WAUKEGAN, IL
June 26, 2001
 

Match Game®, Password®, and Beat the Clock® First In WMS' New Classic TV Game Show Series™

   WMS Gaming Inc., a subsidiary of WMS Industries Inc. (NYSE: WMS) has entered into an agreement with Pearson Television's International and Enterprises division, for exclusive US and Canadian licensing rights for gaming devices based on three of the television company's popular game shows. The three titles, Match Game®, Password® and Beat the Clock®, will be the first games in a new line of video
participation slot machines from WMS, branded under the Classic TV Game Show Series™ name. The licensing rights are for the development, manufacture and marketing of gaming devices based on these game shows in the U.S. and Canada.

    WMS anticipates that the first game in the series will be based on Match Game, one of the most popular television game shows of the 70's and 80's. WMS expects to submit Match Game for regulatory approval in Fall 2002. The Company also expects to license additional classic game show tiles for future inclusion in the series.

    "Participation slot machines based on well-known pop culture themes are increasingly commanding more casino floor space and players' attention, providing the potential of greater returns for casinos, our licensors and WMS," said Brian R. Gamache, President and CEO of WMS Industries Inc. "The Classic TV Game Show Series, which already includes three of the biggest and most memorable game show titles in television history, immediately bolsters our growing lineup of branded participation slot machine offerings. 

    The new titles, with their timeless themes, provide our game developers with a myriad of entertaining game elements from which to create a highly engaging series of games that we are confident will be enjoyed by slot players while helping to expand our overall market share in this important segment."

    Simon Spalding, Head of Worldwide Licensing for Pearson Television International and Enterprises, comments: "This deal represents another example of the way in which Pearson Television is successfully translating its classic formats into the gaming and entertainment environment. We are delighted that people will soon be able to enjoy
gaming devices based on Match Game, Password and Beat the Clock - three of the most popular game shows in television history."

    Match Game aired on primetime in the late '70's and early '80's and featured a panel of celebrity guests who played a "fill-in-the-blank" game with contestants. The comedians who acted as the regular panelists provided matchless laughter on one of TV's funniest game shows.

    Beat the Clock was a primetime game show which began airing in the 1950's where contestants tried to "beat the clock" through clever stunts involving whipped cream, custard pies, balloons and other paraphernalia.

    Password featured celebrities who were given the secret "password" and were challenged to provide clues to a partner who would guess the word.
 

Notes to editors

    Pearson Television International and Enterprises is a division of
Pearson Television, one of the largest international producers of
entertainment programs in the world, producing over 190 programs in
more than 35 countries. The division is responsible for exploiting and
developing Pearson Television's properties off-screen in areas such as
merchandising, the Internet, interactive television and wireless. It
also focuses on more traditional ancillary rights businesses such as
licensing and music publishing. Pearson Television is the production
businesses arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio
company, with interests in 23 television channels and 17 radio
stations in 11 European countries. The company's website is
www.pearsontv.com.

    WMS Gaming is headquartered in Waukegan, IL (847/785-3000) with
regional offices in all major domestic gaming jurisdictions, as well
as Barcelona, Spain, Johannesburg, South Africa and Sydney, Australia.
   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, and other
risks more full described under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K and other periodic filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
 

    CONTACT: WMS Gaming Inc. 
             Molly D. Sandberg, 847/785-3122 
             msandberg@wmsgaming.com
             or
             Jaffoni & Collins Incorporated 
             Joseph N. Jaffoni, Richard Land, 212/835-8500 
             wms@jcir.com 
             or
             Pearson Television
             Liz Warner, + 44 (0) 20 7691 6835
             liz.warner@pearsontv.com