HARVEYS CASINO RESORTS
EXHIBIT 10.3
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.3
<SEQUENCE>5
<FILENAME>a2027753zex-10_3.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.3
<TEXT>

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3


                                                                    May 15, 2000





                            EXECUTIVE RETENTION AWARD


Edward B. Barraco
756 Silverberry Lane
Golden, CO 80401

Dear Ed:

     We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to participate in
the executive retention program (the "Retention Program") recently approved by
the Board of Directors of Harveys Casino Resort, a Nevada Corporation (together
with any successor thereto, the "Company"). All capitalized terms used herein
shall have the meaning assigned to them in Annex A, unless otherwise indicated.

     As you know, the Company, by and through subsidiaries, has entered into
merger agreements (as the same may be amended, supplemented, or superseded from
time to time) (collectively the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which the
Company expects to purchase 100% of the equity of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.,
subject to obtaining all required regulatory approvals and other consents (the
"Transaction"). The Retention Program has been implemented to provide you with
additional incentives to assist the Company in consummating the Transaction and
to otherwise perform the duties of your employment during this period of
transition. The Retention Program is also designed to provide you with certain
enhanced benefits in the event of certain terminations of your employment, as
described herein. Pursuant to the Retention Program, you will be entitled to the
following payments and benefits, on and subject to the terms and conditions set
forth below.


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          (1) RETENTION BONUS. You will be entitled to a special retention bonus
     equal to One Hundred Percent (100%) of your annual base salary rate, in
     addition to any other bonuses to which you are entitled under the Company's
     regular incentive plans if (a) the Transaction is consummated in accordance
     with the Merger Agreement and (b) you remain continuously employed by the
     Company until the date the Transaction is consummated ("Acquisition
     Effective Date"). The special retention bonus will be payable to you in one
     lump sum cash payment as soon as reasonably practicable, but not more than
     ten (10) business days following the Acquisition Effective Date. In
     addition, if, (a) the Transaction is consummated in accordance with the
     Merger Agreement and (b) you are terminated by the Company without Cause
     (other than any such termination due to your disability) at any time after
     the date hereof and prior to the Acquisition Effective Date, you will also
     be entitled to the same bonus. In addition, notwithstanding any provision
     of the Management Incentive Plan (MIP), you shall be entitled to receive,
     as soon as reasonably practicable, in no event more than 10 business days
     following the date you are terminated by the Company without Cause (other
     than any such termination due to your disability), any Annual Bonus accrued
     under the MIP but unpaid for any fiscal year of employer ending on or prior
     to the date of your termination, notwithstanding Paragraph 9 of the Plan
     requiring employment on the day of the actual payment of the MIP Annual
     Bonus.

          (2) ACCELERATION OF EQUITY AWARDS. All of your outstanding Stock
     Awards and Option Awards except your Incentive Stock Grant Shares will
     become fully vested and exercisable as of the Acquisition Effective Date if
     (a) the Transaction is consummated in accordance with the Merger Agreement
     and (b) your employment with the Company is terminated by the Company
     without Cause (other than termination due to your disability) at any time
     after the date hereof and prior to the one year anniversary of the
     Acquisition Effective Date. In the event your termination of employment
     occurs prior to the Acquisition Effective Date, any Stock Awards and Stock
     Options that would be forfeited by you as of the date of such termination
     of your employment in accordance with your Award Agreement (such awards the
     "Unvested Awards"), shall remain outstanding but shall only be exercisable
     by you during the 90 day period immediately following the Acquisition
     Effective Date if the Transaction is consummated in accordance with the
     Merger Agreement. All Stock Awards and Option Awards shall continue to be
     subject to the Company's call right under the Award Agreement.

          If (a) the Transaction is consummated in accordance with the Merger
     Agreement and (b) your employment with the Company is terminated by the
     Company without Cause (other than termination due to your disability) at
     any time after the date hereof and prior to the one year anniversary of the
     Acquisition Effective Date, each Incentive Stock Grant Share that has been
     awarded to you, with respect to the Bluffs Run Casino Acquisition Project
     shall remain outstanding following your Termination Date until the
     expiration of the performance period governing the accelerated vesting of
     such Incentive Stock Grant Shares. If all objectives of such Incentive
     Stock Grant Share are achieved so there is no longer a risk of forfeiture
     on or prior to the end of such performance period, your shares will become
     fully vested.


