WMS Gaming to Serve International Markets Through New Barcelona Office; Gaming Executive Sebastian Salat Appointed Director of Operations for WMS Gaming International, S.L.

Business Editors & Gaming Writers

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 2000

WMS Gaming Inc., a subsidiary of WMS Industries Inc. (NYSE:WMS), announced today that it has appointed international gaming executive, Sebastian Salat, to direct international sales and service functions from the Company's new office in Barcelona, Spain. As Director of Operations for WMS Gaming International, S.L. , Mr. Salat will head up the company's efforts to market electronic gaming devices, and provide product service in new markets outside of North America. Mr. Salat will report to WMS Gaming's Vice President of Worldwide Sales, Seamus McGill.

"Consistent with our long-term strategy to expand internationally, WMS is broadening its sales, service and marketing efforts outside of North America," noted Kevin L. Verner, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of WMS Industries. "Sebastian Salat's expertise and contacts in the international marketplace are well-developed. WMS Gaming's line of top-earning products and Sebastian's established network of gaming decision-makers in key European and Central and South American markets provides a strong starting point for the growth of our international operations."

Prior to joining WMS, Mr. Salat spent twelve years with, and was most recently the Managing Director of, UNIDESA GAMING, a division of CIRSA, the largest slot machine operator in Europe, dedicated to the design, manufacture, sales and service of casino slot and "amusement with prize" (AWP) machines worldwide.

Prior to his appointment as Managing Director, Mr. Salat served as UNIDESA's Casinos and Export Business Unit Director, responsible for research and development, sales and service. He has also served as Director of European Sales and Director of Casino Products, responsible for sales of casino games throughout Europe and defining casino product strategy for all international markets, respectively.

Mr. Salat has also worked as a Product Manager for Distesa Distribucion, S.A., another division of CIRSA, and as a Software Designer and Project Leader, for UNIDESA. Prior to these positions, Mr. Salat worked as a Software Designer for ITASA, a company that was first a developer and manufacturer of electronic scales and engine analyzers and, once gaming was approved in Spain, a manufacturer of gaming products.

"As WMS Gaming has grown in North America, so too has the international casino operators' awareness of Williams' product line," commented Mr. Salat. "The timing is perfect for an assertive sales effort in Europe and South and Central America. We know the international customer wants to put successful multi-coin, multi-line games like Reel `em In(R), Filthy Rich(R) and Jackpot Party(TM), in his casino. By initiating a sales dialogue with the casino operator immediately, we can further focus on their needs, and use our engineering resources at WMS to adapt the products for these new marketplaces. I am confident that we can garner market share in these international markets as we will be marketing some of the best earning products available today."

WMS Gaming Inc. is headquartered in Chicago (800/932-3021) with regional offices serving Las Vegas (702/257-7020), Atlantic City (609/569-0100), Biloxi, MS (228/396-3711), Denver, CO (303/216-2945), Kansas City, MO (816/413-8700), Reno, NV (775/827-6617) and Canada (604/272-3935).

WMS Gaming Inc., a subsidiary of WMS Industries Inc,. designs, manufactures and markets video and reel-spinning gaming devices and video lottery terminals.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning future business conditions and the outlook for the Company based on currently available information that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the financial strength of the gaming industry, the expansion of legalized gaming into new markets, legislation and regulatory changes in existing gaming markets, the development, introduction and success of new games and new technologies and the ability to maintain the scheduling of such introductions, the ability of the Company to qualify for and maintain gaming licenses and approvals, the outcome of certain legal proceedings to which the Company is a party and other risks more full described under "--Factors Affecting Future Performance" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.