Document:

Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION

QuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

 
 

EXHIBIT 4.4    
  

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT  

by and among

HERBST GAMING, INC.,

and

THE GUARANTORS SIGNATORIES HERETO

and

LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.

and

U.S. BANCORP LIBRA  

Dated as of August 24, 2001  

 

    This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of August 24, 2001, by and among Herbst
Gaming, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), certain subsidiaries of the Company listed on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the
"Guarantors"), and Lehman Brothers Inc. and U.S. Bancorp Libra (each an "Initial Purchaser" and,
collectively, the "Initial Purchasers"), each of whom has agreed to purchase the Company's 103/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2008 (the
"Series A Notes") pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below). 

    This
Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated August 14, 2001, (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and among the
Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Series A Notes, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth
in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 4 of the Purchase Agreement. Capitalized terms
used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Indenture, dated August 24, 2001, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, relating to the
Series A Notes and the Series B Notes (the "Indenture"). 

    The
parties hereby agree as follows: 

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS  

    As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings: 

    "Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 

    "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 144 of the Act. 

    "Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof. 

    "Broker-Dealer" shall mean any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act. 

    "Certificated Securities" shall mean the Definitive Notes, as defined in the Indenture. 

    "Closing Date" shall mean the date hereof. 

    "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

    "Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof. 

    "Consummate" shall mean the occurrence of (a) the filing and effectiveness under the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement relating to the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the maintenance of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of
the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof and (c) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of
Series B Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer. 

    "Consummation Deadline" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof. 

    "Effectiveness Deadline" shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof. 

    "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

    "Exchange Offer" shall mean the exchange and issuance by the Company of a principal amount of Series B Notes (which shall be
registered pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal amount of Series A Notes that are tendered by such Holders in connection with such exchange
and issuance. 

2

 

    "Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall mean the Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related
Prospectus. 

    "Exempt Resales" shall mean the transactions in which the Initial Purchasers propose to sell the Series A Notes to certain
"qualified institutional buyers," as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act and pursuant to Regulation S under the Act. 

    "Filing Deadline" shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof. 

    "Guarantors" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof. 

    "Holders" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2 hereof. 

    "indemnified party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(c) hereof. 

    "indemnifying party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(c) hereof. 

    "Indenture" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof. 

    "Initial Purchaser" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof. 

    "Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the time such Registration Statement is declared
effective, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into
such Prospectus. 

    "Purchase Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof. 

    "Recommencement Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d) hereof. 

    "Registration Default" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5 hereof. 

    "Registration Statement" shall mean any registration statement of the Company and the Guarantors relating to (a) an offering of
Series B Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, in each case,
(i) that is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including
post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein. 

    "Regulation S" shall mean Regulation S promulgated under the Act. 

    "Rule 144" shall mean Rule 144 promulgated under the Act. 

    "Series A Notes" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof. 

    "Series B Notes" shall mean the Company's 103/4% Series B Senior Secured Notes due 2008 to be issued
pursuant to the Indenture (a) in the Exchange Offer or (b) as contemplated by Section 4 hereof. 

    "Shelf Registration Statement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4 hereof. 

    "Suspension Notice" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d) hereof. 

    "TIA" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the
Indenture. 

    "Transfer Restricted Securities" shall mean each (a) Series A Note, until the earliest to occur of (i) the date on
which such Series A Note is exchanged in the Exchange Offer for a Series B Note which is entitled to be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus
delivery requirements of the Act, (ii) the date on which such Series A Note has been 

3

 

disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement (and the purchasers thereof have been issued Series B Notes), or (iii) the date on which such Series A Note is
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act and each (b) Series B Note held by a Broker Dealer until the date on which such Series B Note is disposed of by
a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution"
contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including the delivery of the Prospectus contained therein). 

SECTION 2. HOLDERS  

    A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a "Holder") whenever such Person
owns Transfer Restricted Securities. 