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          (3) SEVERANCE BENEFITS. If (a) the Transaction is consummated in
     accordance with the Merger Agreement and (b) your employment with the
     Company is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than any such
     termination due to your disability) at any time after the date hereof and
     prior to the one year anniversary of the Acquisition Effective Date, you
     will be entitled to severance benefits consisting of continued payments of
     your base salary at the rate in effect at the date of your termination for
     one year and continued medical, dental and vision coverage for one year on
     substantially the same terms and conditions (including requirements
     concerning co-payments, deductibles, etc.) as immediately prior to such
     termination. The severance benefits payable under this Paragraph (3) shall
     be reduced by the amount of any severance benefits payable to you under any
     other severance or employment arrangement or agreement applicable to you.

     You hereby covenant and agree that, in consideration of the payments and
benefits described herein, during your employment with the Company and for the
one year period following the date of your termination of employment at any time
prior to the first anniversary of the Acquisition Effective Date and for any or
no reason, you shall not at any time in the Central City, Blackhawk Area; or for
or in respect of any entity which, directly or indirectly, including through
affiliates, has operations in the Central City, Blackhawk Area; directly or
indirectly, (i) engage in any business for your own account that is competitive
with the business of the Company, or its subsidiaries, affiliates, or assigns,
of owning, operating, managing and/or developing hotel/casinos (the "Business");
(ii) enter the employ of, or render any consulting services to, any entity that
competes with the Company, or its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, or
assigns, in the Business; or (iii) become interested in any such entity in any
capacity, including, without limitation, as an individual, partner, shareholder,
officer, director, principal, agent, trustee or consultant; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
you may (A) own, directly or indirectly, solely as a passive investment,
securities of any entity traded on any national securities exchange or market if
you are not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such
entity and does not, directly or indirectly, own 5% or more of any class of
securities of such entity, and (B) be employed by an entity which has a
hotel/casino or casino in the Central City, Blackhawk Area; provided (i) you use
no confidential, proprietary or competitive information of the Company, and
(ii)] you are not employed at or have direct supervisory responsibilities over
operations at said facility.

     You hereby further covenant and agree that, in consideration of the
payments and benefits described herein, during your employment with the Company
and thereafter, you shall not, publicly or privately, disparage or otherwise
make any derogatory statement (whether written or oral) in respect of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, including, without limitation,
Colony Capital, Inc., its employees, owners and affiliates, or the conduct of
any of their respective business or professional activities.

     Your entitlement to receive any of payments or benefits under this letter
agreement is conditioned upon (i) your signing and returning to the Company a
general release of claims in form and substance substantially as set forth on
Annex B attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, in the case of the
payments and benefits described in Paragraphs (2) and (3), and (ii)

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your compliance with your covenants and agreements hereunder. In the event of
your breach of any such covenants or agreements, the Company shall be entitled
to obtain injunctive relief (without requirement of posting a bond) in addition
to any other relief to which it may be entitled.

     The Company will require any successor (by purchase, merger, consolidation
or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its business and/or assets to
assume and agree to perform this letter agreement in the same manner and to the
same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such
succession had taken place.

     During the effective period of this letter agreement, the geographic area
and other portions of your Covenant not to Compete dated August 24, 1995 will be
superseded. Your Confidentiality Agreement and the remaining terms of your
Employment Agreement shall not be superseded. This letter agreement constitutes
the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof, and all promises, representations, understandings, arrangements
and prior arrangements relating to such subject matter are merged herein and
superseded hereby.

     This letter agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the
Company and its successors and permitted assigns. This letter agreement shall
also be binding on and inure to the benefit of you and your heirs, executors,
administrators and legal representatives.

     This letter agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Nevada without reference to principles of conflicts of
laws which would require the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

     If you are in agreement with the terms and conditions set forth herein,
please indicate your agreement to be bound hereby by executing this letter
agreement in the space provided below and returning the fully executed letter
agreement by facsimile and U.S. Mail to: Ron Alling, Scarpello & Alling, Ltd.,
P.O. Box 3390, Stateline, NV 89449-3390 Fax: (775) 588-4970.

