SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission
Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
VIDEO LOTTERY TECHNOLOGIES, 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):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] 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:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act Rule 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) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
<PAGE>
VIDEO LOTTERY TECHNOLOGIES [LOGO]
2311 South 7th Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715
---------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 14, 1997
---------------------
To the Stockholders of Video Lottery Technologies, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders
(together with any adjournments or postponements thereof, the "Meeting") of
Video Lottery Technologies, Inc. (the "Company"), will be held on November 14,
1997 at the Company's VLC of Nevada facilities at 751 Pilot Rd., Suite D, Las
Vegas, Nevada, 89119, at 10:00 a.m. local time, for the purpose of considering
and voting on the following matters:
(1) Election of one Class 3 director to serve on the Board of Directors;
(2) Amendment to the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
eliminating certain restrictions and increasing the number of shares
available for issuance to Plan Participants for Purchase Period 1996
and for subsequent Purchase Periods by 500,000 shares, which increase
would result in a total of 700,000 shares available for issuance under
the plan;
(3) Amendment to the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the
number of available shares issuable thereunder by 500,000 shares,
which increase would result in a total of 1,500,000 shares issuable
under the plan, and to allow for the issuance of restricted stock in
lieu of cash compensation to non-employee directors;
(4) Amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to change the
name of the Company to reflect more accurately the diversity of the
Company's operations.
(5) Ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1997; and
(6) Such other business as may properly come before the Meeting.
These items are described more fully in the accompanying Proxy Statement,
which is hereby made a part of this Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Board of Directors has fixed September 25, 1997 as the record date for
determining the stockholders of the Company entitled to notice of, and to vote
at, the Meeting, and only holders of record of the Company's Common Stock at the
close of business on such date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at,
the Meeting.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO
BE PERSONALLY PRESENT AT THE MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
YOUR PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. AN ENVELOPE WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF
MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES IS ENCLOSED FOR THIS PURPOSE. IF YOU LATER DESIRE TO
REVOKE YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY DO SO AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS EXERCISED.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ RICHARD BURT
Bozeman, Montana Richard R. Burt, Chairman October 15, 1997
YOUR ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT
<PAGE>
VIDEO LOTTERY TECHNOLOGIES [LOGO]
2311 South 7th Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715
---------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
NOVEMBER 14, 1997
---------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION
Solicitation of Proxies. This Proxy Statement (the "Proxy Statement") and
the accompanying form of proxy are being furnished to stockholders of Video
Lottery Technologies, Inc. ("VLT" or the "Company") in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors") of
the Company from holders of its outstanding common stock, $.01 par value per
share (the "Common Stock"), for use at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(together with any adjournments or postponements thereof, the "Meeting") for the
purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Meeting will be held on Friday, November 14, 1997, at the Company's VLC of
Nevada facilities at 751 Pilot Rd., Suite D, Las Vegas, Nevada, at 10:00 a.m.
local time. This Proxy Statement and the form of proxy are being mailed to
stockholders commencing on or about October 15, 1997.
Expenses in connection with the solicitation of proxies will be paid by the
Company. Proxies are being solicited primarily by mail, but, in addition,
officers and regular employees of the Company who will receive no extra
compensation for their services may solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile or
in person. The Company has also retained Georgeson & Company Inc. to solicit
proxies in the enclosed form and will pay such firm a fee of approximately
$8,000 plus reasonable expenses for so acting. Brokerage houses and other
nominees, fiduciaries and custodians who are holders of record of shares of
Common Stock will be requested to forward proxy soliciting material to the
beneficial owners of such shares and will be reimbursed by the Company for their
charges and expenses in connection therewith at customary and reasonable rates.
Proxies. A stockholder giving the enclosed proxy may revoke it at any time
before the vote is cast at the Meeting by giving written notice to the secretary
of the Company, by filing with the secretary another proxy bearing a later date,
or by voting in person at the Meeting. Shares represented by a properly signed
and returned proxy card, unless revoked, will be voted in the manner directed by
the stockholder on the card. If no direction is made on the card, the proxy will
be voted for the election of the nominee for director named in this Proxy
Statement and for each of the other proposals identified herein.
Record Date. Only holders of record of shares of Common Stock as of the
close of business on September 25, 1997 (the "Record Date") are entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. Each share of Common Stock entitles the
holder to one vote upon each matter to be voted upon. As of the Record Date,
there were 10,318,730 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
The only outstanding voting securities of the Company are shares of its Common
Stock.
Quorum and Required Vote. The presence, in person or by proxy, of a
majority of the shares entitled to vote will constitute a quorum for the Meeting
(a "Quorum"). In the event that a Quorum is not present at the Meeting, the
persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting to
permit
1
<PAGE>
further solicitation of proxies, without notice other than announcement at the
Meeting. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of
those shares that are represented at the Meeting in person or by proxy.
An automated system administered by the Company's transfer agent tabulates
the proxy votes in combination with a manual update and confirmation by
employees of the Company. The accuracy and final tabulation will be verified by
the inspector of elections. Although there is no definitive statutory or case
law authority in Delaware as to the proper treatment of abstentions, the Company
believes that abstentions should be counted for purposes of determining the
presence of a Quorum at the Meeting and the total number of votes cast with
respect to a particular matter. In the absence of controlling authority to the
contrary, the Company will treat abstentions in this manner. Based on relevant
authority, broker non-votes will be counted for the purpose of determining the
presence of a Quorum at the Meeting, but will not be counted for the purpose of
determining the number of votes cast with respect to the particular proposal on
which the broker has expressly not voted and, therefore, will not affect the
determination as to whether the requisite majority of votes cast has been
obtained with respect to a particular matter. Consequently, broker non-votes
will have the effect of reducing the number of affirmative votes required to
achieve a majority of the votes cast.
In order to be elected, a nominee for director must receive an affirmative
vote of a plurality (abstentions are not counted as shares voted) of the shares
of Common Stock voted, in person or by proxy, at the Meeting. Amendment to the
Company's stock plans and Certificate of Incorporation and ratification of the
appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP require the affirmative vote of a majority
of the shares of Common Stock present, in person or by proxy, at the Meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTOR
The Company has a classified Board of Directors consisting of three Class 1
directors (Ms. Becker and Messrs. Burt and Haddrill), two Class 2 directors
(Messrs. Spier and Davey), and two Class 3 directors (Mr. Hardesty and, until
his resignation on July 30, 1997, Mr. Lyons. See "Dissent of Messrs. Spier and
Lyons"). The Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 directors currently serve until the
annual meetings of stockholders to be held in 1998, 1999 and 1997, respectively,
and after the Meeting, until 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively, and until their
respective successors are elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of
stockholders, directors are elected for a full term of three years to succeed
those whose terms are expiring. Vacancies on the Board of Directors and newly
created directorships can generally be filled by vote of a majority of the
directors then in office. Executive officers are elected annually by the Board
of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
At the Meeting, stockholders are being asked to elect one director to serve
as a Class 3 director until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2000 and until
his successor is duly elected and qualified. A stockholder agreement (the
"Stockholder Agreement") entered into on February 23, 1993 between the Company
and William Spier, on behalf of himself and an investor group (the "Spier
Group"), among other things, granted the Spier Group the right to designate one
director other than Mr. Spier, provided such person is reasonably satisfactory
to a majority of the Board of Directors. William P. Lyons was appointed to the
Board of Directors to fill this position. The Board of Directors (with Messrs.
Spier and Lyons dissenting, see "Dissent of Messrs. Spier and Lyons") did not
nominate Mr. Lyons for re-election as a Class 3 director, and thereafter, on
July 30, 1997, Mr. Lyons resigned as a director. After the Meeting there will
exist a vacancy on the Board of Directors.
In order to be elected, a nominee for director must receive an affirmative
vote of a plurality of the shares of Common Stock voted, in person or by proxy,
at the Meeting.
Unless otherwise directed, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy
intend to vote for the election of the nominee listed below as a director for
the ensuing term and until his successor is elected and qualified. In the event
the nominee for any reason should not be available as a candidate for director,
votes
2
<PAGE>
will be cast pursuant to authority granted by the enclosed proxy for such other
candidate as may be nominated by management. The Board of Directors knows of no
reason to anticipate that the nominee will not be a candidate. Except as set
forth below, the nominee has been engaged in his principal occupation during the
past five years. There is no family relationship between any of the directors
and executive officers of the Company.
The following sets forth certain information as of September 25, 1997,
concerning the nominee for election as director of the Company and the other
directors whose terms of office will continue after the Meeting.
Name Age Position
Richard R. Burt (2)(3)(4) 50 Chairman and Director
James J. Davey (1)(2)(3) 56 Vice Chairman and Director
Patricia W. Becker (1)(2)(3)(4) 45 Director
John R. Hardesty (3) 57 Director
William Spier (1)(2) 62 Director
Richard M. Haddrill (4) 44 Chief Executive Officer, President,
Treasurer and Director
- ----------
(1)Member of the Audit Committee.
(2)Member of the Compensation Committee.
(3)Member of the Special Committee.
(4)Member of the Executive Committee.
Nominee for Election as Class 3 Director with Term Expiring in 2000
John R. Hardesty was appointed to the Board of Directors effective December
18, 1996 to fill a vacancy thereon created by the resignation of Jeffrey D.
Cushman. Mr. Hardesty is chairman of Electro Dynamics Crystal Corporation, a
manufacturer of electronic components for the communication industry. Mr.
Hardesty also owns 100% of Thermo Dynamics, Inc., a manufacturer of synthetic
quartz for the electronics industry. He serves as a director of LeTeko, Inc., a
gold exploration company. From 1988 until its sale in 1995, Mr. Hardesty was the
owner and chairman of Dixson Inc., a manufacturer of electronic instruments for
the heavy duty truck market and process control market.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE,
EXCEPT THAT MR. SPIER DOES NOT AND, PRIOR TO HIS RESIGNATION, MR. LYONS DID NOT,
RECOMMEND A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEE. (SEE "DISSENT OF MESSRS. SPIER AND LYONS.")
Directors with Terms Expiring in 1998
Richard R. Burt became a director and chairman of the Company on December
15, 1994. Mr. Burt is a founder and the chairman of IEP Advisors, Inc. ("IEP")
in Washington D.C., a consulting and merchant banking firm. From 1991 to 1994,
Mr. Burt was a partner in McKinsey & Co., a world-wide management consulting
firm. During the period from 1989 to 1991, Mr. Burt served as the Chief
Negotiator in the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) with the former Soviet
Union. He was the U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany from 1985
to 1989. Mr. Burt was the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian
Affairs from 1983 to 1985, and served as Director of Politico-Military Affairs
from 1981 to 1983. Mr. Burt also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Weirton
Steel, Inc., a tin-plate manufacturer, and serves on the Boards of Directors of
the Paine Webber Mutual Funds, Hollinger International, a company owning
newspapers in Europe, Canada, Australia and the United States, and Archer
Daniels Midland, an agri- business company. In addition, Mr. Burt is a member of
the Textron Corporation's International Advisory Council and the Bank of
Montreal's International Advisory Board. (See "Compensation Committee Interlocks
and Insider Participation".)
3
<PAGE>
Patricia W. Becker was appointed to the Board of Directors effective
January 18, 1995 to fill a newly- created position thereon. Ms. Becker is a
consultant to the Company and serves as chair of its Compliance Committee. Ms.
Becker served as the chief of staff to Bob Miller, Governor of Nevada, from
October 1993 to January 1995. Prior to that, she was senior vice president,
general counsel and secretary of Harrah's Casino Hotels from June 1989 to July
1993 and vice president, general counsel and secretary from 1984 to 1989. Ms.
Becker was Deputy and Chief Deputy Attorney General assigned to the Nevada
Gaming Division from 1979 until she was appointed to the State Gaming Control
Board, where she served until September 1984. Ms. Becker is a vice chair for the
Gaming Law Section of the American Bar Association, a past president of the
Nevada Trial Lawyers Association and general counsel and a trustee of the
International Association of Gaming Attorneys. Ms. Becker currently serves on
the Board of Directors of Fitzgeralds Gaming Company, a Nevada based company
which owns casinos. (See "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation".)
Richard M. Haddrill was appointed as chief executive officer of the Company
on June 18, 1997 and as president of the Company and to its Board of Directors
on August 21, 1996. He filled the Board vacancy created by the resignation of
Stephen Vanderwoude. In addition, on June 18, 1997 he was appointed chief
executive officer of the Company's Automated Wagering International, Inc.
("AWI") subsidiary, and has served as president of AWI since December 1996. Mr.
Haddrill joined the Company in December 1994 as the Company's executive vice
president of operations and chief financial officer. He served as chief
financial officer until May 15, 1997. In December 1994, Mr. Haddrill was also
appointed treasurer of the Company. In August 1995, Mr. Haddrill was appointed
to the Board of Directors of the Company's United Wagering Systems, Inc. ("UWS")
subsidiary, and assumed the position of chief executive officer of UWS in
February 1996. From July 1992 until November 1994, Mr. Haddrill served as
executive vice president -- corporate and president of international
subsidiaries for Knowledgeware, Inc., a provider of application development
software and services worldwide. Prior to joining Knowledgeware, Inc. in 1991 as
an executive vice president and chief financial officer, Mr. Haddrill was the
managing partner of the Colorado and New Mexico offices of the accounting firm
of Ernst & Young from August 1989 to October 1991 and held various positions as
a partner or employee with Ernst & Young from January 1975 to September 1989.
Directors with Terms Expiring in 1999
James J. Davey was elected as a director of the Company effective February
25, 1993, and was elected as vice chairman on May 31, 1994. He first joined the
Company as chief operating officer in October 1992. Mr. Davey served as chief
executive officer from February 25, 1993 until May 31, 1994, and from February
24, 1994 until May 31, 1994, he also served as president. From October 1992
until February 1993, Mr. Davey served as president of the Company's on-line
lottery services subsidiary, AWI. From 1986 to October 1992, Mr. Davey was the
director for the Oregon State Lottery. From 1985 to 1986, Mr. Davey was deputy
director and assistant director of administration for the Oregon State Lottery.
From 1980 through 1984, Mr. Davey served as administrator for the Oregon
Department of Revenue.
