a Vice President of A.T. Kearney Executive Search.  Mr. André was a partner with Ray & Berndtson, Inc., an international executive search firm, from 1975 until September 2002.

 

Anthony DiCesare was appointed a director in July 1994. Mr. DiCesare was employed by Kirkland Investment Corporation (“KIC”), which was the sole general partner of Kirkland – Ft. Worth Investment Partners, L.P. (“KFW”), from April 1991 to July 1994.  Mr. DiCesare served as Executive Vice President-Development of the Company from July 1994 through June 1997.  Mr. DiCesare’s  principal occupation since June 1997 has been as a private investor.

 

Joel Kirschbaum was appointed a director in July 1994 and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company from July 1994 to March 1995. Mr. Kirschbaum is the sole stockholder, director, and officer of KIC. He has been engaged in operating the businesses of KIC and KFW since January 1991 when KIC and KFW were established, and of GSA, Inc., the general partner of Gaming Systems Advisors, L.P., since June 1993. Prior to that time, he worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co. for thirteen years, during the last six of which he was a General Partner. When he established KIC and KFW, Mr. Kirschbaum resigned his general partnership interest in Goldman, Sachs & Co. and became a limited partner. Mr. Kirschbaum resigned his limited partnership interest in Goldman, Sachs & Co. in November 1993.

 

Kevin Verner was appointed as a director in April 2001.  From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Verner held various positions with WMS Industries, Inc. and WMS Gaming, the last of which was Chief Operating Officer.  Prior to his employment at WMS, Mr. Verner was Vice President of New Business Development at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., where he held various marketing and senior management positions for sixteen years.  Mr. Verner is currently chief executive officer of Cognitive Learning Systems, Inc. and a CEO Advisor for Alpha Capital Fund III.

 

Robert Saxton was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in March 2000 and Executive Vice President in December 2003. Mr. Saxton joined the Company in 1982 as controller. He became a Vice President of United Coin Machine Co., a subsidiary of Alliance, in 1987 and was elected Vice President – Casino Operations for Alliance in December 1993, and Senior Vice President – Casino Group in June 1996.  Mr. Saxton also serves as President of Rainbow , a subsidiary of Alliance. Mr. Saxton received a dual B.S. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and is a certified public accountant in Nevada.

 

4



 

Mark Lerner was appointed Senior Vice President for Law and Government, General Counsel, and Secretary in August 2000.  Mr. Lerner joined the Company in 1996 as assistant general counsel. Prior to his employment at the Company, Mr. Lerner was general counsel for Becker Gaming, Inc. from 1994 to 1996; was a partner with Jones, Jones, Close & Brown (now Jones Vargas), a Las Vegas law firm, from 1987 to 1994; and was deputy attorney general for the Nevada Gaming Commission and the State Gaming Control Board from 1983 to 1987.

 

Steven Des Champs re-joined the Company in February 2000 as Vice President – Finance and was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer in August 2000. Mr. Des Champs was previously employed by the Company as Director of Finance from October 1995 to November 1998. From December 1998 to January 2000, Mr. Des Champs was the Chief Financial Officer for PDS Gaming, a provider of lease financing for the gaming industry. Prior to joining Alliance, Mr. Des Champs worked for the accounting firm of KPMG from 1988 to 1995. Mr. Des Champs is a certified public accountant in Nevada.

 

Robert Miodunski joined Alliance in March 1994 and held various positions including Chief Executive Officer from April 2001 and a member of the Board of Directors until he resigned from both positions effective September 30, 2004.  From January 1991 to March 1994, Mr. Miodunski was President of Mulholland-Harper Company, a sign manufacturing and service company. From 1984 through 1990, Mr. Miodunski held various positions with Federal Signal Company, the last of which was Vice President and General Manager of the Midwest Region of the Sign Group.

 

Meetings of the Board of Directors; Committees

 

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the Board of Directors held ten meetings.  Each director attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of all meetings of the Board of Directors and of all committees on which such person served during such period.  In addition, the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Messrs. André, Robbins and Verner are independent directors under the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) listing standards.  The Board of Directors is currently in discussions with qualified candidates, who meet the NYSE listing standards for independence, to join the Board of Directors.

 

Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors was comprised of Messrs. André, Haddrill, Robbins (Chairman), and Verner for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.  Effective October 27, 2004, the Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. André, Robbins and Verner.  The functions of the Audit Committee include reviewing, engaging or re-engaging an independent accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements for the then-current fiscal year; reviewing and determining the policies and procedures of the Company and management in maintaining the Company’s books and records and furnishing information necessary to the independent auditors; reviewing and determining the adequacy and implementation of the Company’s internal controls, including the internal audit function and the adequacy and competency of the related personnel; and reviewing and determining such other matters relating to the Company’s financial affairs and accounts as the Audit Committee may in its discretion deem desirable.  The Audit Committee met seven times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.

 

The Audit Committee is governed by a charter which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Annual Report.  The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Messrs. André, Robbins and Verner meet the independence standards of Section 303.01(B)(2)(a) and (3) and 303A.02 of the NYSE listing standards and are financially literate, as required by Section 303A.07(a) of the NYSE listing standards, as such qualification is interpreted by the Company’s Board of Directors in its business judgment.  In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Robbins  is an audit committee financial expert, pursuant to Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K.  The Board of Directors made this determination based on Mr. Robbins’ qualifications and business experience, as briefly described above under “Director and Executive Officer Biographies.”

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors was comprised of Messrs. DiCesare, Kirschbaum (Chairman) and Robbins for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.  Effective October 27, 2004, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Messrs. André, Robbins and Verner.  This Committee advises and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on all matters concerning the selection of candidates as nominees for election as directors.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met once during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004; however, board of director nominations were approved by unanimous written consent of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

5



 

and subsequently approved for submission to a vote of the shareholders by unanimous vote of the full board.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will in the future consider nominees recommended by stockholders. Stockholders should submit the names of proposed nominees in writing attention of the Corporate Secretary, Alliance Gaming Corporation, 6601 South Bermuda Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119, along with appropriate background information.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is governed by a charter which is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Annual Report.

 

Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors was comprised of Messrs. André, Haddrill, Kirschbaum, Robbins, and Verner (Chairman) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.  Effective October 27, 2004, the Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. André, Robbins and Verner.  This Committee makes recommendations concerning the compensation of the Company’s executive officers and other employees.  The Compensation Committee met six times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.  The Compensation Committee is governed by a charter which is attached as Exhibit 99.3 to this Annual Report.

 

Office of the Chairman.  The Office of the Chairman was formed on June 30, 2004, to oversee the transition and management succession from Mr. Miodunski to Mr. Haddrill.  The Office of the Chairman consists of Messrs. Robbins, Kirschbaum and Haddrill.  In addition, Mr. Miodunski will meet with and advise the Office of the Chairman on transition and management succession issues.

 

Compliance with Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) requires the Company’s directors and executive officers and persons who own more than 10 percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities (“Insiders”) to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of the Company’s Common Stock.  Insiders are required by the Commission’s regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports filed by such persons. To the Company’s knowledge, based on its review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to Insiders were complied with.