SECTION 3. REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER  

    (a) Unless
the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable federal law (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(iii)(A) hereof have been complied
with), the Company and the Guarantors shall (i) cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be filed with the Commission as soon as practicable after the Closing Date, but in no event
later than 45 days after the Closing Date (such 45th day being the "Filing Deadline"), (ii) use its best efforts to cause such Exchange
Offer Registration Statement to become effective at the earliest possible time, but in no event later than 120 days after the Closing Date (such 120th day being the
"Effectiveness Deadline"), (iii) in connection with the foregoing, (A) file all pre-effective amendments to such Exchange
Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause it to become effective, (B) file, if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Exchange Offer Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act and (C) cause all necessary filings, if any, in connection with the registration and qualification of the Series B Notes to be made
under the Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iv) commence and Consummate the Exchange Offer as soon as practicable after the
Registration Statement has become effective, but in no event later than 150 days after the Closing Date (such 150th day being the "Consummation
Deadline"). The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate form permitting (x) registration of the Series B Notes to be offered in exchange for the
Series A Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities and (y) resales of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered into the Exchange Offer Series A Notes that such
Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its
Affiliates) as contemplated by Section 3(c) hereof. 

    (b) The
Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously, and shall
keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer;  provided, however, that in no
event shall such period be less than 20 Business Days. The Company and the Guarantors shall cause the Exchange Offer to
comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than the Series B Notes shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. 

    (c) The
Company shall include a "Plan of Distribution" section in the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and indicate therein that any
Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted Securities that were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than
Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any Affiliate of the Company), may exchange such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Such "Plan of Distribution"
section shall also contain all other information with respect to such sales by such Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of
Distribution" shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the 

4

 

extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in policy, rules or regulations after the date of this Agreement. 

    Because
such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a Prospectus meeting the requirements of the Act in
connection with its initial sale of any Series B Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Guarantors shall permit the use of the Prospectus contained in
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such prospectus delivery requirement. To the extent necessary to ensure that the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is available for sales of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers, the Company and the Guarantors agree to use their respective best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current as required by and subject to the provisions of Section 6(a) and (c) hereof and in conformity with the
requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of one year from the Consummation Deadline or such
shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto. The Company and the Guarantors shall provide sufficient
copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to such Broker-Dealers, promptly upon request, and in no event later than one day after such request, at any time during such period. 

SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION  

    (a)  Shelf Registration.  If (i) the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law (after the
Company and the Guarantors have complied with the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(iii)(A) hereof) or (ii) if any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall notify the Company
within 20 Business Days following the Consummation Deadline that (A) such Holder was prohibited by law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer or (B) such Holder
may not resell the Series B Notes acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is
not appropriate or available for such resales by such
Holder or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates, then the Company and the Guarantors shall: 

    (x) cause
to be filed, on or prior to 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date on which the Company determines that the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement cannot be filed as a result of clause (a)(i) of this Section 4 and (ii) the date on which the Company receives the notice specified in
clause (a)(ii) of this Section 4, (such earlier date, the "Filing Deadline"), a shelf registration statement pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Act (which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (the "Shelf Registration Statement")), relating to
all Transfer Restricted Securities, and 

    (y) shall
use their respective best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective on or prior to 90 days after the Filing Deadline for
the Shelf Registration Statement (such 90th day the "Effectiveness Deadline"). 

    If,
after the Company has filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement that satisfies the requirements of Section 3(a) hereof, the Company is required to file and make
effective a Shelf Registration Statement solely because the Exchange Offer is not permitted under applicable federal law (i.e., clause (a)(i) of this Section 4), then the filing
of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) of this Section 4(a); provided,
that in such event, the Company shall remain obligated to meet the Effectiveness Deadline set forth in clause (y) of this Section 4(a). 

    To
the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement is available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof entitled to the benefit of this
Section 4(a) and the 

5

 

other securities required to be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii) hereof, the Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective best efforts to keep any Shelf
Registration Statement required by this Section 4(a) continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current as required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(b) and
(c) hereof and in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of at least
two years (as extended pursuant to Section 6(c)(i) hereof) following the Closing Date, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such
Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto. 

    (b)  Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the Shelf Registration Statement.  No
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Company in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a request therefor, the information specified in Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of the Act for use
in connection with any Shelf Registration
Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall be entitled to liquidated damages pursuant to Section 5 hereof unless and
until such Holder shall have provided all such information. Each selling Holder agrees to promptly furnish additional information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously
furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading. 