William Spier became a director of the Company in July 1991. Mr. Spier was
chairman of DeSoto, Inc., a detergent and household cleaning products
manufacturer, from May 1991 to September 27, 1996 and chief executive officer of
DeSoto, Inc., from May 1991 to January 1994 and from September 1995 to September
27, 1996. He has been president and chairman of Sutton Holding Corp., a New York
based investment company, since 1989. Since 1982 Mr. Spier has been a private
investor. Prior to that time, he was vice chairman of Phibro-Salomon Inc., an
investment banking firm. Mr. Spier is also a director of Keystone Consolidated
Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of steel and wire rod products, Geotek
Communications, Inc., a wireless telecommunications company, EA Industries,
Inc., an electronics contracting manufacturer, and Integrated Technology USA,
Inc., a developer and marketer of computer peripherals and telecommunication
devices.
4
<PAGE>
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has established a compensation committee (the
"Compensation Committee"), an audit committee (the "Audit Committee"), special
committee (the "Special Committee"), and an executive committee (the "Executive
Committee"). In January 1997, the Board of Directors abolished the strategic
planning committee (the "Strategic Planning Committee"). The members of these
committees serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, and such committees
provide such support and assistance to the Board of Directors as it so directs.
The Board of Directors does not have a nominating committee.
The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Burt, Davey
and Spier and Ms. Becker with Mr. Burt serving as chairperson. During 1996 until
November 7, 1996, the Compensation Committee was comprised of Messrs. Lyons and
Spier and Ms. Becker, with Mr. Lyons serving as chairperson. As requested by the
Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee considers and recommends to the
Board of Directors the compensation to be paid to executive officers, makes
decisions regarding grants under the Company's stock incentive plan, makes
recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the Company's
compensation policies, and performs such other duties as the Board of Directors
may from time to time request. The Compensation Committee did not meet during
1996.
The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Davey and Spier and
Ms. Becker with Ms. Becker serving as chairperson. During 1996 until November 7,
1996, the Audit Committee was comprised of Messrs. Lyons and Spier, with Mr.
Lyons serving as chairperson, and prior to his resignation on April 4, 1996,
Jeffrey D. Cushman also served on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee
reviews the Company's financial and accounting controls, practices and
procedures, evaluates and recommends an independent public accounting firm to
audit the financial statements of the Company and evaluates its performance. The
Audit Committee also determines the duties and responsibilities of the internal
accounting and auditing staff of the Company. The Audit Committee met twice
during 1996.
The Strategic Planning Committee was comprised of Ms. Becker, Messrs. Burt,
Davey, Spier and Mr. Lyons, with Mr. Burt serving as the chairperson. The
Strategic Planning Committee was created to consider the various strategic and
financial alternatives and opportunities available to the Company and to
formulate an overall long-term strategic plan for the Company designed to
enhance stockholder value. The Strategic Planning Committee met 10 times during
1996. The Strategic Planning Committee was abolished effective January 31, 1997.
The Board of Directors established the Special Committee to consider a
proposal made by Mr. Spier and otherwise to discharge the duties of the
Strategic Planning Committee, of which Messrs. Spier and Lyons were members
prior to the proposal made by Mr. Spier. Although that offer by Mr. Spier was
subsequently withdrawn, the Special Committee continues to consider strategic
and financial alternatives and opportunities available to the Company. The
Special Committee is currently comprised of Ms. Becker and Messrs. Burt, Davey
and Hardesty, with Mr. Burt serving as the chairperson. The Special Committee
met three times during 1996.
On September 18, 1997, the Board of Directors established the Executive
Committee to exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in
the management of the business and affairs of the Company except power or
authority in reference to approving or adopting, or recommending to
stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the Delaware General
Corporation Law to be submitted to stockholders for approval or adopting,
amending or appealing any By-law of the Company. The Executive Committee is
comprised of Ms. Becker and Messrs. Burt and Haddrill, with Mr. Burt serving as
chairperson.
5
<PAGE>
Certain Additional Information Concerning the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors held 25 meetings during 1996. All directors attended
all meetings of the Board of Directors and each of the committees of the Board
of Directors on which he or she served, except four board meetings that Mr.
Lyons did not attend in 1996, two meetings of the Audit Committee that Mr.
Cushman did not attend in 1996 while he was a director and a member of such
committee, and one meeting of the Audit Committee that Mr. Spier did not attend
in 1996.
During 1996, directors who were not employees of the Company received
$15,000 annually for serving on the Board of Directors, plus $1,000 for each
Board or committee meeting attended. Additionally, each non- employee director
who is required to travel to appear before licensing authorities on behalf of
the Company's licensing initiatives is entitled to receive $1,000 for each day
they are required to appear and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by reason of such appearance. A non-employee director serving as
chairperson of the Company's Board of Directors receives $30,000 annually for
serving in such capacity. Each non-employee director who serves as the
chairperson of any committee of the Board of Directors receives a further fee of
$7,500 per annum for his or her services in such capacity. In consideration of
the extensive work and time required of the members of the Strategic Planning
Committee, effective August 1, 1995, the Board approved fees for the Strategic
Planning Committee of: Chairperson, $5,000 per month, and Committee members,
$2,500 per month. Directors are also reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in attending Board of Directors and committee meetings or in otherwise
discharging their Board duties. As non-employee directors, Mr. Spier was granted
an option under the Company's 1991 Stock Option Plan to purchase 10,000 shares
of Common Stock at an exercise price of $14.00 per share; Mr. Lyons was granted
an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$14.50 per share pursuant to the Company's 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, and an
option to purchase 20,000 shares at an exercise price of $11.25 per share
pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors;
Mr. Burt was granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock
pursuant to the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, and an option to purchase
20,000 shares pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan for
Non-Employee Directors, with both options having an exercise price of $8.25 per
share; and Ms. Becker was granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common
Stock pursuant to the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and an option to
purchase 20,000 shares pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan for
Non-Employee Directors, with both options having an exercise price of $9.28 per
share. On August 12, 1996, concurrent with his becoming a non-employee director
as a result of the expiration of his employment agreement in August 1996, Mr.
Davey received an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to
the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and an option to purchase 20,000 shares
pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors,
with both options having an exercise price of $3.41 per share. On December 18,
1996, concurrent with his becoming a non-employee director, Mr. Hardesty
received an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the
Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and an option to purchase 20,000 shares
pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors,
with both options having an exercise price of $4.13 per share. Directors who are
employees of the Company receive no additional compensation for serving as a
director, except that all directors and certain executive officers receive up to
$10,000 in reimbursement of their expenses in connection with the initial
preparation of financial information required in answer to various regulatory
disclosure requirements and up to $1,500 per quarter thereafter to keep such
financial information current.
6
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Executive Officers of the Company
The executive officers of the Company and positions held in the Company and
certain other information are as follows:
Name Age Position
---- --- --------
Richard M. Haddrill 44 Chief Executive Officer, President, Treasurer
and Director
Dennis V. Gallagher 45 General Counsel and Secretary
Susan J. Carstensen 35 Chief Financial Officer
Michael L. Eide 47 President, Video Lottery Consultants, Inc.
Dena J. Rosenzweig 39 General Counsel and Secretary, AWI(1)
- ----------
(1) General Counsel for the Company to February 10, 1997; Assistant Secretary
of the Company and General Counsel and Secretary, AWI through July 31,
1997.
Mr. Haddrill's background is summarized above.
Susan J. Carstensen was appointed chief financial officer on May 15, 1997.
Ms. Carstensen was vice president, finance of the Company from November 7, 1996
to May 15, 1997. From June 1995 to November 1996 she was corporate controller
for the Company. From February 1995 to June 1995 she was the director of
internal audit for the Company. Ms. Carstensen was manager, cost and financial
accounting for Martin Marietta Astronautics Group in Denver, Colorado from May
1991 through February 1995. From August 1985 through May 1991 Ms. Carstensen was
with the accounting firm of Ernst & Young in Denver, Colorado.
Dennis V. Gallagher was appointed secretary of the Company on May 15, 1997,
and as general counsel to the Company on February 10, 1997. From July 1993 until
February 1997, Mr. Gallagher was vice president and general counsel of Harrah's
Riverboat Casino Entertainment Division located in Memphis, Tennessee. From
November 1984 until July 1993, he served as associate general counsel and
assistant secretary of Harrah's Hotels and Casinos in Reno, Nevada. Mr.
Gallagher was the Chief of the Investigations Division of the Nevada State
Gaming Control Board from November 1983 until November 1984.
Michael L. Eide has served as president and a director of the Company's
wholly-owned subsidiary, Video Lottery Consultants, Inc. ("VLC"), since December
1, 1994. Prior to that time he served as treasurer and chief financial officer
of the Company from May 1991 until December 1994 and assistant secretary from
October 1992 through December 1994. He has also held the positions of secretary,
treasurer and assistant secretary with VLC during the period November 1990
through December 1994. From 1977 to December 1988, Mr. Eide was a principal in
the accounting firm of Neil, Williamson, Eide and Staker in Bozeman, Montana.
Dena J. Rosenzweig served as general counsel of the Company from September
18, 1996 until February 10, 1997. From February 1995 until September 1996 she
was deputy general counsel of the Company. From February 1995 until July 31,
1997 she was assistant secretary of the Company and general counsel of AWI. From
February 1995 until March 1996 she was assistant secretary of AWI. She served as
secretary of AWI from March 1, 1996 through July 31, 1997. From September 1993
until February 1995 Ms. Rosenzweig was general counsel of Republic Waste
Industries, Inc., a waste management and environmental services company located
in Atlanta, Georgia. From July 1992 until September 1993 she served as associate
counsel of Healthdyne, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia, a provider of home health care
services. From July 1989 through June 1992 Ms. Rosenzweig was a corporate
associate of Alston & Bird, Attorneys at Law, in Atlanta, Georgia.
7
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain information for the year ending
December 31, 1996 and for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
concerning the compensation of the chief executive officer and each of the four
most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (other than the chief
executive officer) who were serving as executive officers as of December 31,
1996. The table also sets forth the compensation paid during the year ended
December 31, 1996 to any person who served as chief executive officer during
either such period regardless of compensation level.
<TABLE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<CAPTION>
Long Term Compensation
----------------------
Awards
Other ------
Name and Annual Compensation Annual Securities All Other
- -------- ------------------- Compen- Restricted Underlying Compen-
Principal Position(1) Year Salary $ Bonus $ sation $ Stock $(2) Options sation $
- ------------------- ---- -------- ------- -------- ---------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard M. Haddrill 1996 202,133 150,000 -- 133,200 140,000 --
President, Chief 1995 200,000 150,000 -- -- -- --
Financial Officer and 1994 13,076 82,500 -- 621,250 140,000 --
Treasurer
Michael L. Eide 1996 203,256 40,000 -- -- 20,000 --
President - VLC 1995 207,620 -- -- -- -- --
1994 188,433 -- -- -- 50,000 --
1996 67,234 -- 2,193 -- -- --
Mark F. Spagnolo(3) 1995 123,333 120,000 4,116 -- -- 39,500
Dena J. Rosenzweig(4) 1996 138,462 18,700 -- -- 5,000 --
General Counsel 1995 88,500 10,000 -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) On December 31, 1996, Messrs Haddrill and Eide and Ms. Rosenzweig were the
only executive officers of the Company whose compensation is required to be
disclosed herein.
(2) With respect to Mr. Haddrill's restricted stock holdings, of the initial
grant of 70,000 shares, 35,000 remained restricted as of December 31, 1996
with a market value of approximately $122,500 and such restrictions on
17,500 shares will lapse in each of November 1997 and 1998. Mr. Haddrill
was also awarded 30,000 shares of restricted Common Stock which vest at a
rate of one-third annually over the next three years beginning on September
9, 1997. (See "Employment and Other Contracts.") All dividends declared and
paid by the Company, if any, on the restricted stock, shall be held by the
Company until such restrictions thereon lapse at which time the dividends,
without interest thereon, shall be paid.
(3) Mr. Spagnolo performed the duties of acting chief executive officer from
June 26, 1995 to April 5, 1996 as an independent contractor. Other annual
compensation represents a leased vehicle paid for by the Company. All other
compensation reflects $39,500 paid to Mr. Spagnolo with respect to director
fees for this fiscal year until his resignation and appointment as acting
chief executive officer on June 26, 1995. (See "Employment and Certain
Other Contracts.")
(4) Ms. Rosenzweig served as general counsel of the Company from September 18,
1996 until February 10, 1997.
8
<PAGE>
Option Grants in Year Ended December 31, 1996
The following table sets forth information with respect to options granted
during 1996 under the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (other than 20,000 of
the options granted discussed below to each of Mr. Davey and Mr. Hardesty which
were granted under the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan for Non- employee
Directors) to each of the directors and to the executive officers named in the
Summary Compensation Table. <TABLE>
OPTION GRANTS DURING 1996
<CAPTION>
Individual Grants
---------------------------------------- Potential
Number of Percent of Realizable Value at Assumed
Securities Total Options Annual Rates of Stock Price
Underlying Granted to Exercise Appreciation for Option Term(2)
Options Employees Price Expiration -------------------------------
Name Granted(1) in 1996 (per Share) Date 5% 10%
- -------------------- ----------- -------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mark F. Spagnolo --- --- --- --- --- ---
James J. Davey 30,000(3) 11.0% $3.41 08/12/06 $64,336 $163,040
Richard M. Haddrill 140,000(3) 51.4% 4.44 09/09/06 390,921 990,670
Michael L. Eide 20,000(3) 7.3% 5.49 01/22/06 69,053 174,993
Dena J. Rosenzweig 5,000(3) 1.8% 5.49 01/22/06 17,263 43,748
John R. Hardesty 30,000(3) 5.5% 4.13 12/18/06 77,920 197,465
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) All options were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Such options may not be
exercised later than 10 years, or earlier than six months, after the date
of grant.
(2) These amounts represent certain assumed rates of appreciation only. Actual
gains, if any, on stock option exercises are dependent on the future
performance of the Common Stock and overall market conditions. The amounts
reflected in this table may not necessarily be achieved.
(3) These options vest over a period of three years.
