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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment

(Amendment No.     )

Filed by the Registrant  ☒                             Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐

Check the appropriate box:

Filed by the Registrantý

Filed by a Party other than the Registranto

Check the appropriate box:

o

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o


Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

ý


Definitive Proxy Statement

o


Definitive Additional Materials

o


Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý

 

No fee required.

o


Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
 (1) 

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 (2) 

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 (3) 

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 (4) 

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 (5) 

Total fee paid:


o


Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o


Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.



(1)

 

(1)

Amount Previously Paid:

 (2) 

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 (3) 

Filing Party:

 (4) 

Date Filed:


LOGO


    LOGO

Our Code of Commitment:

This is our public pledge to our guests, Team Members, communities, business partners and all those we reach through our business.

PEOPLE: We commit to supporting the wellbeing of all our Team Members, guests and local communities.

PLANET: We commit to taking care of the world we all call home.

PLAY: We commit to creating memorable experiences for our guests and leading the industry as a responsible business, including responsible gaming practices.


LOGO

April 28, 2021

TableDEAR FELLOW SHAREHOLDER,

I am pleased to invite you to our 2021 Annual Meeting of ContentsShareholders, which will be held on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.
100 West Liberty Street, Suite 1150
Reno, Nevada 89501

Dear Stockholder:

Our annual meeting will be a “virtual meeting” of shareholders, which will be conducted exclusively online via audio webcast. You are cordially invitedwill be able to attend the Annual Meetingvirtual annual meeting of Stockholdersshareholders online by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CZR2021. You also will be able to vote your shares electronically at the virtual annual meeting.

Utilizing the latest technology allows us to provide expanded access, improved communication and cost savings for our shareholders and the company. We believe that hosting a virtual meeting will enable greater shareholder attendance and participation from any location around the world, particularly given the extenuating circumstances of Eldorado Resorts, Inc.the COVID-19 pandemic. Importantly, the virtual meeting has been designed to provide the same rights to participate as you would have at an in-person meeting.

Details regarding how to attend the meeting online and the business to be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. local time,conducted at the Hilton Columbus Downtown, 401 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

Thevirtual annual meeting are more fully described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement describeStatement.

At the business to be conducted at the meeting. ThereAnnual Meeting, there will be a brief report on the current status of our business.

Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, it is important that your shares be represented and voted. After reading the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, please complete, sign and date your proxy ballot, and return it in the envelope provided.

On behalf of the officers and directors of Eldorado Resorts, Inc., I thank you for your interest in the Company and hope that you will be able to attend our Annual Meeting.

For the Board of Directors,





GRAPHICS

GARY L. CARANO

Chairman of the Board of Directors

April 29, 2016


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ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.
100 West Liberty Street, Suite 1150
Reno, Nevada 89501



NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

        NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Eldorado Resorts, Inc. will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. local time, at the Hilton Columbus Downtown, 401 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 for the following purposes:

        Stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting will be determined as of the close of business on April 18, 2016, the record date fixed by the Board of Directors for such purposes. A list of these stockholders is available at the corporate offices of the Company and will be available at the Annual Meeting.

        If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please bring photo identification. If your shares are held in the name of a broker or other nominee, please bring with you a letter (and a legal proxy if you wish to vote your shares) from the broker or nominee confirming your ownership as of the record date. For directions to the Annual Meeting, please contact Investor Relations by telephone at 775-328-0112 or visit our website at www.eldoradoresorts.com.

By order of the Board of Directors



Anthony L. Carano,Secretary

April 29, 2016

        Please sign the enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be held on June 15, 2016: The Company's Proxy Statement and Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at http://www.proxyvote.com.


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROXY STATEMENT

1

PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS


2

Nominees for Directors

3

Corporate Governance

6

Audit Committee

6

Compensation Committee

6

Nominating and Governance Committee

7

Compliance Committee

8

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

8

Stockholder Communications

9

Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

9

Audit Committee Financial Expert

10

Code of Ethics

10

Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

10

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

12

Director Compensation

12

Transactions with Related Persons

13

Executive Compensation

16

Compensation Discussion & Analysis

16

How We Determine Compensation

18

Role of the Compensation Committee

18

Role of Management in Compensation Decisions

19

Determination of CEO Pay

20

Peer Companies and Competitive Benchmarking

20

Employment Agreements

24

Other Compensation

24

Equity Grant Practices

25

Tax and Accounting Treatment of Compensation

25

Compensation Committee Report

26

Summary Compensation Table

26

Grant of Plan Based Awards Table

27

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

29

Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

30

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

30

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control Table

31

PROPOSAL 2 RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


33

Report of the Audit Committee

34

PROPOSAL 3 ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS


36

OTHER MATTERS


37

Stockholder Proposals for Next Meeting

37

Notice Regarding Abandoned Property Law of New York State

37

Information Accompanying this Proxy Statement

38

i


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ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.

100 West Liberty Street, Suite 1150
Reno, Nevada 89501
(775) 328-0100

PROXY STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION

This Proxy Statement (the "Proxy Statement") is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (the "Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 15, 2016.

        A copy of the Company's annual report with financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 is enclosed. This proxy statement and form of proxy are to be first sent to stockholders on or about the date stated on the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

        Record Date.    Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 18, 2016 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any postponement or adjournments thereof. As of April 15, 2016, 47,075,635 shares of common stock ("Common Stock") of the Company were issued and outstanding. Each share outstanding as of the record date will be entitled to one vote, and stockholders may vote in person or by proxy. Execution of a proxy will not in any way affect a stockholder's right to attend the meeting and vote in person.

        Revocation of Proxies.    Any stockholder giving a proxy has the right to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by written notice to the Secretary of the Company or by submission of another proxy bearing a later date. In addition, stockholders of record attending the meeting may revoke their proxies at any time before they are exercised.

        Quorum.    A majority of the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, represented in person or by proxy (and in no event less than 331/3 percent of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock), will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Shares of Common Stock represented in person or by proxy (including shares which abstain, broker non-votes and shares that are not voted with respect to one or more of the matters presented for stockholder approval) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting.

        Required Vote.    With respect to Proposal 1 (election of directors), stockholders may vote FOR all or some of the nominees or stockholders may vote WITHHOLD with respect to one or more of the nominees. The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon is required to elect a director. A vote to WITHHOLD will have the effect of a negative vote.

        With respect to Proposal 2 (ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm), and Proposal 3 (advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation), stockholders may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN. Approval of Proposals 2 and 3 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon. A vote to ABSTAIN will have the effect of a negative vote.

        The Company knows of no other matter to be presented at the meeting. If any other matter should be presented at the meeting upon which a vote properly may be taken, then the persons named as proxies will have discretion to vote on those matters according to their best judgment to the same extent as the person signing the proxy would be entitled to vote. At the date of this proxy statement, we do not anticipate that any other matters will be raised at the Annual Meeting.

        Broker Non-Votes.    A broker non-vote occurs when a broker or other nominee does not receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner and does not have discretion to direct the voting of the shares.


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        Brokers have discretionary authority to vote on Proposal 2 (ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm), and therefore no broker non-votes are expected in connection with Proposal 2.

        Brokers do not have discretionary authority to vote on Proposal 1 (election of directors) or Proposal 3 (advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation) and therefore there may be broker non-votes with respect to Proposals 1 and 3. Broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the vote on Proposals 1 and 3 and will not be counted in determining the number of shares necessary for approval of such proposals.

        Method and Expenses of Solicitation.    Proxies may also be solicited personally and by telephone or facsimile or other electronic means by regular employees of the Company, without any additional remuneration. The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. The Company will also make arrangements with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation material to beneficial owners of stock held of record by such persons, and the Company will reimburse such persons for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding solicitation material.

        Copies of Proxy Materials.As permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, (the "SEC"), we are furnishing to stockholdersshareholders our Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and Annual Report primarily over the internet. On or about May 6, 2016,April 28, 2021, we will mail to each of our stockholdersshareholders (other than those who previously requested electronic or paper delivery) a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access and review the proxy materials via the internet, and how to access the Proxy Card to vote on the internet or by telephone. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials also contains instructions on how to receive, free of charge, paper copies of the proxy materials. If you received the notice, then you will not receive a paper copy of the proxy materials unless you request one.

Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, it is important that your shares be represented and voted. After reading the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, please complete, sign and date your proxy ballot, and return it in the envelope provided.

On behalf of the officers and directors of Caesars Entertainment, Inc., I thank you for your interest in the company and hope that you will be able to attend our Annual Meeting. Thank you very much for your continued support.

Yours Truly,

Gary L. Carano

        StockholdersExecutive Chairman, Board of Record.Directors    If your shares are registered in your own name, you may request paper copies of the proxy materials by following the instructions contained in the notice. Stockholders who have already made a permanent election to receive paper copies of the proxy materials will receive a full set of the proxy documents in the mail.

        Beneficial Stockholders.2021 PROXY STATEMENT        1


    If your shares are not registered in your name, you should receive written instructions on how to request paper copies of the proxy materials from your bank or broker. We recommend that you contact your bank or broker if you do not receive these instructions.NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

        Attendance at

LOGO

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting.    AttendanceMeeting of Shareholders of Caesars Entertainment, Inc. will be held virtually and can be accessed online at http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CZR2021 on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time, for the following purposes:

1.

To elect the nine (9) director nominees to our Board of Directors, each to serve as directors until the 2022 annual meeting of shareholders, or until the earlier of their resignation or until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified;

2.

To hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers;

3.

To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes to approve compensation of the Company’s named executive officers;

4.

To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021;

5.

To approve and adopt an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock; and

6.

To approve and adopt an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of preferred stock.

Shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholdersdetermined as of the close of business on April 16, 2021, the record date their authorized representativesfixed by the Board of Directors for such purposes. A list of these shareholders is available at our corporate offices and guestswill be available at the Annual Meeting.

The accompanying proxy materials include instructions on how to participate in the Annual Meeting and how to vote your shares of the Company.Company’s stock by attending the virtual meeting by audio webcast. You will need to enter the 16-digit control number received with your Proxy or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to vote during the meeting.

By order of the Board of Directors

Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr., Secretary

April 28, 2021

Please sign the enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope.


PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        AtImportant Notice Regarding the AnnualAvailability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholders Meeting to be held on June 15, 2016,2021: Our Proxy Statement and Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at http://www.proxyvote.com. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AND VOTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. YOU MAY VOTE YOUR SHARES ELECTRONICALLY VIA THE INTERNET, BY TELEPHONE, BY MAIL, OR DURING THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING. THE NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING, PROXY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM. PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW THE PROXY MATERIALS AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROXY CARD TO VOTE.

2        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


TABLE OF CONTENTS

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS2
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS7
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS9
Board Composition and Nomination Process9
Board Structure and Responsibilities16
Board Accountability and Processes24
PROPOSAL 2 - ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION25
PROPOSAL 3 - ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION26
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION27
Executive Officers27
Compensation Discussion and Analysis28

OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

32
Overview32

ELEMENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR 2020

33
PROPOSAL 4 - RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM54
AUDIT-RELATED MATTERS55
Audit Committee Report55
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval56
Fees Paid to Auditors56
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Independence57
PROPOSAL 5 - APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK58
PROPOSAL 6 - APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFCATE OF INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF PREFERED STOCK60
OTHER INFORMATION62
Other Business62
Notice Regarding Abandoned Property Law of New York State62
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions62

Where to Find Additional Information

66

2021 PROXY STATEMENT        3


INTRODUCTION

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (referred to herein as “we”, “us” or “the Company”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 15, 2021.

As permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we are furnishing to shareholders our stockholders are being askedNotice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and Annual Report primarily over the internet. On or about April 28, 2021 we will mail to elect directors, each of whom will serve untilour shareholders (other than those who previously requested electronic or paper delivery) a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access and review the next annual meetingproxy materials via the internet, and how to access the Proxy Card to vote on the internet or by telephone. The Notice of stockholders or until his successor has been elected and qualified, or until his earlier resignation or removal. AllInternet Availability of Proxy Materials also contains instructions on how to receive, free of charge, paper copies of the nominees were designated as directors atproxy materials. If you received the last annual meeting of stockholders.

        Directorsnotice, then you will be elected by the affirmative votenot receive a paper copy of the holdersproxy materials unless you request one.

A copy of our annual report with financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 is enclosed. This Proxy Statement and form of proxy are to be first sent to shareholders on or about the date stated on the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ABOUT CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

On July 20, 2020, the Company (f/k/a Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (“ERI”)) acquired Caesars Entertainment Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Former Caesars”) pursuant to a merger of a pluralitywholly owned subsidiary of ERI with and into Former Caesars, with Former Caesars surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the shares represented in person or by proxy atCompany (the “Merger”). ERI changed its name to Caesars Entertainment, Inc. and changed its ticker symbol on the meeting. Stockholders may not vote their shares cumulativelyNASDAQ Stock Market from “ERI” to “CZR”. As a result of this historic and transformative business combination, the Company is the largest casino-entertainment company in the electionU.S., and one of directors. Proxies cannot be voted forthe world’s most diversified casino-entertainment providers across the U.S., boasting many of the world’s most prestigious gaming brands, including Caesars Palace®, Harrah’s®, Horseshoe®, and Eldorado®, among many others. The Company offers diversified amenities and one-of-a-kind destination, with a greater numberfocus on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of persons than the number of nominees named.impeccable service, operational excellence and technology leadership.

PURPOSE OF THE MEETING

 Any stockholder

PROPOSAL      

1

To Elect the Nine (9) Director Nominees to Our Board of Directors, Each to Serve as Directors Until the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or Until the Earlier of their Resignation or Until their Respective Successors Have Been Duly Elected and Qualified.

LOGO   The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR each nominee

The Board has nominated all nine (9) directors, Gary L. Carano, Bonnie S. Biumi, Jan Jones Blackhurst, Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Don R. Kornstein, Courtney R. Mather, Michael E. Pegram, Thomas R. Reeg, and David P. Tomick to be elected to serve a one-year term until the annual meeting of shareholders in 2022 or until such director’s respective successor is duly elected and qualified or until such director’s death, resignation or removal.

 Nominees bring extensive expertise and relevant skills to drive the Company’s success

 Slate promotes diversity of viewpoints arising out of diverse experience, age and gender

4        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


PROPOSAL      

2

To Approve, on an Advisory, Non-binding Basis, Named Executive Officer Compensation.

LOGO    The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement, on an advisory, non-binding basis

We are providing shareholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory, non-binding vote on the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement, in accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act.

PROPOSAL      

3

To Approve, on an Advisory, Non-binding Basis, the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes to Approve Executive Compensation.

LOGO    The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the option of “Every Year” as the preferred frequency for future advisory votes to approve compensation of the Company’s named executive officers

Section 14A of the Exchange Act requires us to submit a non-binding, advisory vote, commonly known as a “say-on-frequency” proposal, to shareholders at least once every six years to determine whether non-binding, advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, like Proposal 2, should be held every year, every two years or every three years. Unless the Board determines otherwise, the next say-on-frequency vote will occur at the annual meeting held in 2027.

PROPOSAL      

4

To Ratify the Appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the Year Ending December 31, 2021.

LOGO    The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2021

Shareholders may vote to ratify the reappointment by the Audit Committee of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2021.

PROPOSAL      

5

To Approve and Adopt an Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to Increase the Authorized Number of Shares of Common Stock to 500,000,000.

LOGO    The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the approval and adoption of the Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock to 500,000,000.

Shareholders may vote to approve and adopt the Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock from 300,000,000 to 500,000,000.

 On April 8, 2021, the Board unanimously voted to approve and adopt the amendment.

2021 PROXY STATEMENT        5


PROPOSAL      

6

Approval and Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to Authorize the Issuance of 150,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock.

LOGO    The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the approval and adoption of the Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of preferred stock

Shareholders may vote to approve and adopt the Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of 150,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

 On April 8, 2021, the Board unanimously voted to approve and adopt the amendment.

6        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

PROPOSAL

1

At the Annual Meeting, shareholders are being asked to elect nine (9) directors, each of whom will serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Directors will be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the meeting. Shareholders may not vote their shares cumulatively in the election of directors. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named.

Any shareholder submitting a proxy has the right to withhold authority to vote for an individual nominee by writing that nominee’s name in the space provided on the proxy. Shares represented by all proxies received by us and not marked to withhold authority to vote for any individual director or for all directors will be voted FOR the election of all of the nominees named below. If for any reason any nominee is unable to accept the nomination or to serve as a director, an event not currently anticipated, the persons named as proxies reserve the right to exercise their discretionary authority to nominate someone else or to reduce the number of management nominees to such extent as the persons named as proxies may deem advisable.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES NAMED BELOW FOR THEIR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS.

LOGO

Gary L. Carano

Executive Chairman of the Board

Director since September 2014

LOGO

Bonnie S. Biumi

Audit Committee

Director since May 2017

LOGO

Jan Jones Blackhurst

Corporate Social Responsibility Committee (Chair), Nominating and

Corporate Governance Committee

Director since July 2020

LOGO

Frank J. Fahrenkopf

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (Chair)

Director since September 2014

LOGO

Don R. Kornstein

Vice Chairman

Compensation Committee (Chair), Corporate Social Responsibility Committee,

and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Director since July 2020

2021 PROXY STATEMENT        7


PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTIONOFDIRECTORS

LOGO

Courtney R. Mather

Compensation Committee, Audit Committee, and Corporate Social Responsibility

Committee

Director since July 2020

LOGO

Michael E. Pegram

Compensation Committee

Director since September 2014

LOGO

Thomas R. Reeg

Chief Executive Officer

Director since September 2014

LOGO

David P. Tomick

Lead Independent Director

Audit Committee (Chair), Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Director since September 2014

8        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

BOARD COMPOSITION AND NOMINATION PROCESS

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

During 2020 and prior to the Merger, our Board by writing that nominee's name in the space provided on the proxy. Shares


Tableconsisted of Contents

represented by all proxies received by the Company and not marked to withhold authority to vote for any individual director or for all directors will be voted FOR the election of all of the nominees named below. If for any reason any nominee is unable to accept the nomination or to serve as a director, an event not currently anticipated, the persons named as proxies reserve the right to exercise their discretionary authority to nominate someone else or to reduce the number of management nominees to such extent as the persons named as proxies may deem advisable.

Nominees for Directors

Gary L. Carano, Bonnie S. Biumi, Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., James B. Hawkins, Gregory J. Kozicz, Michael E. Pegram, Thomas R. Reeg, David P. Tomick and Roger P. Wagner have been nominated byWagner. Pursuant to the Company's Board of Directors, basedMerger Agreement, upon the recommendationclosing of the Company's Nominating & Governance Committee to serve as directors. EachMerger, the size of the nominees for director currently servesBoard was expanded from nine to eleven members and, immediately following the Merger, Messrs. Hawkins, Kozicz and Wagner resigned as a director of the Company.

        The following table sets forth certain information regarding the nominees.

Name
AgePosition and Office Held

Gary L. Carano

64Chairman of the Board; Chief Executive Officer

Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr.(2)(4)

76Director

James B. Hawkins(1)(3)

60Director

Michael E. Pegram(1)(2)(3)

64Director

Thomas R. Reeg(5)

44Director; President; Chief Financial Officer

David P. Tomick(1)(4)(6)

64Director

Roger P. Wagner(3)(4)

68Director

(1)
Member of the Audit Committee

(2)
Member of the Compliance Committee

(3)
Member of the Compensation Committee

(4)
Member of the Nominating & Governance Committee

(5)
Robert M. Jones retired as Chief Financial Officer effective March 15, 2016. The Board of Directors appointed Mr. Reeg to serve as Chief Financial Officer beginning on March 16, 2016.

(6)
On May 8, 2015, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Tomick as Lead Independent Director.

        The following briefly describes the business experience and educational background of each nominee for director and details the Board's reasons for selecting each nominee for service on the Board.

Gary L. Carano, 64, has served as the chairman of the board of directors of the Company and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and its subsidiaries since September 2014. Previously, Mr. Carano served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Eldorado Resorts LLC ("Resorts") from 2004 to September 2014, and as President and Chief Operating Officer of Eldorado HoldCo LLC ("Holdco") from 2009 to September 2014. Mr. Carano served as the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the Silver Legacy Resort Casino ("Silver Legacy") from its opening in 1995 to September 2014. Mr. Carano has served on a number of charitable boards and foundations in the state of Nevada. Mr. Carano holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno. In May 2012, Silver Legacy filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada. Silver Legacy emerged from its Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings in November 2012. Mr. Carano has been selected to serve as director because of his extensive experience in the gaming and hospitality


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industry and because of his familiarity with the business of Resorts. Gary L. Carano is Anthony L. Carano's father.

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., 76, has served as a director of the Company since September 2014. Mr. Fahrenkopf serves as the chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the board of directors of the Company and a member of the Compliance CommitteeBoard, and Keith Cozza, Janis Jones Blackhurst, Don R. Kornstein, Courtney R. Mather and James Nelson, each of the Company. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Gaming Association ("AGA"),whom was an organization that represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislation and regulatory issues, from 1995 until June 2013. At the AGA, Mr. Fahrenkopf was the national advocate for the commercial casino industry and was responsible for positioning the AGA to address regulatory, political and educational issues affecting the gaming industry. Mr. Fahrenkopf is currently co-chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates, which he founded and which conducts debates among presidential candidates. He serves as a board member of the International Republican Institute, which he founded. He also founded the National Endowment for Democracy, where he served as Vice Chairman and a board member from 1983 to 1992. Mr. Fahrenkopf served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1983 to 1989. Prior to his role at AGA, Mr. Fahrenkopf was a partner at Hogan & Hartson, where he regularly represented clients before the Nevada gaming regulatory authorities. Mr. Fahrenkopf served as the first Chairman of the American Bar Association Committee on Gaming Law and was a founding Trustee and President of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys. Mr. Fahrenkopf also sits on the board of directors of six NYSE-listed public companies: First Republic Bank, Gabelli Equity Trust, Inc., Gabelli Utility Trust, Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust, Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust, and Gabelli Gold and Natural Resources. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of California Berkeley School of Law. Mr. Fahrenkopf has been selected to serve as a director because of his extensive knowledge of gaming regulatory matters, his relevant legal experience and his experience as a director of many organizations.

James B. Hawkins, 60, has served as a director of the Company since September 2014. Mr. Hawkins is a member of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee of the board of directors of the Company. Mr. Hawkins has served as Chief Executive Officer and on the board of directors of Natus Medical Inc. ("Natus") since April 2004 and as President of Natus since June 2013. He also previously served as President of Natus from April 2004 to January 2011. Mr. Hawkins currently serves as the chairman of the board of directors of Iradimed Corporation, a publicly traded company that provides non-magnetic intravenous infusion pump systems and as a director of OSI Systems, a publicly traded company that develops and markets security and inspection systems and previously served as a director of Digirad Corporation, a publicly traded company that provides diagnostic solutions in the science of imaging from June 2012 until December 2014. Prior to joining Natus, Mr. Hawkins was President, Chief Executive Officer and on the board of directors of Invivo Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of vital sign monitoring equipment, and its predecessor, from 1985 until 2004, and as Secretary from 1986 until 2004. Mr. Hawkins earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Commerce from Santa Clara University and an MBA from San Francisco State University. Mr. Hawkins has been selected to serve as a director because of his extensive experience in executive management oversight and as a director of multiple publicly traded companies.

Michael E. Pegram, 64, has served as a director of the Company since September 2014. Mr. Pegram is a member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Compliance Committee of the board of directors of the Company. Mr. Pegram has been a partner in the Carson Valley Inn in Minden, Nevada since June 2009 and a partner in the Bodines Casino in Carson City, Nevada since January 2007. Mr. Pegram has more than thirty years of experience owning and operating twenty-five successful McDonald's franchises. Mr. Pegram currently serves as Chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and has been the owner of a number of racehorses, including 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner,Real Quiet, 2010 Preakness Stakes winner,Lookin at Lucky, 1998


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Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner and 1999 Kentucky Oaks winner, Silverbulletday, 2001 Dubai World Cup winner,Captain Steve, and the 2007 and 2008 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner,Midnight Lute. Additionally, Mr. Pegram has served as a director of Skagit State Bancorp since 1996. Mr. Pegram has been selected to serve as a director because of his extensive experience in the horse racing industry and as an investor, business owner, and director of various companies.

David P. Tomick, 64, has served as a director of the Company since September 2014. Mr. Tomick is the Lead Independent Director, chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the board of directors of the Company. Mr. Tomick co-founded Securus, Inc., a company involved in the GPS monitoring and Personal Emergency Response business, and served as its Chief Financial Officer from 2008 to 2010 and as its Chairman from 2010 to March 2015. From 1997 to 2004 Mr. Tomick was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of SpectraSite, Inc., a NYSE-listed, wireless tower company. Mr. Tomick was, from 1994 to 1997, the Chief Financial Officer of Masada Security, a company involved in the security monitoring business and, from 1988 to 1994, the Vice President-Finance of Falcon Cable TV, where he was responsible for debt management, mergers and acquisitions, equity origination and investor relations. Prior to 1988, he managed a team of corporate finance professionals focusing on the communications industry for The First National Bank of Chicago. Mr. Tomick has served on the board of directors of the following organizations: Autocam Corporation, Autocam Medical, First Choice Packaging, NuLink Digital and TransLoc, Inc. Mr. Tomick received his bachelor's degree from Denison University and a masters of business administration from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Tomick has been selected to serve as a director because of his financial and management expertise and his extensive experience with respect to raising capital, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and investor relations.

Roger P. Wagner, 68, has served as a director of the Company since September 2014 and was aincumbent member of the board of directors of MTR Gaming Group, Inc. ("MTR") from July 2010 to September 2014. Mr. Wagner is the chair of the Compensation Committee andFormer Caesars, became a member of the NominatingBoard. Mr. Cozza resigned from the Board on July 24, 2020 and Governance CommitteeMr. Nelson resigned from the Board on October 23, 2020. The size of the board of directorsBoard has been reduced to nine members. As of the Company. Mr. Wagner has over forty yearsdate of experience in the gaming and hotel management industry. Mr. Wagner was a founding partner of House Advantage, LLC, a gaming consulting group that focuses on assisting gaming companies in improving market share and bottom line profits. Mr. Wagner served as Chief Operating Officer for Binion Enterprises LLC from 2008 to 2010, assisting Jack Binion in identifying gaming opportunities. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Wagner served as Chief Operating Officer of Resorts International Holdings. Mr. Wagner served as President of Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corp. from 2001 until its sale in 2004 and as its Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 1998 to 2001. Prior to joining Horseshoe, Mr. Wagner served as Presidentthis Proxy Statement, our Board consists of the development company for Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts from 1996 to 1998, President and Chief Operating Officer of Trump Castle Casino Resort from 1991 to 1996 and President and Chief Operating Officer of Claridge Casino Hotel from 1983 to 1991. Prior to his employment by Claridge Casino Hotel, he was employed in various capacities by the Edgewater Hotel Casino, Sands Hotel Casino, MGM Grand Casino—Reno, Frontier Hotel Casino and Dunes Hotel Casino. Mr. Wagner holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in Hotel Administration. Mr. Wagner has been selected to serve as a director because of his extensive experience in the gaming and hospitality industry and because of his familiarity with the business of MTR.

Thomas R. Reeg, 44, has served as a director of the Company since September 2014 and served as a member of Eldorado Resorts LLC's ("Resorts") board of managers from December 2007 to September 2014. Mr. Reeg was named Chief Financial Officer of the Company and its subsidiaries in March 2016 in addition to serving as President of the Company and its subsidiaries since September 2014 and served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Development for Resorts from January 2011 to September 2014. From September 2005 to November 2010, Mr. Reeg was a Senior Managing Director and


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founding partner of Newport Global Advisors L.P., which is an indirect stockholder of the Company. Mr. Reeg was a member of the executive committee of Silver Legacy (which is the governing body of Silver Legacy) from August 2011 through August 2014. Mr. Reeg was a member of the board of managers of NGA HoldCo, LLC, which is a stockholder of the Company, from 2007 through 2011 and served on the board of directors of Autocam Corporation from 2007 to 2010. From 2002 to 2005 Mr. Reeg was a Managing Director and portfolio manager at AIG Global Investment Group ("AIG"), where he was responsible for co-management of the high-yield mutual fund portfolios. Prior to his role at AIG, Mr. Reeg was a senior high-yield research analyst covering various sectors, including the casino, lodging and leisure sectors, at Bank One Capital Markets. Mr. Reeg holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr. Reeg has been selected to serve as a director because of his extensive financial experience and his familiarity with the business of Resorts.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE FOR THEIR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS.

Corporate Governance

        For a director to be considered independent, the director must meet the bright-line independence standards under the listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. ("NASDAQ") and the Board must affirmatively determine that the director has no material relationship with us, directly, or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us. The Board determines director independence based on an analysis of the independence requirements of the NASDAQ listing standards. In addition, the Board will consider all relevant facts and circumstances in making an independence determination. The Board also considers all commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable, familial or other business relationships any director may have with us. The Board has determined that the following five directors satisfy the independence requirements of NASDAQ:nine members: Gary L. Carano, Bonnie S. Biumi, Jan Jones Blackhurst, Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., James B. Hawkins,Don R. Kornstein, Courtney R. Mather, Michael E. Pegram, Thomas R. Reeg and David P. Tomick, Roger P. Wagner.Tomick.

Below is information as of April 12, 2021 concerning the business experience and qualifications of each of our director nominees whose term, if elected, will expire at the 2022 annual meeting.

DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Gary L. Carano, Director and Executive Chairman

 The Board held nine (9) meetings and acted six (6) times by written consent during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. Each current director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of all meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of which he was a member (from the time of the appointment to such committee) during such year.

    Age: 69

    Director Since:

    September 2014

    Committees:

    None

    Mr. Carano has been Chairman of our Board of Directors since September 2014 and was our Chief Executive Officer from September 2014 until December 31, 2018, when he became Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors. Previously, Mr. Carano served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Eldorado Resorts LLC from 2004 to September 2014, and as President and Chief Operating Officer of Eldorado HoldCo LLC from 2009 to September 2014. Mr. Carano served as the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the Silver Legacy Resort Casino from its opening in 1995 to September 2014. Mr. Carano serves on the board of directors of Recreational Enterprises, Inc., a less than 5% shareholder of the Company. Mr. Carano has served on a number of charitable boards and foundations in the state of Nevada. In May 2012, Silver Legacy filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada. Silver Legacy emerged from its Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings in November 2012. Mr. Gary L. Carano is Mr. Anthony L. Carano’s father.

    QUALIFICATIONS:

    Extensive experience in the gaming and hospitality industry and deep familiarity with the business of the Company.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        9


Audit Committee
CORPORATEGOVERNANCEANDBOARDMATTERS

 The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors was established by the Board in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), to oversee the Company's corporate accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of its financial statements. Messrs. Hawkins, Pegram, and Tomick, all of whom are independent directors, make up the Board's Audit Committee. Mr. Tomick is Chairperson of the Audit Committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Audit Committee held five (5) meetings. The Audit Committee's responsibilities are discussed in a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee charter is available on our Internet website at ir.eldoradoresorts.com under "Governance—Governance Documents." Our website and information contained on it or incorporated in it are not intended to be incorporated in this Proxy Statement or our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        Messrs. Hawkins, Pegram, and Wagner, all of whom are independent directors, make up the Board's Compensation Committee (and meet the NASDAQ independence requirements with respect to



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Compensation Committee members). Mr. Wagner serves as Chairperson of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee's responsibilities are discussed in a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee charter is available on our Internet website at ir.eldoradoresorts.com under "Governance—Governance Documents." The Compensation Committee makes recommendations with respect to salaries, bonuses, restricted stock, and deferred compensation for the Company's executive officers as well as the policies underlying the methods by which the Company compensates its executives. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Compensation Committee held four (4) meetings. Except as otherwise delegated by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee acts on behalf of the Board with respect to compensation matters. The Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees and may delegate authority to one or more designated Committee members to perform certain of its duties on its behalf, including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the delegation to a subcommittee of one director the authority to grant stock options and equity awards. The Compensation Committee reviews the recommendations of the Company's CEO with respect to individual elements of the total compensation of the Company's executive officers (other than the CEO) and key management.