SECTION 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES  

    If (a) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not filed with the Commission on or prior to the applicable Filing Deadline,
(b) any such Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the applicable Effectiveness Deadline, (c) the Exchange Offer has not been
Consummated on or prior to the Consummation Deadline or (d) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but thereafter ceases to be effective or fails
to be usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded immediately by a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such failure and that is itself declared
effective immediately (each such event referred to in clauses (a) through (d) of this Section 5, a "Registration Default"), then
the Company and the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree to pay to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities affected thereby liquidated damages in an amount equal $.05 per $1,000
principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holder for each week or portion thereof that the Registration Default continues for the first 90-day period immediately
following the occurrence of such Registration Default. The amount of the liquidated damages shall increase by an additional $.05 per $1,000 principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by
such Holder for each week or portion thereof with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of liquidated damages of
$.50 per $1,000 principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holder for each week or portion thereof; provided, that the Company and
the Guarantors shall in no event be required to pay liquidated damages for more than one Registration Default at any given time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein,
(i) upon filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (a) of this Section 5, (ii) upon the
effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (b) of this Section 5, (iii) upon Consummation
of the Exchange Offer, in the case of (c) of this Section 5, or (iv) upon the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or an additional
Registration Statement that causes the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be declared effective or made usable in the case of
(d) of this Section 5, the liquidated damages payable with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities as a result of such clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this
Section 5, as applicable, shall cease. 

6

 

    All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holders entitled thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture, on each Interest Payment Date, as
more fully set forth in the Indenture and the Notes. Notwithstanding the fact that any securities for which liquidated damages are due cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all obligations of
the Company and the Guarantors
to pay liquidated damages with respect to securities shall survive until such time as such obligations with respect to such securities shall have been satisfied in full. 

SECTION 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES  

    (a)  Exchange Offer Registration Statement.  In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company and the
Guarantors shall (i) comply with all applicable provisions of Section 6(c) hereof, (ii) use their respective best efforts to effect such exchange and to permit the resale of
Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered in the Exchange Offer Series A Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of its market-making activities or
other trading activities (other than Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution
thereof, and (iii) comply with all of the following provisions: 

    (A) If,
following the date hereof there has been announced a change in Commission policy with respect to exchange offers such as the Exchange Offer, that in the
reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company raises a substantial question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable federal law, the Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to seek
a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the Company and the Guarantors to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Transfer Restricted Securities. The
Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level. In connection with the foregoing, the Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to take
all such other actions as may be requested by the Commission or otherwise required in connection with the issuance of such decision, including without limitation (1) participating in telephonic
conferences with the Commission, (2) delivering to the Commission staff an analysis prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which such counsel has
concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be permitted and (3) diligently pursuing a resolution (which need not be favorable) by the Commission staff. 

    (B) As
a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Holder who is a
Broker-Dealer) shall furnish, upon the request of the Company, prior to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a written representation to the Company and the Guarantors (which may be contained in
the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the effect that (1) it is not an Affiliate of the Company, (2) it is not engaged in, and does not
intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (3) it is
acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business. As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer each Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution
of the Series B Notes shall acknowledge and agree that, if the resales are of Series B Notes obtained by such Holder in exchange for Series A Notes acquired directly from the
Company or an Affiliate thereof, it (x) could not, under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement, rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in  Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings
Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated
July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (including, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (a)(iii)(A) of this Section 6), and
(y) must
comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that 

7

 

such a secondary resale transaction must be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of
Regulation S-K. 

    (C) Prior
to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall provide a supplemental letter to the Commission
(1) stating that the Company and the Guarantors are registering the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the Commission enunciated in Exxon Capital Holdings
Corporation (available May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) as interpreted
in the Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained
pursuant to clause (a)(iii)(A) of this Section 6, (2) including a representation that neither the Company nor any Guarantor has entered into any arrangement or understanding with
any Person to distribute the Series B Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer and that, to the best of the Company's and each Guarantor's information and belief, each Holder participating in
the Exchange Offer is acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution of the
Series B Notes received in the Exchange Offer and (3) any other undertaking or representation required by the Commission as set forth in any no-action letter obtained
pursuant to clause (a)(iii)(A) of this Section 6, if applicable. 

    (b)  Shelf Registration Statement.  In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company and
the Guarantors shall: 

     (i) comply
with all the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof and use their respective best efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer
Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof (as indicated in the information furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 4(b)
hereof), and pursuant thereto the Company and the Guarantors shall prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Act,
which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof within the time periods and otherwise in
accordance with the provisions hereof, and 

    (ii) issue,
upon the request of any Holder or purchaser of Series A Notes covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement,
Series B Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement and surrendered to the
Company for cancellation; the Company shall register Series B Notes on the Shelf Registration Statement for this purpose and issue the Series B Notes to the purchaser(s) of securities
subject to the Shelf Registration Statement in the names as such purchaser(s) shall designate. 