Stock Option Exercises and Year-End Values
The following table provides certain information with respect to the number
and value of unexercised options outstanding as of December 31, 1996. No options
were exercised by the named executives during the year ended December 31, 1996.
<TABLE>
AGGREGATED 1996 OPTION EXERCISES
AND DECEMBER 31, 1996 OPTION VALUES
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options
(in Common Shares) Value of Unexercised In-the-Money(1)
at December 31, 1996 Options at December 31, 1996
-------------------- ----------------------------
Exercisable/Unexercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable
------------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
James J. Davey(2) 13,333/16,667 $1,200/$1,500
Richard M. Haddrill 140,000/140,000 ---/---
Michael L. Eide 35,333/36,666 ---/---
Dena J. Rosenzweig ---/5,000 ---/---
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Options are in the money if the fair market value of the underlying
securities exceeds the exercise or base price of the option. Fair market
value of the Common Stock underlying the options on December 31, 1996 was
$3.50, the last reported sales price on the National Market System of
Nasdaq on that date, which does not exceed the base price.
(2) The options to acquire 50,000 shares of Common Stock granted to Mr. Davey
in February 1993 expired unexercised pursuant to the option agreement
relating thereto three months following the expiration of his employment
agreement.
9
<PAGE>
DEFINED BENEFIT AND LONG-TERM COMPENSATION PLAN
The Company does not have any defined benefit, actuarial or long-term
incentive plan.
Employment and Certain Other Contracts
Employment Agreement with Richard M. Haddrill. On September 9, 1996 the
Board of Directors approved the terms of an employment agreement with Mr.
Haddrill. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Haddrill serves the Company as its
president. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to its terms, the employment
agreement terminates on January 1, 1999. The employment agreement provides for a
base salary of $240,000 and a cash bonus of $150,000 payable on January 2, 1997.
For the years ending December 31, 1997 and 1998, Mr. Haddrill is eligible to
receive bonuses of up to $450,000 and $504,000, respectively, if certain
performance criteria are satisfied for such year. In addition, under the
employment agreement, Mr. Haddrill was awarded 30,000 shares of restricted
Common Stock that vest at the rate of one-third annually over the next three
years beginning on September 9, 1997, and Mr. Haddrill was awarded options to
purchase 140,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.44 per share,
the fair market value of the Common Stock as of December 2, 1996, 70,000 shares
of which vested immediately and 35,000 shares of which vest upon each of the
first and second anniversaries of the date of grant. The employment agreement
further provides that if Mr. Haddrill's employment is terminated for any reason,
then all unvested restricted shares lapse. In addition, the employment agreement
provides that if Mr. Haddrill's employment is terminated for "cause" (as defined
in the employment agreement) or by him other than for "good reason" (as defined
in the employment agreement), then all unvested options shall be forfeited. If
Mr. Haddrill's employment is terminated for any other reason, then certain of
the options become exercisable, and all such options become immediately
exercisable upon a "change of control" (as defined in the employment agreement)
of the Company. The employment agreement further provides that certain options
to acquire 140,000 shares of Common Stock, which were held by Mr. Haddrill prior
to entering into his current employment agreement and all of which are
out-of-the-money, will not be repriced. In addition, if Mr. Haddrill's
employment is terminated for any reason other than "cause" or if he terminates
his employment for "good reason," then he is entitled to receive all accrued but
unpaid salary and bonus and to receive a lump sum equal to the greater of the
aggregate amount of the base salary remaining to be paid under the terms of the
employment agreement and $420,000 (except in certain cases this amount is
reduced to $350,000). Mr. Haddrill is entitled to the reimbursement of
relocation expenses and other business expenses. Finally, the employment
agreement provides that Mr. Haddrill will not compete with the Company for a
period of 18 months following his termination.
Agreement with Dennis V. Gallagher. On January 24, 1997, the Company
entered into an agreement with Mr. Gallagher to provide legal services to the
Company as its general counsel. The agreement provides Mr. Gallagher with a base
salary of $180,000 and a cash bonus up to $100,000 payable in accordance with
the Company's executive incentive compensation plan. In addition, under the
agreement, Mr. Gallagher was awarded options to purchase 20,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock with a commitment from the Company of an additional grant
on or before February 28, 1998 of an option to purchase 10,000 shares, both
options having an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common
Stock as of the date of grant and vesting over a three-year period from that
date. Mr. Gallagher is entitled to reimbursement of his relocation expenses. If
Mr. Gallagher is removed from his position with the Company without cause prior
to February 10, 1998, then he will receive his then-current salary for a period
of twelve months following termination. If termination is without cause after
February 8, 1998, then he will continue to be paid his then- current salary for
a period of six months following termination. In the event there is a change of
control of the Company and Mr. Gallagher's employment is terminated by the
Company without good reason as defined in the agreement, or by Mr. Gallagher for
certain reasons set forth in the agreement, within one year, Mr. Gallagher is
entitled to an amount equal to one-half his base salary in effect at the date of
termination. If termination should occur prior to February 10, 1998, then the
Company will pay an amount equal to the base salary in effect as of the date of
such termination. Mr. Gallagher also agreed to certain confidentiality,
non-competition and similar provisions.
10
<PAGE>
Agreement with Michael L. Eide. On January 17, 1995, the Company entered
into an agreement with Mr. Eide to provide for the continuance of his position
as president of VLC. If Mr. Eide is removed from his position with the Company
without cause, he will receive his then current salary for a period of six
months following termination. In the event there is a change of control of the
Company and Mr. Eide's employment is terminated by the Company without good
cause, or by Mr. Eide for certain reasons set forth in the agreement, Mr. Eide
is entitled to an amount equal to twice his annual salary. Mr. Eide also agreed
to certain confidentiality, non-competition and similar provisions.
Compensation Arrangement with Mark F. Spagnolo and EDS. Mark F. Spagnolo
was appointed acting chief executive officer of the Company, replacing J.
Stephen Vanderwoude, effective June 26, 1995. Mr. Spagnolo went on a temporary
leave of absence from his position of division vice president of Electronic Data
Systems Corporation ("EDS") at the Company's request. In connection with Mr.
Spagnolo's appointment, the Company and EDS entered into an agreement under
which Mr. Spagnolo relinquished all EDS duties during this temporary leave of
absence, including all duties and responsibilities for EDS with respect to the
Company. While serving the Company in this capacity, Mr. Spagnolo did not sign
or approve any filing or other matter under the federal securities laws
(including approvals or reviews of public disclosures of information). Mr.
Spagnolo performed his duties of acting chief executive officer as an
independent contractor for which the Company paid Mr. Spagnolo a fee of $20,000
per month together with medical benefits, life insurance and automobile use
comparable to those previously provided to him by EDS. Mr. Spagnolo agreed to
certain confidentiality, non-interference and similar provisions, and was
entitled to cash bonuses in the same manner as such bonuses were available to
other executive officers of the Company. Effective April 5, 1996, Mr. Spagnolo's
temporary leave of absence terminated and he returned to EDS. Mr. Spagnolo was
paid a bonus of $120,000 for the period from June 26, 1995 to December 31, 1995.
Agreement with Dena J. Rosenzweig. The Company entered into an agreement
with Ms. Rosenzweig to provide legal services to the Company as the general
counsel and secretary of AWI, through May 31, 1997. That agreement provides that
for the months of June and July 1997, Ms. Rosenzweig provided certain such
services to the Company upon reasonable notice and at mutually agreed upon times
for up to ten days per month. In consideration of such services, Ms. Rosenzweig
received the sum of $16,667 per month beginning October 1, 1996 and ending May
31, 1997. From June 1, 1997 through November 30, 1997, Ms. Rosenzweig received
the sum of $22,222 per month. In addition, she currently provides legal services
to the Company as a private practitioner.
Agreement with Susan Carstensen. On December 5, 1996, the Company entered
into an agreement with Ms. Carstensen with respect to her position as vice
president of finance. If Ms. Carstensen is removed from her position with the
Company without cause, then she will receive her then-current salary for a
period of six months following termination. In the event there is a change of
control of the Company and Ms. Carstensen's employment is terminated by the
Company without good cause, or by Ms. Carstensen for certain reasons set forth
in the agreement, Ms. Carstensen is entitled to an amount equal to one-half of
her annual salary. Ms. Carstensen also agreed to certain confidentiality,
non-competition and similar provisions.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Richard R. Burt, who became the Chairman of the Board of Directors in
December 1994, is the chairman and a founder of IEP, which has been retained by
the Company to provide consulting services and to assist the Company in
connection with its international activities since October 1994 at a rate of
$15,000 per month plus expenses. The Company paid IEP an aggregate of
approximately $202,095 for 1996. Although the formal agreement with IEP expired
as of September 30, 1995, the Company continued to utilize the services of IEP
throughout 1996 and, accordingly, continued to make payments to IEP for such
services. The Board of Directors has ratified the payment of these amounts. The
agreement has been renewed and will continue unless terminated upon 30 days
notice by the Company or IEP. The agreement is subject to annual review and
approval by the Board of Directors.
11
<PAGE>
In addition, Mr. Burt and the Company entered into a consulting agreement
in November 1994, under which Mr. Burt is to provide advice and assistance
relating to the promotion of the Company's business and to assist in the
development of business opportunities for the Company. The agreement provides
for a per- day rate of $1,000 for each day such services are performed and
reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. The agreement is separate and distinct
from Mr. Burt's duties and responsibilities as a director of the Company. The
agreement further provides for termination of the agreement by Mr. Burt or the
Company, without penalty, upon 90 days' prior written notice. No fees or
expenses were paid during 1996 pursuant to the agreement.
In January 1995, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with
Patricia W. Becker, a director of the Company, for a period of two years
commencing January 16, 1995. The agreement provides that Ms. Becker shall serve
as the chairperson of the Compliance Committee of the Company, and otherwise
provide advice and assistance to the Company on matters of regulatory compliance
and such other matters as requested by the Company. The agreement provides for
an annual retainer fee of $75,000 plus a per day rate of $1,000 for each day
such services are performed and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. The
agreement is separate and distinct from Ms. Becker's duties and responsibilities
as a director of the Company. The agreement further provides for termination of
the agreement by Ms. Becker or the Company, without penalty, upon 90 days' prior
written notice. The Company paid Ms. Becker an aggregate amount of approximately
$117,750 during 1996 pursuant to the agreement. This agreement has been extended
to January 16, 1999.
None of the executive officers of the Company has served on the board of
directors of any other entity that has had any of such entity's officers serve
either on the Board of Directors or the Company's Compensation Committee.
Board of Directors Report on Executive Compensation
General. Although the Board of Directors has established a compensation
committee (see "Committees of the Board of Directors"), the Board of Directors
established, and was responsible for, the Company's executive compensation
program for 1996. The Compensation Committee did not meet during 1996, and
therefore, the Board of Directors set compensation for the Company's executives
for 1996.
The basic compensation philosophy of the Board of Directors is to formulate
policies and programs intended to attract, retain and motivate qualified
employees, including executive officers. In this regard, the Board of Directors
believes that it is important to pay reasonable and competitive salaries and
base compensation to executive officers that reflect their levels of experience
and responsibility. In light of the Company's efforts to maintain its reputation
for integrity among its customers, regulatory authorities and licensing
agencies, a significant factor in the review of executive officer performance is
such officer's strict adherence to the Company's code of conduct and such
officer's avoidance of even the appearance of questionable conduct.
The Board of Directors also believes that officers of the Company should
view their interests and those of the Company's stockholders to be closely
aligned. Accordingly, the Board of Directors carefully considers the Company's
performance and that of the Common Stock in reviewing executive compensation and
may employ grants under the Company's stock option plan as an important part of
incentive compensation. In addition, the Board of Directors believes that grants
under the Company's stock option plan are an important means of attracting and
retaining qualified employees to the Company while at the same time instilling a
commitment to the long-term growth and success of the Company.
The Board of Directors awarded options in 1996 to purchase an aggregate of
272,500 shares of Common Stock to 13 employees. Of these awards, options for
10,000 shares were granted to Mr. Eide, the
12
<PAGE>
president of VLC and options for 20,000 shares were granted to Mr. Cushing the
president of AWI. The exercise price of options typically is the average between
the high and low sales price of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant and
vesting of the options ranges over a period of two to three years. By seeking to
motivate employees through a stock option plan, the Board of Directors has
sought to focus employee attention on managing the Company as an owner with an
equity position with interests similar to those of stockholders.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation. During 1995, the Board of Directors
approved a compensation package for acting chief executive officer Mark F.
Spagnolo which provided for a consulting fee of $20,000 per month, reimbursement
of expenses in accordance with Company policy and medical benefits, life
insurance and automobile use comparable to those provided to him by EDS.
Pursuant to the agreement entered into at the time of his appointment, Mr.
Spagnolo was entitled to cash bonuses in the same manner as such bonuses were
available to other executive officers of the Company. No cash bonuses were paid
to Mr. Spagnolo for 1996. His temporary leave of absence from EDS terminated on
April 5, 1996. See "Compensation of Executive Officers -- Employment and Certain
Other Contracts."
On September 9, 1996, the Board of Directors approved the terms of an
employment agreement for Mr. Haddrill pursuant to which he became the Company's
president. Mr. Haddrill's compensation for 1996 was paid pursuant to that
agreement. This employment agreement is substantially similar to Mr. Haddrill's
previous employment agreement, which had not yet expired, except that the new
agreement provides for increased compensation commensurate with the additional
duties associated with the presidency of the Company. The new employment
agreement terminates on the same day as Mr. Haddrill's previous agreement. See
"Compensation of Executive Officers -- Employment and Certain Other Contracts."
Although not the Company's chief executive officer during fiscal year 1996, Mr.
Haddrill was the Company's highest ranking executive officer. In approving this
agreement, the Board of Directors considered a number of factors, including the
current market for senior executive compensation, the improved performance of
UWS under Mr. Haddrill's leadership, the lower overhead costs achieved by Mr.
Haddrill as the Company's chief financial officer, the fact that options and
restricted stock granted to Mr. Haddrill under this agreement have a value that
is significantly less than that of the options and restricted stock granted to
him under his original employment agreement and the significant responsibilities
and challenges he would face as president of the Company. In addition, the Board
of Directors considered the expense associated with searching for a new
president.