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Director

Age: 81

Director Since:

September 2014

Committees:

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (Chair)

Mr. Fahrenkopf has served on the Board since 2014. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Gaming Association (“AGA”), an organization that represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislation and regulatory issues, from 1995 until June 2013. At the AGA, Mr. Fahrenkopf was the national advocate for the commercial casino industry and was responsible for positioning the AGA to address regulatory, political and educational issues affecting the gaming industry. Mr. Fahrenkopf is currently co-chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates, which he founded and which conducts debates among presidential candidates. He serves as a board member of the International Republican Institute, which he founded. He also founded the National Endowment for Democracy, where he served as Vice Chairman and a board member from 1983 to 1992. Mr. Fahrenkopf served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1983 to 1989. Prior to his role at AGA, Mr. Fahrenkopf was a partner at Hogan & Hartson, where he regularly represented clients before the Nevada gaming regulatory authorities. Mr. Fahrenkopf served as the first Chairman of the American Bar Association Committee on Gaming Law and was a founding Trustee and President of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys. Mr. Fahrenkopf also sits on the board of directors of 12 NYSE-listed public companies: First Republic Bank, Gabelli Equity Trust, Inc., Gabelli Utility Trust, Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust, Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust, Gabelli Gold and Natural Resources, Gabelli Small & Midcap Value Fund, Gabelli Goanywhere Trust, Gabelli Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust, Gabelli NextShares Trust, Bankcroft Fund, and Ellsworth Growth & Income Trust.

QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Fahrenkopf has been selected to serve as a director because of his extensive knowledge of gaming regulatory matters, his relevant legal experience and his experience as a director of many public companies.

Don R. Kornstein, Director and Vice Chairman

Age: 69

Director Since:

July 2020

Committees:

Compensation Committee (Chair)

Nominating & Corporate

Governance Committee

Corporate Social Responsibility

Committee

Mr. Kornstein served as a director of Former Caesars from October 2017 until the Merger in July 2020, at which time he joined the Board and was appointed as Vice Chairman. Since November 2020, Mr. Kornstein has also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Caesars Entertainment UK Limited. Mr. Kornstein founded and has served as the managing member of the strategic, management and financial consulting firm Alpine Advisors LLC, an advisory firm engaged in the business of mergers and acquisitions and capital raising for entrepreneurs and companies. During his tenure, Mr. Kornstein also served as Chairman of the Transaction Committee and the Strategy & Finance Committee. Mr. Kornstein served on the Board of Directors of Caesars Acquisition Company from January 2014 until the merger with the Caesars Entertainment Corporation. He previously served as a non-executive Director on the Board of Gala Coral Group, Ltd., a diversified gaming company based in the United Kingdom, from June 2010 until its merger with Ladbrokes PLC in November 2016. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Affinity Gaming, Inc., a casino gaming company, from March 2010 until January 2014, and Chief Restructuring Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bally Total Fitness Corporation. Mr. Kornstein has also served as a member of the Boards of Directors of Circuit City Stores, Inc., Cash Systems, Inc., Shuffle Master, Inc. and Varsity Brands, Inc. Mr. Kornstein served as Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of Jackpot Enterprises, Inc., which was a NYSE listed gaming company until its sale, and was an investment banker and Senior Managing Director of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.

QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Kornstein brings to the Board his extensive experience in the gaming and entertainment industry, experience as a chairman and officer, financial expertise, practical experience relating to evaluation and execution of strategic alternatives, and experience serving on several boards of directors.

        Compensation Policies and Risk Management.    It is the responsibility of the Compensation Committee to ensure that the Company's policies and practices related to compensation do not encourage excessive risk-taking behavior. The Company believes that any risks arising from its current compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. As described in the section entitled "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" below, the Company continues to review and develop its compensation policies with the objective of ensuring that management incentives promote disciplined, sustainable achievement of the Company's long-term goals.2021 PROXY STATEMENT        11


Nominating and Governance Committee
CORPORATEGOVERNANCEANDBOARDMATTERS

 

Courtney R. Mather, Director

Age: 44

Director Since:

July 2020

Committees:

Compensation Committee

Audit Committee

Corporate Social Responsibility
Committee

Mr. Mather served as a director of Former Caesars from March 2019 until the Merger in July 2020, at which time he joined the Board. Mr. Mather served as Portfolio Manager of Icahn Capital LP, the entity through which Carl C. Icahn manages investment funds, from December 2016 to March 2020, and was previously Managing Director of Icahn Capital LP from April 2014 to November 2016. Prior to joining Icahn Capital LP, Mr. Mather was at Goldman Sachs & Co. from 1998 to 2012, most recently as Managing Director responsible for Private Distressed Trading and Investing, where he focused on identifying and analyzing investment opportunities for both Goldman Sachs and clients. Mr. Mather has served as a director of Newell Brands Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of consumer products, since March 2018. Mr. Mather was previously a director of: Cheniere Energy Inc. from May 2018 to February 2021; Conduent Inc. from December 2016 to February 2021; Herc Holdings Inc. from June 2016 to August 2019; Ferrous Resources Limited from June 2015 to July 2019; Freeport-McMoRan Inc. from October 2015 to March 2019; Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation from May 2015 to January 2017; Viskase Companies Inc. from June 2015 to March 2016; American Railcar Industries Inc. from July 2014 to March 2016; CVR Refining LP from May 2014 to March 2016; and CVR Energy Inc. from May 2014 to March 2016. Mr. Mather holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst, Chartered Financial Analyst, and Certified Financial Risk Manager professional designations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Mather brings to the Board his significant business and financial expertise and experience providing strategic advice and guidance to companies on matters such as risk management through his service as a director on various public company boards of directors.

Michael E. Pegram, Director

Age: 69

Director Since:

September 2014

Committees:

Compensation
Committee

Mr. Pegram has served on the Board since September 2014. Mr. Pegram has been a partner in the Carson Valley Inn in Minden, Nevada since June 2009 and a partner in the Bodines Casino in Carson City, Nevada since January 2007. Mr. Pegram is the managing member of Gpeg which owns and operates five casinos in the Reno and Carson City area. Mr. Pegram has more than forty-five years of experience owning and operating twenty-five successful McDonald’s franchises. Mr. Pegram currently serves as a director of, and is the former Chairman of, the Thoroughbred Owners of California and has been the owner of a number of racehorses, including 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, Real Quiet, 2010 Preakness Stakes winner, Lookin at Lucky, 1998 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner and 1999 Kentucky Oaks winner, Silverbulletday, 2001 Dubai World Cup winner, Captain Steve, and the 2007 and 2008 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner, Midnight Lute. Additionally, Mr. Pegram has served as a director of Skagit State Bancorp since April 1997 till November 2018.

QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Pegram has been selected to serve as a director because of his extensive experience in the horse racing industry and as an investor, business owner, and director of various casino operations.

12        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


CORPORATEGOVERNANCEANDBOARDMATTERS

Thomas R. Reeg, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Age: 49

Director Since:

September 2014

Committees:

None

Mr. Reeg has served on our Board since September 2014, served as Chief Financial Officer from March 2016 to May 2019 and became our Chief Executive Officer in January 2019. Mr. Reeg served as our President from September 2014 until December 31, 2018. Mr. Reeg served as a member of the board of managers of Eldorado Resorts LLC from December 2007 to September 2014, as Senior Vice President of Strategic Development for Eldorado Resorts LLC from January 2011 to September 2014 and a member of the executive committee of Silver Legacy (which is the governing body of Silver Legacy) from August 2011 through August 2014. Mr. Reeg serves on the board of directors of Recreational Enterprises, Inc., a shareholder of the Company. From September 2005 to November 2010, Mr. Reeg was a Senior Managing Director and founding partner of Newport Global Advisors L.P., which was an indirect shareholder of ours. Mr. Reeg was a member of the board of managers of NGA HoldCo, LLC, which was a shareholder of ours, from 2007 through 2011 and served on the board of directors of Autocam Corporation from 2007 to 2010. From 2002 to 2005 Mr. Reeg was a Managing Director and portfolio manager at AIG Global Investment Group (“AIG”), where he was responsible for co-management of the high-yield mutual fund portfolios. Prior to his role at AIG, Mr. Reeg was a senior high-yield research analyst covering various sectors, including the casino, lodging and leisure sectors, at Bank One Capital Markets.

QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Reeg has been selected to serve as a director because of his extensive financial experience and his familiarity with the business of the Company.

David P. Tomick, Director and Lead Independent Director

Age: 69

Director Since:

September 2014

Committees:

Audit Committee (Chair)

Nominating and Corporate Governance

Committee

Mr. Tomick has served on the Board since September 2014. Mr. Tomick co-founded Securus, Inc., a company involved in the GPS monitoring and Personal Emergency Response business, and served as its Chief Financial Officer from 2008-2010 and as its Chairman from 2010 to March 2015. From 1997 to 2004, Mr. Tomick was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of SpectraSite, Inc., a NYSE-listed wireless tower company. Mr. Tomick was, from 1994 to 1997, the Chief Financial Officer of Masada Security, a company involved in the security monitoring business and, from 1988 to 1994, the Vice President-Finance of Falcon Cable TV, where he was responsible for debt management, mergers and acquisitions, equity origination and investor relations. Prior to 1988, he managed a team of corporate finance professionals focusing on the communications industry for The First National Bank of Chicago. Mr. Tomick currently serves on the board of directors of Gryppers, Inc., Autocam Medical and First Choice Packaging and has served on the board of the following organizations: Autocam Corporation, NuLink Digital and TransLoc, Inc.

QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Tomick has been selected to serve as a director because of his financial and management expertise and his experience with respect to raising capital, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and investor relations.

SELECTION OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company currently includes independent directors Messrs. Fahrenkopf Jr., Tomick, and Wagner, with Mr. Fahrenkopf Jr. as Chairperson. The Nominating and Governance Committee's responsibilities are discussed in a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee charter is available on our Internet website at ir.eldoradoresorts.com under "Governance—Governance Documents." Our Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of the Nominating and Governance Committee is "independent" within the meaning of the general independence standards in the listing standards of NASDAQ. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Nominating and Governance Committee held two (2) meetings. The primary purposes and responsibilities of the Nominating and Governance Committee are to (1) identify and vet individuals qualified to become directors, consistent with the criteria approved by our Board of Directors set forth in the Nominating and Governance Committee Charter, (2) nominate qualified individuals for election to the Board of Directors at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and (3) in consultation with the Chairperson of the Board, review the operational relationship of the various committees of the Board as set forth in the Nominating and Governance Committee Charter.

        Director Candidate Recommendations and Nominations by Stockholders.    The Nominating and Governance Committee's Charter provides that the Nominating and Governance Committee will consider director candidate nominations by stockholders. In evaluating nominations received from stockholders, the Nominating and Governance Committee will apply the same criteria and follow the same process set forth in the Nominating and Governance Committee Charter as it would with its own nominations.

        Nominating and Governance Committee Process for Identifying and Evaluating Director Candidates.    The Nominating andCorporate Governance Committee identifies and evaluates all director candidates in


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accordance with the director qualification standards described in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter. In identifying candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the authority to engage and terminate any third-party

2021 PROXY STATEMENT        13


CORPORATEGOVERNANCEANDBOARDMATTERS

search firm that is used to identify director candidates and has the authority to approve the fees and retention terms of any search firm. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates any candidate'scandidate’s qualifications to serve as a member of our Board based on the totality of the merits of the candidate and not based on minimum qualifications or attributes. In evaluating a candidate, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account the background and expertise of individual Board members as well as the background and expertise of our Board as a whole. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates a candidate'scandidate’s independence and his or her background and relationships, and expertise in the context of our Board'sBoard’s needs.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter requires that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee ascertain that each nominee has: (i) demonstrated business and industry experience that is relevant to the Company;us; (ii) the ability to meet the suitability requirements of all relevant regulatory agencies; (iii) freedom from potential conflicts of interest with the Companyus and independence from management with respect to independent director nominees; (iv) the ability to represent the interests of stockholders;shareholders; (v) the ability to demonstrate a reasonable level of financial literacy; (vi) the availability to work with the Companyus and dedicate sufficient time and energy to his or her board duties; (vii) an established reputation for good character, honesty, integrity, prudent business skills, leadership abilities as well as moral and ethical bearing; and (viii) the ability to work constructively with the Company'sour other directors and management. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also take into consideration whether a candidate'scandidate’s background and skills meet any specific needs of the Board that the Nominating and Governance Committee has identifiedidentified.

When considering whether the Board’s directors and will take into accountnominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, taken as a whole, to enable the Board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of the Company’s business and structure, the Board focused primarily on the information discussed in each Board member’s biographical information set forth below under “Our Board of Directors.”

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

In recruiting and evaluating new director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers such factors as industry background, financial and business experience, public company experience, other relevant education and experience, general reputation, independence and diversity. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers gender and ethnic/racial diversity, because having diverse backgrounds and points of view benefits our Board and the Company. Searches for director candidates include persons who bring diversity with respect to self-identified characteristics such as gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation in professionalthe initial list of qualified candidates. We believe that each director contributes to the Board’s overall diversity by way of characteristics, and also by way of each director’s unique opinions, perspectives and personal experience, background, skills, race, gender and professional experiences and backgrounds.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

Under Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), proposals of shareholders intended for inclusion in the proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2022 must be received at our executive offices not later than December 29, 2021. Proponents should submit their proposals by Certified Mail-Return Receipt Requested. Proposals received after that date will be deemed untimely.

To otherwise present a timely proposal or other factorsbusiness for consideration by our shareholders at the 2022 Annual Meeting of diversity that it considers relevantShareholders, pursuant to our Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), a shareholder’s written notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices no earlier than the close of business on February 12, 2022 nor later than the close of business on March 14, 2022, as required under the applicable provisions of our Bylaws. In addition, not less than sixty days prior to the needsdate of the Board.next meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors (“Election Meeting”), a shareholder who intends to make a nomination of a candidate for election as director of the Company at the Election Meeting shall, as required by our Bylaws, deliver to our Secretary a notice setting forth (a) the name, age, business address and the residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (b) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee, (c) the number of shares of our capital stock which are beneficially owned by each such nominee, and (d) such other information concerning each such nominee as would be required, under the rules of the SEC, in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such nominees. Such notice shall include a signed consent of each such nominee to serve as a director of the corporation, if elected. This notice requirement does not apply to shareholder proposals properly submitted for inclusion in our proxy statements in accordance


CORPORATEGOVERNANCEANDBOARDMATTERS

 As a publicly traded corporation registered

with the rules of the Securities and licensed by the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, the West Virginia Lottery Commission, the West Virginia Racing Commission, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the Pennsylvania Racing Commission, the Ohio LotteryExchange Commission and shareholder nominations of director candidates which must comply with the Ohio State Racing Commission,Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. Our Bylaws are posted on the Governance page of our website located at http://investor.caesars.com/corporate-governance.

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

For a director to be considered independent, the director must meet the bright line independence standards under the listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) and the Board must affirmatively determine that the director has no relationship which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Board determines director independence based on an analysis of the independence requirements of the NASDAQ listing standards. In addition, the Board will consider all relevant facts and circumstances in making an independence determination.

Our Board has affirmatively determined that each current director, except Mr. Carano and Mr. Reeg, is independent under the NASDAQ listing standards. In addition, our former directors who served during 2020 prior to the Merger were also affirmatively determined to be independent. In determining the independence of directors, the Board considered all commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable, familial or other business and personal relationships any director may have with us. Based on the NASDAQ listing standards, Mr. Carano and Mr. Reeg are not considered independent because of their current positions as executive officers of the Company. In determining that Mr. Pegram is independent, the Board considered the personal and business relationships that Mr. Pegram has had with the Carano family over the past 20 years. The Board affirmatively determined that such relationship would not interfere with Mr. Pegram’s ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities as a director. In determining that Ms. Jones Blackhurst is independent, the Board considered Ms. Jones Blackhurst’s role as the Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility of Former Caesars from May 2017 through September 2019, and affirmatively determined that such relationship would not interfere with her ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out her responsibilities as a director.

To effectively support its responsibilities, the Board currently has four (4) committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a Corporate Social Responsibility Committee. Each committee is currently comprised solely of independent directors and during 2020 each of our standing committees was comprised solely of independent directors. The Company also has a Compliance Committee, which implements and administers the Company's Compliance Plan. The Committee's duties include investigating key employees, vendors of goods and services, sources of financing, consultants, lobbyists and others who wish to do substantial business with the Company or its subsidiaries and making recommendations to the Company's management concerning suitability. The Compliance Committee of the Company currently includes independent directors Messrs. Fahrenkopf Jr. and Pegram, and non-director members A.J. "Bud" Hicks (who serves as the chairperson), Anthony L. Carano, Stephanie Lepori, and Vincent Azzarello, until Mr. Azzarello's departure from the Companyis discussed in February 2016. The Compliance Committee held six (6) meetings in 2015.more detail below.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

        The current members of the Company's Compensation Committee are Messrs. Hawkins, Pegram, and Wagner, each of whom is an independent director. No member of the Compensation Committee (i)is, or during 2020 was, during 2015, or hadhas previously been, an officer or employee of us or our subsidiaries. During 2020, no member of the Company or its subsidiaries nor (ii)Compensation Committee had any direct or indirect material interest in a transaction of the Company or a business relationship with the Company, in each caseus that would require disclosure under the applicable rules of the SEC. No interlocking relationship existed between any memberSEC relating to disclosure of the Compensation Committee or anrelated party transactions. In 2020, none of our executive officer of the Company,officers served on the one hand, and any memberboard of thedirectors or compensation committee (or committee performing equivalent functions, or the full board of directors) or an


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executive officer of any other entity on the other hand, requiring disclosure pursuant to the applicable rules of the SEC.

        The Compensation Committee is authorized to review all compensation matters involving directors and executive officers and Committee approval is required for any compensation to be paid to executive officers or directors who are employees of the Company.

Stockholder Communications

        Stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors by sending written correspondence to the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee at the following address: Eldorado Resorts, Inc., 100 West Liberty St., Suite 1150, Reno, NV 89501, Attention: Corporate Secretary. The Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and his or her duly authorized representatives shall be responsible for collecting and organizing stockholder communications. Absent a conflict of interest, the Corporate Secretary is responsible for evaluating the materiality of each stockholder communication and determining whether further distribution is appropriate, and, if so, whether to (i) the full Board, (ii)that had one or more Board members and/or (iii) other individuals or entities.

Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

        The Board does not have a policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, since the Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to make that determination basedexecutive officers serving on the position and direction of the Company and the composition of the Board. The Company believes this structure facilitates independent oversight of management while fostering effective communication between the Company's management and the Board. The roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board are currently combined and held by Mr. Gary L. Carano.

        The Company's senior management is responsible for the day-to-day assessment and management of the Company's risks, and our Board is responsible for oversight of the Company's enterprise risk management in general. The risks facing our Company include risks associated with the Company's financial condition, liquidity, operating performance, ability to meet its debt obligations and regulations applicable to our operations and compliance therewith. The Board's oversight is primarily managed and coordinated through Board Committees. Our Audit Committee oversees the Company's risk management with respect to significant financial and accounting policies as well as the effectiveness of management's processes that monitor and manage key business risks, and the Compliance Committee is responsible for overseeing risks associated with the Company's gaming activities and regulatory compliance. Additionally,or the Compensation Committee oversees risks related to compensation policies. The Audit, Compensation and Compliance Committees report their findings to the full Board. In addition, at its meetings, the Board discusses risks that the Company faces, including those management has highlighted as the most relevant risks to the Company. Furthermore, the Board's oversight of enterprise risk involves assessment of the risk inherent in the Company's long-term strategies reviewed by the Board, as well as other matters brought to the attention of the Board. We believe that the structure and experience of our Board allows our directors to provide effective oversight of risk management. The Board recognizes that it is the Company's and its management's responsibility to identify and attempt to mitigate risks that could cause significant damage to the Company's business or stockholder value.Committee.


DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS

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Stock Ownership Guidelines

        Effective January 1, 2015, the Company adopted minimum stock ownership guidelines for its named executive officers, or NEOs. These stock ownership guidelines require that the chief executive officer of the Company hold Common Stock with a minimum value equal to three times the chief executive officer's annual base salary, and that all other NEOs hold Common Stock with a minimum value equal to one times each respective NEO's annual base salary. NEOs have five years from implementation of the stock ownership guidelines or promotion to a new role to achieve their minimum stock ownership and once achieved, the Board expects the NEOs to maintain their stated guideline for as long as they are subject to the guideline.

        Also effective January 1, 2015, the Company adopted minimum stock ownership guidelines for its non-employee directors. The stock ownership guidelines require the holding of Company stock with a minimum value equal to five times such director's annual cash base retainer fee. Prior to achievement of the guideline, restricted stock unit ("RSU") grants will vest immediately; however, settlement will be mandatorily deferred until termination of Board service. After guideline achievement, unless the director makes a timely voluntary election to defer settlement of the RSUs, the RSUs will vest and be settled immediately at the time of grant. Non-employee directors have five years to achieve their minimum stock ownership and once achieved, the Board expects non-employee directors to maintain their stated guideline for as long as they are subject to the guideline. During 2015, 17,980 RSUs were issued to each non-employee director.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

        The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a rule requiring disclosure concerning the presence of at least one "audit committee financial expert" on audit committees. Our Board has determined that Mr. Tomick qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission and that Mr. Tomick is independent, as independence for Audit Committee members is defined pursuant to the applicable NASDAQ listing requirements.

Code of Ethics

        We have adopted a code of ethics and business conduct applicable to all directors and employees, including the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and principal accounting officer. The code of ethics and business conduct is posted on our website, ir.eldoradoresorts.com under "Governance—Governance Documents" and a printed copy will be delivered on request by writing to the Corporate Secretary at Eldorado Resorts, Inc., c/o Corporate Secretary, 100 West Liberty Street, Suite 1150, Reno, Nevada, 89501. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement regarding certain amendments to, or waivers from, provisions of our code of ethics and business conduct by posting such information on our website.

Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

        The following table sets forth, as of April 15, 2016, the ownership of the presently issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock by persons known by the Company to be a beneficial owner of 5% or more of such stock, and the ownership of such stock by our named executive officers and directors, individually and as a group. As of April 15, 2016, there were 47,075,635 shares of Common


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Stock outstanding. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each of the stockholders listed below is c/o 100 West Liberty Street, Suite 1150, Reno, Nevada, 89501.

Name
 Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
 Percentage of
Class

Recreational Enterprises, Inc.(1)(7)

  11,129,867 23.64%

Hotel Casino Management, Inc.(2)(7)

  5,868,461 12.47%

Newport Global Opportunities Fund, LP(3)(7)

  4,030,440 8.56%

PAR Investment Partners, L.P.(4)(7)

  2,551,710 5.42%

Park West Asset Management LLC(5)(7)

  2,533,650 5.38%

Lafitte Capital Management LP(6)(7)

  2,376,177 5.05%

Gary L. Carano(8)(9)

  107,661 *

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.(8)

   *

James B. Hawkins(8)

  50,000 *

Michael E. Pegram(8)

  46,697 *

Thomas R. Reeg(8)

  35,000 *

David P. Tomick(8)

   *

Roger P. Wagner(8)

  130,000 *

Robert M. Jones(8)(11)

   *

Joseph L. Billhimer, Jr.(8)(10)(11)

  181,108 *

Anthony L. Carano(8)

  5,500 *

All Board Members and Executive Officers as a Group

  555,966 1.18%

*
Indicates less than one percent.

(1)
The voting stock of Recreational Enterprises, Inc. ("REI") is beneficially owned by the following members of the Carano family in the following percentages: Donald L. Carano—49.5%; Gary L. Carano—10.1%; Gene R. Carano—10.1%; Gregg R. Carano—10.1%; Cindy L. Carano—10.1% and Glenn T. Carano—10.1%. The voting power and dispositive power with respect to REI's 23.64% interest in the Company is controlled by REI's board of directors that is elected by the family members (voting in proportion to the percentages above). Gary L. Carano holds his interest in REI directly and indirectly through various trusts. Gary L. Carano disclaims beneficial ownership of REI's 23.64% interest in the Company except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. The address of REI is P.O. Box 2540, Reno, Nevada 89505.

(2)
The voting stock of Hotel Casino Management, Inc. ("HCM") is beneficially owned by the following members of the Poncia family in the following percentages: Raymond J. Poncia, Jr.—36.780%; Cathy L. Poncia—Vigen—15.805%; Linda R. Poncia Ybarra—15.805%; Michelle L. Poncia Staunton—15.805% and Tammy R. Poncia—15.805%. The voting power and dispositive power with respect to HCM's 12.47% interest in the Company is controlled by HCM's board of directors that is elected by the family members (voting in proportion to the percentages above). Cathy, Linda, Michelle and Tammy each hold all of their respective interests in HCM through various trusts. Cathy, Linda, Michelle and Tammy each disclaim beneficial ownership of HCM's 12.47% interest in the Company except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. The address of HCM is P.O. Box 429, Verdi, Nevada 89439.

(3)
Includes NGA VoteCo, LLC ("NGA VoteCo"), which controls NGA AcquisitionCo, LLC ("NGA AcquisitionCo"), including NGA AcquisitionCo's voting and dispositive power with regard to its 8.56% interest in the Company, and also includes Timothy T. Janszen,

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    Ryan L. Langdon and Roger A. May, who are the managers of NGA VoteCo and who beneficially own NGA VoteCo in the following percentages: Mr. Janszen—42.86%; Mr. Langdon—42.86% and Mr. May—14.28%. The address of NGA AcquisitionCo, NGA VoteCo is 21 Waterway Avenue, Suite 150, The Woodlands, Texas 77380.

(4)
The address of Par Investment Partners, L.P. is One International Place, Suite 2041, Boston, MA, 02110.

(5)
The address of Park West Asset Management LLC is 900 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 163, Larkspur, California 94939.

(6)
The address of Lafitte Capital Management LP is 701 Brazos, Suite 310, Austin, Texas 78701.

(7)
Based on filings made under Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Exchange Act during February 2016.

(8)
The address of Messrs. Gary L. Carano, Fahrenkopf, Hawkins, Pegram, Tomick, Wagner, Reeg, Jones, Billhimer and Anthony L. Carano is c/o Eldorado Resorts, Inc., 100 West Liberty Street, Suite 1150, Reno, Nevada 89501.

(9)
Represents shares of Common Stock owned directly by Mr. Carano and indirectly by Mr. Carano through the Gary L. Carano S Corporation Trust. In addition to the shares of Common Stock reported in the table above, Gary L. Carano holds a 10.1% ownership interest in REI and a 10% ownership interest in Hotel Casino Realty, Inc. ("HCRI"). He does not hold voting power or dispositive power with respect to REI's 11,129,867 shares of the Company's Common Stock or HCRI's 1,214,108 shares of the Company's Common Stock, and he disclaims beneficial ownership of REI's 11,129,867 shares of the Company's Common Stock and HCRI's 1,214,108 shares of the Company's Common Stock, in each case, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.

(10)
Includes 48,208 shares held by Mr. Billhimer and options to acquire 132,900 shares.

(11)
Represents shares held by Mr. Billhimer and Mr. Jones as of the last day of their employment with the Company which was January 5, 2016 and March 15, 2016, respectively.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers, and the persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of the shares of our common stock, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of all filed reports are required to be furnished to us. Based solely on the reports received by us and on the representations of the reporting persons, we believe that these persons have complied with all applicable filing requirements during the fiscal yearyears ended December 31, 2015,2020, except Donald L. Carano did not report one purchase transaction by his spouse on August 27, 2015 until he filedthat, due to an administrative error, a Form 4 for Mr. Mather reporting suchone transaction on September 11, 2015.was filed late.

2021 PROXY STATEMENT        15


Director Compensation
CORPORATEGOVERNANCEANDBOARDMATTERS

 During 2015, the Compensation Committee reviewed the compensation structure for the members

BOARD STRUCTURE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

BOARD LEADERSHIP AND RISK OVERSIGHT

Mr. Gary L. Carano is Executive Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors, to ensure that the annual retainer stipendMr. Reeg is our Chief Executive Officer and committee fees representMr. Anthony L. Carano is our President and Chief Operating Officer. In these roles, Messrs. Reeg and Anthony L. Carano have general charge and management of our affairs, property and business, while Mr. Gary L. Carano provides independent oversight of senior management and Board matters and serves as a fair reimbursement for the levelvaluable bridge between our Board of workDirectors and responsibility assigned to different members of the board. Based on a study of the Company's peer competitor group (which is the same peer group that the Committee used with respect to the NEOs as we describe under "Peer Companies and Competitive Benchmarking"), the Compensation Committee established a target compensation level for


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its Board members that are equal to the median level paid its peers in the gaming industry.our management. In addition, the Compensation Committee compared its recommended compensation practices for ourExecutive Chairman provides guidance to the Chief Executive Officer, sets the agenda of the Board members with a recent report published by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). This study of proxy statements indicated that our compensation structure is reasonable and appropriate when comparedin consultation with the median average boardChief Executive Officer and Lead Independent Director and presides over meetings of shareholders and the Board.

Mr. Tomick is our Lead Independent Director. He has, in addition to the powers and authorities of any member compensationof the Board of Directors, the power and authority to chair executive sessions and to work closely with the Executive Chairman in determining the appropriate schedule for the peer group. Additionally, inBoard of Directors meetings. In his role as Lead Independent Director, Mr. Tomick serves as a liaison between the Company's quest to ensure that director's interests are aligned with thoseindependent directors and Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and leads the Board’s evaluation of the Company's stockholders, effective January 1, 2015 at least half of each director's average annual base retainer fee will be comprised of restricted stock unit grants. Effective January 1, 2015, the Company adopted minimum stock ownership guidelinesExecutive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Tomick also is responsible for its non-employee directors. The stock ownership guideline requires the holding of Company Common Stockbeing available for consultation and direct communication with a minimum value equalmajor shareholders and responding directly to five times such director's annual cash base retainer fee. Prior to achievement of the guideline, RSU grants will vest immediately; however, payment will be mandatorily deferred until termination of Board service. After guideline achievement, Restricted Stock Unit ("RSU") grants will continue to vest immediately. Payment will also be immediate unless the director makes a timely voluntary election to defer payment until termination of Board service. Non-employee directors have five years to achieve their minimum stock ownership and once achieved, the Board expects non-employee directors to maintain their stated guideline forshareholder questions, as long as they are subject to the guideline. During 2015, 17,980 RSUs were issued to each non-employee director.

        During 2015, the Company's non-employee directors received a cash stipend of $50,000. In addition, each committee member, except the committee chairman, is entitled to the following annual cash stipend: Audit Committee: $10,000; Compensation Committee: $5,000; Nominating and Governance Committee: $5,000; Compliance Committee: $5,000. Each Board committee chairman is entitled to the following annual stipend: Audit Committee: $20,000; Compensation Committee: $10,000; Nominating and Governance Committee: $10,000.appropriate. The Lead Independent Director position is also entitled toat all times held by a $25,000 cash stipend. The Compliance Committee chair is a Board representativedirector who is not entitled to compensation. We reimburse board members for expenses incurred“independent” as defined in attending meetings.Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2).

