-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RDw9QtwpvT8/Ge2M7K3SIARYWvUDkALVGVMHMuCtdMzovf0MFbhAbHpXGVstNE8u
 ZkwyRVCo3WniHygs7tU5CQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001257478-03-000002.txt : 20030731
<SEC-HEADER>0001257478-03-000002.hdr.sgml : 20030731
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030731164253
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001257478-03-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030723
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030731

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARRAHS ENTERTAINMENT INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000858339
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS AMUSEMENT & RECREATION [7990]
		IRS NUMBER:				621411755
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE HARRAHS COURT
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89119
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9017628600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5100 W SAHARA BLVD
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89146

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PROMUS COMPANIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORTON DAVID W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001257478

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10410
		FILM NUMBER:		03815185

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9701 ROYAL LAMB DRIVE
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89145
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-07-23</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000858339</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HARRAHS ENTERTAINMENT INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HET</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001257478</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NORTON DAVID W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>9701 ROYAL LAMB DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LAS VEGAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NV</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>89145</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>49370.00</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>331.00</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>401(k)</value>
              <footnoteId id="F1" />
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
  </nonDerivativeTable>
  <derivativeTable>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>14.31</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
          <value>1988-08-08</value>
              <footnoteId id="F2" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2008-12-11</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <value>7425.00</value>
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>47.03</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
          <value>2003-01-01</value>
              <footnoteId id="F3" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2009-06-19</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <value>15000.00</value>
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>27.28</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
          <value>1988-08-08</value>
              <footnoteId id="F2" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2009-11-12</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <value>12600.00</value>
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>27.28</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
          <value>2001-01-01</value>
              <footnoteId id="F4" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2009-11-12</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <value>8339.00</value>
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>28.81</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
          <value>2002-01-01</value>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2010-11-16</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <value>19379.00</value>
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>43.50</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
          <value>2004-01-01</value>
              <footnoteId id="F6" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2010-06-17</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <value>26569.00</value>
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
  </derivativeTable>
<footnotes>
   <footnote id="F1">Held by Trustees of the Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan.  Holdings reported as of July 7, 2003 and round
ed to nearest share.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F2">Grant of stock options under Issuer's 1990 Stock Option Plan.   All options are currently exercisable.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F3">Grant of stock options under Issuer's 2001 Executive Stock Incentive Plan. Exercisable in three equal installments on 1/1/03, 1/1
/04, and 1/1/05.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F4">Grant of stock options under Issuer's 1990 Stock Option Plan.  Exercisable in four equal installments on 1/1/01; 1/1/02; 1/1/03 a
nd 1/1/04.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F5">Grant of stock options under Issuer's 1990 Stock Option Plan.  Exercisable in four equal installments on 01/01/02; 01/01/03; 01/0
1/04; and 01/01/05.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F6">Grant of stock options under Issuer's 2001 Executive Stock Incentive Plan. Exercisable in three equal installments on 1/1/04, 1/1
/05, and 1/1/06.</footnote>
</footnotes>
    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>David W. Norton</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-07-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>David W. Norton</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-07-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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