                                      HARVEYS CASINO RESORTS, a Nevada
                                        Corporation.


                                      By /s/ Charles W. Scharer
                                         -------------------------
                                         CHARLES W. SCHARER
                                         President/CEO


Accepted and agreed this
___ day of May, 2000.


/s/ Edward B. Barraco
---------------------
Edward B. Barraco

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                                                                         ANNEX A

     For the purposes of this letter agreement and the Retention Program, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:

     "Award Agreement" shall mean the Management Stock Option and Restricted
     Stock Agreement, dated as of February 2, 1999, between you and the Company.

     "Cause" shall mean (A) gross negligence or willful malfeasance in the
     performance of your duties to the Company (B) conviction of any felony or
     conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude; (C) dishonesty with
     respect to the Company (including, without limitation, fraud); (D) use or
     imparting of any confidential or propriety information of the Company or
     any subsidiary or affiliate in violation of the Company's policy regarding
     confidentiality or any confidentiality or proprietary agreement to which
     you are party, which act or actions have a material adverse affect on the
     Company; or (E) failure to obtain or retain any permits, licenses, or
     approvals which may be required by any state or local authorities in order
     to permit you to continue your employment with the Company.

     "Class A Common Stock" shall mean the Class A common stock, par value $.01
     per share the Company.

     "Class B Common Stock" shall mean the Class B common stock, par value $.01
     per share the Company.

     "Stock Award" shall mean the restricted stock granted to you by the Company
     pursuant to the Award Agreement.

     "Option Award" shall mean the options to purchase shares of Class A and
     Class B Common Stock granted to you by the Company pursuant to the Award
     Agreement.


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                                                                         ANNEX B


                         CONFIDENTIAL RELEASE AGREEMENT


     WHEREAS, Edward R. Barraco (the "Executive") is party to an Employment
Agreement, dated as of ____________________ and a Retention Agreement dated as
of ___________________, both with Harveys Casino Resorts, a Nevada corporation
(the "Company") (said Employment Agreement and the Retention Agreement, as each
may be amended from time to time, are collectively referred to herein as the
"Agreements"); and

     WHEREAS, the Executive's employment with the Company has been terminated
and, in connection therewith, the Executive is entitled to receive certain
payments and benefits pursuant to the Agreements (such payments and benefits
referred to herein as the "Termination Benefits"); and

     WHEREAS, it is a condition to the obligation of the Company to pay the
Termination Benefits to the Executive that the Executive execute and deliver to
the Company this Confidential Release Agreement (the "Release Agreement");

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the payment to the Executive of the
Termination Benefits, each of the Executive and the Company hereby agree as
follows:

     1. CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition
shall have meanings assigned thereto in the Agreements, as applicable.


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     2. EXECUTIVE'S RESIGNATION. The Executive's employment with the Company is
terminated [STATE TYPE OF TERMINATION] and Executive hereby resigns from each of
his employment positions with the Company or any of its Affiliates, effective on
___________________ (the "Date of Termination"). The Executive shall execute and
deliver such documents evidencing his resignation hereunder as the Company may
reasonably request.

     3. EXECUTIVE'S GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVER.

     (a) THE EXECUTIVE, ON HIS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF HIS AGENTS,
REPRESENTATIVES, ASSIGNS, HEIRS, EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS (COLLECTIVELY, THE
"EXECUTIVE RELEASORS") HEREBY RELEASES, REMISES AND ACQUITS THE COMPANY, EACH OF
ITS AFFILIATES AND EACH OF ITS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS,
SHAREHOLDERS, MEMBERS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, CONSULTANTS, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS,
ATTORNEYS, ADVISERS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS (COLLECTIVELY, THE "COMPANY
RELEASEES"), JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY, FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION,
CHARGES, COMPLAINTS, DEMANDS, COSTS, RIGHTS, LOSSES, DAMAGES AND OTHER LIABILITY
WHATSOEVER, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN (COLLECTIVELY, THE "CLAIMS"), WHICH THE EXECUTIVE
HAS OR MAY HAVE AGAINST ANY COMPANY RELEASEE ARISING ON OR PRIOR TO THE DATE OF
THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF DISMISSAL,
REDUNDANCY, BREACH OF