The following table sets forth the compensation of the Company's non-employee directors for services rendered in 2015. Directors who are also employees of the Company do not receive compensation (other than their compensationBoard appointed Mr. Kornstein as employees of the Company) for their services on the Board.

Name
 Fees
earned
or paid
in cash
($)
 Stock
awards
($)(1)
 Option
awards
($)
 Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation
($)
 Change in
pension
value and
nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
 All other
compensation
($)
 Total
($)
 
(a)
 (b)
 (c)
 (d)
 (e)
 (f)
 (g)
 (h)
 

Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr. 

 $65,000 $75,000         $140,000 

James B. Hawkins

 $65,000 $75,000         $140,000 

Michael E. Pegram

 $70,000 $75,000         $145,000 

David P. Tomick

 $91,209 $75,000         $166,209 

Roger P. Wagner

 $65,000 $75,000          $140,000 

(1)
17,980 RSUs were awarded to each non-employee director during 2015.

Transactions with Related Persons

        Management Agreement and payments to affiliates of REI and HCM.    Prior to the consummation of the merger of wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company into Holdco, which is the parent company of Resorts, and MTR Gaming Group, Inc. (the "Merger") Resorts was party to a management agreement (the "Eldorado Management Agreement") with REI and HCM, pursuant to which REI and HCM


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(collectively, the "Managers") agreed to (a) develop strategic plans for Resorts' business, including preparing annual budgets and capital expenditure plans, (b) provide advice and oversight with respect to financial matters of Resorts, (c) establish and oversee the operation of financial accounting systems and controls and regularly review Resorts' financial reports, (d) provide planning, design and architectural services to Resorts and (e) furnish advice and recommendations with respect to certain other aspects of Resorts' operations. In consideration for such services, Resorts agreed to pay the Managers a management fee not to exceed 1.5% of Resorts' annual net revenues, not to exceed $0.6 million per year. REI is beneficially owned by members of the Carano family and HCM is beneficially owned by members of the Poncia family. The Carano family and Poncia family hold significant ownership interests in the Company. Management fees were not paid subsequent to the consummationVice Chair effective as of the Merger. In 2015, Donald L. Caranohis role as Vice Chair, Mr. Kornstein is tasked with providing an additional layer of independent leadership relating to Board matters, including presiding at all meetings of the Board when neither the Executive Chairman nor the Lead Independent Director is present, reviewing and Raymond J. Poncia received remuneration inapproving meeting agendas and ensuring there is sufficient time to discuss all agenda items, approving the amountquality, quantity and timeliness of $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for their services as consultantsinformation sent to the CompanyBoard, and its subsidiariesplaying an increased role in lieu of thecrisis management fees previously paid under the terms of the Eldorado Management Agreement.

        Leased property.    Resorts owns the parcel on which Eldorado Reno is located, except for approximately 30,000 square feet which is leased from C. S. & Y. Associates, a general partnership of which Donald L. Carano is a general partner (the "CSY Lease"). The CSY Lease expires on June 30, 2027. Annual rent is payable in an amount equaloversight, to the greater of (i) $400,000 or (ii) an amount based on a decreasing percentage of Eldorado Reno's gross gaming revenues for the year ranging from 3% of the first $6.5 million of gross gaming revenuesextent applicable. In addition to 0.1% of gross gaming revenues in excess of $75 million. Rent pursuant to the CSY Lease amounted to approximately $0.6 million in 2015. On May 30, 2011, Resortshis Vice Chairman duties, and C. S. & Y Associates entered into a fourth amendment to the CSY Lease. C. S & Y Associates agreed to execute and deliver the deeds of trust encumbering the approximately 30,000 square feet leased from C. S. & Y Associates on which a portion of Eldorado Reno is located as security for Senior Secured Notes and the Secured Credit Facility. In exchange for this subordination, a fee of $0.1 million was paid annually during the term of the indenture, including 2015. As a result of the July 2015 refinancing, the subordination was subsequently eliminated.

        Compensation Paid to Related Parties.    For the period beginning January 1, 2015 to April 15, 2016, members of the Carano family who are related to Gary L. Carano, Anthony L. Carano and Donald L. Carano and a member of Robert M. Jones' family were paid compensation in connection with their positions at Eldorado Reno and the Company as follows:

Name
 Relationship Position Entity Compensation
including
Perquisites(3)
 2015
RSUs(4)
 2016
RSUs(5)
 Total 

Gene Carano

 Brother of Gary L. Carano and son of Donald L. Carano Senior Vice President of Regional Operations Company $682,972 $144,918 $200,000 $1,027,890 

Gregg Carano

 Brother of Gary L. Carano and son of Donald L. Carano Senior Vice President Food and Beverage Company $652,074 $144,918 $187,500 $984,492 

Rhonda Carano

 Wife of Donald L. Carano Senior Vice President of Design and Development(1) Company $389,646 $72,460 $75,000 $537,106 

Cindy Carano

 Sister of Gary L. Carano and daughter of Donald L. Carano Executive Director of Hotel Operations Silver Legacy and Eldorado Reno $308,179 $ $ $308,179 

Glenn Carano

 Brother of Gary L. Carano and son of Donald L. Carano General Manager(2) Silver Legacy and Eldorado Reno $306,673 $ $194,000 $500,673 

Josh Jones

 Son of Robert M. Jones Senior Financial Analyst Company $194,233 $25,000 $45,000 $264,233 

(1)
Rhonda Carano was previously the Senior Vice President of Creative and Brand Strategies until her position changed effective 2016.

(2)
Glenn T. Carano was the General Manager of Silver Legacy and received $339,500 in compensation from the Silver Legacy from January 1, 2015 to November 23, 2015. As a result of the Circus Reno/Silver Legacy Purchase, which was consummated on November 24, 2015,given his extensive industry experience, Mr. Glenn Carano was also named General Manager of Eldorado Reno and became an employee of the Company.

(3)
Includes base salary, bonus and perquisites comprised of 401(k) match, company paid memberships and life insurance premiums.

(4)
Represents performance and time-based RSUs granted January 23, 2015 at $4.03 per share at 100% target.

(5)
Represents performance and time-based RSUs granted January 22, 2016 at $10.74 per share at 100% target.

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        Beginning in December 2015 through April 15, 2016, Gregg Carano had the use of a residence rented by the Company in Columbus, Ohio which averages rent of approximately $2,300 a month.

        Acquisition of Minority Interest in ELLC.    On the Acquisition Date, Resorts consummated the acquisition of the other 50% membership interest in the Silver Legacy Joint Venture owned by Galleon, Inc. pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and also exercised its right to acquire the 3.8% interest in ELLC held by certain affiliates of the Company. As a result of these transactions, ELLC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ERI and Silver Legacy became an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ERI. As consideration for the noncontrolling interest, the Company issued 373,135 shares of common stock. Subsequent to this action the Company owned 100% of ELLC. The Company valued the shares at the market price on the day the shares were issued to the noncontrolling interest holders. The value of the total consideration paid was $3.6 million.

    Approval of Related Party Transactions

        The Company's Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the "Code") requires that any proposed transaction between the Company and a related party, or in which a related party would have a direct or indirect material interest, be promptly disclosed to the Compliance Committee of the Company. The Compliance Committee is required to disclose such proposed transactions promptly to the Company's Audit Committee.

        The Company's Audit Committee Charter requires the Audit Committee of the Company to review and approve all related party transactions of the Company. Any director having an interest in the transaction is not permitted to vote on such transaction. The Audit Committee will determine whether or not to approve any such transaction on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the provisions of the Audit Committee Charter and the Code, including the standards set forth in the Conflicts of Interest Policy contained in the Code. Under the Code, a "related party" is any of the following:

    an executive officer of the Company;

    a director (or director nominee) of the Company;

    an immediate family member of any executive officer or director (or director nominee);

    a beneficial owner of five percent or more of any class of the Company's voting securities;

    an entity in which one of the above described persons has a substantial ownership interest or control of such entity; or

    any other person or entity that would be deemed to be a related person under Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K or applicable NASDAQ rules and regulations.

        For a director to be considered independent, the director must meet the bright-line independence standards under the listing standards of NASDAQKornstein provides management and the Board must affirmatively determinewith valuable insight and guidance with respect to strategic matters. This includes being available to provide an enhanced level of input and evaluation with respect to strategic initiatives and other operational matters, as well as providing an independent perspective that the director has no material relationship with us, directly, or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us. is rooted in both industry and tactical business experience.

The Board determines director independence based on an analysisbelieves that this leadership structure is appropriate at this time. Although the roles of the independence requirements of the NASDAQ listing standards. In addition, the Board will consider all relevant facts and circumstances in making an independence determination. The Board also considers all commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable, familial or other business relationships any director may have with us. The Board has determined that the following five directors satisfy the independence requirements of NASDAQ: Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., James B. Hawkins, Michael E. Pegram, David P. Tomick, Roger P. Wagner.


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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion & Analysis

        In this Compensation and Discussion and Analysis ("CD&A"), we describe the material components of our executive pay programs for our named executive officers during 2015. Executive compensation is included in the tables following this discussion in accordance with SEC rules. We have included certain information in the CD&A (in this section generally) for periods subsequent to December 31, 2015 that we believe may be useful for a complete understanding of our executive compensation arrangements.

        This CD&A will provide you with an overview and explanation of:

    our compensation programs and policies for certain of our named executive officers identified below;

    the material compensation decisions made by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Compensation Committee") under those programs and policies; and

    the material factors that the Compensation Committee considered in making those decisions.

    Our Named Executive Officers During 2015

    Gary L. Carano,Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

    Robert M. Jones, are currently separate, the Board does not have a policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chief FinancialExecutive Officer and Chairman of the Board, as the Board believes it is in our best interests and the best interests of our shareholders to make that determination based on the position and direction of our Company and the composition of the Board. Maintaining a position of Lead Independent Director and an independent Vice Chair provides an extra layer of independent oversight, and we believe this structure facilitates independent oversight of management while fostering effective communication between our management and the Board.

    In addition, as a publicly traded corporation registered with and licensed by multiple regulatory bodies and as required by the Mississippi Gaming Commission, Nevada Gaming Commission, and New Jersey Casino Control Commission, we maintain a Compliance Committee which implements and administers our Compliance Plan. The Compliance Committee’s duties include investigating key employees, vendors of goods and services, sources of financing, consultants, lobbyists and others who wish to do substantial business with us or our subsidiaries and making recommendations to our management concerning suitability. Our Compliance Committee currently includes independent directors Messrs. Fahrenkopf and Pegram, and non-director

    Thomas R. Reeg,President

    Joseph L. Billhimer, Jr. members A.J. “Bud” Hicks (who serves as the chairperson and an independent member of the Committee),Chief Operating Officer

    Anthony L. Carano, Stephanie Lepori and Jeffrey Hendricks (who serves as the Compliance Officer). Mr. Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr. also serves as an ex-officio member of the Compliance Committee. The Compliance Committee held four meetings in 2020.

    Our senior management is responsible for the day-to-day assessment and management of our risks, and our Board is responsible for oversight of our enterprise risk management in general. The risks facing us include risks associated with our financial condition, liquidity, cybersecurity and data privacy, operating performance, ability to meet our debt and master lease obligations and regulations applicable to our operations and compliance therewith. The Board’s oversight is primarily managed and coordinated through Board committees. Our Audit Committee oversees risk management with respect to our significant

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 On January 5, 2016, Mr. Billhimer left

financial and accounting policies, as well as the effectiveness of management’s processes that monitor and manage other key business risks, and the Compliance Committee is responsible for overseeing risks associated with our gaming activities and regulatory compliance. The Board is responsible for reviewing our cybersecurity risk profile and is regularly updated (at least once a year) by the Company’s Senior Vice President of Technology (who also holds the title of Chief Information Security Officer) on the cybersecurity risks and threats facing the Company, which findings are reviewed and Mr. Jones announced his retirement effective March 15, 2016.discussed by the Audit Committee. The Board is further briefed on actions and changes taken by management to mitigate the Company’s risk profile and provided with an overview of the cybersecurity strategy along with key cybersecurity initiatives, such as Team Member training and awareness building, and related matters. Additionally, the Compensation Committee oversees risks related to compensation policies. Our Corporate Social Responsibility Committee is responsible for managing risk associated with climate change, responsible gaming, staff and customer well-being, maintaining sustainable operations, diversity and inclusion throughout the organization. The Audit, Compensation, Corporate Social Responsibility Committee and Compliance Committees report their findings to the full Board. In light of Mr. Jones' retirement,addition, at its meetings, the Board discusses risks that we face, including those management has highlighted as the most relevant risks. Furthermore, the Board’s oversight of Directors appointed Mr. Reegenterprise risk involves assessment of the risk inherent in our long-term strategies, as well as other matters brought to the attention of the Board. We believe that the structure and experience of our Board allows our directors to provide effective oversight of risk management. The Board recognizes that it is our responsibility and the responsibility of our management to identify and attempt to mitigate risks that could cause significant damage to our business or shareholder value.

EXECUTIVE SESSION AND ATTENDANCE

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the independent directors must meet at least twice annually in executive session and that independent directors will have the opportunity to convene in executive session at every meeting of the Board, in their discretion. Our independent directors met in executive sessions, without management present, at the majority of all regularly scheduled Board meeting during 2020.

During 2020, our Board held 14 meetings (seven meetings prior to the Merger and seven meetings following the Merger), and also serveacted by unanimous written consent 11 times during 2020. Each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the Board meetings and meetings of the committees of the Board on which such director served during 2020 and that were held during the period for which he or she served as Chief Financial Officer beginning March 16, 2016.

        The following briefly describesa director or as member of such committee. In addition to Board and committee meetings, directors are encouraged to attend the business experience and educational background for Joseph L. Billhimer, Jr., Robert M. Jones and Anthony L. Carano. The biographiesAnnual Meeting of Shareholders. Gary L. Carano and Thomas R. Reeg begin on page 3 herein.attended our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

BOARD OVERSIGHT

Joseph L. Billhimer Jr.General., 52, served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerOur Board provides the ultimate oversight of the Company and Resorts since September 2014 until January 2016 when he leftoversees and advises members of management who are responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the Company. Mr. Billhimer joined MTRThe Board has developed a number of specific expectations of its directors, set forth in April 2011 and has served as Chief Operating Officer of MTR from 2012 and as President of MTR from September 2013the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, to September 2014. Mr. Billhimer served as Executive Vice President of MTR from 2012 to 2013 and Senior Vice President of Operations & Development at MTR and President and General Managerpromote the discharge of the Mountaineer Casino, RacetrackBoard’s responsibilities and Resort since 2012. Mr. Billhimer was a principal of Foundation Gaming Group, an advisory and management services firm for the gaming industry, which among other engagements, managed Harlow's Casino & Resort in Greenville, Mississippi from 2009 to 2010 and marketed its sale to Churchill Downs. Prior to Foundation Gaming Group, Mr. Billhimer served as president of Trilliant Gaming Illinois, LLC, a gaming development company, from 2008 to 2009. From 2003 to 2008, he was president and chief executive officer of Premier Entertainment LLC, the developer and parentefficient conduct of the Hard Rock HotelBoard’s business.

Management Succession Planning.Our Board oversees the management continuity planning process and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. While at Premier Entertainment, he was named Casino Journal's Executiveperiodically reviews the Company’s succession plans and leadership development programs.

Code of the Year in 2007 for his efforts in re-developing the Hard Rock HotelEthics.We have adopted a Code of Ethics and Casino after being destroyed by Hurricane KatrinaBusiness Conduct, which includes our Conflicts of Interest Policy, applicable to all directors and filing bankruptcy. Prior to Premier Entertainment, Mr. Billhimer spent three years as President and General Manager of Caesars Entertainment's Grand Casino Resort in Gulfport, Mississippi, and prior to that experience, eight years with Pinnacle


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Entertainment where he was Executive Vice President and General Manager of Casino Magic in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Robert M. Jones, 73, served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company from September 2014 until this retirement in March 2016 andemployees, including the Chief FinancialExecutive Officer, of Resorts for over thirty years. Mr. Jones earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Arizona and a MBA in business administration from Golden Gate University.

Anthony L. Carano, 34, has served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company since September 2014. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Carano was an attorney at the Nevada law firm of McDonald Carano Wilson, LLP, where his practice was devoted primarily to transactional, gaming and regulatory law. Mr. Carano holds a B.A. from the University of Nevada, his J.D. from the University of San Francisco, School of Law and his M.B.A. in Finance from the University of San Francisco, School of Business. Anthony L. Carano is Gary L. Carano's son.

    Our Compensation Strategy

        Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain critical executive talent, and to motivate behaviors that drive profitable growth and the enhancement of long-term value for our stockholders. Our program includes base salary and performance-based incentives (including both cash-based and equity-based incentives) and is designed to be flexible, market competitive, reward achievement of difficult but fair performance criteria, and enhance stock ownership at the executive level. Our philosophy is that clear, distinct and attainable goals should be established in order to enable the assessment of performance by the Compensation Committee.

        Pursuant to that philosophy, the Compensation Committee is guided by the general principles that compensation should be designed to:

    enhance stockholder value by focusing our executives' efforts on the specific performance metrics that drive enterprise value;

    attract, motivate, and retain highly-qualified executives committed to our long-term success;

    assure that the Company's executives receive fair compensation opportunities relative to their peers at similar companies, and fair actual compensation relative to Company performance; and

    align critical decision making with the Company's business strategy and goal setting.

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        The following table summarizes key elements of our executive compensation program going forward:

ElementPrimary PurposeKey Characteristics

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How We Determine Compensation

    Role of the Compensation Committee

        The Compensation Committee's primary role is to discharge the Board's responsibilities regarding compensation policies relating to our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee consists of independent directors and is responsible to our Board for the oversight of our executive compensation programs. Among its duties, the Compensation Committee is responsible for:

    review and assessment of competitive market data from the independent compensation consultant;

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    review and approval of incentive goals/objectives and compensation recommendations for Directors and above, including the named executive officers;

    evaluation of the competitiveness of each named executive officer's total compensation package;

    approval of any changes to the total compensation package including, but not limited to, salary, annual incentives, long-term incentive award opportunities and payouts, and retention programs;

    ensuring the Company's policies and practices relating to compensation do not encourage excessive risk-taking conduct.

        Following review and discussion, the Compensation Committee submits recommendations to the Board for approval. The Compensation Committee is supported in its work by the Chief Financial Officer and staff,Chief Accounting Officer. The code of ethics and Aon Hewitt, its independentbusiness conduct is posted on our website, investor.caesars.com/corporate-governance under “Governance—Documents” and a printed copy will be delivered on request by writing to the Corporate Secretary at Caesars Entertainment, Inc. c/o Corporate Secretary, 100 West Liberty Street, 12th Floor, Reno, Nevada, 89501. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement regarding certain amendments to, or waivers from, provisions of our code of ethics and business conduct by posting such information on our website.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Our Board and executive compensation consultant (the "Compensation Consultant"officers view Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”). as an integral element in the way we do business, in the belief that being a good corporate citizen helps protect the company against risk, contributes to improved performance and helps foster positive relationships with all those with whom we connect. The Board and our executive management are

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committed to being an industry leader in CSR (which includes diversity, equity and inclusion, social impact, and environmental sustainability). In 2020, the Board and our leadership continued to engage with our CEO-level external CSR Advisory Board comprised of experts representing Environmental Social Governance (“ESG”), diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”), sustainability and social impact, and used their guidance to confirm our CSR priorities. These priorities are reflected in our eleventh annual CSR report, published in 2020 in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative Standards.

RoleCSR Committee of the Independent Compensation Consultant
Board

Led by our newly-constituted Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, our Board oversees the Company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Code of Commitment

The Company is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and environmental steward through our CSR strategy, PEOPLE PLANET PLAY. This is reflected in our Code of Commitment which is our public pledge to our guests, Team Members, communities, business partners and all those we reach that we will honor the trust they have placed in us through ethical conduct and integrity. We commit to:

 

PEOPLE: Supporting the wellbeing of our Team Members, guests and local communities.

PLANET: Taking care of the world we all call home.

PLAY: Creating memorable experiences for our guests and leading responsible gaming practices in the industry.

PEOPLE PLANET PLAY Strategy

Our PEOPLE PLANET PLAY strategy defines how we meet the obligations of our Code of Commitment and is aligned with global priorities articulated by the United Nations as the Sustainable Development Goals. PEOPLE PLANET PLAY establishes multi-year targets in key areas of impact, including science-based greenhouse gas emissions-reduction, formally approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (“SBTi”), aligning with global best practices on climate change action. We are reviewing our PEOPLE PLANET PLAY targets and expect to publish our targets after our first year as a combined entity.

Responsible Gaming

The CompensationCompany maintains a responsible gaming (“RG”) program which serves as the standard bearer for the gaming industry. We train tens of thousands of Team Members each year and a cadre of RG Ambassadors throughout our properties to identify guests in need of assistance and provide support. The Company has contributed to the National Center for responsible gaming, the National Council on Problem Gaming and other state programs to help advance responsible practices in the gaming industry.

Environmental Stewardship

We take a proactive approach to environmental sustainability through our CodeGreen strategy, which was established by Former Caesars in 2007 and is being continued by the Company, consistently improving our performance across energy and greenhouse gas emissions efficiencies, reduction of water consumption and increasing waste diversion from landfills. The Company recognizes the impact climate change can play both on our business and the guests we serve. Identifying, assessing, and managing the risks and opportunities therefore plays a vital role in our long-term strategic thinking on climate and water, and how we approach our CSR goals. Between 2011 and 2019, Former Caesars reduced its absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions by 19.7%. In 2019, Former Caesars further committed to mitigating its impact on climate change by updating previously approved science based targets to be in line with well below 2 degrees Celsius per SBTi: (i) reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 35% by 2025, and 100% by 2050 from a 2011 base-year and (ii) having 60% of suppliers by spend institute science-based GHG reduction targets for their operations by 2023. In 2021, we expect to establish a new baseline in order to reaffirm our targets and goals as a combined company. The Company is pursuing renewable energy sources and low-carbon options, including on site solar developments. Our long-term goals include evaluating energy supply for each of our properties in pursuit of our SBTs.

We voluntarily participate in the CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), an international nonprofit that drives sustainable economies and encourages sustainable operations. In 2020, the Company made the A List for climate and water security and earned a spot on the Supplier Engagement Leaderboard from CDP. Just 5% of companies assessed by CDP make A

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List and only 7% make the Supplier Engagement Leaderboard. We are committed to creating and investing in policies and procedures towards CSR efforts. In order to engage guests in our CSR efforts, we have branded our hotel rooms with our PEOPLE PLANET PLAY messaging, inviting guests to play a role by using water, air-conditioning and towels with the environment in mind. We promote sustainable sourcing of key food ingredients for our menus from sustainably managed farms and fisheries.

Community Investment

The Company contributes extensively to our local communities to help them develop and prosper, through funding community projects, employee volunteering and cash donations from the Caesars Foundation, a private foundation funded from our operating income. In 2020, the Caesars Foundation contributed $1.3 million to communities across the United States with an emphasis on COVID-19 pandemic relief at the local level through food and shelter insecurity, wellness and workforce development programs. The Foundation also continued to support significant national relationships that support diversity equity and inclusion.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Committee retained Aon Hewittevaluates the emergent environmental, social and governance-related risks and the Company’s social and environmental goals (including diversity and inclusion efforts), including the policies and programs instrumental in achieving short- and long-term targets, presented at least annually by management. Our corporate social responsibility framework is branded under the theme PEOPLE, PLANET, PLAY. This approach unites all our properties and business activities behind a shared framework with a common language to more effectively support sustainable, ethical and profitable business growth. Our PEOPLE, PLANET, PLAY platform builds on many years of investment across all aspects of citizenship, including responsible gaming, diversity, equity and inclusion, community impact, environmental stewardship, human capital management, and human rights. We report transparently on our citizenship performance each year in line with Global Reporting Initiative Standards, the leading global sustainability reporting standard.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We embrace diversity and aim to create an inclusive working environment that celebrates all our Team Members as individuals. Our DEI framework identifies five pillars of activity: advocacy, Team Members, suppliers, communities and guests for independent executive compensation advisory services, namely,a holistic approach to conductembedding DEI in everything we do. We publish our DEI data in our annual CSR report (described above). As an example of our gender diversity, in 2020, 44% of leadership roles in the Company were held by women and 40% were held by people of color. In 2021, we set our new goals around gender and racial diversity. By 2025, 50% of leadership roles will be held by women. Furthermore, by 2025, 50% of leadership roles will be held by people of color.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES

The matters discussed above reflect the Board’s commitment to a system of governance that enhances corporate responsibility and accountability. The Corporate Governance Guidelines contain provisions addressing the following matters, among others:

Board size;

Director qualifications and membership criteria;

Director independence;

Director responsibilities;

Board meetings and attendance and participation at those meetings;

Board committees;

Executive sessions;

Director orientation, training and continuing education;

Director compensation;

Performance evaluation of the Board and its annual total compensation study for executivecommittees; and key manager positions. Aon Hewitt reports directly

Public interactions.

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Learn more about our governance practices, procedures and philosophies by visiting the Governance page of our website located at http://investor.caesars.com, where you will find our Corporate Governance Guidelines, committee charters and other important governance documents. We intend to disclose any future amendments to the Corporate Governance Guidelines on our website.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Prior to the Merger, the Board maintained three (3) standing committees of the Board: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Compensation Committee directly oversees the fees paid for the services provided. The Compensation Committee instructs Aon Hewitt to give advice to the Compensation Committee independent of managementNominating and to provide such advice for the benefit of our Company and stockholders. With the Compensation Committee's approval, Aon Hewitt may work directly with management on executive compensation matters. Aon Hewitt did not perform any other consulting services for the Company in 2015, and their services to the Compensation Committee did not raise any conflicts of interests between the Compensation Committee, the Company, and management.

        Specific roles of the Compensation Consultant include, but are not limited to, the following:

        The CEO makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee concerning the compensation of the other named executive officers and other senior management. In addition, the CEO and CFO are involved in setting the business goals that are used as the performance goals for the annual incentive plan and long-term performance units, subject to the Compensation Committee's approval. The CEO and CFO work closely with the Compensation Committee, Aon Hewitt and management to (i) ensure that the Compensation Committee is provided with the appropriate information to make its decisions, (ii) propose recommendations for the Compensation Committee's consideration and (iii) communicate those decisions to management for implementation. None of the named executive officers, however, play a role in determining their own compensation and are not present at executive sessions in which their pay is discussed.


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    Determination of CEO Pay

        In an executive session without management present, the Compensation Committee reviews and evaluates CEO compensation. The Compensation Committee reviews competitive market data, and both corporate financial performance and individual performance. Pay recommendations for the CEO, including salary, incentive payments for the previous year, and equity grants for the current year, are presented to the independent members of the Board. During an executive session of the Board, the Board conducts its own review and evaluation of the CEO's performance.

    Peer Companies and Competitive Benchmarking

        As previously noted, the Compensation Committee commissioned Aon Hewitt to conduct an annual total compensation study for executive and key manager positions. The Compensation Committee reviewed competitive market data to gain a comprehensive understanding of market pay practices, and combined that information with the discretion to consider experience, tenure, position, and individual contributions to assist with individual pay decisions (i.e., salary adjustments, target bonus, and long-term incentive grants).

        For conducting a competitive assessment of the compensation levels of each of its named executives in fiscal year 2015, the Compensation Committee approved a peer group of fourteen companies, as follows:

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Elements of Our Compensation Program

        The executive officer compensation program consists of three key elements:

GRAPHIC


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        Base salaries are intended to compete for and retain quality executives and to compensate the named executive officers for their day-to-day services to the Company. Annual incentive compensation is designed to motivate the executive officers to achieve shorter-term company-wide and individual performance goals. Long-term equity-based awards are designed to encourage the achievement of longer-term performance goals and create an ownership culture focused on long-term value creation for our stockholders. The Company also provides executives with access to retirement and health and welfare programs, on the same terms and conditions as those made to salaried employees generally. The Company's targeted pay mix (salary vs. performance-based incentive pay) reflects a combination of competitive market conditions and strategic business needs. The degree of performance-based incentive pay ("at risk" compensation) and total compensation opportunities increase with an executive's responsibility level. Competitive pay practices are reviewed annually by the CompensationCorporate Governance Committee.

Base Salary

        Base salaries are designed to recognize the skill, competency, experience and performance an executive brings to his or her position. The Compensation Committee determines base salaries using both competitive market data from Aon Hewitt's annual study and a comprehensive assessment of relevant factors such as experience level, value to stockholders, responsibilities, future leadership potential, critical skills, individual contributions and performance, economic conditions, and the market demands for similar talent. The Shortly following table summarizes the Compensation Committee's salary decisions in 2015.

Base Salary

GRAPHIC


(1)
On December 30, 2015, the Board approved increases in the base salaries of Mr. Gary L. Carano and Mr. Thomas R. Reeg.

(2)
On January 5, 2016, Mr. Billhimer left the Company and Mr. Jones announced his retirement effective March 15, 2016.

(3)
Anthony L. Carano's base salary increased from $300,000 to $380,000 effective August 1, 2015

Annual Incentives (Bonus Plan)

        Consistent with the Compensation Committee's primary objective to enhance the performance orientation of the Company's incentive programs, the Compensation Committee worked closely with Aon Hewitt to develop and approve a formal annual incentive compensation structure, which began in 2015. The aims of the annual incentive plan are to be straight-forward, enhance the understanding of what needs to get done, focus on clearly measurable metrics, balance corporate and property performance by individual participants, and implement the appropriate level of upside/downside reward potential.

        Under our annual incentive plan, our named executive officers have the opportunity to earn annual cash incentives based on the attainment of critical performance criteria. Performance targets are set annually at the start of the fiscal year. After a thorough review of internal equity and the


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recommendations of Aon Hewitt, the Compensation Committee maintained individual target award opportunities for the named executive officers that were based on a percentage of each named executive officer's base salary as follows:

GRAPHIC


(1)
On December 30, 2015, the Board approved increases in the annual cash incentives of Mr. Gary L. Carano and Mr. Thomas R. Reeg.

(2)
On January 5, 2016, Mr. Billhimer left the Company and Mr. Jones announced his retirement effective March 15, 2016.

        Awards are based on achievement of performance criteria, consisting of both financial (80%) and discretionary (20%) components. The annual incentive plan for the named executive officers is structured to measure Adjusted EBITDA (80% of the target award opportunity) and key individual performance objectives (20% of the target award opportunity). Adjusted EBITDA was utilized as a metric because the Compensation Committee believed that it reflects the results of operations of the Company and represents the dominant performance metric in the gaming/casino industry. Adjusted EBITDA was utilized as a performance metric by 12 of the 14 industry peers that disclosed their annual incentive performance metric. Individual goals were used because they are critical drivers of the Company's financial success. The goals are customized to each named executive officer and provide the Compensation Committee with a mechanism to gauge individual performance achievement on metrics within each named executive officer's direct control.

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        The details of the financial and performance criteria are discussed in turn below:

    Adjusted EBITDA (80% of the target award opportunity):

        With respect to the financial component, performance requirements for threshold and maximum bonus opportunities are 90% to 120% of target and payout opportunities are 50% to 200% of target, depending on actual performance achievement (payouts for performance between points is interpolated on a straight-line basis).

    Key individual performance criteria (20% of the target award opportunity):

        With respect to the discretionary component, the plan allows management to align 20% of annual incentive opportunities to performance criteria specific to the individual, the property, and/or corporate entity. Key performance criteria are identified at the beginning of the year. Performance is assessed at year-end by management and reviewed with the Compensation Committee. The Company is not obligated to pay out this pool unless management and the Compensation Committee agree that payments are warranted. The range of potential payments will be the same as the financial component (i.e., 50% to 200% of target). Discretionary performance criteria may include, but is not limited to, the following: customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, export of play to other Company properties, and property appearance. In 2016, the discretionary performance component was eliminated by the Compensation Committee.