 

Code of Ethics

 

The Company has adopted a code of ethics and business conduct (the “Code of Ethics”) for chief executive, chief financial and principal accounting officers and for members of its Board of Directors.  The Code of Ethics is attached to this Annual Report as Exhibit 14. In the event the Company makes any amendment to, or grants any waiver from, a provision of the Code of Ethics that applies to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer that requires disclosure under applicable SEC rules, the Company intends to disclose such amendment or waiver and the reasons therefor on its website. The Company undertakes to provide any person without charge a copy of any of the Code of Ethics upon receipt of a written request. Requests should be addressed to: Alliance Gaming Corporation, 6601 South Bermuda Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

 

ITEM 11.               EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Executive Compensation

 

The following table sets forth the compensation paid or to be paid by the Company to the Company’s chief executive officer and the two other most highly compensated executive officers receiving over $100,000 per year (the “Named Executive Officers”) for services rendered in all capacities to the Company during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.

 

Summary Compensation Table *

 

Name and
Principal Position

 

Fiscal
Year
Ended
June 30, 2004

 

Annual Compensation

 

Long-Term
Compensation

 

 

 

Salary

 

Bonus

 

Other Annual
Compensation (2)

 

Securities Underlying Options/
SARs (3)

 

All Other
Compensation (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Miodunski (1)

 

2004

 

$

478,846

 

$

465,000

 

 

100,000

 

$

6,375

 

President and

 

2003

 

450,000

 

522,000

 

 

100,000

 

5,500

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

2002

 

426,923

 

688,000

 

 

100,000

 

4,759

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Saxton (5)

 

2004

 

$

357,307

 

$

279,240

 

 

60,000

 

2004

 

Executive Vice President, Treasurer,

 

2003

 

333,000

 

350,000

 

 

50,000

 

5,700

 

and Chief Financial Officer

 

2002

 

313,846

 

469,000

 

 

110,000

 

5,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Lerner (6)

 

2004

 

$

232,308

 

$

94,000

 

 

25,000

 

$

6,307

 

General Counsel

 

2003

 

223,650

 

168,750

 

 

22,500

 

5,250

 

 

 

2002

 

220,000

 

194,500

 

 

20,000

 

4,279

 

 

6



 


*                               As used in the tables provided under the caption “Executive Compensation,” the character “ - ” is used to represent zero.

 

(1)                Mr. Miodunski was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company in November 1999. In April 2000, Mr. Miodunski was appointed President, and in April 2001 was appointed Chief Executive Officer, which he held until he resigned effective September 30, 2004.  In connection with his separation and consulting agreement dated as of June 30, 2004, Mr. Miodunski is also entitled to a $1,000,000 bonus for the successful sale of United Coin Machine Co., which is payable commencing in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.  See “Employment and Severance Arrangements.”

 

(2)                Excludes personal benefits in amounts less than the lesser of $50,000 or 10 percent of the total annual salary and bonus reported for the Named Executive Officer.

 

(3)                Share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock splits effective August 22, 2001, and April 9, 2002.

 

(4)                “All Other Compensation” represents contributions made by the Company to the Company’s Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan.

 

(5)                Mr. Saxton was appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in March 2000.

 

(6)                Mr. Lerner was appointed Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary in August 2000.

 

In addition to these Named Executive Officers, Mr. Haddrill was appointed Chief Executive Officer effective as of October 1, 2004, and as of that date earns an annual salary of $980,000 per year, payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices, and other perquisites.  On June 30, 2004, in connection with Mr. Haddrill entering into his employment agreement with the Company, the Company granted him 405,000 stock options, with an additional 95,000 options granted during fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, and 377,030 restricted stock units.  Other than the foregoing long-term incentive awards, for fiscal years 2002, 2003 and 2004, Mr. Haddrill received only compensation in consideration for his membership on the Company’s board of directors and committees thereof.

 

Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year

 

The following table relates to options granted during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004:

 

 

 

Individual Grants

 

Potential Realizable
Value at

 

 

 

Options

 

% of Total
Options/SARs
Granted to
Employees in

 

Exercise

 

Expiration

 

Assumed Annual Rates
of Stock
Price Appreciation for
Option Term (e)

 

Name

 

Granted

 

Fiscal Year

 

Price

 

Date

 

5%

 

10%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Miodunski

 

100,000

(a)

3.49

%

$

21.53

 

8/11/13

 

$

1,354,000

 

$

3,431,000

 

Robert Saxton

 

50,000

(a)

1.74

%

21.53

 

8/11/13

 

677,000

 

1,715,000

 

Mark Lerner

 

25,000

(a)

0.87

%

21.53

 

8/11/13

 

338,000

 

857,000

 

David Robbins

 

195,000

(b)

6.80

%

24.65

 

4/8/11

 

1,957,000

 

4,560,000

 

David Robbins

 

39,000

(a)

1.36

%

17.16

 

6/30/14

 

421,000

 

1,067,000

 

Jacques André

 

195,000

(b)

6.80

%

24.65

 

4/8/11

 

1,957,000

 

4,560,000

 

Anthony DiCesare

 

195,000

(b)

6.80

%

24.65

 

4/8/11

 

1,957,000

 

4,560,000

 

Joel Kirschbaum

 

195,000

)b)

6.80

%

24.65

 

4/8/11

 

1,957,000

 

4,560,000

 

Joel Kirschbaum

 

39,000

(a)

1.36

%

17.16

 

6/30/14

 

421,000

 

1,067,000

 

Richard Haddrill

 

195,000

(b)

6.80

%

24.65

 

4/8/11

 

1,957,000

 

4,560,000

 

Richard Haddrill

 

405,000

(c)

14.13

%

17.16

 

6/30/04

 

4,371,000

 

11,036,000

 

Kevin Verner

 

195,000

(b)

6.80

%

24.65

 

4/8/11

 

1,957,000

 

4,560,000

 

 

7



 


(a)          Options vest: one-third on the first anniversary of grant date; one-third on the second anniversary thereof; and one-third on the third anniversary thereof.

 

(b)         These options vest in four equal tranches of 48,750 shares each, vesting only if on or before January 8, 2009, the average closing stock price for twenty consecutive trading days exceeds $35 for the first tranche, $40 for the second, $45 for the third, and $50 for the fourth.  Any options not vested as of January 8, 2009 will vest on January 8, 2011, and will remain exercisable thereafter only until April 8, 2011, subject to extension for the length of any “blackout” period during which directors and officers are not permitted to sell the Company’s stock.  These options were granted in lieu of the three grants of immediately-vesting ten-year options of 30,000 shares each (for a total of 90,000 shares) that would otherwise have been granted on the dates of the annual shareholder meetings in 2003, 2004 and 2005, and which each director has agreed to forego.

 