Executive Officer Compensation. Generally, base salaries are reviewed
annually and adjusted as appropriate to reward performance and maintain the
Company's competitive position.
For 1996, cash bonuses were awarded after evaluating each individual's
combination of personal business unit and total Company performance. In addition
to bonuses paid to Mr. Haddrill (see "Compensation of Executive Officers --
Employment and Certain Other Contracts"), cash bonuses aggregating $113,660 were
paid to five executive officers.
Executive officers also participate in benefit plans available to employees
generally, including a qualified profit sharing 401(k) plan and employee stock
purchase plan.
Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally disallows a federal tax
deduction to publicly held corporations for compensation paid in excess of $1
million in any taxable year to the chief executive officer and certain other
offices unless it is qualified "performance-based compensation," the material
terms of which are disclosed
13
<PAGE>
to and approved by stockholders. The Board of Directors does not believe that
this provision currently impacts the Company, but will continue to consider the
tax deductibility of compensation in the future.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS*
Patricia Becker
Richard R. Burt
James J. Davey
Richard M. Haddrill
John R. Hardesty
- ----------
* Mr. Spier respectfully declines to join in the foregoing Report on
Executive Compensation. Prior to his resignation, Mr. Lyons had also
respectfully declined to join in such report. (See "Dissent of Messrs. Spier and
Lyons.")
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
During 1996 the Company and its subsidiaries have had no transactions in
which any director of the Company, or any member of the immediate family of any
such director, had a material direct or indirect interest reportable under the
applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") except as
described under the caption "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation."
During 1996 the Company and its subsidiaries have had no transactions in
which any executive officer of the Company, or any member of the immediate
family of any such executive officer, had a material direct or indirect interest
reportable under the applicable rules of the SEC except as follows.
The brother of Dena J. Rosenzweig, the Company's general counsel from
September 18, 1996 until February 10, 1997, is a partner in the law firm of
Rogers & Hardin LLP, which has served as legal counsel to the Company since
February 1993. The Company has paid fees to Rogers & Hardin LLP, totalling
approximately $150,947 during fiscal year 1996.
14
<PAGE>
Comparative Stock Price Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return from
December 31, 1991 to December 31, 1996 on the Company's Common Stock with the
Standard and Poor's 500 Stock Index and two industry peer groups. The peer
groups used in the graph below are comprised of GTECH Holdings Corporation,
Alliance Gaming Corporation, Casino Data Systems, Inc., Autotote Corporation,
International Game Technology, Inc. ("IGT") and WMS Industries, Inc. ("WMS")
(the "New Peer Group"), for 1996, and IGT and WMS (the "Old Peer Group"), the
peer group used by the Company for 1995. The Company has elected to change the
peer group indices to represent more accurately the Company's lines of business.
The return assumes reinvestment of dividends. The graph assumes an investment of
$100 on December 31, 1991 in the common stock of each of the subject companies.
<TABLE>
COMPARE 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG VIDEO LOTTERY TECHNOLOGIES,INC.,
S&P 500 INDEX AND PEER GROUP INDEX
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------FISCAL YEAR ENDING--------------------------------------------
COMPANY 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
- ------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
VIDEO LOTTERY TECHNS INC 100 59.57 72.34 40.43 20.21 14.89
OLD PEER GROUP 100 210.26 247.31 137.22 99.47 159.00
NEW PEER GROUP 100 214.15 225.78 129.84 111.36 156.37
S & P 500 INDEX 100 107.64 118.50 120.06 165.18 203.11
</TABLE>
The stock price performance graph 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 Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together, the "Acts"), except to the extent
that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and
shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
15
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO COMPANY INCENTIVE
PLANS AND RELATED PROPOSALS
The following discussion summarizes certain amendments to Company incentive
plans that are being submitted for stockholder approval and are described more
fully below. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more
complete discussion of each amendment and proposal that follows. See Proposals 2
and 3 below.
The Board of Directors has made certain changes, and proposes to make
certain additional changes, to the Video Lottery Technologies, Inc. 1991
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (as so amended, the "Stock Purchase
Plan") and the Video Lottery Technologies, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (the
"Stock Incentive Plan"), as more specifically set forth in Proposals 2 and 3
below. Each of these changes is designed to enable the Company to continue
making incentive plan grants and awards that provide to certain of the Company's
employees and directors added incentives to begin and continue service with the
Company and to work for the Company's ongoing success.
Proposal 2
- ----------
The Board of Directors recently eliminated certain restrictions on the
amount of shares that participants in the Stock Purchase Plan may purchase in
each Purchase Period (as defined below) and increased the number of shares of
Common Stock available under the Stock Purchase Plan by an additional 500,000
shares to provide for sales of Common Stock to participants in Purchase Period
1996 as well as future Purchase Periods. As more fully described below, the
Board is now submitting these amendments to the Stock Purchase Plan for
stockholder approval. See Proposal 2 below.
Proposal 3
- ----------
The Board of Directors proposes to amend the Stock Incentive Plan to
increase by an additional 500,000 shares (in addition to any shares purchased
for such purpose by the Company in the market) the number of shares of Common
Stock available for future grants and awards thereunder. As of September 25,
1997 there were 25,834 shares of the Company's Common Stock available for future
grants and awards. The Board of Directors believes that granting certain
employees options to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company serves as an
incentive to those individuals to achieve growth and success for the Company. In
making this proposal the Board of Directors considered a report prepared by
independent outside compensation experts that analyzed a group comprised of 16
publicly-traded companies believed to be similar to the Company in terms of
industry focus, revenue, size and market capitalization. That analysis concluded
that the addition of 500,000 shares was reasonable and would place the Company
either at market-competitive levels or slightly below market practices for this
industry. Further, the Board proposes to authorize the issuance of shares of
Common Stock under the Stock Incentive Plan in lieu of certain cash compensation
to employees and to non-employee directors.
INTRODUCTION TO PROPOSAL 2
The 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In May 1991, the Board of Directors adopted the Stock Purchase Plan, and
the stockholders of the Company approved the Stock Purchase Plan effective as of
July 24, 1991. The Stock Purchase Plan provides for the purchase of shares of
Common Stock by eligible employees of the Company and certain related
corporations through payroll deductions of up to 3% of an employee's current
compensation. In addition, the Company may, in its sole discretion, make cash
contributions to each employee's stock purchase account in an amount equal to up
to 50% of each payroll deduction credited to the account. The Company has made
such matching contributions for all Purchase Periods since the Stock Purchase
Plan was adopted. The Stock Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an "employee
stock purchase plan" under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code").
16
<PAGE>
The purpose of the Stock Purchase Plan is to provide any employee
(including officers and directors who are also employees) of the Company and
certain related corporations who work at least 20 hours per week with an
opportunity to share in the ownership of the Company by providing them with a
convenient means for regular and systematic purchases of the Common Stock, and
to develop a stronger incentive to work for the ongoing success of the Company.
As of September 25, 1997 there were 614 individuals eligible to participate in
the Stock Purchase Plan. On January 31, 1997, the Company entered into a Master
Settlement Agreement with EDS which provided for the transition of employees
from EDS to the Company. As a result of the transition, the number of
individuals eligible to participate in the Stock Purchase Plan is expected to
increase by approximately 481 individuals for the 1998 Purchase Period.
The Stock Purchase Plan is administered and interpreted by the Board of
Directors. Employees of the Company and certain related corporations, other than
those employees whose customary employment is less than 20 hours weekly, are
eligible to participate in the Stock Purchase Plan. An employee who immediately
after receiving a right to purchase shares would own, directly or indirectly,
stock equal to 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all of
the capital stock of the Company or all of its affiliates, however, is not
eligible to participate in the Stock Purchase Plan. At its inception, the Board
of Directors reserved 200,000 shares of the Common Stock for sales under the
Stock Purchase Plan. Thereafter, the Board of Directors amended the Stock
Purchase Plan to provide for sales of the Common Stock to participants in
subsequent Purchase Periods (as defined below).
Under the Stock Purchase Plan, the Company offers to sell shares of its
Common Stock at the end of each one-year period (the "Purchase Period"), which
begins on the first business day of January of each year and ends on the last
business day of December of each year. On the last business day of each Purchase
Period, each participant receives the right to purchase as many whole shares of
Common Stock as could be purchased with the entire credit balance in the
participant's stock purchase account as of that date. The exercise price for
rights granted under the Stock Purchase Plan is the lesser of 85% of the fair
market value of the Common Stock on (i) the first business day of the Purchase
Period or (ii) the last business day of the Purchase Period. For Purchase Period
1997, 305 employees have elected to participate in the Stock Purchase Plan,
including Messrs. Haddrill and Eide and Ms. Rosenzweig and Ms. Carstensen.
The Board of Directors may amend or discontinue the Stock Purchase Plan at
any time. No amendment or discontinuation of the Stock Purchase Plan, however,
shall without stockholder approval be made that: (i) absent such stockholder
approval, would cause Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), to become unavailable with respect to the Stock
Purchase Plan, (ii) requires stockholder approval under any rules or regulations
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or any securities
exchange that are applicable to the Company, or (iii) permit the issuance of
Common Stock before payment therefor in full.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Stock Purchase Plan
The Stock Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an employee stock
purchase plan under Section 423 of the Code. If a right to purchase is granted
under a plan meeting the statutory requirements of Section 423 of the Code, no
taxable income will arise upon either the grant or exercise of the right to
purchase and, subject to the special rule discussed below (relative to ordinary
income treatment), the employee generally will receive capital gain or loss
treatment, as the case may be, on a sale of the Common Stock purchased pursuant
to such a right to purchase, provided that the following two conditions under
Section 423(a) are satisfied: (i) no disposition of a share received pursuant to
an exercise of a right to purchase may be made by the employee within two years
after the date of the granting of such a right to purchase nor within one year
after the transfer of such share to the employee; and (ii) at all times during
the period beginning with the date of the granting of the right to purchase and
ending on the day three months before the date of exercise (with limited
exceptions), the employee must be an employee of the Company or an employee of
certain related corporations.
17
<PAGE>
If shares acquired pursuant to an exercise of a right to purchase are
disposed of prior to the expiration of such holding periods (a "Premature
Disposition"), the employee will recognize ordinary income in the year of such
Premature Disposition in an amount equal to the difference between the price at
which the employee was given the right to purchase shares of Common Stock
("Purchase Price") and the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time the
right to purchase was exercised. If gain is recognized on a Premature
Disposition in excess of such ordinary income amount, such gain generally will
be treated as capital gain (short-term or long-term depending on the employee's
holding period for such shares). If the fair market value of the Common Stock at
the time the right to purchase was exercised exceeds the amount received as a
result of the Premature Disposition, the employee (in addition to recognizing
the ordinary income amount determined above) generally will also recognize a
capital loss (short-term or long-term, as the case may be) in an amount equal to
such excess.
Under Section 423(c) of the Code, if the Purchase Price is less than 100%
of the fair market value of the stock at the time the right to purchase was
granted (but equal to or more than 85% of fair market value so that the plan
qualifies as an employee stock purchase plan, as described above), the employee
may be subject to ordinary income tax on part of his profit. Thus, in the event
of a disposition which otherwise satisfies the holding period requirements set
forth above, or in the event of the employee's death while owning such shares,
there shall be included in compensation of the employee (and not as capital
gain) an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value
of the shares at the time of such disposition or death over the Purchase Price,
or (ii) the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time the right
to purchase was granted over the Purchase Price. However, in the case of such a
disposition, the basis of such shares shall be increased by an amount equal to
the amount so included as compensation.
If the Stock Purchase Plan meets the requirements for qualification under
Section 423 and the employee has complied with the required holding periods, the
Company receives no compensation expense deduction with respect to the Common
Stock transferred to the employee. This rule applies even where the employee
becomes subject to ordinary income tax by reason of selling the Common Stock
(after observing the required holding periods) acquired at an Purchase Price
below its fair market value at the time the right to purchase was granted.
However, a deduction will be allowed to the Company if the employee incurs
ordinary income tax on the spread between the Purchase Price and the value of
the Common Stock at the time of exercise by reason of a Premature Disposition.
The Company is required to make applicable federal, state and local (if
any) payroll withholdings with respect to the compensation income recognized by
employees under the Stock Purchase Plan. Such withholding ordinarily will be
accomplished by withholding the required amount from other cash compensation due
from the Company to the employee, by having the employee pay to the Company the
required withholding amount, or by such other permissible methods as the Company
may deem appropriate. The Company also will make such information reports to the
Internal Revenue Service and any other applicable taxing authority as may be
required with respect to any compensation income attributable to transactions
involving the Stock Purchase Plan.
Description of Proposed Amendments
Certain amendments to the Stock Purchase Plan described in Proposal 2 have
already been approved by the Board of Directors. The amendments to the Stock
Purchase Plan described in Proposal 2 are set forth in Appendix A to this Proxy
Statement in substantially the form in which they will take effect if such
amendments are approved by the stockholders. The description of the amendments
to the Stock Purchase Plan set forth in Proposal 2 is qualified in its entirety
by reference to Appendix A.
PROPOSAL 2 -- APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN ELIMINATING
CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON PURCHASES AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SHARES AVAILABLE
FOR ISSUANCE TO PLAN PARTICIPANTS
The Board of Directors proposes to eliminate certain restrictions on the
sale of Common Stock to participants under the Stock Purchase Plan and to
increase the number of shares of the Common Stock available
18
<PAGE>
for purchase by participants under the Stock Purchase Plan by an additional
500,000 shares. The additional 500,000 shares would bring the total number of
shares reserved under the Stock Purchase Plan to 700,000. The Company is
requesting the approval of the Company's stockholders for the proposed increase
in the number of shares to provide for purchases by participants in the Stock
Purchase Plan for Purchase Period 1996 and for future Purchase Periods. As of
the end of Purchase Period 1996, the Company has issued an aggregate of 297,283
shares of the Company's Common Stock since the inception of the Stock Purchase
Plan.
In December 1996, 215 of the Company's employees agreed pursuant to the
Stock Purchase Plan to forego approximately $233,000 in compensation in exchange
for an aggregate of approximately 117,000 shares of Company Common Stock at
$2.98 per share, 85% of the then-current fair market value of the Common Stock.