        Annual bonus amounts paid in respect of 2015 performance are reported in the 'Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation' column of the 2015 Summary Compensation Table.

Long-Term Incentives

        The 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") allows the Company to grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance awards, other stock-based awards, and performance compensation awards.

Primary Objectives:

        The Compensation Committee and management worked closely with Aon Hewitt to create the performance orientation of the Company's executive compensation programs. The primary objectives were to design incentive programs that:

    support the Company's strategic business plan;

    enhance the alignment of management behaviors with stockholder value;

    address important executive retention issues; and

    provide the compensation tools necessary for the company to attract critical talent.

        For 2015 and 2016, the Compensation Committee granted long-term incentive awards with (i) 50% of the equity grants in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs) with three-year cliff vesting and (ii) 50% in the form of performance RSUs. The performance units are subject to a one-year performance period, with a two-year additional vesting requirement for a total of three years from grant date to vesting/payment date. The participants' actual payment values after three years are dependent on one-year Adjusted EBITDA performance and two additional years of stock price performance. Performance units are paid as follows: 50% of target will be earned at threshold


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performance, 100% of target will be earned at target performance, and 200% of target will be earned at maximum performance. No award is earned if performance falls below the threshold.

GRAPHIC

    Employment Agreements

        In order to provide continuity and stability in leadership, the Company has entered into employment agreements with each of the named executive officers. Please see "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control" for more information on the amounts that each named executive officer is entitled to in the event that his employment is terminated.

    Other Compensation

    Retirement and Benefit Programs

        The named executive officers were eligible to participate in various benefit plans including, 401(k), health insurance and life insurance plans that are generally available to all employees. The 401(k) plan provides for a company match, which for all of the named executive officers, except Mr. Billhimer, was 25% of the first 4% of permitted employee contributions to the plan during 2015. During 2015, Mr. Billhimer received a company match of 50% of the first 4% of permitted employee contributions to the plan. Life insurance was also provided to the named executive officers for a total of $50,000, except Joseph L. Billhimer who was provided life insurance at two times salary until October 1, 2015 when his life insurance was reduced to $50,000.

        On January 1, 2016, the Company established a new 401(k) plan for all of its employees, including the named executive officers. The plan allows for an employer contribution up to 50 percent of the first four percent of each participating employee's contribution, up to a maximum of $1,000, subject to statutory and certain other limits.

    Perquisites

        It is the Company's intent to continually assess business needs and evolving market practices to ensure that perquisite offerings are competitive and in the best interest of our stockholders. For more information on these perquisites, see the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table. The named executive officer contracts provide for perquisites consisting of financial planning and tax preparation fees ranging from $6,750 to $10,000 and an annual executive physical of up to $3,000.


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    Equity Grant Practices

        Under the Company's insider trading policy, named executive officers, other employees with access to material non-public information about the Company and directors are always prohibited from engaging in transactions in the Company's securities when in possession of material non-public information and are otherwise restricted from engaging in transactions in the Company's securities during black-out periods. The Compensation Committee's policy with respect to equity grants is consistent with the Company's insider trading policy. We have a policy that prohibits all directors, officers, and employees of the Company and its other controlled businesses from entering into short sales of the securities of the Company and its other controlled businesses, and buying or selling exchange-traded options (puts or calls) on the securities of the Company and its other controlled businesses.

    Compensation Risk Assessment

        It is the responsibility of the Compensation Committee to ensure that the Company's policies and practices related to compensation do not encourage excessive risk-taking behavior. The Compensation Committee has worked closely with Aon Hewitt to design a performance-based compensation system that supports the Company's objective to align stockholder and management interests, supports the Company's strategic business plan, and mitigates the possibility of executives taking unnecessary or excessive risks that would adversely impact the Company. The following factors mitigate the risk associated with our compensation programs:

    The Board approves short- and long-term performance objectives for our incentive plans, which we believe are appropriately correlated with stockholder value and use multiple metrics to measure performance;

    The Compensation Committee's discretion to amend final payouts of both short- and long-term incentive plans;

    The use of company-wide performance metrics for both the short- and long-term incentive programs ensure that no single executive has complete and direct influence over outcomes, encouraging decision making that is in the best long-term interest of stockholders;

    The use of equity and cash opportunities with vesting periods to foster retention and alignment of our executives' interests with those of our stockholders;

    Capping the potential payouts under both the short- and long-term incentive plans to eliminate the potential for any windfalls; and

    The use of competitive general and change-in-control severance programs help to ensure that executives continue to work towards the stockholders' best interests in light of potential employment uncertainty.

        Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation to the GAAP measures and other information can be found on pages 40 through 41 of the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2016.

Tax and Accounting Treatment of Compensation

        Under Section 162(m) of the Code, a public company generally may not deduct compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to any of the named executive officers (other than the Chief Financial Officer); however, the statute exempts qualifying performance-based compensation from the deduction limit when specified requirements are met. In general, we strive to design programs that qualify for this exemption, however, the Compensation Committee may not necessarily limit executive compensation to the amount deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code. In certain situations, the Compensation Committee may approve compensation that will not be deductible in order to ensure competitive levels of total compensation for the named executive officers or for other reasons.


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Compensation Committee Report

        Our Compensation Committee is composed of three independent Directors, each of whom meets the independence requirements of NASDAQ listing standards and the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. Our charter can be viewed on the Company's website (www.eldoradoresorts.com), under "Corporate Governance—Committee Charting."

        The compensation committee reviewed and discussed the CD&A section of this Proxy Statement with management Based upon our review and such discussion, we recommended to the Board that the CD&A section be included in this disclosure document.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:

    James B. Hawkins
    Michael E. Pegram
    Roger P. Wagner

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the report of the Compensation Committee included in this Proxy Statement shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.

Summary Compensation Table

        The following table summarizes the total compensation paid to or earned by each of the named executive officers of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. Total compensation paid to or earned by listed named executive officers of the Company under their capacity as employees of Resorts or MTR, as applicable, during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are also included.

Name and
Principal Position
 Year Salary Bonus Stock
Awards(7)
 Option
Awards(6)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
 All Other
Compensation(4)
 Total 
(a)
 (b)
 (c)
 (d)
 (e)
 (f)
 (g)
 (h)
 (i)
 

Gary L. Carano(1)

  2015 $700,000 $ $608,668 $ $716,800 $7,169 $2,032,637 

Chief Executive Officer

  2014  251,539  200,000(2)       3,747  455,286 

  2013               

Robert M. Jones

  
2015
 
$

400,000
 
$

 
$

231,870
 
$

 
$

256,000
 
$

4,974
 
$

892,844
 

Chief Financial Officer

  2014  393,558  250,000(2)       17,054  660,612 

  2013  359,615          24,074  383,689 

Thomas R. Reeg

  
2015
 
$

550,000
 
$

450,000

(3)

$

318,822
 
$

 
$

352,000
 
$

15,587
 
$

1,686,409
 

President

  2014  427,423  1,725,000(2)       30,970  2,183,393 

  2013  364,000  100,000(5)       12,889  476,889 

Joseph L. Billhimer, Jr. 

  
2015
 
$

525,000
 
$

 
$

304,330
 
$

 
$

262,500
 
$

5,710
 
$

1,097,540
 

Chief Operating Officer

  2014  523,846  100,000(6) 156,748    522,000(8) 61,046  1,363,640 

  2013  429,231    39,006  78,221  156,960  30,014  733,432 

Anthony L. Carano

  
2015
 
$

333,333
 
$

 
$

197,091
 
$

 
$

243,200
 
$

2,089
 
$

775,713
 

General Counsel

  2014  127,088  200,000(2)       (9) 327,088 

  2013               

(1)
Prior to August 1, 2014, Mr. Gary L. Carano served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Resorts and HoldCo and General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Silver Legacy. Mr. Carano received no remuneration from Resorts or HoldCo for services provided prior to August 1, 2014.

(2)
Represents bonus amounts paid to Mr. Gary L. Carano, Mr. Jones, Mr. Reeg and Mr. Anthony L. Carano in 2014 in conjunction with the Merger.

(3)
In 2015, Mr. Reeg received a $450,000 bonus for the consummation of the Circus Reno/Silver Legacy Purchase.

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(4)
All other compensation for 2015 consists of the following:

Name
 Life
Insurance
Premiums
 401(k)
Match
 Tax
Services
 Travel
Reimbursement
 

Gary L. Carano

 $54 $2,650 $4,465   

Robert M. Jones

 $54 $2,650 $2,270   

Thomas R. Reeg

 $54 $2,650   $12,883 

Joseph L. Billhimer, Jr. 

 $258 $5,452     

Anthony L. Carano

 $54 $ $2,035   
(5)
Represents a bonus payment to Mr. Reeg in 2013 by Silver Legacy in connection with its restructuring in 2012.

(6)
Bonus amount was paid upon completion of the Merger, in accordance with the second amendment to the employment agreement, dated as of March 30, 2011, by and between MTR Gaming Group, Inc. and Joseph L. Billhimer.

(7)
The restricted stock unit ("RSU") awards and stock option awards represent the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC 718-Compensation-Stock Compensation. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 12 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2015 filed with the SEC on March 15, 2016. The performance based awards have a maximum performance of 200% of the target award. Once the performance awards are earned, they will vest and become payable at the end of the vesting period, which is defined as two years following the performance period. At the grant date, we believed that it was probable that the performance criteria would be met at target and that each individual will remain employed through the date the grant would become fully vested by its terms, and accordingly, the full value of awards granted has been included at 100% of target. The performance based awards granted in 2015Board’s standing committees were deemed to be achieved in 2016 at 135% of target based upon the performance of the Company in 2015. Mr. Billhimer's RSUs and stock options which were issued prior to the Merger vested upon consummation of the Merger. At the time of Mr. Billhimer's termination with the Company in 2016, his outstanding RSUs immediately vested. At the time of Mr. Jones' retirement in 2016, his outstanding RSUs immediately vested.

(8)
Amount represents the annual incentive compensation (bonus plan) earned in respect of 2014, and the vesting of cash-based performance awards granted in 2013 and 2014 that had previously not been reported as the amounts had not been earned. The 2014 cash-based performance awards granted in 2014 relate to the achievement of differing levels of performance and are measured by the level of the Company's corporate free cash flow over a two-year performance period, which is defined as calendar years 2014 and 2015. Once the performance awards are earned, they will vest and become payable at the end of the vesting period, which is defined as a one-calendar year following the performance period. The vesting of these cash-based performance awards was a result of the change-in-control provision triggeredre-constituted as a result of the Merger.

(9)
Mr. Anthony L. Carano received no other compensation paymentschange in 2014.

Grant of Plan Based Awards Table

        The following table sets forth information regardingBoard membership effectuated by the grant of plan-based awards made during 2015 toMerger, and the named executive officers.

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 All other
option
awards:
Number
of
securities
underlying
options
(#)
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 All other
stock
awards:
Number
of shares
of stock
or units
(#)
  
  
 
 
  
 Estimated possible payouts
under non-equity
incentive plan awards(1)
 Estimated future payouts
under equity
incentive plan awards(2)
 Exercise
or base
price of
option
awards
($/Sh)
 Grant
date fair
value of
stock and
Option
awards(3)
 
Name
 Grant
date
 Threshold
($)
 Target
($)
 Maximum
($)
 Threshold
(#)
 Target
(#)
 Maximum
(#)
 
(a)
 (b)
 (c)
 (d)
 (e)
 (f)
 (g)
 (h)
 (i)
 (j)
 (k)
 (l)
 

Gary L. Carano

  N/A $280,000 $560,000 $1,120,000                      

  1/23/2015           37,759  75,517  151,034  75,517       $608,668 

Robert M. Jones

  N/A $100,000 $200,000 $400,000                      

  1/23/2015           14,384  28,768  57,536  28,768       $231,870 

Thomas R. Reeg

  N/A $137,500 $275,000 $550,000                      

  1/23/2015           19,778  39,556  79,112  39,556       $318,822 

Joseph L. Billhimer, Jr. 

  N/A $131,250 $262,500 $525,000                      

  1/23/2015           18,879  37,758  75,516  37,758       $304,330 

Anthony L. Carano

  N/A $95,000 $190,000 $380,000                      

  1/23/2015           13,665  27,330  54,660  21,576       $197,091 

(1)
See the 2015 'Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation' columnBoard elected a new independent chair of the "Summary Compensation Table" for the actual annual cash bonus paid to the named executive officers in 2016 in respect of performance for 2015.

(2)
Committee. In February 2016, performance-based RSU awards were deemed to be achieved at 135% of target based upon the Company's performance in 2015.

(3)
Represents time-based and performance-based RSU awards issued on January 23, 2015 at a grant price of $4.03.

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    Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

        On September 29, 2014, the Company entered into employment agreements (each, an "Employment Agreement") with each of the named executive officers. The Employment Agreement between the Company and Gary L. Carano provided for a minimum annual base salary of $700,000, an annual incentive bonus opportunity with a target established at 80% of his base salary, and Gary L. Carano was considered for long-term incentive awards equal to 90% of his base salary. The Employment Agreements between the Company and Thomas R. Reeg, Joseph L. Billhimer, Jr., Robert M. Jones, and Anthony L. Carano, provided for a minimum annual base salary of $550,000, $525,000, $400,000 and $300,000, respectively, an annual incentive bonus opportunity with a target established at 50% of the applicable executive's base salary, and each of the applicable executives was considered for long-term incentive awards equal to 60% of the applicable executive's base salary.

        On August 7, 2015,addition, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the base salary of Mr. Anthony L. Carano from $300,000 to $380,000 per annum. The salary increase was effectiveformed a new Corporate Social Responsibility Committee as of August 1, 2015. The Board also approved a bonus payment of $450,000 for Mr. Reeg payable upon the consummation of ERI's acquisition of (i) all of the assets and properties of Circus Circus Reno and (ii) the 50% membership interest in Circus and Eldorado Joint Venture, LLC owned by Galleon, Inc. (collectively, the "Circus Reno/Silver Legacy Purchase"). The Circus Reno/Silver Legacy Purchase was consummated on November 24, 2015 (the "Acquisition Date") and the bonus to Mr. Reeg was paid on December 1, 2015. This payment is reflected in the 'Bonus' column of the Summary Compensation Table with respect to Mr. Reeg's 2015 compensation.

        On December 30, 2015, in conjunction with its annual review and increase of the base salaries of the executive officers of the Company pursuant to the terms of the employment agreements with such officers, the Compensation Committeestanding committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved, effective as of January 1, 2016, (i)and elected an increase in the target for the annual incentive bonus opportunity of Gary L. Carano from 80%independent chair to 100% of his base salary, a long term incentive award opportunity equal to 120% of his base salary and an increase in base salary from $700,000 to $750,000 (ii) an increase in the target for the annual incentive bonus opportunity of Mr. Reeg from 50% to 80% of his base salary, a long term incentive award opportunity equal to 100% of his base salary and an increase in base salary from $550,000 to $650,000. Each executivethat committee. The Board has determined that each committee member is entitled to three weeks paid vacation and reimbursement of certain expenses, including up to a maximum of $3,000 for an annual executive physical program and reasonable financial planning, estate planning and tax preparation fees up to an annual maximum of $10,000 for Gary L. Carano and up to an annual maximum of $6,750 for the other executives.

        Each Employment Agreement is for a term of three years, with automatic one year renewals unless a notice of non-renewal is provided by either party at least three months before the scheduled renewal date. If a "change of control" (as defined in the applicable Employment Agreement) occurs during the term of an Employment Agreement, the term of such Employment Agreement will be extended to the second year following such change of control, subject to automatic renewal for subsequent periods.

        In the event of a termination of Gary L. Carano's employment without "cause" or if Mr. Carano terminates his employment for "good reason" (each as defined in Mr. Carano's Employment Agreement), Mr. Carano would be entitled to receive (i) a lump-sum payment equal to 1.5 times the sum of his base salary and annual incentive award target, or 2.0 times such amount in the event of such a termination within two years following a change of control, (ii) lump-sum payment of a prorated portion of his actual annual incentive award, if any, or a prorated portion of his annual incentive award target in the event of such a termination within two years following a change of control, (iii) a lump-sum payment equal to 18 months of health benefits coverage, or 24 months if such a termination is within two years following a change of control, and (iv) outplacement services for no more than


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18 months and in an amount not to exceed $15,000, or for no more than 24 months and in an amount not to exceed $20,000 if such a termination is within two years following a change of control.

        With respect to each of the other executives, in the event that the Company terminates the executive's employment without "cause" or if such other executive terminates his employment for "good reason" (eachindependent as defined in the NASDAQ listing standards. The Board has adopted a written charter for each of these committees. The charter for each of these committees is available on the Governance page of our website located at http://investor.caesars.com/corporate-governance.

In this proxy statement, references to the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, as applicable, Employment Agreement),are intended to refer to such executive would be entitled to receive (i) his Accrued Rights, (ii) (x) incommittee, however constituted, at the caserelevant time.

The chart below reflects the composition of Messrs. Reeg, Jones, and A. Carano, a lump-sum payment equal to 1.0 times the sumstanding committees of such executive's base salary and annual incentive award target (or 1.5 times such amount in the eventour Board as of such a termination within two years following a change of control) and (y) in the case of Mr. Billhimer, continued payment of his base salary for a period of 12 months and a lump-sum payment equal to his annual incentive award at target (or 18 months of continued salary payments and a lump-sum payment equal to 1.5 times his annual incentive award at target in the event of such a termination within two years following a change of control), (iii) lump-sum payment of a prorated portion of such executive's actual annual incentive award for the calendar year that includes the date of the termination, if any, or a prorated portion of such executive's annual incentive award target in the event of such a termination within two years following a change of control, (iv) a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months of health benefits coverage (or 18 months if such a termination is within two years following a change of control), and (v) outplacement services for no more than 12 months and in an amount not to exceed $10,000 (or for no more than 18 months and in an amount not to exceed $15,000 if such a termination is within two years following a change of control).this Proxy Statement:

    Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

 The table below shows outstanding equity awards of the named executive officers as of December 31, 2015.

 
 Option awards  
 Stock awards 
Name(2)
 Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
exercisable
 Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
unexercisable
 Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
unearned
options
(#)
 Option
exercise
price
($)
 Option
expiration
date
 Number of
shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
(#)
 Market
value
shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
(#)
 Equity
incentive
plan awards:
number of
unearned
shares, units
or other
rights that
have not
vested
(#)
 Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
market or
payout value
of unearned
shares, units
or other
rights that
have not
vested
($)
 
(a)
 (b)
 (c)
 (d)
 (e)
 (f)
 (g)
 (h)
 (i)
 (j)
 

Gary L. Carano

                       101,948(1)$1,121,427 

                       75,517(2)$830,687 

Robert M. Jones

                       
38,837

(1)

$

427,207
 

                       28,768(2)$316,448 

Tom R. Reeg

                       
53,401

(1)

$

587,407
 

                       39,556(2)$435,116 

Joseph L. Billhimer, Jr. 

  
46,500
       
$

2.78
  
5/4/2021
        
50,973

(1)

$

560,706
 

  56,800       $2.44  1/27/2022        37,758(2)$415,338 

  29,600       $3.94  1/25/2023             

Anthony L. Carano

                       
36,896

(1)

$

405,851
 

                       21,576(2)$237,336 

(1)
Represents performance based RSUs at 135% of target at $11.00 a share which was the stock price as of December 31, 2015 and will vest on January 1, 2018.

(2)
Represents time-based RSUs at $11.00 a share which was the stock price as of December 31, 2015 and will vest on January 23, 2018.

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    Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

NAME

AUDITCOMPENSATIONCORPORATE
SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
NOMINATING &
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE

Bonnie S. Biumi

LOGO

Jan Jones Blackhurst

Chair

LOGO

Frank J. Fahrenkopf

Chair

Don R. Kornstein

Chair

LOGO

LOGO

Courtney R. Mather

LOGO

LOGO

LOGO

Michael E. Pegram

LOGO

David P. Tomick

Chair

LOGO

20        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


CORPORATEGOVERNANCEANDBOARDMATTERS

Audit Committee


Option awardsStock awards
Name

Number of
shares acquired
on exercise
(#)  4 MEETINGS IN 2020

Value realized
on exercise
($)
Number of
shares acquired
on vesting
(#)
Value realized
on vesting
($)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

N/A

   
   MEMBERS

   Biumi

   Mather

   Tomick (Chair)

  

        The following describes the severance provisions contained in the employment agreements of our named executive officers.

        In the event of the death of a named executive officer, his estate or his beneficiaries would be entitled to receive (i) unpaid salary, accrued and unused vacation, and unreimbursed business expenses through the date of termination (the "Accrued Rights") and (ii) lump-sum payment of a prorated portion of his annual incentive award, at target level.

        Upon a termination of employment due to disability, each of the named executive officers would be entitled to receive (i) his Accrued Rights, (ii) lump-sum payment of a prorated portion of his annual incentive award, at target level, and (iii) a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months of health benefits coverage.

        In the event of a termination of Mr. Gary L. Carano's employment without "cause" or if Mr. Carano terminates his employment for "good reason" (each as defined in Mr. Gary L. Carano's Employment Agreement), Mr. Carano would be entitled to receive (i) his Accrued Rights, (ii) a lump-sum payment equal to 1.5 times the sum of his base salary and annual incentive award target, or 2.0 times such amount in the event of such a termination within two years following a change of control, (iii) lump-sum payment of a prorated portion of his actual annual incentive award, if any, or a prorated portion of his annual incentive award target in the event of such a termination within two years following a change of control, (iv) a lump-sum payment equal to 18 months of health benefits coverage, or 24 months if such a termination is within two years following a change of control, and (v) outplacement services for no more than 18 months and in an amount not to exceed $15,000, or for no more than 24 months and in an amount not to exceed $20,000 if such a termination is within two years following a change of control.

        With respect to each of the other executives, in the event that the Company terminates the executive's employment without "cause" or if any other executive terminates his employment for "good reason" (each as defined in the applicable Employment Agreement), such executive would be entitled to receive (i) his Accrued Rights, (ii) (x) in the case of Messrs. Reeg, Jones, and A. Carano, a lump-sum payment equal to 1.0 times the sum of such executive's base salary and annual incentive award target (or 1.5 times such amount in the event of such a termination within two years following a change of control), and (y) in the case of Mr. Billhimer, continued payment of his base salary for a period of 12 months and a lump-sum payment equal to his annual incentive award target (or 18 months of continued salary payments and a lump-sum payment equal to 1.5 times his annual incentive award at target in the event of such a termination within two years following a change of control), (iii) lump-sum payment of a prorated portion of such executive's actual annual incentive award for the calendar year that includes the date of the termination, if any, or a prorated portion of such executive's annual incentive award target in the event of such a termination within two years following a change of control, (iv) a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months of health benefits coverage (or 18 months if such a termination is within two years following a change of control), and (v) outplacement services and for no more than 12 months and in an amount not to exceed $10,000 (or for no more than 18 months and


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in an amount not to exceed $15,000 if such a termination is within two years following a change of control).

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control Table

        The following table describes and quantifies certain compensation that would become payable under existing agreements, plans and arrangements, with named executive officers, if employment was terminated on December 31, 2015, given compensation levels as of such date and, if applicable, based on the Company's closing stock price on that date.

Name
 Compensation
Components
 Voluntary Involuntary
With
Cause
 Involuntary
Without
Cause For
Good
Reason
 Death Disability Change
in
Control(11)
 Change in
Control with
Termination
 

Gary L. Carano

 Salary/Bonus $ $ $1,766,800(2)$716,800(1)$716,800 $ $2,116,800(6)

 Other Benefits      23,272(2) 50,000(7) 5,514(4)   31,029(6)

 Options               

 Restricted Stock Units(8)  1,661,374    1,661,374  1,661,374  1,661,374  1,661,374  1,661,374 

 Cash Awards               

TOTAL

   $1,661,374 $ $3,451,446 $2,428,174 $2,383,688 $1,661,374 $3,809,203 

Robert M. Jones

 

Salary/Bonus

 
$

 
$

 
$

656,000

(3)

$

256,000

(1)

$

256,000
 
$

 
$

856,000

(5)

 Other Benefits      12,993(3) 50,000(7) 2,993(4)   19,489(5)

 Options               

 Restricted Stock Units(8)  632,896    632,896  632,896  632,896  632,896  632,896 

 Cash Awards               

TOTAL

   $632,896 $ $1,301,889 $938,896 $891,889 $632,896 $1,508,385 

Thomas R. Reeg

 

Salary/Bonus

 
$

 
$

 
$

902,000

(3)

$

352,000

(1)

$

352,000
 
$

 
$

1,177,000

(5)

 Other Benefits      19,477(3) 50,000(7) 9,477(4)   29,215(5)

 Options               

 Restricted Stock Units(8)  870,232    870,232  870,232  870,232  870,232  870,232 

 Cash Awards               

TOTAL

   $870,232 $ $1,791,709 $1,272,232 $1,231,709 $870,232 $2,076,447 

Joseph L. Billhimer, Jr. 

 

Salary/Bonus

 
$

 
$

 
$

787,500

(3)

$

262,500

(1)

$

262,500

(1)

$

 
$

1,050,000

(5)

 Other Benefits      26,689(3) 50,000(7) 16,689(4)   40,034(5)

 Options(9)(10)  1,077,414    1,077,414  1,077,414  1,077,414    1,077,414 

 Restricted Stock Units(8)  830,676    830,676  830,676  830,676  830,676  830,676 

 Cash Awards               

TOTAL

   $1,908,090 $ $2,722,279 $2,220,590 $2,187,279 $830,676 $2,998,124 

Anthony L. Carano

 

Salary/Bonus

 
$

 
$

 
$

631,200

(3)

$

243,200

(1)

$

243,200
 
$

 
$

825,200

(5)

 Other Benefits       19,477(3) 50,000(7) 9,477(4)   29,215(5)

 Options               

 Restricted Stock Units(8)  537,966    537,966  537,966  537,966  537,966  537,966 

 Cash Awards               

TOTAL

   $537,966 $ $1,188,643 $831,166 $790,643 $537,966 $1,392,381 

(1)
Amount represents (i) unpaid base salary, accrued and unused vacation, and unreimbursed business expenses through the date of termination (the "Accrued Rights") and (ii) the annual incentive award earned and approved to be paid with respect to completed fiscal period that preclude the date of termination but have not yet been paid.

(2)
Amount represents (i) Accrued Rights, (ii) a lump-sum payment equal to 1.5 times executive's base salary, (iii) a lump-sum payment equal to 18 months of health benefits coverage, and (v) outplacement services for no more than 18 months in an amount not to exceed $15,000.

(3)
Amount represents (i) Accrued Rights, (ii) a lump-sum payment equal to 1.0 times the sum of such executive's base salary, (iii) a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months of health benefits coverage, and (iv) outplacement services for no more than 12 months and in an amount not to exceed $10,000.

(4)
Amount represents a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months of health benefits coverage.

(5)
Amounts represent (i) Accrued Rights, (ii) lump-sum payment equal to 1.5 times executives base salary (or 18 months of continued base salary payments in the case of Mr. Billhimer), (iii) lump-sum payment equal to 18 months of health coverage, and (iv) outplacement services for no more than 18 months in an amount not to exceed $15,000, assuming the executive's employment was terminated by the Company without "cause" or by the executive with "good reason" as of December 31, 2015, and that a "change in control" (as defined in the employment agreements) occurred within two years prior to such termination.

(6)
Amounts represent (i) Accrued Rights, (ii) lump-sum payment equal to 2.0 times executives base salary, (iii) lump-sum payment equal to 24 months of health coverage, and (iv) outplacement services for no more than 24 months in an amount not to exceed $20,000, assuming Mr. Carano's employment was terminated by the Company without "cause" or by the executive with "good reason" as of December 31, 2015, and that a "change in control" (as defined in the employment agreement) occurred within two years prior to such termination.

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(7)
Amount represents, in the event of death, a life insurance policy specified per the terms of the employment agreement or benefit policy as approved by the Compensation Committee.

(8)
Amount would represent value of vested restricted stock units issued January 22, 2015 to purchase common stock based on the closing market price of ERI's common stock on December 31, 2015, of $11.00.

(9)
Amount would represent in-the-money value of vested options to purchase common stock based on the closing market price of ERI's common stock on December 31, 2015, of $11.00.

(10)
For option awards issued pursuant to the former MTR long-term incentive plan, in the event that Mr. Billhimer's employment with ERI is terminated by reason of death or disability, Mr. Billhimer or in the case of death, his legal representative (as defined), may exercise the options granted to him, at any time within twelve months, but not thereafter and in no event after the date the award would otherwise have expired. If Mr. Billhimer's employment with the Company is terminated for reasons other than death or disability, Mr. Billhimer may exercise the options granted to him at any time within three months after termination, but not thereafter and in no event after the date the award would otherwise have expired. However, if such relationship is terminated either (a) for cause, or (b) without the consent of the Company, such exercisable options will terminate immediately.

(11)
"Change in Control" is generally defined as (i) an acquisition of more than 50% of the Company's Common Stock by an unaffiliated party, (ii) a majority change in the Board's composition that is not approved by existing directors, (iii) a merger or similar event where our shareholders cease to be the majority owners of the resulting entity or our Board ceases to constitute a majority of the resulting entity Board, or (iv) shareholder approval of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

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PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM

        The Board has selected the firm of Ernst & Young LLP ("EY") to serve as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, subject to ratification by the stockholders.

        The following table presents fees incurred for professional services rendered by EY to ERI during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 
 2015 2014 

Audit fees(a)

 $2,619,905 $2,747,167 

Audit-related fees(b)

  823,966  797,101 

Tax fees(c)

  571,739  275,122 

Total Fees

 $4,015,610 $3,819,390 

(a)
Audit fees for 2015 and 2014 represent audit fees and related expenses for professional services rendered for the audit of ERI's and, in 2014, Resort's annual consolidated financial statements, the review of our quarterly financial statements included in ERI's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or reports provided by ERI to the trustee and holders of its Senior Notes, reports provided by Resorts to the trustee and holders of its Senior Secured Notes, and the audit of our internal control over financial reporting. Audit fees also represent fees for professional services rendered for statutory and subsidiary audits.

(b)
Audit-related fees for 2015 and 2014 represent fees related to various purchase accounting matters associated with the purchase agreement between ERI and MGM Resorts International, services related the debt refinancing including reviewing the Offering memorandum and, in 2014, the Merger including the filing of registration statements.

(c)
The tax fees for 2015 and 2014 represent fees for tax compliance and other services related to the Acquisition and Merger.

        The services provided by EY were approved in advance by the Company's Audit Committee.

        The Audit Committee's charter provides for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services performed by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. Under the charter, the Audit Committee may pre-approve specific services, including fee levels, by the independent registered public accounting firm in a designated category (audit, audit-related, tax services and all other services). The Audit Committee may delegate, in writing, this authority to one or more of its members, provided that the member or members to whom such authority is delegated must report their decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. All audit, tax and other services provided by EY are pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

        It is expected that a member of EY will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement at the Annual Meeting if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015.


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Report of the Audit Committee

INDEPENDENCE

 

Ms. Biumi and Messrs. Mather and Tomick are independent as independence is defined under the NASDAQ listing standards.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Our Board has determined that Ms. Biumi and Messrs. Tomick and Mather each qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee theour corporate accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the consolidatedaudits of our financial statementsstatements; provide an avenue of the Company. The Board of Directors, in its business judgment, has determined that all members ofcommunication among our independent auditors, management, our internal auditors and our Board; and prepare the Audit Committee are "independent," asReport required by applicable listing standardsthe SEC to be included in our annual proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K. The principal duties and responsibilities of NASDAQour Audit Committee are to oversee and monitor the Sarbanes-Oxley Actfollowing:

Preparation of 2002the annual Audit Committee Report to be included in our annual proxy statement;

Our financial reporting process and internal control system;

The integrity of our financial statements;

The independence, qualifications and performance of our independent auditor;

The performance of our internal audit function;

Our compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory matters; and

Risks that may have a material impact on the rules promulgated thereunder. financial statements or the Company’s policies and procedures and internal controls.