    (c)  General Provisions.  In connection with any Registration Statement and any related Prospectus
required by this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors shall: 

     (i) use
their respective best efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements for the period specified
in Sections 3 or 4 of this Agreement, as applicable. Upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain an
untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer
Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement curing such defect, and,
if Commission review is required, use their respective best efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective as soon as practicable; 

8

  

    (ii) prepare
and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep
such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set forth in Sections 3 or 4 hereof, as the case may be; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement,
and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, and to comply fully with Rules 424, 430A and 462, as applicable, under the Act in a timely manner; and comply with
the provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus; 

    (iii) advise
each Holder promptly and, if requested by such Holder, confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any applicable Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective,
(B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of
the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification
of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the
happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference
therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or that requires the making of any
additions to or changes in the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall
issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or
exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or Blue Sky laws, the Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective best efforts to obtain the
withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time; 

    (iv) subject
to Section 6(c)(i) hereof, if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof shall exist or have occurred, prepare a
supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as
thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; 

    (v) furnish
to each Holder in connection with such exchange or sale, if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus
included therein or any
amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents
shall be subject to the review and comment of such Holders in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the Company shall not file any such Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents incorporated by reference) to which such Holders shall reasonably
object within five Business Days after the receipt thereof. A Holder shall be deemed to have reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as
applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains an untrue statement of a 

9

 

material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or fails to comply with the applicable requirements of the Act; 

    (vi) promptly
prior to the filing of any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus, provide copies of such document
to each Holder in connection with such exchange or sale, if any, make the Company's and each Guarantor's representatives available for discussion of such document and other customary due diligence
matters, and include such information in such document prior to the filing thereof as such Holders may reasonably request; 

   (vii) make
available, at reasonable times, for inspection by each Holder and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders, all financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents of the Company and the Guarantors (other than portions of agreements and other documents that we are granted confidential treatment by the Commission) and cause the
Company's and each Guarantor's officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness; 

   (viii) if
requested by any Holders in connection with such exchange or sale, promptly include in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or
post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such Holders may reasonably request to have included therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the "Plan of
Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted Securities; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company is
notified of the matters to be included in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; 

    (ix) furnish
to each Holder in connection with such exchange or sale without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the
Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including all documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits, including exhibits incorporated therein by reference, (other than portions of
agreements and other documents that we are granted confidential treatment by the Commission); 

    (x) deliver
to each Holder without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such
Persons reasonably may request; the Company and the Guarantors hereby consent to the use (in accordance with law) of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each selling Holder in
connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto; 

    (xi) upon
the request of any Holder, enter into such agreements (including underwriting agreements) and make such representations and warranties and take all such other
actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any applicable Registration Statement contemplated by this
Agreement as may be reasonably requested by any Holder in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any applicable Registration Statement. In such connection, the Company and the Guarantors
shall: 

    (A) upon
request of any Holder, furnish (or in the case of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Section 6(c)(xi)(A), use its best efforts to cause to be
furnished) to each Holder, upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer or upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be: 

    (1) a
certificate, dated such date, signed on behalf of the Company and each Guarantor by (x) the President or any Vice President of the Company and such
Guarantor and (y) a principal financial or accounting officer of the Company and such 

10

 

Guarantor, confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in Sections 9(g) and (h) of the Purchase Agreement and such other similar matters as such Holders may reasonably request; 

    (2) an
opinion, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, of counsel
for the Company and the Guarantors covering matters similar to those set forth in paragraph (c) of Section 9 of the Purchase Agreement and such other matters as such Holder may
reasonably request, and in any event including a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company and the Guarantors,
representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company and the Guarantors and have considered the matters required to be stated therein and the statements contained therein, although
such counsel has not independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements; and that such counsel advises that, on the basis of the foregoing (relying as to materiality to
the extent such counsel deems appropriate upon the statements of officers and other representatives of the Company and the Guarantors and without independent check or verification), no facts came to
such counsel's attention that caused such counsel to believe that the applicable Registration Statement, at the time such Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto became effective and, in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as of the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, contained an untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such Registration Statement as of its
date and, in the case of the opinion dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Without limiting the foregoing, such counsel may state
further that such counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial statements, notes and schedules and other financial
data included in any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the related Prospectus; and 