(c)          These options vest on October 1, 2012, provided Mr. Haddrill is an employee on that date, or earlier as follows:  in twelve equal tranches, vesting on (a) the later of (i) the first date on which the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Employment Agreement between Mr. Haddrill and the Company dated June 30, 2004) of the stock is at least $30 per share and (ii) October 1, 2005, but only if the Fair Market Value is at least $30 per share on or before October 1, 2007, for the first tranche, (b) the later of (i) the first date on which the Fair Market Value of the stock is at least $35 per share and (ii) October 1, 2005, but only if the Fair Market Value is at least $35 per share on or before October 1, 2007, for the second, (c) the later of (i) the first date on which the Fair Market Value of the stock is at least $40 per share and (ii) October 1, 2005, but only if the Fair Market Value is at least $40 per share on or before October 1, 2008, for the third, (d) the later of (i) the first date on which the Fair Market Value of the stock is at least $45 per share and (ii) October 1, 2005, but only if (x) the fair Market Value is at least $45 per share on or before October 1, 2008 or (y) the Fair Market Value is at least $40 on or before October 1, 2008 and at least $45 on or before October 1, 2009, for the fourth, (e) the later of (i) the first date on which the Fair Market Value of the stock is at least $30 per share and (ii) October 1, 2006, but only if the Fair Market Value is at least $30 per share on or before October 1, 2007, for the fifth, (f) the later of (i) the first date on which the Fair Market Value of the stock is at least $35 per share and (ii) October 1, 2006, but only if the Fair Market Value is at least $35 per share on or before October 1, 2007, for the sixth, (g) the later of (i) the first date on which the Fair Market Value of the stock is at least $40 per share and (ii) October 1, 2006, but only if the Fair Market Value is at least $40 per share on or before October 1, 2008, for the seventh, (h) the later of (i) the first date on which the Fair Market Value of the stock is at least $45 per share and (ii) October 1, 2006, but only if (x) the Fair Market Value is at least $45 per share on or before October 1, 2008 or (y) the Fair Market Value is at least  $40 on or before October 1, 2008 and at least $45 on or before October 1, 2009, for the eighth, (i) the later of (i) the first date on which the Fair Market Value of the stock is at least $30 per share and (ii) October 1, 2007, but only if the Fair Market Value is at least $30 per share on or before October 1, 2007, for the ninth, (j) the later of (i) the first date on which the Fair Market Value of the stock is at least $35 per share and (ii) October 1, 2007, but only if the Fair Market Value is at least $35 per share on or before October 1, 2007, for the tenth, (k) the later of (i) the first date on which the Fair Market Value of the stock is at least $40 per share and (ii) October 1, 2007, but only if the Fair Market Value is at least $40 per share on or before October 1, 2008, for the eleventh and (l) the later of (i) the first date on which the Fair Market Value of the stock is at least $45 per share and (ii) October 1, 2007, but only if (x) the Fair Market Value is at least $45 per share on or before October 1, 2008 or (y) the Fair Market Value is at least $40 on or before October 1, 2008 and at least $45 on or before October 1, 2009, for the twelfth.

 

(d)         Amounts shown in these columns have been derived by multiplying the exercise price by the annual appreciation rates shown (compounded for the term of the options), multiplying the result by the number of shares covered by the options, and subtracting the aggregate exercise price of the options.  The dollar amounts set forth under this heading are the result of calculations at the 5 percent and 10 percent rates set by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, of the Company’s stock price.

 

Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values

 

The following table reflects the options exercised during the fiscal year and outstanding options held by the Named Executive Officers and Mr. Haddrill at June 30, 2004:

 

8



 

Name

 

Exercise

 

Value
Realized

 

Number of Unexercised
Options at
June 30, 2004

 

Value of Unexercised
In-the-Money Options at
June 30, 2004 (a)

 

 

 

 

Exercisable

 

Unexercisable

 

Exercisable

 

Unexercisable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Miodunski

 

133,332

 

$

1,497,510

 

 

200,008

 

$

 

$

114,000

 

Robert Saxton

 

36,681

 

393,531

 

33,331

 

120,008

 

57,000

 

238,000

 

Mark Lerner

 

22,497

 

291,336

 

 

47,503

 

 

26,000

 

Richard Haddrill

 

 

 

50,000

 

600,000

 

80,500

 

 

 


(a)          Represents the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock at June 30, 2004 ($17.16 per share) exceeds the aggregate exercise price of the options.

 

Long-Term Incentive Plans – Awards in Last Fiscal Year

 

Name

 

Number of
Shares, Units or
Other Rights

 

Performance or Other
Period Until Maturation
or Payout

 

Maximum Future
Payout

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Haddrill

 

377,030

(1)

October 1, 2004 to October 1, 2007

 

377,030 shares

 

 


(1) On June 30, 2004, the Company issued to Mr. Haddrill 377,030 Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”).  The number of RSUs was determined by dividing $6.5 million by the average per share closing price of the Company’s common stock.  The RSUs vest in one-third equal installments on each of October 1, 2005, October 1, 2006 and October 1, 2007, provided that Mr. Haddrill is continuously employed by the Company as its Chief Executive Officer until each such respective vesting date.

 

Directors’ Compensation

 

Arrangements with Directors: Directors of the Company who are also employees are generally not separately compensated for their services as directors. The compensation arrangements for outside directors of the Company, are as follows:  (i) Effective July 1, 2004, Mr. Robbins, as Chairman of the Board, receives $235,000 per year for his services as Chairman of the Board, and $90,000 as a member of the Office of the Chairman; (ii) all other outside directors receive $50,000 per year; (iii). each outside director (including Mr. Robbins) receives $5,000 per year for each committee they serve on, and the chairman of each committee receives an additional $5,000 per year; and (iv) each new non-employee director receives an option grant of 50,000 shares upon appointment to the Board of Directors.  In January 2004, each non-employee director received an option grant of 195,000 shares, consisting of four tranches of 48,750 each, with a seven year term.  These options vest only if the common stock price reaches $35, $40, $45, $50 for 20 consecutive days, respectively, on or before January 8, 2009.  Additionally, all options granted to Directors of the Company remain outstanding for the full term, whether or not the director continues to be a director of the Company (unless the director resigns or is removed as a director before the expiration of the director’s term, in which event the options expire 60 days after resignation or removal).  Directors are also reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred on Company business.  The Company may grant directors (both employee and non-employee) additional cash compensation and options as time commitments, responsibilities and other circumstances may warrant.  On June 30, 2004, the board granted special bonuses to Messrs. Verner and André in the amount of $25,000 each.  Messrs. Robbins and Kirschbaum also received option grants on June 30, 2004, for 39,000 shares each.

 

Other Arrangements: Effective July 1, 1997, the Company entered into employment agreements (the “Agreements”) with Mr. DiCesare and Mr. Kirschbaum (each an “Employee” and collectively the “Employees”) pursuant to which each Employee was a New York-based employee and worked on major strategic transactions involving the Company or its affiliates, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, the negotiation of strategic alliances or relationships, and financings and refinancings.  The Employees were not expected to be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Company, were not expected to devote full-time to the business of the Company and were permitted engage in outside activities, although they could not directly compete with the Company. Under the Agreements, each Employee received a base salary for fiscal year 2004 of $186,539.  The Agreements also called for annual performance bonuses (each a “Bonus”) based upon annual performance goals determined by the Board of Directors and the Employee (which goals generally related, without limitation, to transactions of the type mentioned above involving the Company and/or one or more of its affiliates) and a target Bonus amount (and/or an appropriate minimum amount).  If a goal is achieved, the Bonuses would be payable regardless of the level of the Employee’s involvement in the transaction.  On termination of any Employee’s Agreement for any reason (including for “cause”), the Company may be required to pay Bonuses to such Employee for projects begun but not completed at the

 

9



 

termination date assuming the bonusing event is completed no later that twenty-one months after the termination date.  Each Agreement expired on June 30, 2004, and was not renewed.

 

The performance goals for each Employee for fiscal year 2004 were: (i) the closing of at least one “significant merger” with a value of at least $60 million, (ii) the closing of a “significant financing” with a value of at least $50 million, or (iii) the disposal of certain non-core assets.  Upon the achievement of the performance goal set forth in clause (i), each Employee was to receive a Bonus equal to 0.3125% of the value of a significant financing, less $62,500.   Upon the achievement of the performance goal set forth in clause (ii), each Employee was to receive 0.3875% of the value of a significant merger, less $100,000.  In addition, each Employee was to receive $200,000 for the sale of a non-core asset (excluding the sale of United Coin Machine Co.).  During the fiscal year 2004 the Company (i) closed a “significant merger” by acquiring Sierra Design Group, Inc. on March 3, 2004 for $126.4 million plus additional contingent consideration of up to $95.6 million, (ii) completed the  refinancing of the Company’s debt in September 2003 (as reported in the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the period ending June 30, 2004), and (iii) disposed of a non-core asset by selling  the Rail City Casino for $37.9 million in May 2004.  For each of the foregoing transactions, each Employee received $385,000, $1,187,500 and $200,000, respectively.