The Audit Committee operates pursuantinvestigates any matter brought to an Auditits attention within the scope of its duties. It also has the authority to retain counsel and advisors to fulfill its responsibilities and duties.

2021 PROXY STATEMENT        21


CORPORATEGOVERNANCEANDBOARDMATTERS

Compensation Committee Charter that was adopted in September 2014.

6 MEETINGS IN 2020

  MEMBERS

  Kornstein

(Chair)

  Mather

  Pegram

INDEPENDENCE

Messrs. Kornstein, Mather and Pegram are independent as independence is defined under the NASDAQ listing standards.

Our Compensation Committee is responsible for designing, approving and evaluating the administration of our compensation plans, policies and programs.

The Compensation Committee makes recommendations (and, where appropriate, makes determinations) with respect to salaries, bonuses, restricted stock, and deferred compensation for our NEOs as well as the policies underlying the methods by which we compensate our executives. The Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees and may delegate authority to one or more designated Compensation Committee members to perform certain of its duties on its behalf, including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the delegation to a subcommittee of one director the authority to grant stock options and equity awards. The Compensation Committee reviews the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer with respect to individual elements of the total compensation of our executive officers (other than the CEO) and key management. The Compensation Committee has delegated authority to Mr. Reeg to grant equity awards to employees who are not executive officers in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 (based on fair market value as of the grant date) per year.

It is the responsibility of the Compensation Committee to review our compensation policies and practices in the context of their potential encouragement of excessive risk-taking behavior. We believe that any risks arising from our current compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. As described in the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, we continue to review and develop our compensation policies with the objective of ensuring that management incentives promote disciplined, sustainable achievement of our long-term goals.

Each year the Compensation Committee reviews whether the work of the Company’s compensation consultant raises any conflicts of interest, including by evaluating the six independence factors under the NASDAQ listing rules.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

3 MEETINGS IN 2020

  MEMBERS

  Blackhurst

  Fahrenkopf

(Chair)

  Kornstein

  Tomick

INDEPENDENCE

Ms. Blackhurst and Messrs. Fahrenkopf, Kornstein and Tomick are independent as independence is defined under the NASDAQ listing standards.

The primary purposes and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are to (1) identify and vet individuals qualified to become directors, consistent with the criteria approved by our Board of Directors set forth in the Nominating and Governance Committee Charter, (2) nominate qualified individuals for election to the Board of Directors at the next annual meeting of shareholders, and (3) in consultation with the Executive Chairman of the Board, review the operational relationship of the various committees of the Board as set forth in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter.

22        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


CORPORATEGOVERNANCEANDBOARDMATTERS

Corporate Social Responsibility Committee

2 MEETINGS IN 2020

  MEMBERS

   Blackhurst

    (Chair)

   Kornstein

   Mather

INDEPENDENCE

Messrs. Blackhurst, Kornstein and Mather are independent as independence is defined under the NASDAQ listing standards.

The purpose of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities related to oversight of the Company’s sustainability risks and opportunities and environmental, social and governance issues, also encompassing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The Committee’s scope includes public policy, regulatory environments, corporate responsibility programs (including responsible gaming), and issues that may, in the Audit Committee Charter, managementview of the Companycommittee, affect the business, shareholder value, or other stakeholders from a sustainability and a DEI perspective. The committee is responsible fortasked with providing guidance to the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company's consolidated financial statements and for the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Management is responsible for maintaining the Company's accounting and financial reporting principles and internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The Company's independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the Company's consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. In addition, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm expresses an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal controls over financial reporting. The Audit Committee's responsibility is to monitorBoard and/or other Board committees, set direction, and oversee these processes.corporate responsibility programs.

        As part of its responsibility to monitor and oversee the Company's internal controls over financial reporting the Audit Committee received and reviewed periodic reports and updates from the Company's management and the Company's independent registered public accounting firm on the Company's compliance with its obligations relating to documenting and testing its internal controls over financial reporting. The Audit Committee also discussed with management, and the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, management's assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal controls over financial reporting, which was included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

        In the performance of its oversight function, the Audit Committee has considered and discussed the audited financial statements with management and the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16,Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") in Rule 3200T. The Audit Committee met with the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations. Finally, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm's communication with the Audit Committee concerning independence, including the PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526,Communications with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, as currently in effect, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm that firm's independence.

        The members of the Audit Committee are not full-time employees of the Company and are not performing the functions of auditors or accountants. As such, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Audit Committee or its members to conduct "field work" or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures or to set auditor independence standards. Members of the Audit Committee necessarily rely on the information provided to them by management and the independent registered public accounting firm. Accordingly, the Audit Committee's considerations and discussions referred to above do not assure that the audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements has been carried out in accordance with the audit standards of the PCAOB, that the consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that the Company's independent registered public accounting firm is in fact "independent."


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        Based upon the reports and discussions described in this report, and subject to the limitations on the roleprincipal duties and responsibilities of the AuditCorporate Social Responsibility Committee referredare as follows:

Define and oversee the company’s business purpose, value or mission statements, strategies, policies, and goals related to aboveenvironmental sustainability, responsible gaming, and inDEI topics;

Create programs to develop the Audit Committee Charter,collective knowledge, skills, and experience of Board Members on sustainability and ESG trends, regulation, risks, opportunities and peer performance;

Review the Audit Committee recommendedcompany’s annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report and other related disclosures, such as CDP Climate and Water reporting, policies and position statements, as needed, and recommend changes to the Board of Directors; and

Oversee the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

        Submitted by the Audit CommitteeCompany’s efforts to proactively promote DEI, and intentionally combat unconscious bias and promote conscious inclusion within all levels of the Company's Board,company.

    David P. Tomick (Chairman)
    Michael E. Pegram
    James B. Hawkins

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        23



    CORPORATEGOVERNANCEANDBOARDMATTERS

    Table of ContentsBOARD ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROCESSES


    COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD

    Shareholders may communicate with the Board by sending written correspondence to the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at the following address: Caesars Entertainment, Inc. 100 West Liberty St., 12th Floor, Reno, NV 89501, Attention: Corporate Secretary. The Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and his or her duly authorized representatives is responsible for collecting and organizing shareholder communications. Absent a conflict of interest, the Corporate Secretary is responsible for evaluating the materiality of each shareholder communication and determining whether further distribution is appropriate, and, if so, whether to (i) the full Board, (ii) one or more Board members and/or (iii) other individuals or entities.

    DIRECTOR ORIENTATION AND EDUCATION

    The Board has delegated to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee the task of monitoring, in consultation with the Executive Chairman of the Board and with the support of management, the orientation program for new directors and continuing training/education programs for all directors. Directors are expected to undertake continuing training/education to perform their duties. For 2020 this also included conscious inclusion training, which was offered to our Board members in connection with the Company’s continuing efforts to maximize DEI initiatives. Management of the Company will coordinate with the Board in preparing educational and training sessions for directors on matters relevant to the Company’s operations and plans.

    24        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    PROPOSAL 3

    2 - ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OFTO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
    OFFICER COMPENSATION

    Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are providing our stockholdersshareholders the opportunity to vote to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC'sSEC’s rules. This proposal, which is commonly referred to as "say-on-pay,"“say-on-pay,” gives stockholdersshareholders the opportunity, on an advisory basis, to either approve, reject or abstain from voting with respect to such compensation. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 also requires that stockholders have the opportunity to cast an advisory vote with respect to whether future executive compensation advisory votes will be held every one, two or three years.proposal. At the Company'sCompany’s 2015 Annual Meeting,annual meeting, our stockholdersshareholders approved, on an advisory basis, to conduct "say-on-pay"say-on-pay votes on an annual basis. Therefore, unless and until our Board decides otherwise, we will continue to hold say-on-pay votes on an annual basis (with the next such vote occurring at the 2022 annual meeting).

    Our executive compensation program is designed to enhance stockholdershareholder value by focusing on the specific performance metrics that drive enterprise value; attract, motivate and retain highly-qualified executives committed to the Company'sCompany’s long-term success; and provide fair competitive salaries relative to their peers and actual performance.peers. To that end, we provide a program of cash and equity-based awards to promote executive continuity, to align the interests of the Company'sCompany’s executives with those of our stockholdersshareholders and to reward executives for superior performance, as measured by both financial and nonfinancial metrics.

    We urge stockholdersshareholders to read the "Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis"Analysis” section of this proxy statementProxy Statement beginning on page 16,28, which describes the Company'sCompany’s executive compensation programs and the decisions made by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors with respect to the year ending December 31, 2015.2020.

    The CompanyBoard is asking stockholdersshareholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the 2016 Annual Meeting:

            "RESOLVED,“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company'sCompany’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K in the Company's 2016 Company’s proxy statement, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion contained therein, is hereby approved."

    Because the vote on this proposal is advisory in nature, it will not affect any compensation already paid or awarded to any named executive officer and will not be binding on or overrule any decisions of the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee; it will not create or imply any change to the fiduciary duties of, or create or imply any additional duties for, the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee; and it will not restrict or limit the ability of stockholdersshareholders to make proposals for inclusion in proxy materials related to executive compensation. Although non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will review and consider the voting results in their entirety when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation program.

    THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR"“FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE ADVISORY RESOLUTION REGARDING THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY'SCOMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        25



    PROPOSAL 3 - ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

    TableSection 14A of Contentsthe Exchange Act requires us to submit a non-binding, advisory vote, commonly known as a “say-on-frequency” proposal, to shareholders at least once every six years to determine whether non-binding, advisory votes to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, like Proposal 2, should be held once every year, every two years or every three years. Unless the Board determines otherwise, the next say-on-frequency vote will occur at the annual meeting held in 2027.

    After careful consideration, the Board has determined that an annual advisory vote on executive compensation continues to be the most appropriate policy for the Company because it allows shareholders to provide current input on our policies and practices for compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in our proxy statement each year. The Board believes that an annual vote is consistent with our efforts to engage in an ongoing dialogue with our shareholders on executive compensation and corporate governance matters.

    The advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Board or the Compensation Committee. We recognize that shareholders may have different views as to what is an appropriate frequency for advisory votes on executive compensation and we look forward to hearing from our shareholders as to their preferences. The Board and the Compensation Committee will carefully consider the outcome of the vote; however, when considering the frequency of future advisory votes to approve executive compensation, the Board may decide that it is in the Company’s best interests and in the best interests of our shareholders to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the frequency receiving the most votes cast by our shareholders.

    Shareholders may cast a vote, on an advisory basis, on the preferred voting frequency by selecting the option of every year, every two years, every three years or abstaining from the vote, when voting in response to the resolution set forth below.

    “RESOLVED, that the shareholders determine, on an advisory basis, whether the preferred frequency of an advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the Company’s 2021 proxy statement should be every year, two years, or three years.”

    THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE OPTION OF “EVERY YEAR” AS THE FREQUENCY FOR FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

    26  ��     CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®



    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

    OTHER MATTERS
    EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

    Executive officers serve at the discretion of our Board and hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Our executive officers as of the date of this proxy statement are:

    NAME

    POSITION

    Gary L. Carano

    Executive Chairman of the Board

    Thomas R. Reeg

    Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board

    Bret Yunker

    Chief Financial Officer

    Anthony L. Carano

    President and Chief Operating Officer

    Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.

    Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

    Stephanie Lepori

    Chief Administrative and Accounting Officer

    Josh Jones

    Chief Marketing Officer

    Stockholder ProposalsMr. Yunker, 44, became our Chief Financial Officer in May 2019. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Yunker served as a managing director of JP Morgan Chase & Co. in its Real Estate Investment Banking Group since 2013, providing advisory and capital markets execution (both debt and equity) services to clients across several sectors in the gaming industry, including casino operators, gaming equipment and system suppliers, REITs, lottery service providers and online gaming companies. Prior to joining JP Morgan Chase & Co., Mr. Yunker was employed for Next Meeting
    fourteen years in various positions at Bank of America Merrill Lynch covering gaming and leisure companies. Mr. Yunker holds a B.S. in business administration from the University of Southern California.

    Mr. A. Carano, 39, became our President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2019. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since May 2017, and Executive Vice President of Operations from August 2016 to May 2017, and Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from September 2014 to August 2016. Prior to joining us, Mr. Anthony L. Carano was an attorney at the Nevada law firm of McDonald Carano Wilson, LLP, where his practice was devoted primarily to transactional, gaming and regulatory law. Mr. Anthony L. Carano holds a B.A. from the University of Nevada, his J.D. from the University of San Francisco, School of Law and his M.B.A. in Finance from the University of San Francisco, School of Business. Anthony L. Carano is Gary L. Carano’s son.

    Mr. Quatmann, 50, became our Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary in May 2017. Prior to joining us, Mr. Quatmann served as the Chief Legal Officer and Secretary for Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. from July 2008 until our merger with Isle of Capri in May 2017. Mr. Quatmann holds a B.S. from Purdue University and a J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law.

    Ms. Lepori, 50, became our Chief Administrative and Accounting Officer in January 2019. Prior to that, Ms. Lepori held a number of management-level positions with the Company, including as chief accounting officer. Ms. Lepori has more than two decades of experience in finance and gaming and has been with the Company since 1995, beginning with the opening of Silver Legacy Casino Resort in Reno. Prior to joining the company, Ms. Lepori began her career with Arthur Anderson LLP in Las Vegas. Ms. Lepori earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa honors from the University of Southern California. She is a Certified Public Accountant.

    Mr. Jones, 37, became our Chief Marketing Officer in February 2021 after serving as Senior Vice President of Operations from May 2019 through January 2021. He served as Vice President of Operations from May 2018 through April 2019 and as Vice President of Corporate Finance from January 2016 through April 2018. Mr. Jones holds a Master of Business Administration and a B.S. in International Business from the University of Nevada, Reno.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        27


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

     Proposals

    COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

    Our executive compensation philosophy provides the foundation upon which all of stockholders intendedour compensation programs are built. Our executive compensation philosophy, and our compensation policies, plans and programs, are under the supervision of the Compensation Committee. For a description of the composition, authority and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee, see “Compensation Process” below.

    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    OUR 2020 NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

    The following executive officers are our named executive officers for inclusion2020.

    Gary L. Carano

    Executive Chairman of the Board

    Thomas R. Reeg

    Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board

    Bret Yunker

    Chief Financial Officer

    Anthony L. Carano    

    President and Chief Operating Officer

    Stephanie Lepori

    Chief Administrative and Accounting Officer

    In connection with the Merger, the Board designated Ms. Lepori as an “executive officer” of the Company, as defined under applicable SEC rules.

    SIGNIFICANT 2020 EVENTS

    Fiscal year 2020 proved to be a year marked by both significant change and extraordinary challenges. The Company successfully completed the transformative acquisition of Former Caesars in July of 2020 and was focused on the integration of the combined company. We also successfully completed five property divestitures and announced several strategic initiatives, including the planned acquisition of William Hill.

    Like the rest of the world, our executive management team spent much of 2020 navigating the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The public health crisis has had a significant impact on our business and operations due to the temporary closure of all of our casino operations for a period of 2020. As a result, our focus during 2020 was primarily dedicated to ensuring the health, safety and general welfare of our Team Members, guests and communities in which we operate, and focusing on how to safely and efficiently re-open our casino operations in compliance with operating restrictions imposed by governmental orders, directives and guidelines.

    Looking ahead, our executive officers and broader leadership team are well-positioned to navigate the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as business volumes continue to return with the rollout of vaccines. The Company is optimistic about 2021 and looks forward to the recovery of travel and tourism in the U.S., and especially Las Vegas.

    Significant 2020 Compensation Decisions

    The following summarizes key compensation actions that we took in 2020 in order to balance the challenges faced during this past year with the significant increase in responsibilities placed on our executive officers as a result of the Merger.

    Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) volunteered to reduce their base salary levels by 30% (20% for Ms. Lepori) from April 11th through the closing of the Merger.

    Executive Officers who were NEOs in last year’s proxy statement agreed that they would not earn or receive bonuses in respect of 2020 performance.

    We believe that these actions exemplify senior management’s commitment to remaining aligned with shareholder interests, and represent decisive actions taken by management and the Compensation Committee in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    28        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    Executive officers who were NEOs in last year’s proxy statement received a fully performance-based transformation equity grant shortly following the Merger, which consists of a relative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) performance metric, in order to further enhance alignment with stockholder interests.

    We implemented double trigger vesting provisions for equity grants made post-Merger.

    Results of 2020 Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (“Say-on-Pay”)

    The Compensation Committee and our Board considered the results of the advisory, non-binding stockholder vote to approve executive compensation presented at our 2020 Annual Meeting, where approximately 98% of votes cast approved the compensation program described in our proxy statement for the 2020 Annual MeetingMeeting. We currently hold such say-on-pay votes on an annual basis. The Compensation Committee takes seriously its role in the governance of Stockholdersour compensation programs and values thoughtful input from our shareholders, and will consider the results of future say-on-pay votes in connection with making future compensation-related decisions to the extent it deems it appropriate to do so. We believe our shareholders are supportive of our executive compensation programs, as evidenced by the high level of support these programs have received.

    OUR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY

    Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain critical executive talent, and to motivate actions that drive profitable growth and enhance long-term value for our shareholders. This program includes base salary and performance-based incentives (including both cash-based and equity-based incentives) and is designed to be heldflexible, market competitive, reward achievement of challenging but fair performance criteria, and enhance stock ownership at the executive level. Our philosophy is that clear, distinct and attainable goals should be established in 2017 must be receivedorder to enable the assessment of performance by the Company'sCompensation Committee.

    Pursuant to that philosophy, the Compensation Committee is guided by the general principles that compensation should be designed to:

    enhance stockholder value by focusing our executives’ efforts on the specific performance metrics that drive enterprise value;

    attract, motivate, and retain highly-qualified executives committed to our long-term success;

    assure that our executives receive reasonable compensation opportunities relative to their peers at similar companies, and actual compensation payouts that are aligned with our performance; and

    align critical decision making with our business strategy and goal setting.

    Pay Element

    Primary Purpose

    Key Characteristics for 2020

    Base Salary

    To compensate the executive fairly for his/her day-to-day responsibilitiesBase salary levels were established for 2020 consistent with prior years. In April of 2020, the NEOs volunteered to temporarily reduce their base salaries by 30% (20% for Ms. Lepori) through the closing of the Merger. As discussed below, following the closing of the Merger, base salary levels were increased to account for market comparability of the combined company.

    Annual Cash Bonus

    To motivate and reward organizational and individual achievement of annual strategic financial objectivesConsistent with past years, the Compensation Committee established Adjusted EBITDA-based threshold, target and maximum levels in order to incentivize achievement of short-term goals and metrics for 2020. However, after taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic, executive officers who were NEOs in last year’s proxy statement agreed that they would not earn or receive bonuses in respect of 2020 performance.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        29


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    Pay Element

    Primary Purpose

    Key Characteristics for 2020

    Long-Term Incentives

    To align executives with shareholders’ interests, and to reinforce long-term stockholder value creation50% of Long-Term Incentives (“LTI”) is provided in the form of performance-based units (“PSUs”) and 50% is provided in the form of time-based units (“RSUs”). Consistent with prior years, the regular 2020 annual grants made in January of 2020 were based on the average level of achievement of Adjusted EBITDA goals established for and measured over the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years, with any earned units being subject to an additional 1-year service-based vesting period. In connection with the Merger, the NEOs from last year’s proxy statement received a one-time transformation equity grant based on relative TSR performance. The Compensation Committee has determined it is appropriate to include this relative TSR performance metric for the 2021 LTI as well.

    IMPLEMENTING THE PHILOSOPHY

    WHATWEDO

    LOGO  Maintain robust stock ownership guidelines for NEOs and directors

    LOGO  Set maximum payout limit on our annual incentive plan and long-term incentive plan awards

    LOGO  For 2020, emphasize pay for performance, with 85% of our Chief Executive Officer’s total pay opportunity being performance-based “at risk” compensation and an average of 76% being performance-based “at risk” compensation for our other NEOs

    LOGO  Have an executive compensation clawback policy that allows us to recover excess cash and equity-based or equity-linked incentive compensation paid to executives in various circumstances

    LOGO  Set maximum amount of compensation that may be paid to any single non-employee member of the Board in respect of any fiscal year.

    LOGO  Retain an independent compensation consultant reporting directly to the compensation committee

    LOGO  Enforce strict insider trading and anti-hedging policies.

    LOGO  Incorporate double-trigger change in control provision that are consistent with market practices

    LOGO Perform an annual compensation program risk assessment to ensure that the Company’s compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company

    WHATWEDONTDO

    LOGO  No change-in-control severance multiple in excess of 3x annual base salary and target annual bonus

    LOGO  We do not provide excise tax gross-ups for any officer

    LOGO  We do not provide extensive executive perquisites

    LOGO  No enhanced retirement formulas

    COMPENSATION PROCESS

    HOW WE DETERMINE COMPENSATION

    Role of the Compensation Committee

    The Compensation Committee’s primary role is to discharge the Board’s responsibilities regarding compensation decisions as they relate to our executive officesofficers. The Compensation Committee consists of independent directors and is responsible to our Board for the oversight of our executive compensation programs. Among its duties, the Compensation Committee is responsible for:

    reviewing and assessing competitive market data from the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant;

    reviewing and, in certain cases, approving incentive goals/objectives and compensation recommendations for directors and executive officers, including the named executive officers;

    evaluating the competitiveness of each executive officer’s total compensation package;

    30        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    approving any changes to the total compensation package, including, but not laterlimited to, base salary, annual incentives, long-term incentive award opportunities and payouts, and retention programs; and

    ensuring our policies and practices relating to compensation do not encourage excessive risk-taking conduct.

    Following review and discussion, the Compensation Committee may submit recommendations to the Board for approval. The Compensation Committee is supported in its work by the Chief Financial Officer and his staff (with respect to the establishment of performance metrics), and Aon, its independent compensation consultant (“Aon”).

    Role of the Independent Compensation Consultant

    The Compensation Committee retained Aon for executive compensation advisory services, namely, to conduct its annual total compensation study for executive and key manager positions. Aon reports directly to the Compensation Committee and the Compensation Committee directly oversees the work performed by, and determines the fees paid to, Aon in connection with the services it provides to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee instructs Aon to give advice to the Compensation Committee independent of management and to provide such advice for our benefit and for the benefit of our shareholders. With the Compensation Committee’s approval, Aon may work directly with management on certain executive compensation matters. During 2020, Aon was engaged by the Company to provide additional services to the Company related to benefits integration, risk analysis and insurance coverage and received fees for such service of approximately $3.1 million for 2020. Aon’s fees for determining compensation levels for the NEOs was approximately $175,000, which the Compensation Committee determined were in line with market practices. The Compensation Committee reviews the independence of its compensation consultant on an annual basis, taking into account a number of factors, including the six factors articulated in the NASDAQ listing standards and applicable SEC guidance, and also considered the additional services provided by Aon as described above. For 2020, the Compensation Committee determined that Aon was independent and its services to the Compensation Committee did not raise any conflicts of interest among the Compensation Committee or our management.

    Specific roles of Aon include, but are not limited to, the following:

    identifying and advising the Compensation Committee on executive compensation trends and regulatory developments;

    providing a total compensation study for executives against peer companies and recommendations for named executive officer pay;

    providing advice to the Compensation Committee on governance best practices as well as any other areas of concern or risk;

    serving as a resource to the Compensation Committee Chair for meeting agendas and supporting materials in advance of each meeting; and

    advising the Compensation Committee on management’s pay recommendations.

    Role of Management in Compensation Decision

    The CEO makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee concerning the compensation of the named executive officers (other than himself) and other senior management. In addition, the CEO and Chief Financial Officer are involved in setting the business goals that are used as the performance goals for the annual incentive plan and long-term performance units, subject to the Compensation Committee’s approval. The CEO and CFO work closely with the Compensation Committee, Aon and management to (i) ensure that the Compensation Committee is provided with the appropriate information to make its decisions, (ii) propose recommendations for the Compensation Committee’s consideration and (iii) communicate the Compensation Committee’s decisions to management for implementation. None of the named executive officers, however, play a role in determining their own compensation and are not present at executive sessions in which their pay is discussed, recommended or approved.

    Determination of CEO Pay

    In an executive session without management present, the Compensation Committee reviews and evaluates CEO compensation. The Compensation Committee reviews competitive market data, and both corporate financial performance and individual performance. Pay recommendations for the CEO, including base salary, incentive payments for the previous year, and equity grants for the current year, are presented to independent members of the Board. During an executive session of the Board, the Board conducts its own review and evaluation of the CEO’s performance.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        31


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    Peer Companies and Competitive Benchmarking

    The Merger had a substantial impact on the size, scope, and complexity of our business. In connection with the Merger, the Compensation Committee commissioned Aon to conduct an annual total compensation study for named executive officer positions. The Compensation Committee reviewed competitive market data to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Merger’s impact on market pay practices, and combined that information with an assessment of experience, tenure, value to the Company, and individual contributions to assist with individual pay decisions (i.e., salary adjustments, target bonus adjustments, and long-term incentive grants).

    The peer group used to assist with 2020 compensation decisions in connection with the Merger included the following companies:


    Boyd Gaming Corporation

    Carnival Corporation

    Hilton Worldwide Holdings

    Hyatt Hotels Corporation

    Las Vegas Sands

    Marriott International

    MGM Resorts International

    Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

    Penn National Gaming, Inc.

    Royal Caribbean Cruises

    Wynn Resorts




    The primary criteria used for this peer group development included:

    Companies from the gaming, casino hospitality, and leisure industries;

    Annual revenues within approximately 0.4x to 3x our annual revenues;

    Market cap within approximately 0.2x to 5x our market cap; and

    Peer companies used by our peer companies, as disclosed in their respective CD&As.

    The Committee uses competitive compensation data from the annual total compensation study of peer companies to inform decisions about targeted total compensation opportunities and specific compensation elements. The Committee does not benchmark total compensation to any specific percentile relative to the peer companies or the broader United States market, but is fully informed of the competitive 50th percentile through the annual pay study. The Committee applies judgment and discretion in establishing targeted pay levels, taking into account not only competitive market data, but also factors such as Company, business and individual performance, scope of responsibility, critical needs and skill sets, leadership potential and succession planning.

    OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

    OVERVIEW

    As described below, various Company policies are in place to shape our executive pay plans, including:

    Salaries are linked to competitive factors and internal equity and can be (but are not required to be) increased as a result of successful job performance.

    Our annual bonus programs are designed to provide incentive compensation based on our financial performance.

    Long-term incentives are tied to our sustained long-term financial performance and enhancement of total shareholder value.

    We also provide executives with access to retirement and health and welfare programs, on the same terms and conditions as those made available to salaried employees generally.

    Our targeted pay mix (salary vs. performance-based incentive pay) reflects a combination of competitive market conditions and strategic business needs. The degree of performance-based incentive pay (“at risk” compensation) and total compensation opportunities generally increase with an executive’s responsibility level. Competitive pay practices are reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee.

    32        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    Target Total Compensation Opportunity

    In anticipation of the closing of the Merger, the pre-merger Compensation Committee commissioned Aon to complete a total compensation study based on the size and scope of the combined company. Based on this study, following the Merger, the existing Compensation Committee approved pay adjustments to align total compensation opportunities near the competitive 50th percentile for the combined company based on this study and the recommendations of the pre-merger Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee considered the fact that the NEOs’ roles and responsibilities were significantly expanded as a result of the increase in scope of operations and relative size of the post-Merger business. The target total compensation opportunities based on post-Merger compensation levels are shown below:

    LOGO

    ELEMENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR 2020

    BASE SALARY

    The Compensation Committee believes that base salary levels should recognize the skill, competency, experience and performance an executive brings to his or her position. The Compensation Committee determines base salaries using both competitive market data from Aon’s annual study and a comprehensive assessment of relevant factors such as experience level, value to shareholders, responsibilities, future leadership potential, critical skills, individual contributions and performance, economic conditions, and the market demands for similar talent.

    In April 2020, the NEOs volunteered to temporarily reduce their base salaries by 30% (20% for Ms. Lepori), after taking into account the unprecedented challenges imposed on the Company’s business and communities in which it operates as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These reductions remained in effect until the closing of the Merger.

    In anticipation of the closing of the Merger, the pre-Merger Compensation Committee reviewed market values from an annual total compensation study presented by Aon with respect to the NEOs included in last year’s proxy statement. Based on a review of this independent market data and the recommendations of the pre-merger Compensation Committee, the existing Compensation Committee approved the proposed increases in base salaries for the NEOs included in last year’s proxy statement as shown below. The Compensation Committee also approved an increase in Ms. Lepori’s annual base salary shortly following the closing of the Merger, taking into account her increased roles and responsibilities as a result of the Merger.

    EXECUTIVENAME

      BASE SALARY
    EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2020
       BASESALARY
    AFTER REDUCTION
    EFFECTIVE APRIL 11,  2020
       BASE SALARY
    EFFECTIVE JULY 2020
    (POST-MERGER)
     

    Mr. G. Carano

      $1,177,000   $823,900   $1,400,000 

    Mr. Reeg

      $1,712,000   $1,198,400   $2,000,000 

    Mr. Yunker

      $802,500   $561,750   $1,000,000 

    Mr. A. Carano

      $1,070,000   $749,000   $1,300,000 

    Ms. Lepori

      $432,600   $346,080   $650,000 

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        33


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    Annual Incentives (Cash Based Bonus Plan)

    The goals under our annual incentive plan are designed to be straight-forward in order to focus participants on clearly measurable metrics, balance corporate and property performance by individual participants, and implement the appropriate level of upside/downside reward potential. Annual incentive awards have historically been based on achievement of Adjusted EBITDA. Performance targets are set annually at the start of the applicable fiscal year. Consistent with prior years, Adjusted EBITDA was originally established as the sole performance metric for 2020 because the Compensation Committee believed that it most accurately reflects our results of operations and represents a key performance metric in the gaming/casino industry.

    In anticipation of the closing of the Merger, the pre-Merger Compensation Committee reviewed market values from an annual total compensation study presented by Aon with respect to the NEOs included in last year’s proxy statement. Based on a review of this independent market data and the recommendations of the pre-merger Compensation Committee, the existing Compensation Committee approved the proposed increases in annual target bonus opportunities for the NEOs included in last year’s proxy statement as shown below. The Compensation Committee also approved an increase in Ms. Lepori’s annual target bonus opportunity shortly following the closing of the Merger, taking into account her increased roles and responsibilities as a result of the Merger.

    EXECUTIVENAME

      PRE-MERGER % OF BASE SALARY  POST-MERGER % OF BASE SALARY

    Mr. G. Carano

      

    125%

      

    No Change

    Mr. Reeg

      

    150%

      

    200%

    Mr. Yunker

      

    100%

      

    125%

    Mr. A. Carano

      

    125%

      

    No Change

    Ms. Lepori

      

    50%

      

    60%

    As discussed below, although target bonus opportunity levels were increased for certain of the NEOs shortly following the Merger, the NEOs who were included in last year’s proxy statement agreed that they would not earn or receive an annual bonus in respect of 2020 performance, and Ms. Lepori was paid a bonus equal to only 35% of her target award.