    (3) a
customary comfort letter, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, or as of the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the
case may be, from the Company's independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in comfort letters to underwriters in connection with underwritten
offerings, and affirming the matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 9(e) of the Purchase Agreement; and 

    (B) deliver
such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the selling Holders to evidence compliance with the matters covered in
clause (A) of this Section 6(c)(xi) and with any customary conditions contained in the any agreement entered into by the Company and the Guarantors pursuant to clause (xi)
of this Section 6(c); 

   (xii) prior
to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders and their counsel in connection with the registration and
qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders may request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or
advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided,
however, that neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take any action
that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to 

11

 

matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject; 

   (xiii) in
connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer Restricted Securities,
(A) cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends
and (B) register such Transfer Restricted Securities in such denominations and such names as the selling Holders may request at least two Business Days prior to such sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities; 

   (xiv) use
their respective best efforts to cause the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or
approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to
the proviso contained in clause (xii) of this Section 6(c); 

   (xv) provide
a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted Securities not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement covering such Transfer Restricted
Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for the Transfer Restricted Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company; 

   (xvi) otherwise
use their respective best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security
holders with regard to any applicable Registration Statement, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited) covering
a twelve-month period beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as such term is defined in paragraph (c) of Rule 158 under the Act); 

  (xvii) cause
the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by this Agreement and, in
connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the
TIA; and execute and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the
Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and 

  (xviii) provide
promptly to each Holder, upon request, each document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. 

    (d)  Restrictions on Holders.  Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that,
upon receipt of the notice referred to in Section 6(c)(iii)(C) hereof or any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof (in
each case, a "Suspension Notice"), such Holder shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable
Registration Statement until (i) such Holder has received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(iv) hereof, or (ii) such Holder is
advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus
(in each case, the "Recommencement Date"). Each Holder receiving a Suspension Notice hereby agrees that it shall either (i) destroy any
Prospectuses, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder's possession which have been replaced by the Company with more recently dated Prospectuses or (ii) deliver to the Company (at
the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder's possession of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at
the time of receipt of the Suspension Notice. The time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Sections 3 or 4 herein, as 

12

 

applicable, shall be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days in the period from and including the date of delivery of the Suspension Notice to the date of delivery of the
Recommencement Date. 

SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES  

    (a) All
expenses incident to the Company's and the Guarantors' performance of or compliance with this Agreement shall be borne by the Company, regardless of whether a
Registration Statement becomes effective, including without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses; (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal
securities and state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing
of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, the Guarantors and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities;
(v) all application and filing fees in connection with listing the Series B Notes on a national securities exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to the requirements hereof; and
(vi) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or
incident to such performance). 

    The
Company shall, in any event, bear its and the Guarantors' internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing
legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantors. 

    (b) In
connection with any Registration Statement required by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the Shelf
Registration Statement), the Company and the Guarantors shall reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities who are tendering Series A Notes into in the
Exchange Offer and/or selling or reselling Series A Notes or Series B Notes pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution" contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf
Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be Latham & Watkins, unless another firm shall be chosen by the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement is being prepared. 

SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION  

    (a) The
Company and the Guarantors agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its directors, officers and each Person, if any, who
controls such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments,
(including without limitation, any legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any action that could give rise to any such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) provided by the Company to any Holder or any prospective purchaser of Series B Notes or registered Series A Notes, or caused by any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
judgments are caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is based upon information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company by any
of the Holders. 

    (b) Each
Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantors, and their respective directors and officers, and each
person, if any, who controls 

13

 

(within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company, or the Guarantors to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company and the
Guarantors set forth in Section 8(a) hereof, but only with reference to information relating to such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in any
Registration Statement. In no event shall any Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls such Holder be liable or responsible for any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
amount received by such Holder with respect to its sale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer
Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount of any damages that such Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. 