However, only approximately 19,972 shares were then available for purchase under
the Stock Purchase Plan, and provisions of the Stock Purchase Plan limiting
aggregate purchases during any Purchase Period by each participant and by all
participants as a group also would have precluded certain of these purchases.
Accordingly, in December 1996, the Board of Directors amended the Stock Purchase
Plan to (i) eliminate a restriction whereby each participant in the Stock
Purchase Plan was prohibited from purchasing more than an aggregate of 2,000
shares of Common Stock during any Purchase Period; (ii) eliminate a restriction
whereby only 50,000 shares of Common Stock would be available for purchases by
all participants during any Purchase Period; and (iii) increase the number of
authorized shares available for purchase under the Stock Purchase Plan by 97,283
shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with purchases by participants
for Purchase Period 1996. While these amendments allowed for these purchases of
approximately 117,000 shares of Common Stock, such purchases will not qualify
under Section 423 of the Code absent stockholder approval of these amendments.
As amended, participants will be able to purchase shares of the Common
Stock determined in accordance with the provisions described above without
restriction as to the maximum number of shares each such participant can
purchase during any Purchase Period. However, no participant may purchase under
the Stock Purchase Plan and under all other stock purchase plans of the Company
and its affiliates shares of Common Stock in an amount exceeding $25,000 in fair
market value of such Common Stock (determined at the beginning of each Purchase
Period) for each calendar year.
The Board of Directors also proposes to increase the number of shares of
Common Stock available for purchase by participants under the Stock Purchase
Plan by an additional 402,717 shares (for an aggregate increase of 500,000
shares), to provide for sales of Common Stock to participants in future Purchase
Periods.
The purpose of the Stock Purchase Plan is to provide employees of the
Company and certain related corporations with an opportunity to share in the
ownership of the Company by providing them with a convenient means for regular
and systematic purchases of the Company's Common Stock, and to develop a
stronger incentive to work for the ongoing success of the Company. The Board of
Directors believes that an increase in the number of shares available for
purchase under the Stock Purchase Plan will further the Company's goals under
the Stock Purchase Plan.
For the reasons stated above, the Board of Directors (with Mr. Spier and,
prior to his resignation, Mr. Lyons dissenting, see "Dissent of Messrs. Spier
and Lyons") believes that this Proposal 2 is in the best interests of the
Company and therefore recommends a vote in favor of this Proposal 2. The Board
of Directors acknowledges that current and future employee-directors may
personally benefit from the approval of the amendments to the Stock Purchase
Plan. Since employee-directors are eligible to purchase shares of Common Stock
under the Stock Purchase Plan, the Board of Directors might be viewed as having
a conflict of interest in recommending this Proposal 2 to the stockholders for
approval. Approval of this Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the shares of the Common Stock present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (WITH MR. SPIER AND, PRIOR TO HIS RESIGNATION, MR.
LYONS DISSENTING, SEE "DISSENT OF MESSRS. SPIER AND LYONS") RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN
FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 2
19
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION TO PROPOSAL 3
The 1994 Stock Incentive Plan--General
On May 16, 1994, the Board of Directors adopted the Stock Incentive Plan,
and at the 1994 annual meeting of the Company's stockholders, the stockholders
approved the Stock Incentive Plan. The Stock Incentive Plan provides for the
grant of options and stock appreciation rights and the award of restricted
stock, Performance Units and Performance Shares to the Company's employees and
non-employee directors.
A more complete description of the Stock Incentive Plan is provided below.
This description, however, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan. All defined terms used
herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Stock Incentive Plan, unless
otherwise indicated.
Reasons for the Stock Incentive Plan. The purpose of the Stock Incentive
---------------------------------------
Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and promote continuity of
management by encouraging and providing for the acquisition of an equity
interest in the Company by key employees and directors, thereby encouraging them
to further align their interests with those of the Company and its stockholders.
The Stock Incentive Plan is intended to provide financial incentives and rewards
to individuals. Specifically, the Board of Directors believes that Option grants
and Awards are important to (1) provide additional incentives and rewards to
individuals ("Participants") whose contributions are important for the growth
and success of the Company's business and to strengthen the long-term commitment
of the Participants to the Company and its Subsidiaries and (2) attract and
retain competent and dedicated individuals whose efforts are important in the
Company's efforts to achieve long-term growth and profitability.
Administration. The Stock Incentive Plan is administered by a committee of
---------------
at least two persons (the "Committee") who are Non-Employee Directors within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and
outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Description of the Stock Incentive Plan. Other than with respect to Options
----------------------------------------
granted to non-employee directors of the Company, the terms of which are fixed
by the Stock Incentive Plan, the Committee (1) selects those Participants to
whom Awards are granted, and (2) determines the type, size and the terms and
conditions of Awards, including the per share purchase price and the vesting
provisions of Employee Options and the restrictions or performance criteria
relating to Restricted Stock, Performance Units and Performance Shares. The
Committee also administers, construes and interprets the Stock Incentive Plan.
The granting of Options or Awards under the Stock Incentive Plan does not confer
upon the recipient any right to continue in the employ of the Company or affect
any right of the Company to terminate the recipient's employment at any time.
Stock Subject to the Stock Incentive Plan. The Stock Incentive Plan
-----------------------------------------------
currently provides that a maximum of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock, in the
aggregate, may be issued or transferred pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan.
The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that any Eligible Employee may
receive pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan in respect of Options and Awards
may not exceed 400,000 shares. In the event of any Change in Capitalization, the
Committee may adjust the maximum number and class of shares with respect to
which Options and Awards may be granted under the Stock Incentive Plan, the
number and class of shares which are subject to outstanding Options and Awards
granted under the Stock Incentive Plan, and the purchase price therefor, if
applicable. In addition, if any Option or Award under the Stock Incentive Plan
expires or terminates without having been exercised, the shares subject to that
Option or Award again become available for grant of future Options or Awards
under the Stock Incentive Plan.
Amendments. The Board of Directors may amend, modify or suspend the Stock
-----------
Incentive Plan at any time or from time to time; provided, however, that (i) no
such amendment, modification, suspension or termination shall impair or
adversely alter any Options or Awards theretofore granted under the Stock
Incentive Plan, except with the consent of the optionee or grantee, nor shall
any amendment, modification, suspension or termination
20
<PAGE>
deprive any optionee or grantee of any shares of Common Stock which he or she
may have acquired through or as a result of the Stock Incentive Plan; (ii) to
the extent necessary under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder or other applicable law, no amendment shall
be effective unless approved by the stockholders of the Company in accordance
with applicable law and regulations; and (iii) the provisions with respect to
non-employee director stock options shall not be amended more often than once
every six (6) months, other than to comport with changes in the Code, the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Options
Non-Employee Director Options. The Stock Incentive Plan currently provides
-------------------------------
that upon election or appointment to the Board of Directors, each director who
is not an employee of the Company and is first elected or appointed to serve as
a director of the Company after June 1, 1994 shall receive a one-time grant of
an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock (adjusted appropriately in
the event of a Change In Capitalization) at an exercise price equal to the Fair
Market Value of those shares on the date immediately preceding the date the
option is granted (a "Director Option"). Each Director Option shall become
exercisable with respect to 50% of the shares effective immediately upon grant
and shall become exercisable with respect to an additional 25% of the shares as
of each of the first and second anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to
acceleration upon a Change in Control (as described below). Director Options
will remain exercisable for a period of ten years, but will terminate earlier if
the optionee's service as a director of the Company terminates. If the
optionee's service as a director terminates for Cause, his or her Director
Option will terminate immediately. However, if the optionee's service as a
director terminates for other reasons, the optionee will be given a period of
three months to exercise the vested portion of his or her option, unless the
optionee's service as a director is terminated due to death or disability, in
which case the optionee (or his or her representatives or heirs) will have up to
twelve months to exercise his or her Director Option. The optionee will have no
right with respect to the unvested portion of his or her Director Option if the
optionee ceases to serve as a director for any reason.
Employee Options. The Committee may grant to Eligible Employees options to
-----------------
purchase shares of Common Stock (each an "Employee Option"). The term Eligible
Employee includes officers and other employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries (approximately 1,217 persons currently) and consultants and
advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries. Subject to the provisions of the
Code, Employee Options may be either Incentive Stock Options (within the meaning
of Section 422 of the Code) ("ISOs") or Nonqualified Stock Options ("NQSOs").
The per share purchase price (i.e., exercise price) under each Employee Option
shall be established by the Committee at the time the Employee Option is
granted, provided that the per share exercise price shall in no event be less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share on the date the Option is granted
(110% in the case of an ISO granted to an optionee who is a Ten-Percent
Stockholder). Employee Options will be exercisable at such times and in such
installments as determined by the Committee. All outstanding Employee Options
shall become fully exercisable upon a Change in Control (as described below) and
the Committee may otherwise accelerate the exercisability of an Employee Option
at any time. Each Employee Option terminates pursuant to such conditions and at
such times as the Committee may determine, except that the term of each Employee
Option may not exceed ten years from the date of grant (five years in the case
of an ISO granted to a Ten-Percent Stockholder).
Terms Applicable to All Options. Director Options and Employee Options
----------------------------------
(collectively referred to hereinafter as "Options") are not transferable by the
optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be
exercised during the optionee's lifetime only by the optionee or the optionee's
guardian or legal representative. The purchase price for shares acquired
pursuant to the exercise of an Option must be paid (i) in cash, (ii) by
transferring shares of Common Stock to the Company or (iii) in any combination
of the foregoing. No amendment or adjustment of the exercise price of an Option
(or other means of repricing the Option) having an exercise price greater then
the Fair Market Value of a share at the time of repricing shall be authorized
unless stockholder approval of such repricing is obtained (however, the
Committee retains the discretion to reprice Options and Awards of SARs
representing up to three percent of the total number of shares subject to the
Stock Incentive Plan). Upon a Change in Control, all Options outstanding under
the Stock Incentive
21
<PAGE>
Plan will become immediately and fully exercisable and the optionee may, during
the 60-day period following the Change in Control, surrender for cancellation
any Option (or portion thereof) for a cash payment in respect of each share
covered by the Option, or portion thereof surrendered, equal to the excess of
(1)(a) in the case of an ISO, the per share Fair Market Value on the date
preceding the date of surrender or (b) in the case of an NQSO, the greater of
(x) the highest per share price at which shares traded during the 90-day period
preceding the date of the Change of Control or (y) the price per share paid in
any transaction (or series of transactions) constituting or resulting in a
Change in Control over (2) the purchase (i.e., exercise) price of each share. In
the case of an Option granted within six months prior to a Change in Control to
any optionee who may be subject to liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange
Act, such optionee shall be entitled to surrender for cancellation his or her
Option during the 60-day period commencing upon the expiration of six months
after the date of grant of any such Option. If the Change in Control also
constitutes an acquisition of or by the Company which is intended to be treated
as a "pooling of interests" under generally accepted accounting principles, the
acceleration of Options and the right of the optionee to surrender the option
for a cash payment, as described above, may be deferred, the period during which
the Option may thereafter be exercised may be extended, and the payment upon
surrender of the Option may be made in cash, shares of Common Stock or
securities of a successor or acquiring corporation, if reasonably necessary in
order to assure pooling of interests accounting treatment for the transaction.
Other Awards
Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs") may be
----------------------------
granted under the Stock Incentive Plan, in conjunction with the grant of an
Employee Option at the time of grant of the Employee Option or at any time
thereafter during the term of the Employee Option. A SAR would permit the
grantee to receive, upon exercise of the SAR, cash and/or shares, at the
discretion of the Committee, equal in value to the excess, if any, of the then
per share Fair Market Value over the per share purchase price of the Employee
Option to which it relates multiplied by the number of shares as to which such
SAR is being exercised. SARs will be exercisable at the same time or times as
the Employee Option is exercisable, except that no SAR may be exercised before
the date six months after the date it is granted. Upon the exercise of the SAR,
the related Employee Option shall be cancelled to the extent of the number of
shares as to which the SAR is exercised; and upon the exercise of an Employee
Option or the surrender of the Employee Option to the Company for a payment in
connection with a Change in Control, as described above, the SAR relating to
that Employee Option shall be cancelled to the extent of the number of shares as
to which the Employee Option is so exercised or surrendered. No amendment,
adjustment or other repricing of a SAR having an exercise price greater than the
Fair Market Value of a share at the time of repricing shall be authorized unless
stockholder approval of such repricing is obtained (however, the Committee
retains the discretion to reprice Options and Awards of SARs representing up to
three percent of the total number of shares subject to the Stock Incentive
Plan).
Restricted Stock. The terms of a Restricted Stock Award, including the
------------------
restrictions placed on such shares and the time or times at which such
restrictions will lapse, shall be determined by the Committee at the time the
Award is made. In general, stockholder approval shall be required for any lapse
or waiver of restrictions on shares of Restricted Stock not expressly specified
in the agreement evidencing the Award. An Award of shares of Restricted Stock
shall provide for the lapse of restrictions in no less than three years after
the date of the Award in respect of at least 50% of the shares covered by the
Award (however, the Committee retains discretion in respect of lapse or waiver
of restrictions with respect to shares of Restricted Stock representing no more
than three percent of the shares subject to the Stock Incentive Plan less the
number of Options and Awards repriced by the Committee). The Committee may
determine at the time an Award of Restricted Stock is granted that dividends
paid on such Restricted Stock may be paid to the grantee or deferred and, if
deferred, whether such dividends will be reinvested in shares of Common Stock or
held in cash. Deferred dividends (together with any interest accrued thereon)
will be paid upon the lapsing of restrictions on shares of Restricted Stock or
forfeited upon the forfeiture of shares of Restricted Stock. Unless otherwise
provided in the Award, the grantee shall have the right to vote the shares of
Restricted Stock covered by an Award prior to the lapse of restrictions. Prior
to the lapse of restrictions, shares of Restricted Stock may not be transferred,
sold or pledged by the grantee. The agreements evidencing Awards of Restricted
Stock shall set forth the terms and conditions of such Awards upon
22
<PAGE>
a grantee's termination of employment. Upon a Change in Control, unless
otherwise provided in the Award, all restrictions on outstanding shares of
Restricted Stock immediately will lapse.