    With respect to the Adjusted EBITDA financial metric, performance levels for threshold and maximum bonus opportunities were established at the beginning of 2020 at 90% and 120%, respectively, of target level. The following table sets forth the threshold, target, and maximum levels established under the 2020 annual incentive plan, which were established prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and prior to the closing of the Merger, based on ERI’s budget for 2020:

    PERFORMANCELEVEL

    PERFORMANCEREQUIREMENT

    CONSOLIDATEDADJUSTEDEBITDA
    (‘000’S)

    Threshold

    90% of target goal

    $532,065

    Target

    100% of target goal

    $591,183

    Maximum

    120% of target goal

    $709,420

    34        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    Shortly following the Merger, the Compensation Committee re-assessed the 2020 Adjusted EBITDA goals that had been established in order to account for (1) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations and (2) the Merger. The government-mandated shutdowns for a portion of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on our operations, and by the time the Merger occurred, it became clear that the goals established prior to the COVID-19 pandemic were no longer achievable. Taking this in account, and in an effort to preserve liquidity, the Compensation Committee and the executive officers who were NEOs in last year’s proxy statement agreed that, rather than adjusting the existing Adjusted EBITDA goals or otherwise modifying the existing structure of the 2020 bonus program, the executive officers who were NEOs in last year’s proxy statement would not earn or receive an annual bonus in respect of 2020 performance. Notably, no discretionary bonuses were paid in respect of 2020 annual bonuses.

    EXECUTIVENAME

    ANNUALBONUSEARNEDFOR  2020

    Mr. G. Carano

    $0

    Mr. Reeg

    $0

    Mr. Yunker

    $0

    Mr. A. Carano

    $0

    Ms. Lepori

    $103,063

    At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, Ms. Lepori, who was not an NEO in previous years, received an annual bonus for 2020 in order to recognize her efforts with the Merger, integration initiatives, and significant role overseeing the COVID-19 pandemic response as it relates to employees of the Company. Ms. Lepori’s bonus payment was representative of 35% of her target award, which is below the 50% threshold payout opportunity originally set by the Compensation Committee based on 2020 performance metrics. 50% of this bonus was paid in December 2020 and the remaining 50% was paid in early 2021.

    LONG-TERM INCENTIVES (EQUITY AWARDS)

    Our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended and restated, the “Plan”) allows us to grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance awards, other stock-based awards, and performance compensation awards.

    Based on a thorough review of Aon’s independent market data described above, the Compensation Committee determined that the annual target LTI levels for the NEOs included in last year’s proxy statement were appropriately aligned to market, except for Mr. Reeg, whose annual target LTI level was adjusted to 350% of base salary. The Compensation Committee also determined that it was appropriate to increase Ms. Lepori’s annual target LTI level to 100% of base salary. Pre-Merger and post-Merger target LTI values for each of the NEOs were as follows:

    EXECUTIVENAME

      PRE-MERGER % OF BASE SALARY  POST-MERGER % OF BASE SALARY

    Mr. G. Carano

      

    230%

      

    No Change

    Mr. Reeg

      

    300%

      

    350%

    Mr. Yunker

      

    200%

      

    No Change

    Mr. A. Carano

      

    200%

      

    No Change

    Ms. Lepori

      

    80%

      

    100%

    2020 Equity Mix

    As in past years, our equity compensation mix was 50% restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and 50% performance shares (“PSUs”) for the equity awarded in 2020.

    2020 Regular PSU Grant

    Consistent with past practice, the PSUs awarded in January 2020 are subject to a two-year performance period (2020 and 2021), with a one-year additional service-based vesting requirement following the end of the performance period, resulting in a total vesting period of three years from the grant date. Performance achievement over the two-year performance period is measured by averaging the level of achievement of Adjusted EBITDA attained during each of 2020 and 2021. PSUs are earned as follows:

    50% of target earned at threshold performance;

    100% of target earned at target performance; and

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        35


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    200% of target earned at maximum performance.

    No award is earned if performance falls below the threshold level.

    We generally do not disclose forward-looking goals for our multi-year incentive programs, because the Company does not provide forward-looking guidance to our investors with respect to multi-year periods and it is competitively sensitive information. Consistent with our past and current practice, we will generally disclose multi-year performance goals in our regular programs in full after the close of the performance period.

    The equity grants made to the NEOs in January 2020 are summarized below:

    EXECUTIVENAME

      RSUS*
    TARGET  GRANT
    VALUE
      PSUS*
    TARGET  GRANT
    VALUE

    Gary L. Carano

      

    $1,353,550

      

    $1,353,550

    Thomas R. Reeg

      

    $2,568,000

      

    $2,568,000

    Bret Yunker

      

    $802,500

      

    $802,500

    Anthony L. Carano

      

    $1,070,000

      

    $1,070,000

    Stephanie Lepori

      

    $173,040

      

    $173,040

    *

    The target grant values set forth in the table above differ from the values reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. The target grant values shown in the table above reflect the target level awards approved by the Compensation Committee for each of the NEOs, whereas the value shown in the Summary Compensation Table is based on the grant date fair value computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 718.

    2020 Transformation Equity Grants to NEOs

    In connection with the consummation of the highly successful Merger, the Compensation Committee approved a special one-time transformation equity grant to the executive officers who were NEOs in last year’s proxy statement. This grant measures our 3-year total shareholder return (TSR) against the S&P 400 Midcaps, covering the period beginning July 20, 2020 (the date of the Merger) through July 19, 2023.

    The objective of the transformation equity grant is to capitalize on the synergies, efficiencies, and growth strategy of the newly combined company. The grant is intended to motivate our senior management team to maximize the wealth accumulation of our shareholders by outperforming the S&P 400 Midcaps. The performance and payout leverage for this one-time transformation grant is as follows:

    75th percentile TSR ranking: 200% of target payout

    50th percentile TSR ranking: 100% of target payout

    35th percentile TSR ranking: 50% of target payout

    Below 35th percentile: No payout

    Payouts for performance between threshold, target, and maximum percentile requirements are interpolated on a straight-line basis.

    If our 3-year TSR is negative, then payouts are capped at target regardless of final ranking.

    Target values for the transformation equity grant (as a percentage of base salary) were approved by the Compensation Committee as follows:

    Mr. Reeg: 150% of base salary

    Mr. Yunker: 150% of base salary

    Mr. A. Carano: 115% of base salary

    Mr. G. Carano did not receive a transformation equity grant. Ms. Lepori was not a NEO at the time of the Compensation Committee’s decision and therefore she did not receive a performance-based transformation equity grant. Instead, she received a transformation RSU grant with a target value equal to $1,950,000. This award will cliff vest on August 20, 2023, subject to her continued employment with the Company through that date.

    36        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    The transformation equity grants to the NEOs were as follows:

    EXECUTIVENAME

     TARGETGRANT
    VALUEONE-TIME
    TRANSFORMATION
    EQUITYGRANT*
     

    Thomas R. Reeg

     $3,000,000 

    Bret Yunker

     $1,500,000 

    Anthony L. Carano

     $1,500,000 

    *

    The target grant date values set forth in the table above differ from the values shown for the relative TSR awards in the Summary Compensation Table. The target grant date values shown in the table above reflect the target level awards approved by the Compensation Committee for each of the NEOs, whereas the value shown in the Summary Compensation Table is based on the probable outcome of the percentage of vesting of such shares using a Monte Carlo multiple probability simulation model.

    Also, in connection with the Merger, the Compensation Committee approved additional time-based RSU grants to the NEOs. These time-based grants vest ratably over three years, subject to continued employment. These time-based grants were intended to align the grant value of time-based LTI awards granted during 2020 with the incremental increases in base salary approved for the NEOs in connection with the Merger, as described above. These RSU grants to the NEOs were as follows:

    EXECUTIVENAME

     TARGETGRANT
    VALUEADDITIONAL
    TIME-BASEDRSU
    GRANT*
     

    Gary L. Carano

     $229,824 

    Thomas R. Reeg

     $835,235 

    Bret Yunker

     $176,995 

    Anthony L. Carano

     $206,120 

    Stephanie Lepori

     $136,183 

    *

    The target grant values set forth in the table above differ from the values reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. The target grant values shown in the table above reflect the target level awards approved by the Compensation Committee for each of the NEOs, whereas the value shown in the Summary Compensation Table is based on the grant date fair value computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 718.

    Achievement of 2019 PSU Grants

    The PSUs granted in January 2019 were earned based on the average level of achievement of the Adjusted EBITDA goals established for 2019 and 2020. Following the end of the 2020 fiscal year, the Compensation Committee reviewed the Adjusted EBITDA performance for 2019 and 2020 against the goals established for those years and determined the appropriate level of achievement.

    For 2019, the Adjusted EBITDA target goal of $723,609 was determined to be achieved at 96.5% based on $698,064 of Adjusted EBITDA, resulting in a performance payout factor of 82.5% for that year.

       2019 

    PERFORMANCELEVEL

      PERFORMANCE
    REQUIREMENT
       PERFORMANCE
    PAYOUT
       CONSOLIDATED
    ADJUSTED

    EBITDA (‘000’S)
     

    Threshold

      

     

    90% of target goal

     

      

     

    50%

     

      

    $

    651,248

     

    Target

      

     

    100% of target goal

     

      

     

    100%

     

      

    $

    723,609

     

    Maximum

      

     

    120% of target goal

     

      

     

    200%

     

      

    $

    868,331

     

    Actual for 2019

      

     

    96.5% of target goal

     

      

     

    82.5%

     

      

    $

    698,064

     

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        37


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of 2019 Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measure for 2019 and other information for 2019 can be found beginning on page 43 of the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2020.

    Adjusted EBITDA targets originally established for 2020 are outlined above under Annual Incentives. However, for 2020, threshold performance was not achieved. The Compensation Committee considered the fact that fiscal year 2020 was incredibly unique given the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the completion of the Merger. The government-mandated shutdown of all of the Company’s operations for a period of 2020 had a severe and unexpected impact on the Company’s EBITDA, and it was apparent that the goals that had been set for 2020 were no longer realistic. Taking into account the incredible amount of dedication that our executive management team put into navigating the shutdowns, handling matters related to closing the Merger and transitioning the Formers Caesars business, and eventually rolling out the successful re-opening of many of our properties by the end of 2020 safely and effectively, the Compensation Committee determined that it was appropriate to certify 2020 achievement at 100% of target for purposes of the 2019 LTIP.

    The Compensation Committee also considered the fact that despite lower 2020 Adjusted EBITDA levels due to COVID-19 pandemic-related shutdowns, our management team performed at a superior level to position the combined company for significant success in the second half of 2020. As an example of this success, our total shareholder return for the combined company post-Merger and for all of 2020 significantly outperformed our peers due to management’s actions, as follows:

    January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020: Our TSR was 24.5%, ranking at the 86th percentile vs. our compensation group of industry peers

    July 20, 2020 (Merger date) through December 31, 2020: Our TSR was 94.2%, ranking at the 81st percentile vs. our compensation group of industry peers.

    Averaging the approved 2019 payout factor of 82.5% and the approved 2020 payout factor of 100% results in a two-year average payout factor of 91.25% for the 2019 PSU grant. Earned shares are further subject to satisfaction of the additional one-year service condition, for a three-year total vesting period.

    Payout opportunities range from 50% to 200% of the NEO’s target opportunity, depending on actual performance achievement (payouts for performance between performance levels is interpolated on a straight-line basis)

       2019 PSUs(1) 

    EXECUTIVENAME

      TARGET
    UNITS
    (#)
       EARNED
    UNITS
    (#)
     

    Gary L. Carano

       31,121    28,397 

    Thomas R. Reeg

       59,044    53,877 

    Bret Yunker

       15,228    13,895 

    Anthony L. Carano

       24,602    22,449 

    Stephanie Lepori

       4,133    3,771 

    (1)

    Represents 2019 PSUs at 91.25% of target number of units based upon the average of our performance in 2019 at 82.5% and 2020 at 100.0%. These PSUs are eligible to vest on January 1, 2022.

    2021 Target Total Compensation Structure and 2021 Program Design

    Fiscal 2021 will be the first full year of operations for the newly combined company. The Compensation Committee approved the following compensation structure for 2021:

    Base salary: the NEOs did not receive an increase in 2021.

    Target annual bonus: There is no change to the target percentages that were approved by the Compensation Committee in 2020 post-Merger. The primary performance metric remains adjusted EBITDA.

    Target LTI: There is no change to the individual target grant percentages that were approved by the Compensation Committee in 2020 post-Merger. Also, there is no change to the 50/50 RSU/PSU equity mix.

    For 2021, the PSU structure was modified to include relative TSR vs. the S&P 400 Midcaps (65% weight) and Adjusted EBITDA (35% weight).

    38        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

    We have entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers (other than Ms. Lepori who is covered by a Change in Control Severance Plan), which are described below in “—Discussion of the Summary Compensation Table.” The Human Resources Department presents its assessment to the Compensation Committee, which reviews the information and determines if changes are necessary to the employment, termination and severance packages of our executives.

    CLAWBACKS AND FORFEITURES

    Pursuant to the terms of our Clawback and Recoupment Policy, in the event of an accounting restatement of our financial statements due to a material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under any applicable security law(s), our Board may require an executive officer to reimburse, repay or forfeit any excess incentive compensation paid or granted to, or received or earned by, such executive officer during the three-year period preceding the publication of the restatement. In each instance, our Board, in its reasonable business judgment, will determine whether and the extent to which to pursue such reimbursement, repayment or forfeiture from each such executive officer based on those factors that our Board believes to be reasonable and appropriate. Additionally, employment agreements with our NEOs provide that we may recover compensation that is subject to recovery under, or required to be recovered by, applicable law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirements. Further, the award agreements governing equity awards granted to our executive officers under our long-term incentive plan provide for recoupment of those awards in accordance with or as required by applicable government regulation, stock exchange listing requirements, or other applicable law, or pursuant to any applicable clawback policy of ours, including our Clawback and Recoupment Policy described above.

    COMPENSATION RISK ASSESSMENT

    It is the responsibility of the Compensation Committee to review the Company’s policies and practices related to compensation in the context of their potential encouragement of excessive risk-taking behavior. The Compensation Committee has worked closely with Aon to design a performance-based compensation system that supports our objective to align stockholder and management interests, supports our strategic business plan, and mitigates the possibility of executives taking unnecessary or excessive risks that would adversely impact us. The following factors mitigate the risk associated with our compensation programs:

    The Compensation Committee approves and, in some instances, the Board ratifies, short and long-term performance objectives for our incentive plans, which we believe are appropriately aligned with stockholder value;

    The Compensation Committee’s discretion to modify final payouts under both short and long-term incentive plans;

    The use of company-wide performance metrics for both the short and long-term incentive programs ensures that no single executive has complete and direct influence over outcomes, encouraging decision making that is in the best long-term interest of shareholders;

    The use of equity and cash opportunities with vesting periods to foster retention and alignment of our executives’ interests with those of our shareholders;

    Capping the potential payouts under both short and long-term incentive plans to eliminate the potential for any windfalls; and

    The use of competitive general and change-in-control severance arrangements help to ensure that employees continue to work toward the shareholders’ best interests in light of potential employment uncertainty.

    Based on a review of these factors, the Compensation Committee believes that its current compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

    CERTAIN TAX AND ACCOUNTING CONSIDERATIONS – Section 162(m)

    Under Section 162(m), the Company is generally prohibited from deducting compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to our “covered employees” as defined in Section 162(m) which, prior to its amendment, included our CEO and three other most highly compensated executive officers (other than the CFO). An exception to this $1,000,000 deduction limitation was available with respect to compensation that qualified as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m), which required compliance with certain requirements set forth in Section 162(m) and the applicable regulations.

    As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that went into effect on December 22, 2017, this exception for performance-based compensation is no longer available for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016. Proponents should submit their proposals by Certified Mail-Return Receipt Requested. Proposals received2017, unless such compensation qualifies for

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        39


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    certain transition relief contemplated in the legislation for certain written contracts in place as of November 2, 2017. Therefore, certain compensation paid to our covered employees in the future that may have originally been designed with the intent that such amounts qualify as performance-based compensation will not be deductible unless such plans are determined to qualify for transition relief. Because of ambiguities and uncertainties as to the scope of the transition relief available, no assurances with respect to the deductibility of such compensation can be made. In addition, beginning in 2018, the definition of “covered employees” includes any individual who served as the CEO or CFO at any time during the taxable year and the three other most highly compensated officers (other than the CEO and CFO) for the taxable year, and once an individual becomes a covered employee for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2016, that dateindividual will remain a covered employee for all future years.

    The Compensation Committee continues to retain the discretion not to limit executive compensation to the amount deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Compensation Committee may approve (and, for 2020, did approve) compensation that will not be deemed untimely.

            Indeductible in order to ensure competitive levels of total compensation for a stockholder to present timely a proposalthe named executive officers, or for other business for consideration by our stockholders atreasons, if the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, a stockholder's written notice must be delivered to or mailed and received atCompensation Committee determines it is in the principal executive officesbest interests of the Company to do so.

    STOCK OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

    The Compensation Committee and the Board encourage executives to implement our business strategies and initiatives from the perspective of a shareholder and, to this end, encourage executives to maintain a meaningful equity stake in the Company.

    To that end, we maintain the following minimum stock ownership guidelines for our executive officers:

    POSITION

    MULTIPLEOFBASESALARY

    CEO

    5x

    COO

    4x

    Other NEOs

    2x

    Each of the executive officers have until the later of five years from implementation of the stock ownership guidelines or five years from the executive’s date of hire or promotion to a new role to achieve his minimum stock ownership. Once achieved, the Board expects the NEOs to comply with the applicable minimum stock ownership guideline for as long as they are subject to the guidelines.

    In addition, we have minimum stock ownership guidelines for our non-employee directors. The stock ownership guidelines require our non-employee directors to hold shares of our common stock with a minimum value equal to 5x the director’s annual cash-base retainer fee. Non-employee directors have five years to achieve their minimum stock ownership. Once achieved, the Board expects non-employee directors to maintain their stated guideline for as long as they are subject to the guidelines.

    HEDGING POLICY

    The Company’s Securities Trading Policy provides that no earlier thandirector, officer or employee of the closeCompany or other controlled businesses (“Caesars Companies”) may enter into short sales of Company Securities (defined below) or buy or sell exchange-traded options (puts or calls) on Company Securities.

    “Company Securities” means any stock, bond (including convertible notes), debentures, options, warrants or other marketable equity or debt security issued by any Caesars Company; and any security or other instrument issued by an unrelated third party and based on any equity or debt security (including exchange-traded options and credit default swaps) of any Caesars Company.

    PERSONAL BENEFITS AND PERQUISITES

    It is our intent to continually assess business needs and evolving market practices to ensure that perquisite offerings are competitive and in the best interest of our shareholders. For more information on February 11, 2017 nor later thanperquisites, see the closefootnotes to the “All Other Compensation” column of businessthe Summary Compensation Table. The named executive officer employment agreements provide for

    40        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    perquisites consisting of financial planning and tax preparation fees of $6,750 ($10,000 for Mr. Gary L. Carano) per year, and an annual executive physical of up to $3,000. Effective January 1, 2018, in conjunction with a competitive review of our health and welfare benefit arrangements, we began paying short and long-term disability and life insurance premiums for the named executive officers.

    Certain executive officers, as designated by the Chief Executive Officer, are approved to use Company-owned or leased aircraft for personal travel on March 12, 2017, as requireda limited basis. The Board believes this limited benefit is an appropriate method to provide the executive officers with an occasional convenient way to integrate work and personal responsibilities.

    OTHER BENEFITS

    The named executive officers are eligible to participate in various benefit plans, including 401(k), health insurance, life insurance and short and long-term disability plans that are generally available to all salaried employees.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        41


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

    The role of the Compensation Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of the Company’s executive compensation, including approval and evaluation of director and officer compensation plans, programs and policies and administration of the Company’s bonus and other incentive compensation plans. The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this proxy statement. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement for the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders.

    Don R. Kornstein ChairCourtney R. MatherMichael E. Pegram

    The above Compensation Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the applicable provisionsSecurities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this Report by reference therein.

    42        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    Summary Compensation Table

    The following table summarizes the total compensation paid to or earned by each of our Amendednamed executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and Restated Bylaws2020, and reflects positions held on December 31, 2020.

    NAME AND
    PRINCIPAL POSITION

     

     YEAR

     

      SALARY($)

     

      BONUS($)

     

      STOCK
    AWARDS(1)($)

     

      NON-EQUITY
    INCENTIVE PLAN
    COMPENSATION(2)($)

     

      ALL OTHER
    COMPENSATION(3)($)

     

      TOTAL
    ($)
     

    Gary L. Carano

    Executive Chairman

    of the Board

     

      2020   1,177,608   —       2,987,754   —       43,722   4,209,084 
      2019   1,100,000   —       2,762,932   1,134,375   51,301   5,048,608 
      2018   1,100,000   —       2,530,000   1,890,625   67,768   5,588,393 

    Thomas R. Reeg

    Chief Executive Officer

     

      2020   1,696,800   —       11,970,501   —       25,179   13,692,480 
      2019   1,600,000   —       5,241,926   1,980,000   67,768   8,889,694 
      2018   900,000   —       4,730,000   1,237,500   38,474   6,905,974 

    Bret Yunker

    Chief Financial Officer

     

      2020   823,019   —       4,721,310   —       20,999   5,565,328 
      2019   499,315   —       4,411,316   412,500   7,081   5,330,212 
      2018   —       —       —       —       —       —     

    Anthony L. Carano

    President and Chief

    Operating Officer

     

      2020   1,082,615   —       5,291,193   —       24,545   6,398,353 
      2019   1,000,000   —       2,184,166   1,031,250   38,474   4,253,890 
      2018   700,000   —       2,875,000   962,500   42,905   4,580,405 

    Stephanie Lepori

    Chief Administrative and Accounting Officer

     

     

     

     

    2020

     

     

      504,979   —       2,983,985   103,063   11,830   3,603,857 

    (1)

    Amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs and PSUs computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 718. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 15 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021. At the grant date, we believed that it was probable that the performance criteria applicable to the non-market-based PSUs would be met at target level and that each individual will remain employed through the date of grant. For the market-based PSUs (i.e., the PSUs based on Relative Total Shareholder Return (rTSR)), the probable outcome of achievement of the market-based TSR goals was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. For both the market-based and non-market based PSUs, the maximum number of PSUs eligible to vest is equal to 200% of the target award. Assuming maximum level of achievement of the PSUs with non-market-based performance conditions, the grant date fair value of the awards granted to Messrs. Gary L. Carano, Reeg, Yunker and Anthony L. Carano and Ms. Lepori during 2020 was $2,697,034, $5,116,893, $1,598,992, $2,132,029 and $344,781, respectively. Assuming maximum level of achievement of the PSUs with market-based performance conditions, the grant date fair value of the awards granted to Messrs. Reeg, Yunker and Anthony L. Carano during 2020 was $5,796,942, $2,898,436, and $2,898,436, respectively.

    (2)

    Amounts shown for 2018, 2019 and 2020 represent the amounts earned under our annual bonus plan in respect of performance achieved during the applicable year.

    (3)

    All other compensation for 2020 consisted of the following:

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        43


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    NAME

     LIFE
    INSURANCE
    PREMIUMS
    ($)
      LONG-TERM
    DISABILITY($)
      USEOF
    CORPORATE

    ORLEASED
    AIRCRAFT

    ($)(1)
      401(K)
    MATCH($)
      ESTATE
    PLANNING
    AND
    TAX
    SERVICES
    ($)
      TOTAL($) 

    Gary L. Carano

     

     

    1,332

     

     

     

    1,948

     

     

     

    23,762

     

     

     

    8,550

     

     

     

    8,130

     

     

     

    43,722

     

    Thomas R. Reeg

     

     

    1,332

     

     

     

    1,948

     

     

     

    13,349

     

     

     

    8,550

     

     

     

    —   

     

     

     

    25,179

     

    Bret Yunker

     

     

    1,332

     

     

     

    1,948

     

     

     

    16,330

     

     

     

    1,389

     

     

     

    —   

     

     

     

    20,999

     

    Anthony L. Carano

     

     

    1,332

     

     

     

    1,948

     

     

     

    16,330

     

     

     

    —   

     

     

     

    4,935

     

     

     

    24,545

     

    Stephanie Lepori

     

     

    1,332

     

     

     

    1,948

     

     

     

    —   

     

     

     

    8,550

     

     

     

    —   

     

     

     

    11,830

     

    (1)

    The amount disclosed for Messrs. Gary L. Carano, Reeg, and Anthony L. Carano reflects the aggregate incremental cost to the Company of providing each of them with certain personal use of Company-owned or leased aircraft. This cost is calculated based on the applicable hourly rate charged to the Company for leased aircraft. The cost of Company-owned aircraft is calculated based on an estimate of the aggregate incremental cost to the Company, consisting of the cost to the Company of fuel, trip-related maintenance, crew travel expenses, on-board catering, landing fees, trip-related hangar/parking costs and other miscellaneous variable costs. Since our aircraft is used primarily for business travel, we do not include the fixed costs that do not change based on usage, such as pilots’ salaries, depreciation of the purchase costs of our aircraft and the cost of maintenance not specifically related to trips. From time to time, certain family members who are also employees of the Company accompany Mr. Gary L. Carano on personal trips where he uses Company-owned aircraft, at little or no incremental cost to the Company.

    44        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    GRANT OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

    The following table sets forth information regarding the grant of plan-based awards made during 2020 to the named executive officers.

         ESTIMATEDPOSSIBLEPAYOUTS
    UNDERNON-EQUITY
    INCENTIVEPLANAWARDS(1)
      ESTIMATEDPOSSIBLEPAYOUTS
    UNDEREQUITY
    INCENTIVEPLANAWARDS
      ALLOTHER
    STOCK
    AWARDS
    :

    NUMBER OF
    SHARESOF
    STOCKOR
    UNITS (#)
      GRANT
    DATE
    FAIR
    VALUEOF
    STOCK
    AWARDS(2)

    ($)
     

    NAME

     GRANTDATE  THRESHOLD
    ($)
      TARGET
    ($)
      MAXIMUM
    ($)
      THRESHOLD
    (#)
      TARGET
    (#)
      MAXIMUM
    (#)
     

    Gary L. Carano

     

     

    N/A   

     

     

     

    735,625

     

     

     

    1,471,250

     

     

     

    2,942,500

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Time-based

     

     

    1/24/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    22,779

     

     

     

    1,348,517

     

    Performance-based

     

     

    1/24/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    11,390

     

     

     

    22,779

     

     

     

    45,558

     

     

     

     

      

     

    1,348,517

     

    Time-based

     

     

    8/20/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    6,320

     

     

     

    290,720

     

    Thomas R. Reeg

     

     

    N/A   

     

     

     

    1,284,000

     

     

     

    2,568,000

     

     

     

    5,136,000

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Time-based

     

     

    1/24/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    43,217

     

     

     

    2,558,446

     

    Performance-based

     

     

    1/24/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    21,609

     

     

     

    43,217

     

     

     

    86,434

     

     

     

     

      

     

    2,558,446

     

    Time-based

     

     

    8/20/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    22,971

     

     

     

    1,056,666

     

    Performance -based

     

     

    8/20/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    41,254

     

     

     

    82,507

     

     

     

    165,014

     

     

     

     

      

     

    5,796,942

     

    Bret Yunker

     

     

    N/A   

     

     

     

    401,250

     

     

     

    802,500

     

     

     

    1,605,000

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Time-based

     

     

    1/24/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    13,505

     

     

     

    799,496

     

    Performance-based

     

     

    1/24/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    6,753

     

     

     

    13,505

     

     

     

    27,010

     

     

     

     

      

     

    799,496

     

    Time-based

     

     

    8/20/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    4,867

     

     

     

    223,882

     

    Performance-based

     

     

    8/20/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    20,627

     

     

     

    41,253

     

     

     

    82,506

     

     

     

     

      

     

    2,898,436

     

    Anthony L. Carano

     

     

    N/A   

     

     

     

    668,750

     

     

     

    1,337,500

     

     

     

    2,675,000

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Time-based

     

     

    1/24/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    18,007

     

     

     

    1,066,014

     

    Performance-based

     

     

    1/24/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    9,004

     

     

     

    18,007

     

     

     

    36,014

     

     

     

     

      

     

    1,066,014

     

    Time-based

     

     

    8/20/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    5,668

     

     

     

    260,728

     

    Performance-based

     

     

    8/20/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    20,627

     

     

     

    41,253

     

     

     

    82,506

     

     

     

     

      

     

    2,898,436

     

    Stephanie Lepori

     

     

    N/A   

     

     

     

    108,150

     

     

     

    216,300

     

     

     

    432,600

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Time-based

     

     

    1/24/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    2,912

     

     

     

    172,390

     

    Performance-based

     

     

    1/24/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    1,456

     

     

     

    2,912

     

     

     

    5,824

     

     

     

     

      

     

    172,390

     

    Time-based

     

     

    8/20/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    53,629

     

     

     

    2,466,934

     

    Time-based

     

     

    8/20/2020

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

    3,745

     

     

     

    172,270

     

    (1)

    As shown in the 2020 ‘Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation’ column of the “Summary Compensation Table”, although target awards were established for 2020 (which targets were based on salary levels in effect in the beginning of 2020), the Compensation Committee determined in July 2020 that NEOs included in last year’s proxy statement would not earn a bonus in respect of 2020 performance. The Compensation Committee determined, in its discretion, that Ms. Lepori earned an annual bonus for 2020 based on the factors described in the Compensation, Discussion & Analysis.

    (2)

    Amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs and PSUs computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 718. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 15 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021. If the January 24, 2020 non-market PSUs are earned based on performance, they will vest and become payable at the end of the additional one-year vesting period. If earned, the August 20, 2020 rTSR PSUs will vest and become payable after the three-year performance period, based on achievement of the rTSR goals.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        45


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END TABLE

    The table below shows outstanding equity awards held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2020.

      OPTION AWARDS  STOCK AWARDS 

    NAME

     NUMBER OF
    SECURITIES
    UNDERLYING
    UNEXERCISED
    OPTIONS (#)
    EXERCISABLE
      NUMBER OF
    SECURITIES
    UNDERLYING
    UNEXERCISED
    OPTIONS (#)
    UNEXERCISABLE
      EQUITY
    INCENTIVE
    PLAN
    AWARDS:
    NUMBER OF
    SECURITIES
    UNDERLYING
    UNEXERCISED
    UNEARNED
    OPTIONS (#)
      OPTION
    EXERCISE
    PRICE
    ($)
      OPTION
    EXPIRATION
    DATE
      NUMBER
    OF SHARES
    OR UNITS
    OF STOCK
    THAT HAVE
    NOT VESTED
    (#)
      MARKET
    VALUE
    SHARES OR
    UNITS
    OF STOCK
    THAT HAVE
    NOT
    VESTED

    ($)
      EQUITY
    INCENTIVE
    PLAN
    AWARDS:
    NUMBER OF
    UNEARNED
    SHARES,
    UNITS OR
    OTHER
    RIGHTS
    THAT HAVE
    NOT VESTED
    (#)
      EQUITY
    INCENTIVE
    PLAN
    AWARDS:
    MARKET OR
    PAYOUT
    VALUE OF
    UNEARNED
    SHARES,
    UNITS OR
    OTHER
    RIGHTS
    THAT HAVE
    NOT VESTED
    ($)
     

    Gary L. Carano

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       42,792(1)   3,178,162  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       38,902(2)   2,889,252  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       28,397(3)   2,109,045  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       31,121(4)   2,311,357  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

             22,779(5)   1,691,796 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       22,779(6)   1,691,796  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       6,320(9)   469,386  

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Thomas R. Reeg

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       25,877(1)   1,921,885  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       23,525(2)   1,747,202  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       53,877(3)   4,001,445  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       59,044(4)   4,385,198  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       68,918(7)   5,118,540  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

             43,217(5)   3,209,727 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       43,217(6)   3,209,727  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

             82,507(8)   6,127,795 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       22,971(9)   1,706,056  

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Bret Yunker

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       13,895(3)   1,131,982  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       15,228(4)   1,030,984  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

             13,505(5)   1,003,016 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       13,505(6)   1,003,016  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

             41,253(8)   3,063,860 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       4,867(9)   361,472  

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Anthony L. Carano

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       14,799(1)   1,099,122  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       13,454(2)   999,229  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       22,449(3)   1,667,287  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       24,602(4)   1,827,191  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       43,074(7)   3,199,106  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

             18,007(5)   1,337,380 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       18,007(6)   1,337,380  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

             41,253(8)   3,063,860 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       5,668(9)   420,962  

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Stephanie Lepori

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       3,880(1)   288,168  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       3,528(2)   262,025  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       3,771(3)   280,072  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       4,133(4)   306,958  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

             2,912(5)   216,274 
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       2,912(6)   216,274  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       3,745(9)   278,141  

     

     

      

     

     

     
     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

       53,629(10)   3,983,026  

     

     

      

     

     

     

    46        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    (1)

    Represents PSUs awarded in January 2018 at 110.0% of target (based upon the average of our performance in 2018 at 137.5% of target and 2019 at 82.5% of target) based upon our performance in each of year valued at $74.27 per share, which was our closing stock price as of December 31, 2020. These PSUs vested on January 1, 2021.