    (c) In
case any action shall be commenced involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) hereof (the
"indemnified party"), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the
"indemnifying person") in writing and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment of counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party and the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred (except that in the case of any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant
to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b) hereof, a Holder shall not be required to assume the defense of such action pursuant to this Section 8(c) hereof, but may employ separate counsel and participate
in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel, except as provided below,
shall be at the expense of the Holder). Any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of
such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnified party unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been specifically authorized in writing by the indemnifying party,
(ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such action or employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or (iii) the named parties to any
such action (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party, and the indemnified party shall have been advised by such counsel that there may be one or
more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the
defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party). In any such case, the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but substantially similar or related
actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local
counsel) for all indemnified parties and all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by a majority of the Holders, in the case of the
parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a) hereof, and by the Company and the Guarantors, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b) hereof. The indemnifying party
shall indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified party from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments by reason of any settlement of any action (i) effected
with its written consent or (ii) effected without its written consent if the settlement is entered into more than twenty business days after the indemnifying party shall have received a request
from the indemnified party for reimbursement for the fees and expenses of counsel (in any case where such fees and expenses are at the expense of the indemnifying party) and, prior to the date of such
settlement, the indemnifying party shall have failed to comply with such reimbursement request. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any
settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action in respect of which the indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity
or contribution may be or could have been sought hereunder by the indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified
party from all liability on claims that are or could have been the subject 

14

 

matter of such action and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of the indemnified party. 

    (d) To
the extent that the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as
a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the
one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from their sale of Transfer Restricted Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by Section 8(d)(i) hereof is not permitted by
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in Section 8(d)(i) hereof but also the relative fault of the Company and the
Guarantors, on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as
any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or such Guarantor, on the one hand, or
by the Holder, on the other hand, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a
party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8(a) hereof, any legal
or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim. 

    The
Company, the Guarantors and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro rata allocation
(even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be
deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any matter,
including any action that could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Holder, its directors, its
officers or any Person, if any, who controls such Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total received by such Holder with respect
to the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount
of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders'
obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8(d) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by each Holder hereunder and not
joint. 

SECTION 9. RULE 144A AND RULE 144  

    The Company and each Guarantor agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which the
Company or such Guarantor (i) is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make available, upon request of any Holder, to such Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer
Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities designated by such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required
by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act in order to permit resales 

15

 

of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A, and (ii) is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make all filings required thereby in a timely
manner in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144. 

SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS  

    (a)  Remedies.  The Company and the Guarantors acknowledge and agree that any failure by the Company
and/or the Guarantors to comply with their respective obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no
adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such
relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company's and the Guarantor's obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof. The Company and the Guarantors further agree to waive the defense in any
action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate. 

    (b)  No Inconsistent Agreements.  Neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall, on or after the date of
this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
Neither the Company nor any Guarantor has previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to its securities to any Person. The rights granted to the Holders
hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company's and the Guarantors' securities under any agreement in effect on the date
hereof. 

    (c)  Amendments and Waivers.  The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless (i) in the case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 10(c)(i), the
Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, the Company has obtained the written
consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities (excluding Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are being tendered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer, may be given by
the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities subject to such Exchange Offer. 

    (d)  Third Party Beneficiary.  The Holders shall be third party beneficiaries to the agreements made
hereunder between the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent they may
deem such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder. 

    (e)  Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in
writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery: 

     (i) if
to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the Indenture; and 

    (ii) if
to the Company or the Guarantors: 

Herbst
Gaming, Inc.

3440 West Russell Road

Las Vegas, Nevada 89118

16

 

Telecopier No.: (702) 740-4630

Attention: Mary E. Higgins 

with
a copy to: 

Kummer
Kaempfer Bonner & Renshaw

3800 Howard Hughes Parkway

Seventh Floor

Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Telecopier No.: (702) 796-7181

Attention: John N. Brewer, Esq. 

    All
such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the
mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery. 

    Copies
of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the Indenture. 

    Upon
the date of filing of the Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, notice shall be delivered to the Initial Purchasers in the form attached hereto as  Exhibit A.

    (f)  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
successors and assigns of each of the parties, including without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders;  provided, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit
any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities in violation of
the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise,
such Transfer Restricted Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed
to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase
Agreement, and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof. 

    (g)  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. 

    (h)  Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit
or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. 

    (i)  Governing Law.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF. 

    (j)  Severability.  In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the
application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby. 

    (k)  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their
agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions,
promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter. 

