The transaction will give Boyd 87 contiguous acres on the Las Vegas Strip and the ability to develop future phases of its multibillion-dollar Eschelon Place project, which is replacing the Stardust Casino. The addition of Barbary Coast will give Harrah's control some 350 acres on the Strip.

Boyd says its transaction would be an IRS 1031 exchange. It expects to recognize a non-cash gain of approximately $280 million in the quarter in which the transaction closes. The estimated closing quarter is the first quarter of 2007. Boyd plans to report results from Barbary Coast as discontinued operations beginning in the third quarter.

Boyd's Eschelon Place development is expected to be complete in 2010. Boyd Gaming CEO Bill Boyd says the additional contiguous acreage extends the company's strategic growth pipeline "well into the next decade."