 

In June 2004, the Company entered into an agreement with Mr. Kirschbaum in which he agreed to serve as a member of the Office of the Chairman, a committee established by the Board of Directors, for a period of three and one-half years.  Pursuant to this agreement, commencing July 1, 2004, Mr. Kirschbaum will receive fees of $100,000 per year.

 

Effective July 1, 1997, the Company agreed to pay KIC over the term of the Agreements an annual amount, subject to annual inflation increases, plus the cost of reasonable employee benefits to its support staff and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by KIC and its officers and employees to the extent related directly to the Company’s business or potential business (the “KIC Agreement”).  The KIC Agreement expired on June 30, 2004 and was not renewed.

 

Effective July 1, 2004, the Company entered into an Advisory Services Agreement with KIC which calls for the Company to pay KIC $600,000 annually for advisory and related services for a period of three and one-half years.

 

Employment and Severance Arrangements

 

On June 30, 2004, Mr. Haddrill and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Haddrill Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Haddrill shall serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2004.  The term of the Haddrill Agreement continues until October 1, 2007 (unless earlier terminated, or extended, as provided for in the Haddrill Agreement).  Mr. Haddrill receives a base annual salary of $980,000, participation in the Company’s benefit programs for corporate officers, and other perquisites, and contains certain non-compete provisions.  Mr. Haddrill was also granted 405,000 stock options, with an 95,000 additional options granted during fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, and 377,030 restricted stock units (such restricted stock units representing $6.5 million of the Company’s common stock) pursuant to the Haddrill Agreement.

 

On June 30, 2004, Mr. Miodunski and the Company entered into a Separation and Consulting Agreement pursuant to which Mr. Miodunski resigned his position as President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 30, 2004.  The agreement replaces Mr. Miodunski’s prior employment agreement with the Company.  Per the agreement, Mr. Miodunski received a $1,000,000 bonus for the successful sale of United Coin Machine Co., $500,000 of which was paid in July 2004 and $500,000 which is payable in 24 monthly installments beginning January 1, 2005.

 

In addition Mr. Miodunski will receive $250,000 annually for services as a consultant to the board for a period of four years.  Mr. Miodunski will also be eligible for a bonus at the end of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 under the Company’s Management Incentive Plan pursuant to the terms of his Separation and Consulting Agreement.

 

The Company is party to an employment agreement with Mr. Lerner which generally provides for a base salary (currently $235,000 per year), participation in the Company’s compensation programs for corporate officers, participation in the Company’s cash bonus program at amounts determined by the Board of Directors, and severance benefits of six months’ base salary if Mr. Lerner is terminated without cause.

 

10



 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation Decisions

 

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company met six times, and was comprised of Messrs. André, Haddrill, Kirschbaum, Robbins, and Verner.  During the last fiscal year, the entire Board of Directors generally participated in deliberations concerning the compensation of the Company’s executive officers.  Other than as previously described elsewhere herein, no other member of the Company’s Board of Directors was an officer or employee of the Company or any subsidiary during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, or is a former officer of the Company or any subsidiary.

 

Since July 1, 1998, certain directors have been involved in transactions in which Alliance was a party and in which the amount involved exceeded $60,000.  See “Directors’ Compensation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.”

 

Report on Executive Compensation

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. André, Haddrill, Kirschbaum, Robbins, and Verner. The formal charter provides for the following duties to be carried out by this Committee:

 

                  Review and approve executive compensation philosophy.

                  Approve all executive compensation plans and structures.

                  Approve annual and long-term incentive performance metrics; determine and approve payouts.

                  Approve compensation for the Company’s management executive committee (consisting of certain members of senior management) as well as senior management of the Company’s subsidiaries.

                  Approve plan payouts to the members of the management executive committee that are outside of approved parameters.

                  Recommend approval for all management incentive plans, including stock options, to the Board of Directors, and approve new change-in-control or special retention plans.

                  Approve bonus criteria, incentives, including stock options, and payouts for employee-directors.

 

The Company’s compensation formulas for certain executives during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, were largely determined based on pre-existing contractual arrangements in place from the previous fiscal periods.  The Compensation Committee believes as a general matter, but particularly with respect to senior executive officers, that the most effective method of compensation, and the method that most closely aligns management’s interest with those of the Company’s stockholders, is long-term compensation tied to the creation of stockholder value.  The Compensation Committee believes that this method of compensation should constitute a significant portion of an executive’s compensation.  Thus, it has been the Company’s policy where feasible and consistent with competitive market conditions to attempt to restrain base cash compensation while providing incentives for management to increase stockholder value.  The Company hopes to achieve this goal through the use of (i) long-term stock options (that will not result in value to the holder unless the price of the Company’s Common Stock has appreciated) and (ii) cash bonuses tied to performance criteria (such as achievement of specific strategic, operational, or financial tasks or targets, such as cash flow return on assets and operating income) which the Board of Directors believes will result in increases in stockholder value.  Stock option grants to management have exercise prices equal to the share price at the time of grant and have a term of ten years.  The Board of Directors believes the compensation philosophy outlined above has the greatest probability of achieving significant returns to stockholders.

 

The Board of Directors’ compensation determinations have been and continue to be affected by various competitive factors including the requirements to attract top-flight employees to the Company.  The Company believes that it will continue to be constrained by these competitive factors as there continues to be demand from competing businesses to attract management talent of the type the Company desires to recruit.

 

During fiscal year 2004, Mr. Miodunski’s salary as CEO was $500,000, and he was paid a bonus for fiscal year 2004 of $465,000. The bonus paid Mr. Miodunski included $400,000 earned upon the achievement of certain financial objectives set by the Compensation Committee, and a subjective bonus awarded by the Compensation

 

11



 

Committee of $65,000.  Additionally, during fiscal year 2004 Mr. Miodunski was awarded a stock option grant covering 100,000 shares, which vests in one-third increments beginning one year from the date of grant.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

 

(as of fiscal year ended June 30, 2004)

 

Jacques André

 

Richard Haddrill

 

Joel Kirschbaum

 

David Robbins

 

Kevin Verner

 

12



 

Stock Performance Graph

 

The following graph compares the Company’s cumulative total stockholder return on its Common Stock (no dividends have been paid thereon) for the past five fiscal years in the period ending June 30, 2004, with cumulative total return, assuming reinvestment of dividends, of (i) the Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S.) (based on our previous listing on this exchange, which ceased upon our listing on the New York Stock Exchange on December 12, 2002), (ii) the Russell 2000, and (iii) an index of peer companies  the Company believes are comparable to the Company in terms of their lines of business.  The presentation assumes $100 was invested on June 30, 1999 (the last trading day prior to the end of the Company’s 1999 fiscal year).  The company peer group used in the graph below consists of International Game Technology, Mikohn Gaming, Shuffle Master, and WMS Gaming, and excludes Acres Gaming which was acquired by International Game Technology in October 2003.