(signature pages follow)

17

  

    IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above. 

	 	 	HERBST GAMING, INC.
	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

/s/ EDWARD J. HERBST   
 Name: Edward J. Herbst

Title: President & CEO
	

 	
 	

E-T-T, INC.
	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

/s/ EDWARD J. HERBST   
 Name: Edward J. Herbst

Title: President and CEO
	

 	
 	

FLAMINGO PARADISE GAMING, LLC
	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

/s/ EDWARD J. HERBST   
 Name: Edward J. Herbst

Title: Managing Member
	

 	
 	

MARKET GAMING, INC.
	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

/s/ EDWARD J. HERBST   
 Name: Edward J. Herbst

Title: President and CEO
	

 	
 	

E-T-T ENTERPRISES, LLC
	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

/s/ EDWARD J. HERBST   
 Name: Edward J. Herbst

Title: Managing Member
	

 	
 	

CARDIVAN CORPORATION
	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

/s/ EDWARD J. HERBST   
 Name: Edward J. Herbst

Title: President and CEO
	

 	
 	

CORRAL COIN, INC.
	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

/s/ EDWARD J. HERBST   
 Name: Edward J. Herbst

Title: President and CEO

S–1

 

	

 	
 	

CORRAL COUNTRY COIN, INC.
	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

/s/ EDWARD J. HERBST   
 Name: Edward J. Herbst

Title: President and CEO

	LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.	 	 
	

By:	
 	

/s/ MICHAEL KONIGSBERG   
 Name: Michael J. Konigsberg

Title: Managing Director	
 	

 
	

U.S. BANCORP LIBRA, a division of

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.	
 	

 
	

By:	
 	

/s/ ROBERT G. MORRISH   
 Name: Robert G. Morrish

Title: Executive Vice President	
 	

 

S–2

 
 

EXHIBIT A
  
    NOTICE OF FILING OF
  A/B EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT    
  

	To:	 	Lehman Brothers Inc.

U.S. Bancorp Libra

c/o Lehman Brothers Inc.

Three World Financial Center

New York, New York 10285

Attention: Syndicate Department

Fax: (212) 526-6588
	

From:	
 	

Herbst Gaming, Inc.

103/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2008
	

Date:	
 	

                  , 2001

    For
your information only (NO ACTION REQUIRED): 

    Today,            ,
2001, we filed [an A/B Exchange Registration Statement] [a Shelf Registration Statement] with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. We currently expect this registration statement to be declared effective within    business days of the date hereof. 

QuickLinks

EXHIBIT 4.4

EXHIBIT A NOTICE OF FILING OF A/B EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENTPrepared by MERRILL CORPORATION

QuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

 
 

EXHIBIT 10.1    
  

ESCROW AGREEMENT  

    THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of August 24, 2001, among Edward Herbst, Timothy
Herbst and Troy Herbst (collectively the "Herbsts"), Herbst Gaming, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the
"Company"), and E-T-T, Inc., a Nevada corporation
("E-T-T" and, together with the Herbsts and the Company, the "Pledgors"), The
Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the "Trustee") under the Indenture (as defined below), and Wilmington Trust FSB, as escrow
agent (the "Escrow Agent"). 

RECITALS  

    WHEREAS, pursuant to the Indenture dated as of August 24, 2001 (the "Indenture"), among the Company, as
issuer, each of the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture), and the Trustee, the Company has issued $170,000,000 principal amount of its 103/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2008 (the
"Notes"); 

    WHEREAS,
(1) the Herbsts have executed the Pledge and Security Agreement dated August 24, 2001 (the "Herbsts Pledge
Agreement"), in favor of the Trustee, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, (2) the Company has
executed the Pledge and Security Agreement dated August 24, 2001 (the "Company Pledge Agreement"), in favor of the Trustee, a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit B, and (3) E-T-T has executed the Pledge and Security Agreement dated August 24,
2001 (the "E-T-T Pledge Agreement" and, together with the Herbsts Pledge Agreement and the Company Pledge Agreement, the
"Pledge Agreements"), in favor of the Trustee, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit C; 

    WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Pledge Agreements, 100% of the shares of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Pledged Subsidiaries (as defined in the Pledge Agreements), in each
case evidenced by the certificates referred to in Exhibit A of each of the Pledge Agreements (the "Pledged
Securities"), are being pledged to the Trustee as part of the collateral security for the Company's obligations under the Indenture; 

    WHEREAS,
the Trustee desires to provide for the safekeeping of the Pledged Securities and the related stock powers delivered by the Pledgors in accordance with Chapter 463 of the
Nevada Revised Statutes and the regulations promulgated thereunder; and 

    WHEREAS,
the Escrow Agent has consented to act as escrow agent, and to receive and hold the Pledged Securities and such related stock powers in escrow as escrow agent, upon the terms
and conditions hereinafter set forth. 