Performance Units and Performance Shares. Performance Units and Performance
-----------------------------------------
Shares are awarded at such times as the Committee may determine and the vesting
of Performance Units and Performance Shares is based upon the Company's
attainment of specified performance objectives within the specified performance
period (the "Performance Cycle"). Each Performance Unit represents one share of
Common Stock and payments in respect of vested Performance Units are made in
cash, shares or shares of Restricted Stock or any combination of the foregoing,
as determined by the Committee. Performance Shares are awarded in the form of
shares of Common Stock. Performance objectives and the length of the Performance
Cycle for Performance Units and Performance Shares are determined by the
Committee at the time the Award is made. Prior to the end of the Performance
Cycle, the Committee, in its discretion, may adjust the performance objectives
to reflect a Change in Capitalization. The agreements evidencing Awards of
Performance Units and Performance Shares will set forth the terms and conditions
of such Awards, including those applicable in the event of the grantee's
termination of employment. The Committee determines the total number of
Performance Shares subject to an Award and the time or times at which the
Performance Shares will be issued to the grantee at the time the Award is made.
In addition, the Committee determines (a) the time or times at which the awarded
but not issued Performance Shares shall be issued to the grantee and (b) the
time or times at which awarded and issued Performance Shares shall become vested
in or forfeited by the grantee, in either case based upon the Company's
attainment of specified performance objectives within the Performance Cycle. At
the time the Award of Performance Shares is made, the Committee may determine
that dividends be paid or deferred on the Performance Shares issued. Deferred
dividends (together with any interest accrued thereon) are paid upon the lapsing
of restrictions on Performance Shares or forfeited upon the forfeiture of
Performance Shares. Upon a Change in Control, (x) a percentage of Performance
Units, as determined by the Committee at the time an Award of Performance Units
is made, will become vested, and the grantee will be entitled to receive a cash
payment equal to the per share Adjusted Fair Market Value multiplied by the
number of Performance Units which become vested, and (y) with respect to
Performance Shares, all restrictions shall lapse on a percentage of the
Performance Shares, as determined by the Committee at the time the Award of
Performance Shares is made. In addition, the agreements evidencing the grant of
Performance Shares and Performance Units shall contain provisions for the
treatment of such Awards (or portions thereof) which do not become vested as a
result of a Change in Control, including, without limitation, provisions for the
adjustment of applicable performance objectives.
Options Received or to be Received
The following table sets forth information with respect to Options under
the Company's Stock Incentive Plan and previous plans to executive officers,
directors and director nominees (if different) of the Company as of September
25, 1997. The table also sets forth information for the executive officers as a
group, directors who are not executive officers as a group and all employees as
a group.
23
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
Total Outstanding Options Under all Company Stock Incentive Plans
<CAPTION>
Options Options
Name Outstanding(1) Exercisable
---- ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Richard M. Haddrill, Chief 280,000 140,000
Executive Officer, President and
Treasurer
Michael L. Eide, President - VLC 80,000 41,999
Mark F. Spagnolo, Chief -- --
Executive Officer to 4/5/96
Dena J. Rosenzweig, General 1,666 1,666(2)
Counsel - AWI to 7/31/97
Susan J. Carstensen, Chief 18,000 --
Financial Officer
Dennis V. Gallagher, General 20,000 --
Counsel and Secretary
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS A 399,666 183,665
GROUP
Patricia Becker, Director 30,000 30,000
Richard R. Burt, Director 30,000 30,000
James J. Davey, Director 30,000 22,500
John R. Hardesty, Director 30,000 15,000
William P. Lyons, Jr., Director 30,000 30,000(2)
to 7/30/97
William Spier, Director 10,000 10,000
DIRECTORS OTHER THAN 160,000 137,500
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS A
GROUP
EMPLOYEES OTHER THAN 493,619 229,276
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS A
GROUP
Restricted Stock Issued 150,000 n/a
Total 1,203,285 550,441
Remaining Shares Available For 25,834
Issuance
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Options outstanding have exercise prices ranging from $3.8125 to $28.00 per
share.
(2) Unless exercised, the Options will automatically terminate in full 3 months
from the date of resignation.
24
<PAGE>
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Stock Incentive Plan
Options. An employee, officer, director or consultant who has been granted
--------
an option under the Stock Incentive Plan which is not an ISO will not realize
income tax and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction at the time of
grant. Upon exercise of such an option, the optionee will generally realize
ordinary income in an amount measured by the excess, if any, of the Fair Market
Value of the shares on the date of exercise over the Option price, and the
Company will be entitled to a corresponding compensation deduction.
Upon exercise, the Company generally will be required to withhold from the
employee's wages a tax on such income. Upon a subsequent disposition of such
shares, the employee will realize short-term or long-term capital gain or loss,
depending on whether the Common Stock is held for more than one year after the
date of exercise, with the basis for computing such gain or loss equal to the
Option price plus the amount of ordinary income realized upon exercise. Under
current law, long-term capital gains are taxed at a maximum rate of 28%.
An employee who has been granted an Option which is an ISO will not realize
income tax at the time of grant. Upon exercise of an ISO, an employee will not
ordinarily recognize income. However, the amount by which the Fair Market Value
of the Option shares on the date of exercise exceeds the purchase price is an
item of tax preference for alternative minimum tax purposes in the year of
exercise. In the year of sale or other taxable disposition of the shares
acquired upon exercise of an ISO, an employee will recognize ordinary income or
a capital gain to the extent that the sale price exceeds the exercise price.
However, the transaction will only qualify for treatment as a capital gain if
the sale or disposition is later than (i) two years after the Option is granted
and (ii) one year after the Option is exercised. The Company receives no
deduction at any time for ISOs.
Stock Appreciation Rights. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the
--------------------------
grantee will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the
cash and/or Fair Market Value of the shares received on the exercise or payment
date. In general, if the Company complies with applicable withholding and
reporting requirements, it will be entitled to a compensation expense deduction
in the same amount and at the same time as the grantee of a Stock Appreciation
Right recognizes ordinary income.
Restricted Stock. In the absence of an election under Section 83(b) of the
------------------
Internal Revenue Code (as described below), a grantee who receives Restricted
Stock will recognize no income at the time of grant. When the restrictions
expire, a grantee will recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the
excess of the Fair Market Value of the shares on the date that the restrictions
expire over the amount paid for the Restricted Stock (if any). If the
restrictions applicable to a grant of Restricted Stock lapse over time (for
example, if the restrictions on 20% of a grant lapse on specified anniversaries
of the date of grant), the grantee will include the Fair Market Value of an
appropriate portion of the shares as ordinary compensation income as the
restrictions lapse. The grantee's basis in the Restricted Stock will be equal to
the sum of the amount included in income on the lapse of the restrictions plus
the amount paid for the shares (if any), and the holding period will begin when
the restrictions lapse. Any disposition of the Restricted Stock will result in a
long- or short-term capital gain or loss (depending on the length of time the
Restricted Stock is held after the restrictions lapse). Prior to the lapse of
the restrictions with respect to any particular shares, any dividends received
by the grantee with respect to such shares will constitute compensation income
in the year received. In general, if the Company complies with the applicable
withholding and reporting requirements, it will be entitled to a compensation
expense deduction equal to the Fair Market Value of the Restricted Stock when it
is included in the grantee's income, and will also be entitled to a compensation
expense deduction (in the year paid) for dividends paid to, or deferred for, the
grantee in respect of Restricted Stock which remains subject to restrictions.
If a Section 83(b) election is made within 30 days of the initial grant of
Restricted Stock, the grantee must report the Fair Market Value of the
Restricted Stock on the date of the grant as ordinary compensation income as of
the date of grant, and the holding period will begin at the time the Restricted
Stock is granted.
25
<PAGE>
In general, if the Company complies with the applicable withholding and
reporting requirements, it will be entitled to a corresponding compensation
expense deduction for the grant, but dividends on the Restricted Stock would not
be deductible (even if paid prior to the lapse of the restrictions). Any
subsequent disposition of the Restricted Stock by the grantee, other than by
forfeiture, would result in a capital gain or loss, which would be long- or
short-term depending on the holding period. No deduction or loss is permitted to
a grantee who has made the Section 83(b) election and who subsequently forfeits
the Restricted Stock, other than a loss for the amount (if any) a grantee paid
for the Restricted Stock, which is treated as a long- or short-term capital loss
depending on the holding period. In the event of any forfeiture, the Company
would be required to include as ordinary income the amount of the deduction
claimed with respect to the forfeited Restricted Stock.
Performance Units and Performance Shares. Generally, in the case of
---------------------------------------------
Performance Units and Performance Shares, the grantee will recognize ordinary
compensation income at the end of the Performance Cycle when they are no longer
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (subject to the special rules
applicable if the Performance Units are paid in Restricted Stock) in an amount
equal to the amount of cash and/or Fair Market Value of property received. In
general, if the Company complies with the applicable withholding and reporting
requirements, it will be entitled to a compensation expense deduction in the
same amount and at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income.
Parachute Payments; Potential Excise Tax and Nondeductibility. Under
--------------------------------------------------------------------
certain circumstances, the accelerated vesting or exercise of Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights, or the accelerated lapse of restrictions on other Awards,
in connection with a Change in Control might be deemed an "excess parachute
payment" for purposes of the golden parachute tax provisions of Section 280G of
the Internal Revenue Code. To the extent it is so considered, the grantee may be
subject to a 20% excise tax and the Company may be denied a tax deduction.
Limitation on Deduction. Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations
-------------------------
thereunder generally would disallow the Company a federal income tax deduction
for compensation paid to the chief executive officer and the four other most
highly compensated executive officers to the extent such compensation paid to
any such individual exceeds $1 million in any year. However, Section 162(m)
generally allows a deduction for payments of qualified "performance-based
compensation" the material terms of which have been disclosed to and approved by
stockholders. The Company intends that compensation attributable to or resulting
from Options and Awards (other than in respect of Restricted Stock) granted
under the Plan qualify as "performance-based compensation."
The foregoing summary is not intended to be a complete statement of the
current federal income tax consequences of the grant and exercise of Options, or
of the disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of such Options, or the
award of SARs, Restricted Stock, Performance Units and Performance Shares
pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan. Because of the complexities of the tax
law, optionees are advised to consult their own tax advisers for further
information regarding such consequences.
Description of the Proposed Amendments
The amendments to the Stock Incentive Plan described in Proposal 3 are set
forth in Appendix B to this Proxy Statement in substantially the form in which
they will take effect if such amendments are approved by the stockholders. The
following description of the amendments to the Stock Incentive Plan is qualified
in its entirety by reference to Appendix B.
PROPOSAL 3--PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES ISSUABLE
UNDER THE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN AND TO ALLOW FOR THE AWARD OF RESTRICTED
STOCK TO NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS THEREUNDER
The Board of Directors proposes to increase the number of shares of the
Common Stock available for issuance upon the exercise of Options and Awards by
an additional 500,000 shares. The additional
26
<PAGE>
500,000 shares would bring the total number of shares reserved under the Stock
Incentive Plan to 1,500,000. Separately, as explained more fully below, the
Board of Directors also proposes to amend the Stock Incentive Plan to permit the
Company, at its discretion, to award Restricted Stock to the Company's
non-employee directors in lieu of cash compensation.
As of September 25,1997 there were outstanding Options to purchase 817,500
shares of the Common Stock held by 47 individuals, of which 329,656 were
exercisable, and Awards of 100,000 restricted shares of Common Stock under the
Stock Incentive Plan. The number of shares of Common Stock already subject to
outstanding Options and Awards leaves only 25,834 shares of the Common Stock
available for future grants of Options and Awards under the Stock Incentive
Plan. Absent stockholder approval of the amendment to the Stock Incentive Plan
to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available thereunder, the Board
of Directors will be unable to continue making Grants and Awards under the Stock
Incentive Plan once the 25,834 shares of Common Stock currently available for
future such Grants have been exhausted.
The ability to offer the Company's employees an opportunity to acquire
shares of the Common Stock provides a means by which the Company may compensate
its employees. By providing competitive compensation levels, the Company can
attract and retain highly qualified employees. Further, the Board of Directors
believes that granting Options to its employees provides an incentive to such
persons to continue their service with the Company and promotes the best
interests of the Company because employees have an opportunity to acquire a
proprietary interest in the Company and ultimately benefit from the future
success of the Company's operations through appreciation in the value of the
Company's Common Stock.
Amending the Stock Incentive Plan to permit awards of Restricted Stock to
non-employee directors permits the Company to award shares of Restricted Common
Stock to non-employee directors in lieu of cash compensation, thereby providing
the Company with greater flexibility in the types and amounts of compensation
that the Company may award to its non-employee directors. The Company's
non-employee directors currently are entitled to receive cash retainers in the
respective amounts of $30,000 for the Chairman and $15,000 for other
non-employee directors; $7,500 for serving as the chair of a committee of the
Board of Directors; and $1,000 for attendance at each regular or special meeting
of the Board of Directors or any of its committees.
For the reasons stated above, the Board of Directors (with Mr. Spier and,
prior to his resignation, Mr. Lyons dissenting, see "Dissent of Messrs. Spier
and Lyons") believes that Proposal 3 is in the best interests of the Company and
therefore recommends a vote in favor of Proposal 3. The Board of Directors
acknowledges that current and future directors may personally benefit from the
approval of the foregoing amendment to the Stock Incentive Plan. Since employee
and non-employee directors are eligible to receive Options under the Stock
Incentive Plan, the Board of Directors might be viewed as having a conflict of
interest in recommending Proposal 3 to the stockholders for approval. Approval
of this Proposal 3 requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the shares of the Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy and
entitled to vote at the Meeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (WITH MR. SPIER AND, PRIOR TO HIS RESIGNATION, MR. LYONS
DISSENTING, SEE "DISSENT OF MESSRS. SPIER AND LYONS") RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN
FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 3
27
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL 4 -- APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO
CHANGE CORPORATE NAME
Proposed Amendment
The Board of Directors (with Mr. Lyons, prior to his resignation,
dissenting, see "Dissent of Messrs. Spier and Lyons") has adopted, and is
recommending to the stockholders for their approval at the Meeting, a resolution
to change the Company's corporate name by amending Article 1 of the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation in its entirety, to read as follows:
"ARTICLE 1. The name of this corporation is Powerhouse Technologies, Inc."