 

 

ITEM 12.                                              SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth certain information as of October 27, 2004, with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock, which constitutes the Company’s only outstanding class of voting securities, by (i) each person who, to the knowledge of the Company, beneficially owned more than 5% of the Common Stock, (ii) each director and director nominee of the Company, (iii) the Named Executive Officers of the Company (as defined pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), and (iv) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. Except as indicated, beneficial ownership includes the sole power to vote and to dispose of the securities in question. Except as indicated, no director or executive officer of the Company owned any other equity securities of the Company.  Except as indicated below, the mailing address for each of the beneficial owners listed below is c/o Alliance Gaming Corporation, 6601 South Bermuda Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119.

 

Beneficial Owner

 

Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership

 

Percent of
Class

 

Alfred Wilms

 

3,832,892

(1)

7.5

%

Jacques André

 

133,572

(2)

 

*

Anthony DiCesare

 

42,728

(3)

 

*

Richard Haddrill

 

63,300

(4)

 

*

Joel Kirschbaum

 

2,186,602

(5)

4.2

%

Mark Lerner

 

23,333

(6)

 

*

Robert Miodunski

 

64,745

(7)

 

*

David Robbins

 

451,720

(8)

 

*

Robert L. Saxton

 

109,996

(9)

 

*

Kevin Verner

 

80,000

(10)

 

*

All executive officers and directors as a group

 

3,181,329

(11)

6.1

%

 


*     Less than 1%.

 

(1)                                  Mr. Wilms’ mailing address is 2, St. Jansvliet, bus 6-2000 Antwerp, Belgium.

 

(2)                                  Includes 36,428 shares owned and 97,144 shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.

 

(3)                                  Represents shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days. Excludes shares placed in a trust, a trustee of which is Mr. DiCesare’s wife. Mr. DiCesare disclaims any beneficial ownership of these shares.

 

(4)                                  Includes 13,300 shares owned and 50,000 shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.

 

13



 

(5)                                  Includes 1,530,390 shares owned and 656,212 shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.

 

(6)                                  Represents shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.

 

(7)                                  Represents shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.

 

(8)                                  Includes 55,000 shares owned and 396,720 shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.

 

(9)                                  Includes 30,004 shares owned and 79,992 shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.

 

(10)                            Includes 10,000 shares owned and 70,000 shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.

 

(11)                            Includes 1,677,122 shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.

 

ITEM 13.               CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

An agreement dated October 10, 1994 obligates the Company to pay Mr. Wilms, a former officer and director of the Company, $150,000 a year to be available to the Company for consulting services, subject to annual cost-of-living adjustments. As required by that agreement, the Company paid Mr. Wilms $203,920 during the year ended June 30, 2004. This agreement expired on June 30, 2004.

 

See also “Directors’ Compensation” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation Decisions.”

 

ITEM 14.               PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

The following table presents the aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company’s principal accountant, for services provided during fiscal years 2003 and 2004:

 

 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A.

 

Audit fees

 

$

374,100

 

$

332,400

 

B.

 

Audit-related fees (1)

 

115,497

 

154,218

 

C.

 

Tax fees (2)

 

459,424

 

680,147

 

D.

 

All other fees (3)

 

 

20,600

 

 

 

Total Fees

 

949,021

 

1,187,365

 

 


(1) Consists primarily of fees paid for accounting and auditing consultation services and audits of the Company’s employee benefits plans and fees for services related to Sarbanes-Oxley readiness.

 

(2) Consists primarily of fees paid for tax compliance and preparation services and tax consultation relating to the acquisition or disposition of certain subsidiaries.

 

(3) Consists primarily of fees paid for consultation regarding stock compensation and other matters.

 

The Audit Committee reviews and signs all engagement letters for services to be provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP.  The Audit Committee has considered the effect of non-audit services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP on Deloitte & Touche LLP’s independence, and does not believe that such independence has been impaired or otherwise compromised.

 

Report of the Audit Committee

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the Audit Committee was comprised of four members of the Board of Directors.  The Audit Committee operates under a written charter previously adopted by the Board.  The Audit Committee reviews the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process.  The Company’s independent accountants are responsible for expressing an

 

14



 

opinion on the conformity of the Company’s audited financial statements to generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee hereby reports as follows:

 

1.               The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with the Company’s management.

 

2.               The Audit Committee has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company’s independent auditors, among other things, the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61 (Communication with Public Audit Committees).

 

3.               The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the representations from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP their independence.

 

4.               Based on the review and discussion of the above information, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors of the Company, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

(as of fiscal year ended June 30, 2004)

 

David Robbins, Chairman

 

Jacques André

 

Richard Haddrill

 

Kevin Verner

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15.                                              EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

Documents filed as part of this amended report:

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

 

 

 

14

 

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

 

 

 

99.1

 

Audit Committee Charter

 

 

 

99.2

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Charter

 

 

 

99.3

 

Compensation Committee Charter

 

15



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

ALLIANCE GAMING CORPORATION

DATED: October 28, 2004

 

 

 

By

/s/ Richard Haddrill

 

 

 

Richard Haddrill

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Robert L. Saxton

 

 

 

Robert L. Saxton

 

 

Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial

 

 

Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Richard Haddrill

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

October 28, 2004

Richard Haddrill

 

(Principal Executive Officer), and Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Robert L. Saxton

 

 

Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief

 

October 28, 2004

Robert L. Saxton

 

Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jacques André

 

 

Director

 

October 28, 2004

Jacques André

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Anthony DiCesare

 

 

Director

 

October 28, 2004

Anthony DiCesare

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Joel Kirschbaum

 

 

Director

 

October 28, 2004

Joel Kirschbaum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director and Chairman of the Board

 

October 28, 2004

David Robbins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director

 

October 28, 2004

Kevin Verner

 

 

 

 

 

16


EX-14 2 a04-12266_1ex14.htm EX-14

Exhibit 14

 

Alliance Gaming Corporation
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

 

I.                                      General policy

 

A.                                   It is the policy of Alliance Gaming Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “Company”) to conduct their businesses with honesty and integrity and in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The Company is strongly committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct in every aspect of its dealings with its constituencies, employees, customers, regulators, suppliers, stockholders, communities and competitors, and will rigorously enforce compliance with its policies and procedures.

 

B.                                     As part of its commitment to ethical business practices, the Alliance Gaming Corporation board of directors (the “Board”) has adopted this Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code”) for all directors, officers, and employees of the Company. The Company also issues policy statements that provide specific guidance relative to business ethics. Ethics-oriented policies include, without limitation, the following titles:

 

Conflicts of Interest
Gifts and Payments
Antitrust and Unfair Trade Practices
Political Activities and Contributions
Insider Trading
Dealings with Government Officials

 

These policies are in the Alliance Gaming Corporation Policy Manual and are incorporated in this Code of Ethics and Business Conduct by reference.

 

References to “employees” in this Code include all Company officers, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer.

 

C.                                     Directors and all levels of employees must conduct Company business within the letter and the spirit of this Code and all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including insider trading laws. Transactions in Company securities are governed by the Company’s Insider Trading Policy. The Company does business in a highly regulated industry and is subject to public scrutiny and frequent investigation by law enforcement agencies. Dealings of questionable legality and with people of doubtful character or integrity must be avoided. Even a hint of impropriety can jeopardize the Company’s licenses and its ability to do business. The Company cannot tolerate conduct that violates or attempts to evade any law, rule, regulation, Company policy or procedure, or this Code, nor can the Company condone conduct that is or appears to be unethical. No one should take unfair

 



 

advantage of another individual through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, or misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair dealing practice. Every employee with supervisory responsibilities shall encourage ethical behavior and ensure that each subordinate understands and adheres to this Code.