    (2)

    Represents time-based RSUs awarded in January 2018 valued at $74.27 per share, which was our closing stock price as of December 31, 2020. These RSUs vested on January 26, 2021.

    (3)

    Represents PSUs awarded in January 2019 at 91.25% of target (based upon the average of our performance in 2019 at 82.5% of target and 2020 at 100.0% of target (based upon our performance in 2019 and the Compensation Committee’s discretionary evaluation of performance in 2020)) each year valued at $74.27 per share, which was our closing stock price as of December 31, 2020. These PSUs are eligible to vest on January 1, 2022. Mr. Yunker’s RSUs were awarded in May 2019 and vest on May 2, 2022.

    (4)

    Represents time-based RSUs awarded in January 2019 valued at $74.27 per share, which was our closing stock price as of December 31, 2020. These RSUs are eligible to vest on January 25, 2022. Mr. Yunker’s RSUs were awarded in May 2019 and vest on May 2, 2022.

    (5)

    Represents PSUs awarded in January 2020 at 100.0% of target (based upon the Compensation Committee’s discretionary determination of performance for 2020 and assuming 100% of target for 2021) valued at $74.27 per share, which was our closing stock price as of December 31, 2020. These PSUs are eligible to vest on January 1, 2023.

    (6)

    Represents time-based RSUs awarded in January 2020 valued at $74.27 per share, which was our closing stock price as of December 31, 2020. These RSUs are eligible to vest on January 24, 2023.

    (7)

    Represents time-based RSUs awarded in October 2018 valued at $74.27 per share, which was our closing stock price as of December 31, 2020. These RSUs are eligible to vest on October 24, 2023.

    (8)

    Represents PSUs awarded in August 20, 2020 at 100.0% of target (based on assuming the targeted relative Total Shareholder Return metric is achieved) valued at $74.27 per share, which was our closing stock price as of December 31, 2020. These PSUs are eligible to vest on August 20, 2023.

    (9)

    Represents time-based RSUs awarded on August 20, 2020 valued at $74.27 per share, which was our closing stock price as of December 31, 2020. These RSUs are eligible to vest one-third on each anniversary of the grant date.

    (10)

    Represents time-based RSUs awarded on August 20, 2020 valued at $74.27 per share, which was our closing stock price as of December 31, 2020. These RSUs are eligible to vest one-third on August 20, 2023.

    2020 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE

    The following table sets forth information regarding the exercise of stock options and the vesting of stock awards for each of our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

       OPTIONAWARDS   STOCKAWARDS 

    NAME

      NUMBER OF
    SHARES
    ACQUIRED
    ON EXERCISE
    (#)
       VALUE
    REALIZED
    ON EXERCISE
    ($)
       NUMBER OF
    SHARES
    ACQUIRED
    ON
    VESTING
    (#)
       VALUE
    REALIZED
    ON VESTING
    ($)(1)
     

    Gary L. Carano

               132,927    7,819,034 

    Thomas R. Reeg

               77,308    4,547,412 

    Bret Yunker

               30,400    575,472 

    Anthony L. Carano

               40,227    2,366,233 

    Stephanie Lepori

               16,675    984,941 

    (1)

    Value realized was computed by multiplying the number of RSUs and PSUs that vested during 2020 for the applicable NEOs, multiplied by the closing stock price of the underlying shares of our common stock on the applicable vesting date. Shares that have vested remain subject to the applicable stock ownership guidelines.

    Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

    The Company is party to employment agreements with Messrs. Gary L. Carano, Reeg, Yunker and Anthony L. Carano. On October 1, 2018, in connection with the change in management structure, the Company entered into amendments to the employment agreements between the Company and each of Messrs. Reeg, Gary L. Carano and Anthony L. Carano. These amendments became effective January 1, 2019. On February 1, 2019, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Yunker, and he began employment with the Company on May 2, 2019. On April 8, 2020, the Company entered into an

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        47


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    agreement with each of Messrs. Thomas R. Reeg, Gary L. Carano, Bret Yunker, and Anthony Carano reflecting their agreement to reduce each of their base salaries until such time as the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the Independent Lead Director, determine otherwise. This temporary reduction in base salary became effective April 11, 2020 and salaries were later increased upon the merger with Former Caesars.

    The description below reflects the terms of each NEO’s employment agreement in effect during 2020.

    Each NEO’s employment agreement has a three-year term with automatic one-year renewals unless a notice of non-renewal was provided by either party at least three months before the scheduled renewal date. The expiration date of the current term of employment for each of the NEOs under the employment agreements is January 1, 2022 for Messrs. Gary L. Carano, Reeg and Anthony L. Carano, and May 2, 2022 for Mr. Yunker. If a “change in control” (as defined in the agreements) occurs during the term of the named executive officer’s agreement, the term of such agreement will be extended to the second year following such change of control, subject to automatic renewal for subsequent periods.

    In the event of a termination of Mr. Gary L. Carano’s and Mr. Reeg’s employment without “cause” or if either of them terminates his employment for “good reason” (each as defined in their agreements), then such executive would be entitled to receive (i) a lump-sum payment equal to 1.5 times the sum of his base salary and annual incentive award target, or 2.99 times such amount in the event of such a termination within two years following a change in control, (ii) a lump-sum payment of a prorated portion of his actual annual incentive award for the year of termination, if any, or a prorated portion of his annual incentive award at target level in the event of such a termination within two years following a change in control, (iii) a lump-sum payment equal to 18 months of health benefits coverage, or 24 months if such a termination is within two years following a change in control, and (iv) if such termination is not in connection with a change in control, outplacement services for no more than 18 months and in an amount not to exceed $15,000 in the aggregate.

    With respect to Mr. Anthony Carano and Bret Yunker in the event that we terminated the executive’s employment without “cause” or if such executive terminated his employment for “good reason” (each as defined in the applicable executive’s agreement), such executive would be entitled to receive (i) his unpaid salary, accrued and unused vacation, and unreimbursed business expenses through the date of termination (the "Bylaws"“Accrued Rights”). Not less than sixty days prior, (ii) a lump-sum payment equal to 1.0 times the sum of such executive’s base salary and annual incentive award target (or 2.0 times such amount in the event of such a termination within two years following a change in control), (iii) a lump-sum payment of a prorated portion of such executive’s actual annual incentive award for the calendar year that includes the date of the next meetingtermination, if any, or a prorated portion of stockholders calledsuch executive’s annual incentive award at target level in the event of such a termination within two years following a change in control, (iv) a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months of health benefits coverage (or 18 months if such a termination is within two years following a change in control), and (v) if such termination is not in connection with a change in control, outplacement services for no more than 12 months and in an amount not to exceed $10,000.

    The agreements include non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that apply for 12 months (18 months for Mr. Gary L. Carano and Mr. Reeg) following the electionexecutive’s termination of directors ("Election Meeting"), a stockholder who intends to make a nomination of a candidate for election as directoremployment.

    Ms. Lepori, along with other select senior leaders of the Company, is covered by the Company’s Change In Control Severance Plan (“Severance Plan”) in the event that her employment is terminated during the two-year period beginning on the date of a Change in Control (as defined in the Severance Plan), other than for “cause”, “disability”, death, or by Ms. Lepori voluntarily without “good reason” (each as defined in the Severance Plan). In the event of such termination, Ms. Lepori would be entitled to receive (i) her unpaid salary, accrued and unused vacation, and unreimbursed business expenses through the date of termination (ii) a lump-sum payment equal to 1.0 times the sum of such her base salary and annual incentive award target, (iii) a lump-sum payment of a prorated portion of her actual annual incentive award for the calendar year that includes the date of the termination, (iv) a lump-sum payment equal to 12 months of health benefits coverage, and (v) outplacement services for no more than 12 months and in an amount not to exceed $10,000. If Ms. Lepori’s employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company without a change-in-control and without cause, she would be eligible for benefits under the Company’s Severance Pay Program. Under this plan, Ms. Lepori would be eligible for (i) six months of salary continuance, (ii) COBRA continuation coverage under the welfare benefit plan, and (iii) outplacement services paid by the Company.

    48        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL TABLE

    The following table describes and quantifies certain compensation that would become payable under existing agreements, plans and arrangements, with named executive officers, as described above if the triggering event occurred on December 31, 2020, given compensation levels as of such date and, if applicable, based on our closing stock price on that date.

    NAME

     COMPENSATION
    COMPONENTS
     VOLUNTARY($)  INVOLUNTARY
    WITH CAUSE($)
      INVOLUNTARY
    WITHOUT
    CAUSE OR
    FOR GOOD
    REASON($)
      DEATH($)  DISABILITY($)  CHANGE  IN
    CONTROL($)
      CHANGE IN
    CONTROL WITH
    TERMINATION($)
     

    Gary L. Carano

     Cash Severance        4,725,000   1,750,000   1,750,000      9,450,000 
     Other Benefits        36,168   1,000,000   14,112      28,224 
     Restricted Stock
    Units
            13,923,562   13,923,562   13,923,562   13,871,408   14,340,794 

    Thomas R. Reeg

     Cash Severance        9,000,000   4,000,000   4,000,000      18,000,000 
     Other Benefits        30,928   1,000,000   20,928      41,846 
     Restricted Stock
    Units
            24,464,152   24,464,152   24,464,152   23,593,724   31,427,575 

    Bret Yunker

     Cash Severance        2,250,000   1,250,000   1,250,000      4,500,000 
     Other Benefits        18,004   1,000,000   8,004      12,006 
     Restricted Stock
    Units
            4,549,664   4,549,664   4,549,664   4,509,501   7,594,404 

    Anthony L. Carano

     Cash Severance        2,925,000   1,625,000   1,625,000      5,850,000 
     Other Benefits        30,688   1,000,000   20,688      31,032 
     Restricted Stock
    Units
            11,853,897   11,853,897   11,853,897   11,466,695   14,951,517 

    Stephanie Lepori

     Cash Severance        428,063   103,063   103,063      1,143,063 
     Other Benefits        14,776   1,000,000         21,940 

     

     Restricted Stock
    Units
            2,319,286   2,319,286   2,319,286   1,876,728   5,859,754 

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        49


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    CEO PAY RATIO

    As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of Mr. Reeg, our Chief Executive Officer, and the annual total compensation of all of our employees. We believe this pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K.

    To determine the median of the total annual compensation of all of our employees, we utilized the following methodology.

    For purposes of calculating the 2020 pay ratio, we identified a new median employee in respect of 2020. For purposes of determining the median employee in respect of 2020, we determined that, as of December 31, 2020, the employee population of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries consisted of approximately 55,721 employees as reflected in our internal payroll records. This population included full-time, part-time and seasonal employees employed by us on that date. Less than 5% of our employee population is located outside the US. Under the de minimis exception, we excluded approximately 377 employees in South Africa.

    To identify our median employee from this population for 2020, we used cash compensation paid during 2020, consisting of base cash salary for salaried employees and cash compensation paid at the Election Meeting shall,applicable hourly rate for non-salaried employees, plus bonus payments, other cash-based wages and matching contributions to the employees’ 401k plan account for all employees. We annualized the cash compensation for any employees who were hired during 2020. Certain of our non-salaried employees also may receive tip income, which we excluded for purposes of determining the median employee. The median employee annual total compensation was lower than recent years due to various reasons, including a substantial portion of employees being furloughed in 2020 and working less on average than in recent years.

    We determined that the median employee’s annual total compensation for 2020 was $24,653 and the annual total compensation of our CEO was $13,692,480 as shown in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement. Based on this information, for 2020 the ratio of the annual total compensation of Mr. Reeg to the annual total compensation of the median employee was 555 to 1.

    Because the SEC rules for identifying the median employee of the annual total compensation of our employees and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their employee populations and compensation practices, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to our pay ratio, as other companies may utilize different methodologies in calculating their pay ratios.

    50        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

    The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing director compensation and making relevant recommendations to the Board. Aon, the Compensation Committee’s independent consultant, annually prepares a competitive total compensation study against the same peers as used for our annual executive compensation study.

    Prior to the Merger, for 2020, the annual cash retainer fee was $85,000, and the annual restricted stock unit grant was $175,000. In addition, each committee member, except for the Board committee chairs, was entitled to the following annual cash retainer: Audit Committee: $15,000; Compensation Committee: $10,000; and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: $7,500. Each Board committee chair was entitled to the following annual retainer: Audit Committee Chair: $30,000; Compensation Committee Chair: $20,000; and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair: $15,000. The Lead Independent Director was also entitled to an additional $25,000 annual cash retainer. In April 2020, cash fees were reduced by 30% through the closing of the Merger.

    Following the Merger, the Compensation Committee approved the following director compensation program, based on a report and recommendation provided by Aon:

    COMPONENT

      ANNUAL AMOUNT 

    Annual retainer

      $100,000 

    Audit Committee service

      $20,000 

    Compensation Committee service

      $15,000 

    Corporate Social Responsibility Committee service

      $15,000 

    Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee service

      $10,000 

    Audit Committee Chair

      $40,000 

    Compensation Committee Chair

      $30,000 

    Corporate Social Responsibility Committee Chair

      $30,000 

    Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair

      $20,000 

    Annual equity grant

      $225,000 

    For the post-Merger period, the $225,000 annual equity grant was paid in cash, pro-rated for the number of days remaining in the 2020 calendar year following the Merger. For legacy ERI directors who remained on the Board following the Merger, this amount was further pro-rated to account for the annual equity grant made in January 2020 in the form of RSUs having a grant date value of $175,000. Mr. Kornstein also received 5,550 fully vested restricted stock units (having a grant date fair value of $253,000) in consideration for his service as Vice Chairman of the Board and for the additional duties and responsibilities he has undertaken in connection with his role on the Board, including the additional time and efforts Mr. Kornstein has expended on matters related to strategic and operational initiatives given his significant industry experience..

    All of our directors are reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with their service on the Board. In addition, as a casino- entertainment and hospitality services provider, we are able to provide perquisites relating to food and beverage, hotel, entertainment and related offerings at little or no additional cost to us. These offerings allow members of our Board and management the opportunity to better understand and experience our products and services. In no case did the total value of perquisites, computed based on the aggregate incremental cost to us, exceed $10,000 per non-employee director in 2020.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        51


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    The following table sets forth the compensation provided by the Company to non-employee directors during 2020:

    NAME

      FEES EARNED
    ORPAIDIN
    CASH ($)(7)
       STOCK AWARD
    OR UNIT ($)(8)(9)
       ALLOTHER
    COMPENSATION
    ($)
       TOTAL
    ($)
     

    Bonnie S. Biumi

       127,792    174,344        302,136 

    Jan Jones Blackhurst(1)(4)

       163,487        6,173    169,660 

    Keith Cozza(2)

                    

    Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr.

       136,333    174,344        310,677 

    James B. Hawkins(3)

       74,250    174,344        248,594 

    Don R. Kornstein(1)(4)

       198,172    253,000    2,361    453,533 

    Gregory J. Kozicz(3)

       64,125    174,344        238,469 

    Courtney R. Mather(1)(5)

       164,031            164,031 

    James Nelson(2)(6)

       161,259    150,000    100,000    411,259 

    Michael E. Pegram

       131,708    174,344        306,052 

    David P. Tomick

       192,572    174,344        366,916 

    Roger P. Wagner(3)

       75,938    174,344        250,282 

    (1)

    Ms. Jones Blackhurst and Messrs. Kornstein and Mather were appointed to the Board effective as of the closing of the Merger.

    (2)

    Messrs. Cozza and Nelson were appointed to the Board effective as of the closing of the Merger. Mr. Nelson resigned from the Board on October 23, 2020. Mr. Cozza resigned from the Board on July 24, 2020.

    (3)

    Messrs. Hawkins, Kozicz and Wagner resigned from the Board effective as of the closing of the Merger.

    (4)

    Mr. Kornstein and Ms. Jones Blackhurst receives medical, dental and vision insurance coverage under the Former Caesars health insurance plans, which plans were assumed by the Company in connection with the Merger. The amount shown under “All Other Compensation” represents the amounts paid by the Company in respect of the post-Merger period in connection with providing Mr. Kornstein and Ms. Jones Blackhurst with these benefits.

    (5)

    Mr. Mather previously elected to defer his cash retainer fees into deferred phantom stock units under the Caesars Entertainment Corporation Outside Director Deferred Compensation Plan.

    (6)

    On October 23, 2020, the Company and Mr. Nelson entered into a Consulting Agreement pursuant to which Mr. Nelson would provide consulting services to the Board and the Company’s chief executive officer for a period of 12 months (or until earlier terminated by either party). In consideration for these services, Mr. Nelson received a cash payment of $100,000 and a number of restricted stock units having a grant date value of $150,000, which were fully vested and settled on the grant date.

    (7)

    Represents fees paid in cash in respect of service during calendar year 2020, as described in more detail above. Includes the cash payments made during the 3rd quarter in respect of the post-Merger annual equity retainer amount of $225,000, which was paid in cash for 2020 as follows: For Messrs. Tomick, Fahrenkopf and Pegram and Ms. Biumi, this amount was $22,466 (after taking into account the annual equity grant made in January 2020 in the form of RSUs having a grant date value of $175,000), and for Messrs. Kornstein, Mather and Nelson and Ms. Jones Blackhurst, this amount was $101,096, which represents a pro-rated amount for the number of days remaining in the 2020 calendar year following the Merger. Mr. Kornstein was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Caesars Entertainment UK Limited (“CEUK”) on November 10, 2020. In consideration for his service specifically related to Chairman of the Board of CEUK and his leadership efforts in connection with potential strategic alternatives outside the U.S., our Board of Directors approved additional compensation for Mr. Kornstein of $28,000/quarter beginning with the fourth quarter of 2020 (as reflected in the above table) and continuing until September 30, 2021.

    (8)

    Amounts shown represent the grant date fair value of stock awards calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718. In January 2020, non-employee directors received a number of fully vested restricted stock units having a grant date value of $174,344. As described above, in August 2020, Mr. Kornstein received a number of restricted stock units having a grant date value of $253,000 in consideration for his role as Vice Chairman of the Board and for the additional duties and responsibilities he has undertaken in connection with his role on the Board given his significant industry experience, which restricted stock units were fully vested and settled on the grant date.

    (9)

    As of December 31, 2020, none of the non-employee directors held unvested stock awards.

    Pursuant to the Caesars Entertainment Corporation Outside Director Deferred Compensation Plan (“Director Deferred Compensation Plan”), which was assumed by the Company in connection with the Merger and adopted by the Board effective as of January 1, 2021, non-employee directors have an opportunity to defer their Board compensation and equity grants.

    52        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    EXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONMATTERS

    As described above in the section titled “Board Leadership and Risk Oversight”, as a publicly traded corporation registered with and licensed by multiple regulatory bodies and as required by the Bylaws, deliverMississippi Gaming Commission, Nevada Gaming Commission, and New Jersey Casino Control Commission, we maintain a Compliance Committee, which currently includes independent directors Messrs. Fahrenkopf and Pegram, and non-director members A.J. “Bud” Hicks (who serves as the chairperson and an independent member of the Compliance Committee), Anthony L. Carano, Stephanie Lepori and Jeffrey Hendricks (who serves as the Compliance Officer). Mr. Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr. also serves as an ex-officio member of the Compliance Committee. Messrs. Fahrenkopf and Pegram each receive an annual cash retainer fee of $7,500 for service on the Compliance Committee, which is included in the table above.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        53


    PROPOSAL 4—RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

    On July 17, 2020, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”), and dismissal of Ernst and Young LLP, as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm effective following the completion of the review of the Company’s results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. Deloitte previously served as the independent registered public accounting firm of Former Caesars since 2002, and was engaged to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the combined company in connection with the Merger.

    The Audit Committee reviews the performance and independence of the independent registered public accounting firm annually. If the Company’s shareholders do not ratify the appointment of Deloitte, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment and may affirm the appointment or retain another independent accounting firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may in the future replace Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm if it is determined that it is in the Company’s best interests to do so.

    Representatives of Deloitte will be present at the Annual Meeting, and they will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. We also expect that they will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

    THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021.

    54        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    AUDIT-RELATED MATTERS

    AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

    The following Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the Secretaryextent the Company specifically incorporates this Report by reference therein.

    The purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and our consolidated financial statements. The Board of Directors, in its business judgment, has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are “independent,” as required by applicable listing standards of NASDAQ and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter that was adopted in July 2020. As set forth in the Audit Committee Charter, our management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of our consolidated financial statements and for the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Management is responsible for maintaining our accounting and financial reporting principles and internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing our consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm expresses an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

    As part of its responsibility to monitor and oversee our internal controls over financial reporting the Audit Committee received and reviewed periodic reports and updates from our management and our independent registered public accounting firm on our compliance with our obligations relating to documenting and testing its internal controls over financial reporting. The Audit Committee also discussed with management, and our independent registered public accounting firm, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, which was included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

    In the performance of its oversight function, the Audit Committee has considered and discussed the audited financial statements with management and our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 61, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T. The Audit Committee met with our independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations. Finally, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communication with the Audit Committee concerning independence, including the PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communications with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, as currently in effect, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm that firm’s independence.

    Our members of the Audit Committee are not full-time employees and are not performing the functions of auditors or accountants. As such, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Audit Committee or its members to conduct “field work” or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures or to set auditor independence standards. Members of the Audit Committee necessarily rely on the information provided to them by management and the independent registered public accounting firm. Accordingly, the Audit Committee’s considerations and discussions referred to above do not assure that the audit of our consolidated financial statements has been carried out in accordance with the audit standards of the PCAOB, that the consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that our independent registered public accounting firm is in fact “independent.”

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        55


    AUDIT-RELATEDMATTERS

    Based upon the reports and discussions described in this report, and subject to the limitations on the role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee referred to above and in the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

    David P. Tomick

    Chair

    Bonnie S. BiumiCourtney R. Mather

    POLICY ON AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL

    The Audit Committee’s charter provides for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm(s). Under the charter, the Audit Committee may pre-approve specific services, including fee levels, by the independent registered public accounting firm(s) in a designated category (audit, audit-related, tax services and all other services). The Audit Committee may delegate, in writing, this authority to one or more of its members, provided that the member or members to whom such authority is delegated must report their decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. All audit, tax and other services provided by Ernest & Young prior to the Merger and Deloitte were and are pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

    FEES PAID TO AUDITORS

    The following table summarizes the aggregate fees paid or accrued by the Company to Deloitte during 2020:

    2020 ($)

    Audit Fees(1)

    6,898,064

    Audit-Related Fees(2)

    860,000

    Tax Fees(3)

    319,799

    All Other Fees

    Total

    8,077,863

    (1)

    Audit fees include:

    Audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, including the audits of the various subsidiaries’ financial statements, including those of gaming operations as required by the regulations of the respective jurisdictions;

    Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Section 404 attestation services;

    Reviews of the Company’s quarterly financial statements;

    Consents and other services related to SEC matters and debt offerings; and

    Related out-of-pocket expenses.

    (2)

    Audit-Related Fees include:

    Quarterly revenue and compliance audits performed at certain of our properties as required by state gaming regulations;

    Audits of employee benefit plans;

    Agreed-upon procedures engagements; and

    Related out-of-pocket expenses.

    (3)

    Tax Fees include:

    Tax-planning and advice are services rendered with respect to proposed transactions or that alter a transaction to obtain a particular tax result. Such services consisted of:

    i.

    Tax advice related to review of IRC Section 163(j) modeling for state impact of the CARES Act;

    ii.

    Tax advice related to review of the COVID-19 Retention Credit under the CARES Act;

    iii.

    Tax advice related to applicability of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit;

    iv.

    Tax advice related to research and development activities and expenditures related to IRC Section 41;

    56        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    AUDIT-RELATEDMATTERS

    INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S INDEPENDENCE

    In considering the nature of the services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee discussed these services with the independent registered public accounting firm and Company management to determine that they are permitted under the rules and regulations concerning auditor independence promulgated by the SEC to implement the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The Audit Committee determined that such services are compatible with the provision of independent audit services.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        57


    PROPOSAL 5—APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

    On April 8, 2021, the Board approved and adopted an amendment (the “Common Stock Amendment”) to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, subject to approval and adoption by the Company’s shareholders. The Common Stock Amendment increases the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 300,000,000 shares to 500,000,000 shares. The Common Stock Amendment is set forth in relevant portion below:

    “The Corporation is authorized to issue five hundred million (500,000,000) shares of Common Stock having a par value of $0.00001 per share (hereinafter referred to as “Common Stock”). Each outstanding share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter properly submitted to the shareholders of the Corporation for their vote.”

    The Board believes that the adoption of the Common Stock Amendment is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The adoption of the Common Stock Amendment would provide the Company with the flexibility to issue shares for financing and other business purposes in the future, including acquisition and development of other gaming opportunities, establishing strategic relationships with other companies, stock dividends, present and future employee benefit programs and other corporate purposes. Unless further shareholder approval is required for a notice setting forth (a)proposed issuance of additional shares of Common Stock by Nasdaq or other applicable rules and regulations, the name, age, business addressadditional shares may be issued without the delay and costs associated with holding a special meeting of shareholders to obtain approval. The Company has no current plans or proposals to use the newly authorized shares for acquisition transactions or development opportunities, equity financing, stock dividends, present and future employee benefit programs or other corporate purposes.

    The additional shares of stock for which authorization is sought would be identical in all respects to the shares of our stock now authorized, having the same par value, voting rights and rights to dividends and other distributions. As a result, an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock would not, in itself, have any effect on the rights of the holders of the Company’s Common Stock, and the residence addressrelative rights and limitations of each nomineethe holders of Common Stock would remain unchanged under the Common Stock Amendment. However, shareholders of the Company do not currently possess, nor upon the adoption of the proposed amendment will they acquire, preemptive rights entitling them, as a matter of right, to subscribe for the purchase of any shares, rights, warrants or other securities or obligations convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities of the Company. While the adoption of the Common Stock Amendment will not impact the rights of holders of currently outstanding shares of Common Stock, the issuance of additional shares of Common Stock in such notice, (b) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee, (c)future could have effects incidental to increasing the number of shares of capital stockCommon Stock outstanding, such as dilution of earnings per share and voting rights of current holders of our Common Stock.

    The additional shares of Common Stock that would become available for issuance if proposal is adopted could also be used by the Company to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or to delay or prevent changes in control or management of the Company. For example, without further shareholder approval, the Board could approve a strategic sale of shares of Common Stock in a private transaction to purchasers who would oppose a takeover or favor the current Board. Although this proposal to increase the authorized number of shares of Common Stock has been prompted by business and financial considerations and not by the threat of any hostile takeover attempt (nor is the Board of Directors currently aware of any such attempts directed at the

    58        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    Company), shareholders should be aware that approval of the proposal could facilitate future efforts by the Company to deter or prevent changes in control of the Company, including transactions in which the shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices.

    If this proposal is not approved by our shareholders, our financing alternatives and ability to pursue business opportunities integral to future growth and success, including new gaming acquisition and development opportunities and strategic relationships, may be limited by the lack of sufficient unissued and unreserved authorized shares of Common Stock. In addition, our future success depends upon our ability to attract, retain and motivate key employees, which could be adversely impacted if we do not have sufficient shares of authorized Common Stock available to provide equity incentive awards that are determined to be appropriate by the Compensation Committee.

    The Common Stock Amendment will become effective upon the filing of the amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. We currently plan to file the Common Stock Amendment promptly after the Annual Meeting and receipt of any required regulatory approvals if this proposal is approved by shareholders holding the majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock as of the record date.

    THE BOARD HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE COMMON STOCK AMENDMENT AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK .

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        59


    PROPOSAL 6—APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFCATE OF INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF PREFERED STOCK

    On April 8, 2021, the Board approved and adopted an amendment (the “Blank Check Preferred Amendment”) to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, subject to approval and adoption by the Company’s shareholders, authorizing the issuance of 150,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation does not currently authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock. The Blank Check Preferred Amendment is set forth in relevant portion below:

    “The Corporation is further authorized to issue 150,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock at a par value of $0.00001 per share. The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized to provide, out of the unissued shares of preferred stock, for one or more series of preferred stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series, the voting powers, if any, of the shares of such series, and the preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of preferred stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.”

    The term “blank check” is often used to refer to preferred stock, the creation and issuance of which is authorized by the shareholders in advance and the terms, rights and features of which are beneficially owneddetermined by the Board from time to time. The authorization of blank check preferred stock would permit the Board to create and issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series. Subject to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as amended from time to time, and the limitations prescribed by law or by the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Board of Directors would be expressly authorized, at its discretion, to adopt resolutions to issue preferred shares, to fix the number of shares and to change designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, dividend rates, terms of redemption, redemption prices, voting rights, conversion rights, and liquidation preferences of the shares constituting any series of preferred stock, in each such nominee, and (d) such other information concerning each such nominee ascase without any further action or vote by the shareholders. The Board would be required underto make any determination to issue shares of preferred stock based on its judgment that doing so would be in the rulesbest interests of the SEC, inCompany and its shareholders.

    The issuance of shares of preferred stock could affect the relative rights of the Company’s shares of common stock. Depending upon the exact terms, limitations and relative rights and preferences, if any, of the shares of preferred stock as determined by the Board of Directors at the time of issuance, the holders of shares of preferred stock may be entitled dividends, a proxy statement soliciting proxiesprior claim on funds available for the electionpayment of such nominees. Such notice shall includedividends, a signed consentfixed preferential payment in the event of each such nomineeliquidation and dissolution of the Company, redemption rights, rights to serveconvert their shares of preferred stock into shares of common stock, and voting rights which would dilute the voting control of the Company by the holders of shares of common stock. Depending on the particular terms of any series of the preferred stock, holders thereof may have significant voting rights and the right to representation on the Board. In addition, the approval of the holders of shares of preferred stock, voting as a directorclass or as a series, may be required for the taking of certain corporate actions, such as mergers.

    60        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    The adoption of the corporation,Blank Check Preferred Amendment would provide the Company with the flexibility to issue shares for financing and other business purposes in the future, including:

    acquisition and development of other gaming opportunities,

    establishing strategic relationships with other companies,

    stock dividends,

    present and future employee benefit programs.

