07:57 PM EDT on Saturday, June 11, 2005

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Nevada gambling regulators have signed off on the merger between Harrah’s Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment.

Caesars southern Indiana casino near Louisville is part of the deal.

When the deal closes Monday, the merger will create the largest gambling company in the world with nearly 100,000 employees and $9 billion in revenues.

Receiving approval from the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission was the last regulatory hurdle the Las Vegas-based companies faced.

Gambling regulators in New Jersey, Louisiana, Mississippi and Indiana already have OK’d the deal, along with the Federal Trade Commission, which gave its blessing Wednesday.

During regulatory hearings yesterday, Harrah’s officials said the deal was worth $9 billion, making it the largest merger in the industry’s history.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)