 

D.                                    No code or policy can anticipate every situation or provide definitive answers to all questions that may arise. Accordingly, this Code is intended to focus each director and employee on areas of ethical risk, to provide guidance to help them recognize and deal with ethical issues, to establish mechanisms to report unethical conduct and to help foster the Company’s values and operating principles. When in doubt about the best course of action, employees are encouraged to bring questions about particular circumstances to the attention of the Company’s legal department, unless a particular policy or this Code directs otherwise. Directors are encouraged to bring questions about particular circumstances that may implicate one or more of the provisions of this Code to the attention of the Chairs of the Audit or Governance Committees, as appropriate, who may consult with inside or outside legal counsel.

 

II.                                  Administration

 

A.                                   The Office of the General Counsel is responsible for the overall design, development, and management of the Company’s ethics and business conduct program, with appropriate support from the Human Resources Department and other members of management as the General Counsel may direct.

 

B.                                     The Human Resources Department shall distribute the Code and the policy statements and any revisions to all directors and employees and to any others as the Human Resources Department deems appropriate or as the Office of the General Counsel may direct.

 

III.                              Reports and Inquiries.

 

A.                                   The Company encourages directors and employees to make inquiries, express work-related personal concerns regarding ethics issues and report violations and suspected violations of business ethics, law, rules, regulations, policies, or procedures, without fear of retribution or retaliation for making such reports or inquiries.

 

B.                                     If you believe in good faith or know of any violation of any applicable law, rule or regulations or other violation of this Code, report it immediately as provided for in Section IX–Reporting. If you are uncertain about the propriety of conduct in a particular situation, consult the Office of the General Counsel.

 

C.                                     No director or employee will suffer retaliation for making a report or inquiry. Reports and inquiries will be handled with the highest degree of confidentiality possible, except, for example, where disclosure is required by law or legal process

 



 

or is necessary to allow an outside governmental agency to investigate the complaint.

 

IV.                             Confidentiality

 

Directors and employees should maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the Company or its customers, except when disclosure is authorized or required by applicable laws, rules or regulations. “Confidential information” includes, but is not limited to, all non-public information and records related to the Company and its business, customers, or suppliers that comes to a director or an employee in the course of performing his or her responsibilities, that might be of use to competitors or harmful to the Company or its business, if disclosed.

 

V.                                 Conflict of Interest

 

A.                                   It is the Company’s policy that all directors and employees avoid business and personal situations that may give rise to a conflict of interest. A “conflict of interest” occurs when an individual’s private interest interferes with—or may appear to interfere—with the interests of the Company as a whole. Conflicts of interest also arise when a director or an employee, or a member of his or her immediate family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position with the Company. “Immediate family” includes a person’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers and fathers-in-law, sons and daughters-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law, and anyone (other than employees) who share such person’s home.

 

B.                                     The Code does not attempt to describe all possible conflicts of interest that could develop. Some of the more common conflicts of interest are set forth below:

 

                  a director or an employee takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work on behalf of the Company objectively and effectively;

 

                  a director or an employee engages in conduct or activities that are inconsistent with the Company’s best interests or that disrupt or impair the Company’s relationship with any person or entity with which the Company has entered or proposes to enter into a business or contractual relationship;

 

                  a director or an employee has a direct or indirect interest in a transaction where the Company is or may become a party, property that the Company may acquire or an entity with which the Company does or may do business, except where full disclosure of the facts is made to the Company as provided for in Section IX—Reporting; or

 

                  a director or an employee or member of his or her immediate family accepts compensation or a gift from persons or entities where any such compensation or gift is being made as a result of his or her position with the Company or in

 



 

order to influence his or her actions in his or her position with the Company, or where acceptance of the compensation or gift creates the appearance of a conflict of interest.

 

C.                                     Any situation that may reasonably be expected to involve a conflict of interest should be disclosed as provided for in Section IX—Reporting. Because conflicts of interest may not always be clear-cut, employees are encouraged to bring questions about particular situations to the attention of the senior Human Resources representative or to the Office of the General Counsel. Directors should address any questions to the Chief Executive Officer or the Office of the General Counsel.

 

VI.                             Company Assets and Corporate Opportunities

 

A.                                   Company assets, such as information, supplies, equipment, materials, intellectual property, software, hardware, and facilities, among other Company properties and assets, are valuable resources owned, leased, or licensed by or otherwise belonging to the Company and are to be used solely for Company purposes. Safeguarding this property from loss, damage, or theft is the responsibility of all directors and employees. No person may take Company property or assets for personal use or gain, nor may Company property or assets be given away, sold, or traded without proper authorization.

 

B.                                     Directors and employees owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity so arises. Directors and employees may not: (i) take for themselves personally opportunities that are discovered through the use of the Company’s property, information, or position, (ii) use Company property, information, or position for personal gain, or (iii) compete with the Company. A permitted exception to this policy exists if, after full disclosure of the facts as provided for in Section IX—Reporting to the disinterested members of the Board or senior management, as appropriate, determine that the Company will not pursue the opportunity.

 

VI.                             Public Reporting

 

Employees are responsible for the accurate and complete reporting of financial information within their respective areas of responsibility and for the timely notification to the applicable supervisor or officer of significant transactions and the people involved, trends, and other financial or non-financial information that may be material to the Company. Employees are also responsible for timely reports of other information not necessarily of a financial nature that could have a significant impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, or results of operations. Reports and documents that the Company filed with or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, and other public communications, should contain full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure.

 



 

VII.                         Senior Financial Officers

 

A.                                   This Section VII applies to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer, as well as the chief accounting officers of the various business units (collectively, the “Senior Financial Officers”). Senior Financial Officers are encouraged to bring questions about particular circumstances that may involve one or more of the provisions of this Section VII to the attention of the Chair of the Audit Committee, who may consult with inside or outside legal counsel as appropriate. As employees of the Company, Senior Financial Officers are also covered by, and expected to comply with, all other sections of this Code.

 

B.                                     Senior Financial Officers are responsible for the accurate and reliable preparation and maintenance of the Company’s financial records. Accurate and reliable preparation of financial records is of critical importance to proper management decisions and the fulfillment of the Company’s financial, legal, and reporting obligations. Diligence in accurately preparing and maintaining the Company’s records allows the Company to fulfill its reporting obligations and to provide stockholders, governmental authorities and the general public with full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure. Senior Financial Officers are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls and procedures, including procedures which are designed to enable the Company to accurately document and account for transactions on the books and records of the Company, and for maintaining reports, vouchers, bills, invoices, payroll and service records, business measurement and performance records, and other essential data with care and honesty.

 

VIII.                     Director Responsibilities

 

A.                                   The Board represents the interests of stockholders, as owners of a corporation, in optimizing long-term value by overseeing management performance on the stockholders’ behalf. The Board’s responsibilities in performing this oversight function include a duty of care and a duty of loyalty.

 

B.                                     A director’s duty of care refers to the responsibility to exercise appropriate diligence in overseeing the management of the Company, making decisions, and taking other actions. In meeting the duty of care, directors are expected to:

 

                  Attend and participate in board and committee meetings. Personal participation is required. Directors may not vote or participate by proxy.

 

                  Remain properly informed about the corporation’s business and affairs. Directors should review and devote appropriate time to studying board materials.

 



 

                  Rely on others. Absent knowledge that makes reliance unwarranted, directors may rely on board committees, management, employees, and professional advisors.

 

                  Make inquiries. Directors should make inquiries about potential problems that come to their attention and follow up until they are reasonably satisfied that management is addressing them appropriately.