    Unless further shareholder approval is required for a proposed issuance of additional shares of Preferred Stock by Nasdaq or other applicable rules and regulations, the additional shares may be issued without the delay and costs associated with holding a special meeting of shareholders to obtain approval. The Board has no immediate plans, understandings, agreements or commitments to issue any preferred stock or, except in the case of existing equity compensation plans, to issue additional shares of common stock.

    While shares of preferred stock may also be used as a tool to oppose unwelcome takeover attempts, including through adoption of a rights plan or a “poison pill”, this proposal to authorize preferred stock has been prompted by business and financial considerations. We are not currently aware of any such acquisition attempts directed at the Company and we have no intention of utilizing the preferred stock as a takeover defense. In addition, our Bylaws require that any rights plan approved by the Board of Directors, whether or not it involves the issuance of preferred stock, also be approved by our shareholders.

    If this proposal is not approved by our shareholders, our financing alternatives and ability to pursue business opportunities integral to future growth and success, including new gaming acquisition and development opportunities and strategic relationships, may be limited or may be more expensive because we do not have the flexibility provided by preferred equity financing structures.

    The Blank Check Preferred Amendment will become effective upon the filing of the amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. We currently plan to file the Blank Check Preferred Amendment promptly after the Annual Meeting and receipt of any required regulatory approvals if elected. This notice requirement doesthis proposal is approved by shareholders holding the majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock as of the record date.

    THE BOARD HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE BLANK CHECK PREFERRED AMENDMENT AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        61


    OTHER INFORMATION

    OTHER BUSINESS

    Management is not applyaware at this date that any other business matters will come before the meeting. If, however, any other matters should properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to stockholder proposals properly submitted for inclusionvote thereon in ouraccordance with their judgment. The persons named in the proxy statementscard will vote in accordance with the rulesrecommendation of the Securities and Exchange Commission and stockholder nominationsBoard on any other matters incidental to the conduct of, director candidates which must comply withor otherwise properly brought before, the Nominating and Governance Committee Charter described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.annual meeting. The proxy card contains discretionary authority for them to do so.

    Notice Regarding Abandoned Property Law of New York State
    NOTICE REGARDING ABANDONED PROPERTY LAW OF NEW YORK STATE

            The Company hasWe have been informed by itsour transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent"“Transfer Agent”), that New York State now requires the Company'sCompany’s Transfer Agent to report and escheat all shares held by the Company'sour record stockholdersshareholders if there has been no written communication received from the stockholdershareholder for a period of five years. This regulation pertains specifically to corporate issuers who do not pay dividends and their stockholdersshareholders with New York, foreign or unknown addresses. The law mandates escheatment of shares even though the certificates are not in the Transfer Agent'sAgent’s possession, and even though the stockholder'sshareholder’s address of record is apparently correct.

    The Transfer Agent has advised the Companyus that the law requires the Transfer Agent to search its records as of June 30 each year in order to determine those New York resident stockholdersshareholders from whom it has had no written communication within the past five years. Written communication would include transfer activity, voted proxies, address changes or other miscellaneous written inquiries. For those stockholdersshareholders who have not contacted the Transfer Agent in over five years, a first-class letter must be sent notifying them that their shares will be escheated in November if they do not contact the Transfer Agent in writing prior thereto. All written responses will be entered in the Transfer Agent'sAgent’s files, but those who do not respond will have their shares escheated. StockholdersShareholders will be able to apply to New York State for the return of their shares.

    Accordingly, stockholdersshareholders that may be subject to New York'sYork’s Abandoned Property Law should make their inquiries and otherwise communicate, with respect to the Company,us, in writing. StockholdersShareholders should contact their attorneys with any questions they may have regarding this matter.


    Table of ContentsCERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION POLICY

    APPROVAL OF RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

    Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code”) requires that any proposed transaction between us and a related party, or in which a related party would have a direct or indirect material interest, be promptly disclosed to our Compliance Committee. The Compliance Committee is required to disclose such proposed transactions promptly to our Audit Committee.

    Our Audit Committee Charter and the Code requires our Audit Committee to review and approve all of our related party transactions. Any director having an interest in the transaction is not permitted to vote on such transaction. The Audit Committee will determine whether or not to approve any such transaction on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the provisions of the Audit Committee Charter and the Code, including the standards set forth in the Conflicts of Interest Policy contained in the Code. Under the Code, a “related party” is any of the following:

    a director (or director nominee);

    an executive officer of the Company;

    Information Accompanying this Proxy Statement
    62        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    OTHERINFORMATION

     

    an immediate family member of any executive officer or director;

    a beneficial owner of five percent or more of any class of our voting securities;

    an entity in which one of the above described persons has a substantial ownership interest or control of such entity; or

    any other person or entity that would be deemed to be a related person under Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K or applicable NASDAQ rules and regulations.

    A related party transaction is defined as a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements, or relationships) in which the Company (including any of its subsidiaries) was, is or will be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related party had, has or will have a direct or indirect interest.

    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

    LEASED PROPERTY

    We own the entire parcel on which Eldorado Reno is located, except for approximately 30,000 square feet which is leased from C. S. & Y. Associates, which is an entity partially owned by Recreational Enterprises, Inc. (“REI”), which is owned by members of the Carano family, including Gary L. Carano, and various trusts of which members of the Carano family are beneficiaries. In addition, each of Gary L. Carano and Thomas R. Reeg serve as members of the board of directors of REI. The Company's Annual Reportlease expires on Form 10-KJune 30, 2057. Rent pursuant to the lease amounted to $0.6 million in 2020. As a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Eldorado Reno’s revenues due to the closure of the casino, an amendment was executed to defer rental payments for a portion of 2020, not to exceed three months, until 2021 and 2022.

    COMPENSATION PAID TO FAMILY MEMBERS

    For the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Securitiesperiod beginning January 1, 2020 to April 12, 2021, family members who are related to Gary L. Carano and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2016, accompanies this Proxy Statement and is being furnished to each person solicitedThomas R. Reeg were paid compensation in connection with their positions as follows:

    NAME

     RELATIONSHIP POSITION 

    ENTITY

     CASH &OTHER
    COMPENSATION
    ($)(1)
      2020
    RSUs
    ($)(2)
      2021
    RSUs
    ($)(3)
      TOTAL
    ($)
     

    Cindy Carano

     Sister of
    Gary L. Carano
     Executive Director
    of Community
    Relations
     Silver Legacy, Eldorado Reno and Circus Circus Reno              176,581      18,301   194,882 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Glenn Carano

     Brother of
    Gary L. Carano
     Senior Vice
    President of
    Regional
    Operations and
    GM of The Row
     Caesars Entertainment Services  785,551   1,025,046   407,243   2,217,840 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    William Reeg

     Brother of
    Thomas R. Reeg
     Senior Vice
    President of
    Regional
    Operations
     Caesars Entertainment Services  493,820   678,258   337,859   1,509,937 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Shawn Clancy

     Brother-in-law of
    Thomas R. Reeg
     Chief
    Development
    Officer
     Caesars Entertainment Services  452,286   582,384   205,780   1,240,450 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Nina Carano

     Daughter of
    Gary L. Carano
     Director of
    Corporate
    Advertising
     Caesars Entertainment Services  232,209      18,301   250,510 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Katie Carano Miller

     Daughter of
    Gary L. Carano
     Senior Vice
    President,
    Communications
    and Government
    Relations
     Caesars Entertainment Services  305,599   504,468   189,898   999,965 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        63


    OTHERINFORMATION

    NAME

     RELATIONSHIP POSITION 

    ENTITY

     CASH &OTHER
    COMPENSATION
    ($)(1)
      2020
    RSUs
    ($)(2)
      2021
    RSUs
    ($)(3)
      TOTAL
    ($)
     

    Gene Carano

     Brother of
    Gary L. Carano
     Vice President of
    Operations
     Caesars Entertainment Services  229,447         229,447 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Gregg Carano

     Brother of
    Gary L. Carano
     Senior Vice
    President of Food
    and Beverage
     Caesars Entertainment Services  289,622         289,622 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    Donald Carano II

     Nephew of
    Gary L. Carano
     Director of Food
    and Beverage
     Silver Legacy, Eldorado Reno and Circus Circus Reno  138,019      
    18,301
     
      156,320 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

      

     

     

     

    (1)

    Includes base salary, bonus amounts paid in respect of 2020, 401(k) matching contributions, insurance premiums and certain reimbursement for outings with clients.

    (2)

    Represents aggregate grant date fair value of performance and time-based RSUs granted during 2020.

    (3)

    Represents aggregate grant date fair value of performance and time-based RSUs granted during 2021.

    SECURITY OWNERSHIP

    The following table provides certain information regarding the June 15, 2016beneficial ownership of our outstanding capital stock based on public disclosures or otherwise known to the Company as of April 16, 2021:

    Each person or group known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our capital stock;

    Each of our named executive officers in the Summary Compensation Table;

    Each of our directors and director nominees; and

    All of our current directors and executive officers as a group.

    Beneficial ownership of shares is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to applicable community or marital property laws, the persons identified in the table possess sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock held by them. Shares of common stock subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 16, 2021 are deemed outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage of outstanding shares of the person holding these options, but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage of outstanding shares owned by any other person.

    64        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    OTHERINFORMATION

    The percentage of class is based on 208,601,738 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 16, 2021 (this number of outstanding shares does not include the Escrow Trust Shares (as defined below in the section “Information About Voting and the Meeting—Who is Entitled to Vote?”)). Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each of the shareholders listed below is c/o 100 West Liberty Street, Suite 12th Floor, Reno, Nevada, 89501.

    NAMEOFBENEFICIALOWNER

      SHARESOF
    COMMON
    STOCK
    BENEFICIALLY
    OWNED
    (#)
       PERCENTAGE
    OFCLASS
    (%)
     

    >5% Shareholders

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    FMR LLC(1)

       26,532,689    12.7193% 

    BlackRock Inc.(2)

       26,743,390    12.8203% 

    The Vanguard Group, LLC(3)

       21,582,944    10.3465% 

    Capital Research Global Investors(4)

       12,209,449    5.853% 

    Capital World Investors(5)

       11,118,142    5.3298% 

    Non-Employee Directors

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Bonnie S. Biumi(6)

       24,795    *     

    Jan Jones Blackhurst

       2,933    *     

    Frank J. Fahrenkopf(7)

       49,015    *     

    Don R. Kornstein(8)

       28,262    *     

    Courtney R. Mather(9)

       15,734    *     

    Michael E. Pegram(10)

       130,712    *     

    David P. Tomick(11) (12)

       61,115    *     

    Named Executive Officers

      

     

     

       

     

     

     

    Gary L. Carano(13)

       516,094    *     

    Anthony L. Carano(14)

       46,336    *     

    Thomas R. Reeg(15)

       140,625    *     

    Stephanie Lepori

       35,242    *     

    Bret Yunker

       36,874    *     

    All current directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons)(16)

       1,147,664    *     

    *

    Indicates less than 1%.

    (1)

    Information regarding the number of shares beneficially owned is included herein in reliance on Schedule 13G/A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2021. The address of FMR LLC is 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

    (2)

    Information regarding the number of shares beneficially owned is included herein in reliance on Schedule 13G/A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2021. The address of BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.

    (3)

    Information regarding the number of shares beneficially owned is included herein in reliance on Schedule 13G/A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2021. The address of The Vanguard Group, LLC is 100 Vanguard Blvd, Malvern, PA 19355.

    (4)

    Information regarding the number of shares beneficially owned is included herein in reliance on Schedule 13G as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2021. The address of Capital Research Global Investors is 333 South Hope Street, 55th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

    (5)

    Information regarding the number of shares beneficially owned is included herein in reliance on Schedule 13G as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2021. The address of Capital World Investors is 333 South Hope Street, 55th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

    (6)

    Includes 4,612 deferred RSUs that are acquirable within 60 days.

    (7)

    Consists of 46,082 deferred RSUs that are acquirable within 60 days.

    (8)

    Includes 6,500 shares held indirectly through a trust established for the benefit of children.

    (9)

    Mr. Mather has elected to defer his cash board fees into deferred stock units, pursuant to the Former Caesars’ legacy deferred compensation plan for outside directors. Includes 12,801 deferred stock units and 2,933 deferred RSUs that are acquirable within 60 days.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        65


    OTHERINFORMATION

    (10)

    Includes 44,403 deferred RSUs that are acquirable within 60 days.

    (11)

    Includes 41,470 deferred RSUs that are acquirable within 60 days. Also includes 30,000 deferred RSUs transferred to a trust for the benefit of Mr. Tomick’s children.

    (12)

    Includes 4,700 shares owned by Mr. Tomick’s wife.

    (13)

    Represents shares of common stock owned directly by Mr. Gary L. Carano and indirectly by Mr. Gary L. Carano through the Gary L. Carano S Corporation Trust and includes 257,200 shares of common stock that are subject to a pledge arrangement. In addition to the shares of our common stock reported in the table above, Gary L. Carano directly and indirectly through various trusts holds a 10.1% ownership interest in, and is a member of the board of directors of, REI, which was a greater than 5% shareholder during 2020. He does not hold voting power or dispositive power with respect to REI’s 8,604,325 shares of our common stock and he disclaims beneficial ownership of REI’s 8,604,325 shares of our common stock except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. Information regarding the number of shares beneficially owned is included herein in reliance on Schedule 13D as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 2020.

    (14)

    Includes 31,677 shares of common stock that are subject to a pledge arrangement.

    (15)

    Includes 80,158 shares of common stock that are subject to a pledge arrangement. Mr. Reeg is a member of the board of directors of REI. Mr. Reeg does not have voting or dispositive power with respect to the shares of common stock held by REI and disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of common stock.

    (16)

    Includes any vested stock options or deferred RSUs that are acquirable within 60 days.

    WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and in accordance therewith, we file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. This information may be accessed electronically by means of the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. We are an electronic filer, and the SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains the reports and other information we file electronically. Our website address is www.caesars.com. Please note that our website address is provided as an inactive textual reference only. We make available free of charge, through our website, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information provided on or accessible through our website is not part of this Proxy Statement.

    66        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING AND THE MEETING

    LOGO

    WHATISTHEPURPOSEOFTHEANNUALMEETING,ANDWHATAMIVOTINGON?

    LOGO

    At the Annual Meeting you will be voting on the following proposals:

    1.

    To elect nine directors, each to serve until the 2022 annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company or until his or her respective successor is duly elected and qualified. This year’s Board of Directors nominees are:

    Gary L. Carano

    Bonnie S. Biumi

    Jan Jones Blackhurst

    Frank J. Fahrenkopf

    Don R. Kornstein

    Courtney R. Mather

    Michael E. Pegram

    Thomas R. Reeg

    David P. Tomick

    2.

    To hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

    3.

    To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes to approve compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

    4.

    To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021.

    5.

    To approve and adopt an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of the Company’s common stock.

    6.

    To approve and adopt an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of preferred stock.

    LOGO

    WHATARETHEBOARDOFDIRECTORSVOTINGRECOMMENDATIONS?

    LOGO

    The Company’s Board of Directors recommends the following votes:

    1.

    FOR each of the director nominees.

    2.

    FORthe approval, on an advisory, non-binding basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

    3.

    FOR, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the option of “every year” as the frequency of future advisory votes to approve compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

    4.

    FOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021.

    5.

    FOR the approval and adoption of an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of the Company’s common stock.

    6.

    FOR the approval and adoption of an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of preferred stock.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        67


    INFORMATIONABOUTVOTINGANDTHEMEETING

    LOGO

    HOWCANIATTENDTHEANNUALMEETING?

    LOGO

    Our Annual Meeting will be a “virtual meeting” of shareholders, which will be conducted exclusively online via audio webcast. You will be able to attend the virtual annual meeting of shareholders online by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CZR2021. You also will be able to vote your shares electronically at the virtual annual meeting.

    You will be able to attend the virtual annual meeting of shareholders online by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CZR2021. Utilizing the Company's stockholders.latest technology allows us to provide expanded access, improved communication and cost savings for our shareholders and the Company. We believe that hosting a virtual meeting will enable greater shareholder attendance and participation from any location around the world, particularly given the extenuating circumstance of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Importantly, the virtual meeting has been designed to provide the same rights to participate as you would have at an in-person meeting.

    LOGO

    CANIASKQUESTIONSDURINGTHEMEETING?

    LOGO

    Yes. To submit your questions in advance of the Annual Meeting, please log on to www.proxyvote.com

    LOGO

    WHOISENTITLEDTOVOTE?

    LOGO

    As of the close of business on April 16, 2021, which is the “Record Date,” 208,601,738 shares of common stock were outstanding (excluding shares of Caesars common stock being held in escrow trust to satisfy unsecured claims pursuant to the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization, filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago on January 13, 2017, at Docket No. 6318, which are not entitled to vote (the “Escrow Trust Shares”)). All record holders of Company common stock (other than the holder of the Escrow Trust Shares) are entitled to vote. Each share of common stock outstanding as of the Record Date is entitled to one vote.

    LOGO

    WHOMAYATTENDTHEANNUALMEETING?

    LOGO

    Shareholders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date, or their duly appointed proxies may attend the annual meeting.

    LOGO

    WHOISSOLICITINGMYVOTE?

    LOGO

    Our Board is sending you and making available this proxy statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the annual meeting. The Company pays the cost of soliciting proxies. Proxies may be solicited in person or by telephone, facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic medium by certain of our directors, officers and employees, without additional compensation. Forms of proxies and proxy materials may also be distributed through brokers, custodians and other like parties to the beneficial owners of shares of our common stock, in which case we will reimburse these parties for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Company has also made arrangements with D.F. King to assist it in soliciting proxies and has agreed to pay D.F. King approximately $15,000, plus reasonable expenses for these services.

    LOGO

    HOWMANYSHARESMUST-BEPRESENTTOCONDUCTTHEANNUALMEETING?

    LOGO

    A majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Shares of our common stock represented in person or by proxy (including shares which abstain, broker non-votes and shares that are not voted with respect to one or more of the matters presented for shareholder approval) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting.

    LOGO

    WHATISTHEVOTEREQUIREDTOELECTDIRECTORS?

    LOGO

    Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Shareholders may vote FOR all or some of the nominees or shareholders may vote WITHHOLD with respect to one or more of the nominees. The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the

    68        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    No Other Business
    INFORMATIONABOUTVOTINGANDTHEMEETING

     Management

    shares represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon is required to elect a director. A vote to WITHHOLD will have the effect of a negative vote. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election of directors, because they are not considered votes cast.

    LOGO

    WHATISTHEVOTEREQUIREDTOAPPROVETHEOTHERPROPOSALS?

    LOGO

    The vote required to approve Proposals 2, 3, and 4 is as follows:

    The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to (i) approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (Proposal 2), (ii) vote, on a non-binding, advisory basis, for the option of “every year” as the frequency of future advisory votes to approve compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (Proposal 3), and (iii) ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2021 (Proposal 4). Abstentions and broker non-votes are not awareconsidered votes cast although they are counted toward determining whether or not there is a quorum. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on Proposals 2, 3 and 4. Proposal 4 is a routine matter and brokers are entitled to exercise their voting discretion without receiving instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares, and therefore no broker non-votes are expected with respect to Proposal 4.

    The vote required to approve Proposals 5 and 6 is as follows:

    An affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of the record date is required to (i) approve and adopt an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock (Proposal 5), and (ii) approve and adopt an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to authorize the issuance preferred stock (Proposal 6). Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “against” Proposals 5 and 6. Proposal 5 is a routine matter and brokers are entitled to exercise their voting discretion without receiving instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares, and therefore no broker non-votes are expected with respect to Proposal 5.

    Other matters may be voted on if they are properly brought before the Annual Meeting in accordance with our Bylaws. We know of no other matter to be presented at the meeting. If any other matter should be presented at the meeting upon which a vote properly may be taken, then the persons named as proxies will have discretion to vote on those matters according to their best judgment to the same extent as the person signing the proxy would be entitled to vote. At the date of this dateproxy statement, we do not anticipate that any other business matters will comebe raised at the Annual Meeting.

    LOGO

    ISCUMULATIVEVOTINGPERMITTED?

    LOGO

    No.

    LOGO

    WHATIFIABSTAINFROMVOTING?

    LOGO

    If you attend the meeting or send in your signed proxy card but abstain from voting, you will still be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. For the effect of abstentions on the outcome of the vote on any proposal, see the questions above “What is the vote required to elect directors?” and “What is the vote required to approve the other proposals?”.

    LOGO

    WHATISABROKERNON-VOTE”?

    LOGO

    Under the stock exchange rules, brokers and nominees may exercise their voting discretion without receiving instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares on proposals that are deemed to be routine matters. If a proposal is a non-routine matter, a broker or nominee may not vote the shares on the proposal without receiving instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. If a broker turns in a proxy card expressly stating that the broker is not voting on a non-routine matter, such action is referred to as a “broker non-vote.” Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Proposals 4 and 5 are routine matters and brokers are entitled to exercise their voting discretion without receiving instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 6 are non-routine matters and brokers are not entitled to exercise their voting discretion without receiving instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. For the

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        69


    INFORMATIONABOUTVOTINGANDTHEMEETING

    effect of broker non-votes on the outcome of the vote on any proposal, see the questions above “What is the vote required to elect directors?” and “What is the vote required to approve the other proposals?”.

    LOGO

    WILLMYSHARESBEVOTEDIFIDONOTSIGNANDRETURNMYPROXYCARDORVOTEBYTELEPHONEOROVERTHEINTERNET?

    LOGO

    If you are a registered shareholder and you do not sign and return your proxy card or vote by telephone or over the Internet, your shares will not be voted at the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held in street name and you do not issue instructions to your broker, your broker may vote your shares at its discretion on routine matters but may not vote your shares on non-routine matters. Under applicable stock market rules, Proposal 4 relating to the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm and Proposal 5 relating to the approval and adoption of an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock are deemed to be routine matters, and brokers and other nominees may exercise their voting discretion without receiving instructions from the beneficial owners of the shares. Each of Proposals 1, 2, 3, and 6 is a non-routine matter and, therefore, your broker will not be able to vote your shares without your instructions.

    LOGO

    HOWDOIVOTEIFMYSHARESAREREGISTEREDDIRECTLYINMYNAME?

    LOGO

    We offer four methods for you to vote your shares: in advance by telephone, through the Internet or by mail, or in person at the annual meeting. Instructions for voting in advance are included in the Notice at the beginning of this proxy statement. We encourage you to vote through the Internet or by telephone, as they are the most cost-effective methods for the Company. We also recommend that you vote as soon as possible, even if you are planning to attend the virtual annual meeting, so that the vote count will not be delayed. Both the Internet and the telephone provide convenient, cost-effective alternatives to returning your proxy card by mail. There is no charge to vote your shares via the Internet, though you may incur costs associated with electronic access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers. If you choose to vote your shares through the Internet or by telephone, there is no need for you to mail your proxy card. You will need to enter the 16-digit control number received with your Proxy or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to vote during the meeting.

    LOGO

    HOWDOIVOTEMYSHARESIFTHEYAREHELDINTHENAMEOFMYBROKER (STREETNAME)?

    LOGO

    If your shares are held in street name, you will receive a form from your broker or other nominee seeking instruction as to how to vote your shares. You should contact your broker or other nominee with questions about how to provide or revoke your instructions.

    LOGO

    WHOWILLCOUNTTHEVOTE?

    LOGO

    Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has been engaged as our independent inspector of election to tabulate shareholder votes for the 2021 annual meeting.

    LOGO

    CANICHANGEMYVOTEAFTERIRETURNORSUBMITMYPROXY?

    LOGO

    Yes. Even after you have submitted your proxy, you can revoke your proxy or change your vote at any time before the proxy is exercised: by submitting a new proxy with a later date; by providing written notice to the Corporate Secretary or acting secretary of the annual meeting; or by voting in person at the annual meeting.

    LOGO

    MAYIVOTEATTHEANNUALMEETING?

    LOGO

    If you are a registered holder and are permitted to attend the meeting (see “Who may attend the annual meeting?” above), you may complete a voting ballot at the meeting. If you already properly submitted your vote in advance and would like to change your vote at the meeting, then please give written notice that you would like to revoke your original proxy to the Corporate Secretary or acting secretary of the annual meeting.

    If a broker, bank or other nominee holds your shares and you wish to vote in person at the annual meeting, you must first obtain a proxy issued in your name from the broker, bank or other nominee, otherwise you will not be permitted to vote in person at the annual meeting.

    70        CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT®


    INFORMATIONABOUTVOTINGANDTHEMEETING

    LOGO

    WHERECANIFINDTHEVOTINGRESULTSOFTHEANNUALMEETING?

    LOGO

    We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the annual meeting and publish final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K that will be filed with the SEC within four business days following the annual meeting. All reports we file with the SEC are available when filed. Please see the section “Other Information—Where to Find Additional Information.”

    LOGO

    WHERECANIFINDALISTOFTHECOMPANYSSHAREHOLDERS?

    LOGO

    A list of the Company’s shareholders is available at the Company’s corporate headquarters, located at 100 West Liberty Street, 12th Floor, Reno, NV, during ordinary business hours, for 10 days prior to the annual meeting.

    LOGO

    WHENARESHAREHOLDERPROPOSALSANDSHAREHOLDERNOMINATIONSDUEFORTHE 2022ANNUALMEETING?

    LOGO

    Under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, the Corporate Secretary must receive a shareholder proposal no later than December 29, 2021 in order for the proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for the 2022 annual meeting. To otherwise bring a proposal or nomination before the 2022 annual meeting, you must comply with our Bylaws. Currently, our by-laws require written notice to the Corporate Secretary between February 12, 2022 and March 14, 2022. The purpose of this requirement is to assure adequate notice of, and information regarding, any such matter as to which shareholder action may be sought. If we receive your notice before February 12, 2022 or after March 14, 2022, then your proposal or nomination will be untimely. In addition, your proposal or nomination must comply with the procedural provisions of our by-laws. If you do not comply with these procedural provisions, your proposal or nomination can be excluded. Should the Board nevertheless choose to present your proposal, the named proxies will be able to vote on the proposal using their discretion.

    LOGO

    HOWMANYCOPIESSHOULDIRECEIVEIFISHAREANADDRESSWITHANOTHERSHAREHOLDER?

    LOGO

    We have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC called “householding”. Under this procedure, we are permitted to deliver a single copy of our Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and, as applicable, any additional proxy materials that are delivered until such time as one or more of these shareholders notifies us that they want to receive separate copies. Householding allows us to reduce our printing and postage costs and reduces the volume of duplicative information you receive. Shareholders of record sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of our Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and wish to receive a single copy of such material in the future should submit their request by contacting Broadridge Financial Solutions by telephone at 1-866-540-7095 or sending a written request via mail to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. If you are the beneficial owner, but not the record holder, of our shares and wish to receive only one copy of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in the future, you will need to contact your broker, bank or other nominee to request that only a single copy of such document be mailed to all shareholders at the shared address in the future.

    2021 PROXY STATEMENT        71


    LOGO


    CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

    100 WEST LIBERTY ST., 12TH FLOOR

    RENO, NV 89501

    VOTE BY INTERNET

    Before The Meeting - Go towww.proxyvote.com

    Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the meeting. If, however,cut-off date or Meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records.

    During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CZR2021

    The Meeting will be exclusively online via audio webcast. You may attend the Meeting via the Internet and vote during the Meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions.

    VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

    Use any other matters should properly cometouch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the meeting,cut-off date or Meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

    VOTE BY MAIL

    Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it is the intention of the persons named in the proxypostage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to vote thereon in accordance with their judgment.Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

    TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

    D50530-P53506                                 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

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    DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

    April 29, 2016ELDORADO RESORTS, INC.



    Anthony L. Carano,Secretary

    GRAPHIC

    If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy 1234567 VOTE BY MAIL 123,456,789,012.12345 TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

    CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.For

    All

    Withhold

    All

    For All Withhold All

    Except

    The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following:

    1.COMPANY PROPOSAL: Election of Directors
    Nominees:

    01)  Gary L. Carano

    06)  Courtney R. Mather

    02)  Bonnie S. Biumi

    07)  Michael E. Pegram

    03)  Jan Jones Blackhurst

    08)  Thomas R. Reeg

    04)  Frank J. Fahrenkopf

    09)  David P. Tomick

    05)  Don R. Kornstein

    The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 4, 5 and 6 and for “every year” for proposal 3.For All Except AgainstAbstain
    2.COMPANY PROPOSAL: ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION.

    Every

    year

    Every
    2 years
    Every
    3 years
    Abstain
    3.COMPANY PROPOSAL: ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
    ForAgainstAbstain
    4.COMPANY PROPOSAL: RATIFY THE SELECTION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2021.
    To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: nominee(s) on the line below. 0 0 0 1. Election of Directors Nominees 01 Gary L. Carano 06 David P. Tomick 02 Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr 07 Roger P. Wagner 03 James B. Hawkins 04 Michael E. Pegram 05 Thomas R. Reeg The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3. 2PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE

      For    Against    Abstain
    5.COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2016 3ADVISORY VOTEPROPOSAL: TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION. AND ADOPT AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK TO 500,000,000.
    For 0 0 Against 0 0 Abstain 0 0
    6.COMPANY PROPOSAL: TO APPROVE AND ADOPT AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF 150,000,000 SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK.

    NOTE: SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF. John Sample attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full ANY CITY, ON A1A 1A1 partnership name, by authorized officer.

    Please sign this WHITE proxy card exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

    Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]Date
     Signature (Joint Owners)Date 02 0000000000 1 OF 1 1 2 0000288883_1 R1.0.1.25 Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or Investor Address Line 1 Investor Address Line 2 Investor Address Line 3 Investor Address Line 4 Investor Address Line 5 1234 ANYWHERE STREET SHARES CUSIP # JOB #SEQUENCE # VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 John Sample 234567P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. 1234567 Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. NAME THE COMPANY NAME INC. - COMMON THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS A THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS B THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS C THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS D THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS E THE COMPANY NAME INC. - CLASS F THE COMPA N Y NAME INC. - 401 K CONTROL #  SHARES123,456,789,012.12345 123,456,789,012.12345 123,456,789,012.12345 123,456,789,012.12345 123,456,789,012.12345 123,456,789,012.12345 123,456,789,012.12345 x PAGE1 OF 2 ELDORADO RESORTS, INC. 100 WEST LIBERTY ST, SUITE 1150 RENO, NV 89501 Investor Address Line 1 Investor Address Line 2 Investor Address Line 3 Investor Address Line 4 Investor Address Line 5 8 8 8 1 1234 ANYWHERE STREET ANY CITY, ON A1A 1A1 234567 234567 234567 234567


    Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

    The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.

     


    GRAPHIC

    Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Annual Report, Notice & Proxy Statement are available at www.proxyvote.com ELDORADO RESORTS, INC. Annual Meeting of Stockholders June 15, 2016 9:00 AM EDT This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Thomas R. Reeg and Anthony L. Carano, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint (his/her) substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Common stock of ELDORADO RESORTS, INC. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of stockholder(s) to be held at 09:00 AM, EDT on June 15, 2016 at the Hilton Hotel, 401 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. Continued and to be signed on reverse side 0000288883_2 R1.0.1.25

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    D50531-P53506

     

    CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

    Annual Meeting of Shareholders

    June 15, 2021, 9:00 AM Pacific Time

    This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors

    The shareholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Thomas R. Reeg, Anthony L. Carano and Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr., or any of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, INC. that the shareholders(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 9:00 AM, Pacific Time on June 15, 2021 at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CZR2021, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

    This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations.

    FOR ALL of Caesars Entertainment, Inc.’s director nominees in Proposal 1; FOR Proposals 2, 4, 5 and 6; and EVERY YEAR for Proposal 3.

    Continued and to be signed on reverse side