- -----------
In the judgment of the Board of Directors (with Mr. Lyons, prior to his
resignation, dissenting, see "Dissent of Messrs. Spier and Lyons"), the change
of corporate name is desirable in view of significant changes in the operating
segments of the Company's business since the acquisitions of AWI and UWS, VLC's
entry into the casino business and the potential expansion of Sunland Park as a
racetrack/casino in 1998. In addition to developing and manufacturing video
lottery terminals, the Company has expanded its focus to offer a wide range of
goods and services to the gaming industry generally, while maximizing on
collaborative product development, marketing and administration.
If the amendment is adopted, stockholders will not be required to exchange
outstanding stock certificates for new certificates.
Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company entitled to vote at the
Meeting. If approved by the stockholders, the amendment to ARTICLE 1. will
become effective upon filing with the Secretary of the State of Delaware a
Certificate of Amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation. However,
the Board of Directors will be authorized, without further vote of the
stockholders, to abandon the name change and determine not to file the
Certificate of Amendment if the Board of Directors concludes that such action
would be in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. If this
proposal is not approved by the stockholders, then the Certificate of Amendment
will not be filed.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (WITH MR. LYONS, PRIOR TO HIS RESIGNATION,
DISSENTING, SEE "DISSENT OF MESSRS. SPIER AND LYONS") RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR
OF PROPOSAL 4
PROPOSAL 5 -- RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
The Board of Directors (with Mr. Spier and, prior to his resignation, Mr.
Lyons dissenting, see "Dissent of Messrs. Spier and Lyons) has appointed KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP as independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 1997, and proposes that the stockholders ratify this
appointment at the Meeting. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP has examined the Company's
financial statements since its inception and has no relationship with the
Company other than that arising from its appointment as independent auditors.
Representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP are expected to be present at the
Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so
and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
Ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present, in person
or by proxy, at the Meeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (WITH MR. SPIER AND, PRIOR TO HIS RESIGNATION, MR.
LYONS DISSENTING, SEE "DISSENT OF MESSRS. SPIER AND LYONS") RECOMMENDS A
VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 5
28
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Common Stock as of September 25, 1997 by (I) each person owning
beneficially more than five percent of the outstanding shares of the Common
Stock, (ii) each director and director nominee of the Company, (iii) each person
named in the Summary Compensation Table appearing elsewhere herein and (iv) all
executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. The information
under this caption is based on representations made to the Company by individual
directors or nominees and/or filings made with the SEC. Each person has sole
investment and voting power with respect to the shares indicated except as
otherwise shown.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Shares Percent of Class
---------------- ----------------
Beneficially Owned (1) September 25, 1997 (1)
------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
William Spier ................................................. 1,496,564 (2) 14.50%
101 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022
R. B. Haave Associates, Inc. .................................. 938,000 (3) 9.09%
36 Grove St., New Cannan, CT 06840
Fir Tree Partners (Fir Tree, Inc., d/b/a/ Fir Tree Partners)... 781,900 (4) 7.58%
1211 Avenue of the Americas, 29th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Richard M. Haddrill +, ++ ..................................... 313,020 (5)(6) 3.03%
Michael L. Eide + ............................................. 173,413 (7)(8) 1.62%
John R. Hardesty + ............................................ 71,695 (9) *
William P. Lyons + ............................................ 62,000 (10) *
Patricia Becker + ............................................. 30,000 (11) *
Richard Burt + ................................................ 30,000 (11) *
James J. Davey + .............................................. 26,243 (12) *
Dena J. Rosenzweig ++ ......................................... 1,666 (13) *
Susan J. Carstensen ++ ........................................ 1,098 *
Mark F. Spagnolo + ............................................ 0 (14) *
All directors and executive officers as a group .............. 2,205,699 (2)(5)(6)(7)(8) 21.38%
(9)(10)(11)
(12)(13)(14)
</TABLE>
- ----------
+ Director of the Company (except that Mr. Lyons resigned as a director
July 30, 1997, see "Dissent of Messrs Spier and Lyons")
++ Executive Officer of the Company (except that Mr. Spagnolo resigned as of
April 5, 1996 and Ms. Rosenzweig resigned as of July 31, 1997)
* Denotes less than 1%
1 Based on 10,318,730 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the close of
business on September 25, 1997 and which excludes 545,454 shares of Common
Stock which are held by the Company and which are deemed authorized but
unissued. The share holdings in this table do not include rights to receive
stock or options granted under various Company plans to directors and
executive officers that do not vest (if previously unvested) and become
exercisable within 60 days of September 25,1997.
29
<PAGE>
2 Based upon Schedule 13D, as amended, filed by Mr. Spier with the SEC,
included in Mr. Spier's beneficial ownership are 1,197,659 shares of Common
Stock purchased by various parties in an investor group who have granted
Mr. Spier sole voting and investment power in respect of such shares. In
addition to Mr. Spier, the parties who hold these shares are Asgard Ltd., a
Guernsey corporation ("Asgard"), Parkway M&A Capital Corporation, a British
Virgin Islands corporation ("Parkway"), Video Investment Partners, a
Delaware limited partnership ("VIP"), Gabriel Capital L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership ("Gabriel"), Alpine Associates, Ltd., a New Jersey
limited partnership ("Alpine"), LBN Investment Associates, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership ("LBN"), and Homer Noble, an individual ("Noble").
Asgard holds 148,307 shares; Parkway holds 7,500 shares (not including
7,500 shares previously owned by Parkway which are not controlled by Mr.
Spier); VIP holds 226,167 shares; Alpine holds 370,766 shares; Gabriel
holds 222,459 shares; LBN holds 148,307 shares; and Noble holds 74,153
shares. Mr. Spier holds 285,405 shares acquired as part of the investor
group. These holdings represent approximately 1.44%, .07%, 2.19%, 3.59%,
2.16%, 1.44% and .72%, respectively, of the 10,318,730 shares outstanding
as of the Record Date. Each of Asgard, Parkway, VIP, Alpine, Gabriel, LBN
and Noble disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities for purposes
of Schedule 13D because each has granted to Mr. Spier sole investment and
voting power in respect of the shares. Also included in Mr. Spier's
beneficial ownership are 3,500 shares of Common Stock owned prior to the
purchases by the investor group and 10,000 shares of Common Stock which may
be acquired pursuant to options currently exercisable under the Company's
1991 Stock Option Plan.
3 R. B. Haave Associates, Inc. is an Investment Advisor registered under
Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, with sole power to vote
or to direct the vote and sole power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of the shares. R. B. Haave Associates, Inc.'s holdings are
reported pursuant to amendment to Schedule 13G dated January 27, 1997, as
an amendment to the initial Schedule 13D, as filed on March 22, 1996.
4 Fir Tree, Inc. is a New York corporation doing business as Fir Tree
Partners ("Fir Tree Partners"), of which Mr. Jeffrey Tannenbaum is the sole
shareholder, executive officer, director and principal. Mr. Tannenbaum
acquired the shares through his position as principal of Fir Tree Partners
for an institutional account for which Fir Tree Partners serves as trading
advisor and for the account of the Fir Tree Value Fund, L.P. ("Fir Tree
Value Fund") of which Mr. Tannenbaum is the general partner. Fir Tree
Partner's holdings are reported pursuant to amendment to Form 13D dated
August 4, 1995, as an amendment to the initial Form 13D, as filed on
October 12, 1994. Fir Tree Partners is the beneficial owner of 781,900
shares of Common Stock of which 498,930 shares are beneficially owned by
Fir Tree Partners in its capacity as investment advisor to Fir Tree LDC, a
Cayman Islands limited duration company ("Fir Tree LDC"). Jeffrey
Tannenbaum is the investment advisor of Fir Tree LDC and, as such, retains
voting and dispositive power over the shares, and 282,970 shares are
beneficially owned by Fir Tree Partners for the account of the Fir Tree
Value Fund.
5 Includes 70,000 shares of restricted stock of the Company vesting in equal
installments on each of November 1,1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 and 30,000
shares of restricted stock of the Company vesting in equal installments on
each of September 9, 1997, 1998 and 1999.
6 Includes options to purchase 210,000 shares of Common Stock, currently
exercisable or which will be exercisable within 60 days, granted pursuant
to the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan.
7 Includes options to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock currently
exercisable granted pursuant to the Company's 1991 Stock Option Plan and
39,999 currently exercisable under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan.
8 Includes 12,318 shares held by Mr. Eide's son as to which Mr. Eide
disclaims beneficial ownership.
9 Includes options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock currently
exercisable or which will be exercisable within 60 days granted pursuant to
the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan for Non- Employee Directors and
5,000 shares pursuant to the Company's 1994 Incentive Stock Plan .
10 Includes options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock currently
exercisable granted pursuant to the Company's 1992 Stock Incentive Plan and
options to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock currently exercisable
granted pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan for
Non-Employee Directors, which options will automatically terminate in full
3 months from the date of Mr. Lyons resignation, on July 30, 1997, unless
exercised.
30
<PAGE>
11 Includes options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock currently
exercisable or which will be exercisable within 60 days, granted pursuant
to the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and options to purchase 20,000
shares of Common Stock currently exercisable or which will be exercisable
within 60 days, granted pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan
for Non-Employee Directors.
12 Includes options to purchase 7,500 shares of Common Stock currently
exercisable or which will be exercisable within 60 days, granted pursuant
to the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and options to purchase 15,000
shares of Common Stock currently exercisable or which will be exercisable
within 60 days, granted pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan
for Non-Employee Directors.
13 Includes options to purchase 1,666 shares of Common Stock granted under the
Company's 1994 Incentive Stock Plan currently exercisable or which will be
exercisable within 60 days, which options will automatically terminate in
full 3 months from the date of Ms. Rosenzweig's resignation, July 31, 1997,
unless exercised.
14 Mr. Spagnolo resigned as a director of the Company on June 23, 1995 and,
pursuant to the terms of the Company's 1992 Stock Incentive Plan and the
Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors, those
unvested options were forfeited on that date and those then exercisable
terminated three months from the date of his resignation. (See "Employment
and Certain Other Contracts.") Mr. Spagnolo was an officer of EDS and one
of its wholly-owned subsidiaries which owns 545,454 shares of Common Stock
and 1,912,728 shares of Series A Junior Preferred Stock of the Company. Mr.
Spagnolo disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities.
DISSENT OF MESSRS. SPIER AND LYONS
The Stockholder Agreement grants the Spier Group the right to designate one
director other than Mr. Spier, provided such person is reasonably satisfactory
to a majority of the Board of Directors. Mr. Lyons was appointed to the Board of
Directors to fill this position and served in that capacity until July 30, 1997,
when he resigned as a director. His resignation followed the decision by the
Board of Directors not to nominate him for re-election as a director. (See
"Proposal 1 -- Election of Director.") Since July 1996, Messrs. Spier and Lyons
have expressed disagreement with certain actions of the Board of Directors and
concerns with respect to certain transactions involving the Company. In his
letter to the Board of Directors resigning as a director, Mr. Lyons cited these
disagreements as the basis for his resignation. Prior to his resignation, Mr.
Lyons had cited these disagreements, and Mr. Spier cites these disagreements, in
opposing certain recommendations of the Board of Directors to stockholders,
declining to join in the report of the Board of Directors with respect to
executive compensation and objecting to the dissemination of this Proxy
Statement.
Messrs. Spier and Lyons opposed both the initial appointment of Mr.
Hardesty to the Board of Directors and his nomination for re-election as a
director. Additionally, on May 15, 1997, Mr. Spier expressed concern with
respect to purchases of the Company's Common Stock by Mr. Hardesty during the
month of April 1997, as reported to the SEC on Form 4, Statement of Changes in
Beneficial Ownership. Mr. Spier suggested that Mr. Hardesty may have been in
possession of material non-public information about the Company when he made
such purchases, and questioned whether those purchases complied with Company
policy regarding purchases and sales of Company securities by directors as well
as relevant securities laws. In view of his concerns, Mr. Spier requested that
Mr. Hardesty resign from the Board of Directors, which Mr. Hardesty declined to
do. In addition, Messrs. Spier and Lyons demanded an investigation into these
matters and the Board of Directors conducted an internal investigation and
referred the matter to independent outside counsel for review. Such counsel has
advised the Company that it does not appear that Mr. Hardesty's purchases
violated either Company policy or relevant securities laws. Messrs. Spier and
Lyons have advised the Company that they question such counsel's reasoning and
disagree with his conclusions.
Further, Messrs. Spier and Lyons have asserted that the decision of the
Board of Directors not to nominate Mr. Lyons for re-election as a Class 3
director violates the Spier Group's right under the Stockholder Agreement to
designate one director other than Mr. Spier, provided such person is reasonably
satisfactory to a majority of the Board of Directors.
31
<PAGE>
Messrs. Spier and Lyons also opposed the appointment of Mr. Haddrill as the
Company's chief executive officer. Mr. Lyons believes that prior to such
appointment the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors should have conducted a formal evaluation of Mr. Haddrill's
qualifications for that office.
Messrs. Spier and Lyons have also expressed the view that all executive
compensation decisions should be made by the Board of Directors following review
and recommendation by the Compensation Committee. Because the Compensation
Committee met only once in 1995 and did not meet during 1996 and the Board of
Directors established and was responsible for the Company's executive
compensation program for 1996, Mr. Spier and, prior to his resignation, Mr.
Lyons, have respectfully declined to join in the Report on Executive
Compensation provided herein.
In addition, prior to his resignation, Mr. Lyons indicated his opposition
to Proposal 4 on the ground it is confusing and Messrs. Spier and Lyons have
indicated their opposition to Proposals 2 and 3 on the ground that those
proposals represent waste of corporate assets.