 

C.                                     A director’s duty of loyalty refers to the responsibility to act in good faith and in the Company’s best interests, not the interests of the director, a family member, or an organization with which the director is affiliated. Directors should not use their positions for personal gain. The duty of loyalty may be relevant in cases of conflict of interest and corporate opportunities.

 

IX.                             Reporting

 

The Company is committed to operating according to the high standards of business conduct and ethics set forth in this Code. Each director and employee is expected to report what he or she believes in good faith are actual or potential conflicts of interest, corporate opportunities, actual or potential violations of applicable laws or non-compliance with this Code by any Company director or employee. The Company’s senior management is generally responsible for the enforcement of this Code relating to employees. The Audit and Corporate Governance Committees may designate another Board committee or the full Board, as it deems appropriate, to handle the enforcement of a particular Code provision as it applies to directors.

 

Employees should report actual or potential conflicts of interest, corporate opportunities, and actual or potential violations of this Code involving any Company director or employee to a member of the Company’s senior management or to the Company’s General Counsel. Directors should report these matters to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel. Alternatively, if an accounting or auditing matter is involved, concerns or reports of possible violations may be submitted to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel. Communications about accounting and auditing matters may be submitted anonymously and will be kept confidential, except where disclosure is required to investigate the matter or by any applicable laws, rules, regulations, or legal processes. It is the Company’s policy to prohibit any form of retaliation for reports of misconduct by others made in good faith.

 

X.                                 Discipline

 

A.                                   Failure to comply with the standards contained in this Code may result in disciplinary action. Without limiting the foregoing, disciplinary action may be taken against:

 



 

                  directors or employees who authorize or participate directly in conduct that is illegal, unethical, or otherwise violates this Code;

 

                  directors or employees who fail to report or who withhold material information about conduct that is illegal, unethical, or otherwise violates this Code;

 

                  supervisors whose inadequate supervision or lack of diligence contributes to violations; or

 

                  supervisors who attempt to retaliate, directly or indirectly, against employees who report violations.

 

B.                                     Where Code violations are determined to exist, appropriate corrective and disciplinary action will be taken, which may include one or more of the following measures, as applicable: (i) counseling, (ii) a warning, (iii) a reprimand noted in the employee’s personnel file, (iv) probation, (v) change in job responsibilities, authority and/or title, including reassignment, (vi) temporary suspension, with or without pay, (vii) termination of employment or other relationship with the Company, (viii) removal as an officer, (ix) referral for criminal prosecution or civil action and (x) actions for reimbursement to the Company or other affected parties for losses or damages resulting from the violation.

 

C.                                     It is the Company’s policy that waivers of this Code will not be granted except in very limited circumstances. Any waivers of this Code for executive officers of the Company may only be made by the board of directors or the Audit Committee of the Board after disclosure of all material facts by the individual seeking the waiver and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulation. Any waivers for other individuals may only be granted by the Company’s General Counsel after disclosure of all material facts by the individual seeking the waiver.

 


EX-99.1 3 a04-12266_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

ALLIANCE GAMING CORPORATION
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

1.                                       Members.  The Audit Committee shall consist of three or more members who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.  Each member must be a director who meets the New York Stock Exchange standards of independence for directors and audit committee members, as determined by the Board.  Each member must be financially literate, as determined by the board.  In addition, at least one member of the Committee must be a financial expert in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules, as determined by the Board.  The Board shall designate one member as the Committee’s chair.

 

2.                                       Purpose, Duties, and Responsibilities.

 

a.                                       The purposes of the Audit Committee shall include the following:

 

i.                                          To represent and assist the Board of Directors in discharging its oversight responsibility relating to:

 

(1)                                  The accounting, reporting, and financial practices of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the integrity of the Company’s financial statements;

 

(2)                                  The surveillance of administration and financial controls and the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

(3)                                  The outside auditor’s qualifications and independence; and

 

(4)                                  The performance of the Company’s internal audit function and the Company’s outside auditor; and

 

ii.                                       To prepare the report required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement.

 

b.                                      The Audit Committee shall have the authority and responsibility to:

 

i.                                          Appoint, compensate, oversee, evaluate, and, when appropriate, terminate the outside auditor, which shall report directly to the Audit Committee.

 

ii.                                       Obtain and review, at least annually, a report by the outside auditor describing:

 

(1)                                  The outside auditor’s internal quality-control procedures; and

 

(2)                                  Any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, or by any inquiry or

 

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investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the outside auditor, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues.

 

iii.                                    Approve in advance all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by the outside auditor, and establish policies and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by the outside auditor.

 

iv.                                   Consider, at least annually, the independence of the outside auditor, including whether the outside auditor’s performance of permissible non-audit services is compatible with the auditor’s independence, and obtain and review a report by the outside auditor describing any relationships between the outside auditor and the Company and any other relationships that may adversely affect the independence of the auditor.

 

v.                                      Review and discuss with the outside auditor:

 

(1)                                  The scope of the audit, the results of the annual audit examination by the auditor, and any problems or difficulties the auditor encountered in the course of its audit work and management’s response; and

 

(2)                                  Any reports of the outside auditor with respect to interim periods.

 

vi.                                   Review and discuss with management and the outside auditor the audited annual and quarterly financial statements of the Company, including:

 

(1)                                  An analysis of the auditor’s judgment as to the quality of the Company’s accounting principles, setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements;

 

(2)                                  The Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” including accounting policies that may be regarded as critical; and

 

(3)                                  Major issues regarding the Company’s accounting principles and financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles and financial statement presentations.

 

vii.                                Recommend to the Board, based on the review and discussion described in paragraphs 2.b.iv, 2.b.v, and 2.b.vi, whether the financial statements should be included in the annual report on Form 10-K.

 

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viii.                             Receive reports from the outside auditor and management regarding, and review and discuss the adequacy and effectiveness of, the Company’s internal controls, including any significant deficiencies and significant changes in internal controls reported to the Audit Committee by the outside auditor or management.

 

ix.                                     Receive reports from management regarding, and review and discuss the adequacy and effectiveness of, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.

 

x.                                        Review and discuss with the principal internal auditor of the Company the scope and results of the internal audit program.

 

xi.                                     Review and discuss earnings press releases, and corporate practices with respect to earnings press releases and financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and ratings agencies.

 

xii.                                  Review and discuss the Company’s practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management.

 

xiii.                               Oversee the Company’s compliance systems with respect to legal and regulatory requirements and review the Company’s codes of conduct and programs to monitor compliance with such codes.

 

xiv.                              Establish procedures for handling complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters, including procedures for confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by employees regarding accounting and auditing matters.

 

xv.                                 Establish policies for hiring employees and former employees of the outside auditor.

 

xvi.                              Report Committee actions to the Board.

 

xvii.                           Evaluate the performance of the Committee annually and assess the adequacy of its charter.

 

xviii.                        Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Committee from time to time by the Board or the Board Chairman.

 

xix.                                To the extent permitted by applicable law, appoint one or more subcommittees composed of one or more members and delegate any of its duties and responsibilities to such subcommittees, as the Committee may from time to time deem appropriate.

 

xx.                                   To the extent permitted by applicable law, delegate any of its duties and responsibilities to officers of the company or other key company

 

3



 

management personnel, as the Committee may from time to time deem appropriate.

 

xxi.                                Retain, consult with, and seek advice from appropriate management personnel, outside consultants, auditors, actuaries, investment managers, or attorneys, on any of its duties and responsibilities, as the Committee may from time to time deem appropriate.  The Committee shall have sole authority to retain and terminate any of the foregoing, including sole authority to approve fees and other retention terms.