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CONTRACT, DISABILITY, DISCRIMINATION, UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION FROM WAGES, BREACH
OF RIGHTS OF ENTITLEMENTS UNDER THE UNITED STATES AGE DISCRIMINATION IN
EMPLOYMENT ACT, THE UNITED STATES AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990,
THE UNITED STATES FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 1993, TITLE VII OF THE
UNITED STATES CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964,42 U.S.C. SECTION 1981, THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEVADA AND ANY WORKERS COMPENSATION OR DISABILITY CLAIMS OR ANY
OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAW, OTHER THAN THE EXCLUDED CLAIMS (AS
DEFINED BELOW). THE EXECUTIVE FURTHER AGREES THAT THE EXECUTIVE WILL NOT FILE
OR PERMIT TO BE FILED ON THE EXECUTIVE'S BEHALF ANY SUCH CLAIM.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE PRECEDING SENTENCE OR ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS RELEASE
AGREEMENT, THIS RELEASE IS FOR ANY RELIEF, NO MATTER HOW DENOMINATED,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, WAGES, BACK PAY, FRONT PAY,
COMPENSATORY DAMAGES, AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN
TO THE CONTRARY, THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY EXCLUDED CLAIM.

     (b) THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE TERMINATION BENEFITS THE EXECUTIVE
IS RECEIVING IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING RELEASE ARE IN ADDITION TO
ANYTHING OF VALUE TO WHICH THE EXECUTIVE IS ALREADY ENTITLED FROM THE COMPANY OR


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ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY COMPANY RELEASEE.

     (c) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Excluded Claims" means claims
to enforce any of the Executive's rights under or pursuant to this Release
Agreement, the Agreements, the Amended Award Agreement dated the ___ day of
______________, the Incentive Stock Grant Plan dated the ____ day of
_________________, the Amended Deferred Compensation Agreement dated the ____
day of __________________, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan or [the
Company's D&O indemnification arrangements].

     4. KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY WAIVER BY THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive
acknowledges that, by his free and voluntary act of signing below, the Executive
agrees to all of the terms of this Release Agreement and intends to be legally
bound thereby.

     5. ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE OF HIS RIGHT TO CONSIDER AND REVOKE THIS
RELEASE; EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT.

     (a) The Executive understands, agrees and acknowledges that:

          A. He has been advised and encouraged by the Company to have this
     Release Agreement reviewed by legal counsel of the Executive's own choosing
     and that he has been given ample time to do so prior to his signing this
     Release Agreement;

          B. He has been provided at least twenty-one (21) days to consider this

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     Release Agreement and to decide whether to agree to the terms contained
     herein;

          C. He will have the right to revoke this Release Agreement during the
     seven (7) day period following the date the Executive signs this Release
     Agreement by giving written notice of his revocation to ________ of the
     Company at [DELIVERY ADDRESS] on or prior to the seventh day after the date
     the Executive signs this Release Agreement and if the Executive exercises
     his right to revoke this Release Agreement, he will forfeit his right to
     receive any of the Termination Benefits;

          D. The Termination Benefits provided herein will not be paid to the
     Executive until at least eight (8) days after the Executive signs this
     Release Agreement and will be paid only if the Executive does not revoke
     this Release Agreement pursuant to C above; and

          E. By signing this Release Agreement, the Executive represents that he
     fully understands the terms and conditions of this Release Agreement and
     intends to be legally bound by them.

     (b) This Release Agreement will become effective, enforceable and
irrevocable seven (7) days after the date on which it is executed by the
Executive and provided it is not revoked by the Executive during such seven (7)
day period (the "Effective Date").

     6. GOVERNING LAW. This Release Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without reference to
principles of conflicts of laws.


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     7. SEVERABILITY. The parties hereto intend that the validity and
enforceability of any provision of this Release Agreement shall not affect or
render invalid any other provision hereof.

     8. BINDING AGREEMENT. This Release Agreement shall be binding on and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Executive and the Company, by its duly
authorized representative, has caused this Release Agreement to be executed as
of this _______ day of ________________________, 2000.

                                               HARVEYS CASINO RESORTS, a Nevada
                                                corporation



                                               By: _____________________________

                                               Title:___________________________

                                               EMPLOYEE



                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Edward R. Barraco


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