LAS VEGAS - The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced today that Aristocrat Technologies, Inc., a leading international gaming equipment manufacturer, has joined the association as its newest member.

“With our expansion and growth in the United States, it is increasingly important for us to ensure that our business interests are represented here in this country,” said Des Randall, CEO of Australia-based Aristocrat. “The AGA is taking a leadership role on behalf of the industry in Washington and nationwide, and we want to be supportive of those efforts.”

Added AGA President and CEO Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.: “We are extremely gratified that a global leader like Aristocrat has decided to become a member of the AGA. Adding a company of their size and reputation is important because it gives our arguments about issues of concern to our membership even greater weight on Capitol Hill. It also brings the AGA another step closer to representing all companies with a large presence in our business, which enables our industry to act with one voice.”

Aristocrat’s decision to join the AGA follows its participation in the first annual Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the association’s international trade show and conference here at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The conference and trade show, held Oct. 1-3, attracted approximately 10,000 attendees from more than 75 countries.

“Our participation in Global Gaming Expo this week cemented our decision to join,” Randall said. “We had an extraordinarily successful show and felt the time was right to express our confidence in the AGA and G2E.”

Aristocrat Technologies, which employs more than 2,500 people and does business in 52 countries, is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of innovative, technology driven products for the gaming industry. The company’s diversified product line reaches into virtually all facets of the casino floor, including casino management systems, games and meters, multiple site progressive systems and casino signage. Aristocrat had sales of A$549 million in 2000.

The American Gaming Association represents the commercial casino industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues. It also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership by addressing issues of public concern.