 

3.                                       Meetings.  The Audit Committee shall meet at least four times per year, either in person or telephonically, and at such times and places as the Committee shall determine.  The Committee shall meet separately in executive sessions, periodically, with management, the principal internal auditor of the Company, and the outside auditor.  The Committee shall report to the full Board with respect to each meeting and shall make such reports to shareholders as are required by applicable regulations or as are deemed advisable in the Committee’s judgment.  A majority of the members of the Audit Committee shall constitute a quorum.

 

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EX-99.2 4 a04-12266_1ex99d2.htm EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 

ALLIANCE GAMING CORPORATION

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

1.                                       Members.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consist of at least three or more members who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.  Each member must be a director who meets the New York Stock Exchange definition of “independence,” as determined by the Board.  The Board shall designate one member as the committee’s chair.

 

2.                                       Purpose, Duties, and Responsibilities.  The Committee shall be responsible for assisting the Board of Directors in identifying, screening, and recommending qualified candidates to serve as directors of the Company and for considering and making recommendations to the Board concerning the Company’s corporate governance policies, principles and guidelines, including, but not limited to, the appropriate size, function and needs of the Board.  Specifically, the Committee shall have the authority and responsibility to:

 

a.                                       Identify individuals qualified to become Board members, consistent with criteria approved by the Board.

 

b.                                      Recommend that the Board select director nominees for election or re-election to the Board at each annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company.

 

c.                                       Recommend that the Board select director nominees for election by the Board to fill vacancies occurring on the Board.

 

d.             Consider shareholder nominees.

 

e.                                       Recommend to the Board the selection criteria to be used by the Committee in seeking nominees for election to the Board.

 

f.                                         Aid in attracting qualified candidates to serve on the Board.

 

g.                                      Review any outside directorships in other public companies held by any officer of the Company or other key Company management personnel.

 

h.                                      Monitor and recommend the functions of the committees of the Board.

 

i.                                          Recommend members of the committees of the Board.

 

j.                                          Advise on changes in director compensation.

 

k.                                       Recommend to the Board the structure and schedule of Board meetings.

 

l.                                          Consider matters of corporate governance, and develop and recommend to the Board and periodically review the Company’s corporate governance principles.

 

m.            Review periodically the Company’s shareholder rights plan.

 

1



 

n.             Review periodically the Company’s director retirement policies.

 

o.                                      Consider and recommend to the Board candidates for succession at the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer levels, including whether or not the role of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be separate or combined.

 

p.                                      Review periodically with the chief executive officer the succession plans relating to the positions held by executive officers of the company (other than the chairman and the chief executive officer), and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the selection of individuals to occupy these positions.

 

q.             Oversee the evaluation of the Board and management.

 

r.                                         Report Committee actions to the Board.

 

s.                                       Evaluate the performance of the Committee annually.

 

t.                                         Make such additional reports and recommendations to the Board as the Committee may see fit within the scope of its functions.

 

u.                                      Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Committee from time to time by the Board or the Board Chairman.

 

v.                                      Appoint one or more subcommittees composed of one or more directors and delegate any of its duties and responsibilities to such subcommittees, as the Committee may from time to time deem appropriate.

 

w.                                    Delegate any of its duties and responsibilities to officers of the company or other key company management personnel, as the Committee may from time to time deem appropriate, except that the Committee shall not delegate its duties and responsibilities under paragraph 2.b and 2.c..

 

x.                                        Retain, consult with, and seek advice from appropriate management personnel, outside consultants, auditors, actuaries, investment managers, or attorneys, on any of its duties and responsibilities, as the Committee may from time to time deem appropriate.  If the Committee engages a search firm to identify director candidates, the Committee shall have sole authority to retain and terminate the firm, including sole authority to approve the firm’s fees and other retention terms.

 

3.                                       Meetings.  The Committee shall meet as often as it deems necessary or appropriate, in its judgment, but not less than two times per year, either in person or telephonically, and at such times and places as the Committee determines.  The Committee shall report to the full Board with respect to each meeting and shall make such reports to shareholders as are required by applicable regulations or as are deemed advisable in the Committee’s judgment.  A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.

 

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EX-99.3 5 a04-12266_1ex99d3.htm EX-99.3

Exhibit 99.3

 

ALLIANCE GAMING CORPORATION

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

1.                   Members.  The Compensation Committee shall consist of at least three or more members who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.  Each member must be a director who meets the New York Stock Exchange definition of “independence,” as determined by the Board.  The Board shall designate one member as the Committee’s chair.

 

2.                                       Purpose, Duties, and Responsibilities.  The Committee shall be responsible for establishing the compensation policies of the company.  Specifically, the Committee shall have the authority and responsibility to:

 

a.                                       Review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation, evaluate the chief executive officer’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and determine and approve the CEO’s compensation level based on this evaluation.

 

b.                                      Evaluate the performance and compensation of the chairman of the Board, and, if the chairman is not also the CEO, recommend to the Board the chairman’s compensation.

 

c.                                       Review and recommend to the Board the compensation policy for other executive officers of the company and such other officers and employees of the company as directed by the Board of Directors.

 

d.                                      Review and recommend to the Board the criteria by which bonuses to the company’s senior employees are determined, including under the company’s management incentive plan.

 

e.                                       Review and, after consultation with the CEO, make recommendations to the Board regarding:

 

i.                                          The compensation of all other executive officers annually.

 

ii.                                       Any employment agreements between the company and the executive officers of the company.

 

iii.                                    Any employment agreements between the company and any employee who reports directly to the CEO or whose annual monetary compensation exceeds $150,000.

 

f.                    Administer, within the authority delegated by the Board, the company’s various long-term incentive plans and such other stock option or equity participation plans as may be adopted by the Board from time to time.

 

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g.                                      Review and recommend to the Board all major compensation or benefit programs involving commitments beyond one year (e.g., pension, profit-sharing, etc.).

 

h.                                      Produce the Committee report on executive compensation as required by the SEC for inclusion in the company’s annual proxy statement or Form 10—K.

 

i.              Report Committee actions to the Board.

 

j.              Evaluate the performance of the Committee annually.

 

k.                                       Make such additional reports and recommendations to the Board as the Committee may see fit within the scope of its functions.

 

l.                    Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Committee from time to time by the Board or the Board Chairman or as designated in plan documents.

 

m.                                    Appoint one or more subcommittees composed of one or more directors and delegate any of its duties and responsibilities to such subcommittees, as the Committee may from time to time deem appropriate.

 

n.                                    Delegate any of its duties and responsibilities to officers of the company or other key company management personnel, as the Committee may from time to time deem appropriate, except that the Committee may not delegate its duties and responsibilities under paragraph 2.a or 2.b above.

 

o.                                      Retain, consult with, and seek advice from appropriate management personnel, outside consultants, auditors, actuaries, investment managers, or attorneys, on any of its duties and responsibilities, as the Committee may from time to time deem appropriate.  The Committee shall have sole authority to retain and terminate any of the foregoing, including sole authority to approve fees and other retention terms.

 

3.                                       Meetings.  The Committee shall meet as often as it deems necessary or appropriate, in its judgment, but not less than twice a year, either in person or telephonically, and at such times and places as the Committee determines.  The Committee shall report to the full Board with respect to each meeting and shall make such reports to shareholders as are required by applicable regulations or as are deemed advisable in the Committee’s judgment.  A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.

 

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