Finally, prior to his resignation Mr. Lyons voted against the Board's
appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP ("Peat Marwick") to serve as the Company's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997 and, although
Mr. Spier did not vote against such appointment, he has since indicated his
opposition thereto. Mr. Spier therefore opposes, and prior to his resignation
Mr. Lyons therefore opposed, the recommendation of the Board of Directors that
stockholders approve Proposal 5. The objections of Messrs. Spier and Lyons
relate primarily to Peat Marwick's advice regarding review procedures described
in the report of the independent members of the Board of Directors and the
report of the Company's director of internal audit relating to certain payments
made by the Company to IEP. More specifically, the basis for their opposition
was their belief that Peat Marwick should have recommended that the Board of
Directors conduct additional procedures to verify independently that services
were actually provided to the Company by IEP (see "Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation") and that Peat Marwick had not promptly
acted to recommend changes in the Company's system of internal controls
regarding such payments. The Board of Directors, however, upon reviewing the
advice of Peat Marwick regarding the reports of the independent members of the
Board of Directors and the Company's director of internal audit prepared in
connection with this matter, concluded that Peat Marwick had properly discharged
its duties to the Company with respect to the IEP payments. Therefore, the Board
of Directors determined to appoint Peat Marwick as the Company's independent
auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997 despite the objections of
Messrs. Spier and Lyons to that appointment.
For the foregoing reasons, Messrs. Spier and/or Lyons have opposed the
recommendations of the Board of Directors with respect to Proposals 1, 2, 3, 4
and 5, have respectfully declined to join in the report of the Board of
Directors with respect to executive compensation and have objected to the
dissemination of this Proxy Statement.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and
executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered
class of the Company's equity securities, to file by specific dates with the SEC
initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock
and other equity securities of the Company on Forms 3, 4 and 5. Officers,
directors and greater than ten-percent stockholders are required by SEC
regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they
file. The Company is required to report any failure to file by the relevant due
date any of these reports based solely on the Company's review of copies of such
reports furnished to it and written representations
32
<PAGE>
received by the Company that the filing of a Form 5 was not required. Based upon
this review, the Company is not aware of any person who at any time during 1996,
was a director, officer or a beneficial owner of ten percent or more of any
class of equity securities of the Company registered pursuant to the Exchange
Act who failed to file on a timely basis reports required by Section 16(a) of
the Exchange Act during 1996.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to come before the Meeting
other than those described in this Proxy Statement. However, if any matters
should properly come before the Meeting calling for a vote of the stockholders,
it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote such
proxy with respect to those other matters in accordance with their best
judgment.
ANNUAL REPORT AND FORM 10-K
A copy of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes
the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, as filed with the
SEC (including financial statements and schedules but without exhibits), has
previously been mailed to stockholders. It is not intended for consideration as
proxy solicitation material. Copies of exhibits to the Form 10-K will be
furnished to record and beneficial holders of the Common Stock upon request for
a nominal charge. All requests should be directed to: Video Lottery
Technologies, Inc., 2311 South 7th Avenue, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Attention:
Shareholder Relations.
PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Any proposal by a stockholder to be included in the Company's proxy
statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting must be received at the Company's
principal executive offices, 2311 South 7th Avenue, Bozeman, MT 59715, not later
than the close of business on the date which is 120 calendar days in advance of
the first anniversary of the date of this Proxy Statement (i.e., by the close of
business on June 18, 1998), unless the date of the 1998 Annual Meeting changes
by more than 30 days from the date of the 1997 Annual Meeting, in which case
proposals must be received by the Company a reasonable time before the release
of the proxy statement.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ RICHARD BURT
Chairman of the Board
October 15, 1997
33
<PAGE>
Appendix A
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE
VIDEO LOTTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
1991 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Pursuant to Section 9.03 of the Video Lottery Technologies, Inc.1991
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (as so amended, the "Plan"), VIDEO
LOTTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a Delaware corporation ( the "Corporation"), does
hereby amend the Plan as follows:
1. Section 10.03 of the Plan is hereby amended by deleting Section 10.03 of
the Plan in its entirety and substituting the following in lieu thereof:
"Section 10.03 Stock to be Sold. The Common Stock to be issued and
sold under the Plan may be treasury shares or authorized but unissued
shares, or the Company may purchase Common Stock in the market for sale
under the Plan. Except as provided in Section 11.01, the aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock to be sold under the Plan will not exceed the sum of
(a) the shares purchased for Purchase Periods 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, and
1995 totaling 180,208, (b) the largest number of whole shares of Common
Stock that can be purchased for Purchase Period 1996 at the price specified
in Section 4.02 with the entire credit balance in all Participant's Stock
Purchase Accounts as of the last business day of said Purchase Period 1996
(117,075), and (c) up to 402,717 additional shares of Common Stock reserved
for issuance upon future purchases of shares by Participants."
Except as specifically amended hereby, all other terms and provisions of the
Plan shall remain in full force and effect. If not otherwise defined herein, all
capitalized terms contained in this Amendment shall have the meanings ascribed
to them in the Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, pursuant to the authority granted to the undersigned by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation, the Plan is hereby amended, effective
as of this _____ day of _______________________, 1997.
VIDEO LOTTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
-------------------------------------
RICHARD M. HADDRILL, President,
Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer
A1
<PAGE>
Appendix B
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE
VIDEO LOTTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
1994 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
WHEREAS, VIDEO LOTTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a Delaware corporation ( the
"Corporation"), maintains the Video Lottery Technologies, Inc. 1994 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan, the Corporation's Board of
Directors may at any time or from time to time amend, modify or suspend the
Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, effective as of the date hereof, but subject to stockholder
approval, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:
1. Section 5.1 of the Plan is hereby amended by deleting Section 5.1 of the
Plan in its entirety and substituting the following in lieu thereof:
"5.1 The maximum number of Shares that may be made the subject of
Options and Awards granted under the Plan is 1,500,000, which may be
treasury Shares, authorized but unissued Shares or Shares purchased in the
market for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding Options or the grant of
Awards under the Plan; provided, however, that such maximum number shall be
increased to the extent that any such shares granted under the Plan are
purchased in the market; and provided further that the maximum number of
Shares that any Eligible Employee may receive pursuant to the plan in
respect of Options and Awards may not exceed 400,000 Shares. Upon a Change
in Capitalization the maximum number of Shares (both in the aggregate under
the Plan and with respect to each Eligible Employee) shall be adjusted in
number and kind pursuant to Section 13. The Company shall reserve for the
purposes of the Plan, out of its authorized but unissued Shares or out of
Shares held in the Company's treasury, or partly out of each, such number of
Shares as shall be determined by the Board."
2. Section 10.1 of the Plan is hereby amended by deleting Section 10.1 of
the Plan in its entirety and substituting the following in lieu thereof:
"10.1 Grant. The Committee may grant to Eligible Employees and
------
Nonemployee Directors Awards of Restricted Stock, and may issue Shares of
Restricted Stock in payment in respect of vested Performance Unites (as
hereinafter provided in Section 11.2), which shall be evidenced by an
Agreement between the Company and the Grantee. Each Agreement shall contain
such restrictions, terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its
discretion, determine, and (without limiting the generality of the
foregoing) such Agreements may require that an appropriate legend be place
on Share certificates. Awards of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the
terms and provisions set forth below in this Section 10."
3. Except as specifically amended hereby, all other terms and provisions of
the Plan shall remain in full force and effect. If not otherwise defined herein,
all capitalized terms contained in this Amendment shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, pursuant to the authority granted to the undersigned by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation, the Plan is hereby amended, effective
as of this ____ day of ____________, 1997.
VIDEO LOTTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
-------------------------------------
RICHARD M. HADDRILL, President,
Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer
B1
<PAGE>
[THIS IS A REPLICATION OF THE PROXY CARD]
PROXY VIDEO LOTTERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. COMMON STOCK
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS NOVEMBER 14, 1997
The undersigned hereby appoints Patricia Becker and James J. Davey, and each of
them, proxies with power of substitution, to act as attorneys and proxies for
the undersigned to vote all shares of the capital stock of Video Lottery
Technologies, Inc. which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of Video Lottery Technologies, Inc., to be held at 751
Pilot Rd., Suite D, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119, on November 14, 1997 and at any and
all adjournments thereof, with all powers the undersigned would possess if
personally present, as follows:
1. Election of Directors - Nominee JOHN HARDESTY
|_| VOTE FOR nominee |_| VOTE WITHHELD from nominee
2. Amendment to the Company's 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan eliminating
certain restrictions and increasing the number of shares available by
500,000 shares.
|_| FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN
3. Amendment to the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the number
of available shares issuable thereunder by 500,000 shares and to allow for
the issuance of restricted stock to non-employee directors.
|_| FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN
4. Amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
|_| FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN
5. To ratify the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as auditors for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1997
|_| FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN
(continued, and to be signed, on other side)
<PAGE>
6. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY
THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED
"FOR" ITEMS 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Please sign, exactly as name appears below. When shares are held by joint
tenants in common or as community property, both should sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or custodian, please give
full title as such. If a corporation, please sign corporate name by president or
other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person. Receipt is hereby acknowledged of notice of annual meeting
and the proxy statement attached thereto, and the 1996 Annual Report of the
Company previously sent under separate cover. PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND
MAIL THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. This proxy may be revoked
at any time prior to the voting thereof.
Dated:_____________________________________
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
Signature(s) of Shareholder
Signature(s) should correspond to name or names shown above
<PAGE>
VIDEO LOTTERY TECHNOLOGIES [LOGO]
2311 South 7th Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715
October 10, 1997
1997 UPDATE
Dear Investor,
1997 has been very exciting for your Company! The many positive developments
this year are beginning to be reflected in our stock price, which has tripled
since year end.
Settlement of our legal disputes with EDS, announced in February, put the
Company on solid financial footing and allowed AWI to develop a focused "one
team" approach to customer service. These favorable developments were followed
at AWI by new multi-year lottery contracts in Minnesota and Chile, a successful
upgrade in Norway and continued support from Florida as its vendor of choice for
the future. Further, the State of Maryland announced record revenues for its
first year of operation under our MasterLink(R) system and South Dakota has
indicated their intent to finalize a two year extension with AWI. These
developments give us great optimism for continued success of our MasterLink(R)
technology, with many new lottery procurements on the horizon.
At VLC, our Winning Touch(R) gaming machine continues to gain acceptance in
casino markets including Nevada, where our new 8800 series machine in trials
played at 2.5 times the state average for a gaming machine and was approved by
the Gaming Commission last month. We have further enhanced our strength in the
video lottery industry with recent orders of $10 million for Quebec and $4
million for the emerging South Africa market. We have also positioned ourselves
well for orders from the large new Ontario market.
Legislation permitting us to develop our racetrack in Sunland Park, New Mexico
into a racetrack/casino was enacted and our plans are proceeding as expected.
Startup is targeted for the second quarter of 1998. This represents a
significant earnings opportunity for the Company, as well as an excellent venue
for us to showcase our technology.
United Tote successfully opened the largest new track in the U.S., Lone Star
Park, in April, and processed record handle at the Kentucky Derby in May. During
the last three months, we signed three new tote customers to multi-year
contracts valued at $5.7 million and renewed contracts with eleven existing
customers.
I am particularly pleased that we have been able to attract key management
talent this year from such companies as IGT, Harrah's Entertainment, EDS, AmTote
and Autotote. The strength of our team has never been better, and I look forward
with optimism to capitalizing on the numerous opportunities before us.
I can assure you that your new management team is working hard to continue to
build long term shareholder value, and to enhance our reputation as a technology
powerhouse in the gaming industry.
Sincerely,
/s/ RICHARD HADDRILL
Richard M. Haddrill
President & CEO
Attached is a list of selected highlights from the past twelve months. Please
contact Jay Schuttler in Investor Relations at 406-585-6607 if you would like
further information
<PAGE>
Video Lottery Technologies, Inc.
Twelve Month Highlights
September 1997
Date Highlight
- ---- ---------
Novermber 1, 1996 Florida Lottery selects AWI for new lottery contract
December 30, 1996 VLC contracted to provide 500 more gaming machines
to Quebec
January 16, 1997 VLT converts Atlantic Lottery Corp. to new advanced
video lottery system
February 4, 1997 VLT settles with EDS: $22 million gain to VLT
February 12, 1997 Dennis Gallagher, formerly with Harrah's Hotels and
Casinos joins the Company as General Counsel
April 1, 1997 AWI signs $45 million contract with Minnesota
Lottery
April 23, 1997 Lone Star Park opens with United Tote system and
terminals
April 24, 1997 VLC receives licensing in Nevada, increases total
number of licenses to 44
Nov. 11, 1996 Licensed in New Jersey
Jan. 7, 1997 Licensed in Connecticut and Arizona
Feb. 20, 1997 Licensed in South Australia
Apr. 4, 1997 Licensed in Ontario
June 6, 1997 Licensed in Mpumalanga, South Africa
May 29, 1997 Crown Casino opens in Australia featuring Winning
Touch(R) gaming machines
June 6, 1997 AWI enters into $12 million contract for on-line
lottery system in Chile
June 19, 1997 VLC begins Nevada field trials on new Winning
Touch(R) Power Series gaming machine
July 1-2, 1997 Richard Haddrill named CEO of VLT, announces
executive hires and appointments
o Chuck Brooke, Senior Vice President/Government
Relations, assumed additional responsibility
for Government Sales, Corporate Marketing and
Public Relations
o Ron Utterback, formerly with KnowledgeWare and
Oracle, hired as Vice President/International
o John Beach, formerly with EDS, assumed the
newly created position of Chief Operating
Officer of AWI
o Bob Evers, formerly with EDS, has joined AWI
as Vice President/Domestic Operations
o Mickey Roemer, formerly with IGT, will
join VLC January 1, 1998 as Vice President
of Nevada Sales & Operations
o Don Fuller was promoted to Chief Operating
Officer of United Tote
o Bob Campbell joined United Tote from Amtote as
Vice President of Operations
July 9, 1997 VLC receives $10 million gaming machine order from
Quebec
July 29, 1997 AWI converts Norsk Tipping (Norway) to MasterLink
(TM) system
August 8, 1997 South Dakota Lottery Commission authorizes the
Lottery Director to negotiate a two year extension
of AWI contract scheduled to expire the end of 1997
August 12, 1997 VLC, Inc. receives $4 million order from South
African Video Gaming Corp. (SAVGC)
September 4, 1997 AWI receives top score from on-line evaluation
team in Florida
September 25, 1997 AWI implements on-line lottery system in Chile
September 26, 1997 VLC's new Winning Touch(R) Power Series(TM) gaming
machine receives Nevada Gaming Commission approval