AGREEMENT  

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the Pledgors, Trustee and the Escrow Agent hereby agree as follows: 

    1.  Escrow Deposit.  The Escrow Agent shall receive and hold in escrow the
Pledged Securities and such related stock powers identified in Exhibit A to each of the Pledge Agreements. From time to time additional pledges of collateral under the Pledge Agreements may be
delivered to the Escrow Agent. All property delivered hereunder from time to time is referred to herein as "Pledged Collateral." The parties hereto hereby acknowledge and agree that the Pledged
Collateral is the collateral of the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Notes (as defined in the Indenture) pursuant to the Pledge Agreements, and that the Escrow Agent shall have no right
or interest in the Pledged Collateral at any time except solely as escrow agent hereunder. 

    2.  Right to Inspect.  The Pledged Collateral shall at all times during the term
of this Agreement (a) remain physically within the State of Nevada at the location previously designated in writing by the Trustee to the Nevada State Gaming Control Board and agreed to by the
Escrow Agent and (b) be made available for inspection by authorized agents and employees of the Nevada State Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission immediately upon request
during normal business hours. 

 

    3.  Foreclosure or Transfer.  The prior written approval of the Nevada Gaming
Commission shall be obtained by the Trustee prior to any surrender of possession, foreclosure, transfer or other enforcement of the possessory security interests in the Pledged Collateral, except for
a transfer of same back to the Pledgors in accordance with the written instructions of the Trustee. 

    4.  Liability of Escrow Services.  In performing any duties under this Agreement,
the Escrow Agent shall not be liable to any party for damages, losses or expenses relating to this Agreement, except to the extent resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the
Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent may act in reliance upon any writing or instrument or signature which it, in good faith, believes to be genuine, and may assume the validity and accuracy of any
statement or assertion contained in such a writing or instrument and may assume that any person purporting to give any writing, notice, advice or instruction in connection with the provisions hereof
has been duly authorized to do so. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to consult with legal counsel in the event that a question or dispute arises with regard to the construction of any of the
provisions hereof, and shall incur no liability and shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel to the extent permissible under applicable law. 

    5.  Fees and Expenses.  It is understood that the fees and usual charges agreed
upon for services of the Escrow Agent, a schedule of which is attached hereto as Exhibit D, shall be considered compensation for ordinary services as contemplated by this Agreement. In the
event that the conditions of this Agreement are not promptly fulfilled by the Trustee or the Company, or if the Escrow Agent renders any service not provided for in this Agreement, or if the Trustee
requests a substantial modification of its terms, or if any controversy arises, or if the Escrow Agent is made a party to, or intervenes in, any litigation pertaining to this Agreement or its subject
matter, the Escrow Agent shall be reasonably compensated for such extraordinary services and reimbursed for all costs, reasonable attorneys' fees (including allocated costs of in-house
counsel), and expenses occasioned by such default, delay, controversy or litigation. The Pledgors, jointly and severally, promise to pay these sums upon demand. The provisions of this Section 5
shall survive the termination of this Agreement. 

    6.  Controversies.  If any controversy arises between the parties to this
Agreement, or with any other party concerning the subject matter of this Agreement or its terms and conditions, the Escrow Agent will not be required to determine the controversy or to take any action
regarding it. The Escrow Agent may hold the Pledged Collateral, and may wait for settlement of any such controversy by final appropriate legal proceedings or other means as, in the Escrow Agent's
reasonable discretion, the Escrow Agent may be required. Furthermore, the Escrow Agent may, at its option, file an action of interpleader requiring the parties concerning the subject matter of this
Agreement to answer and litigate any claims and rights among themselves, and the Pledgors shall pay all costs, expenses and disbursements of the Escrow Agent in connection therewith, including
reasonable attorneys' fees (including allocated costs of in-house counsel). 

    7.  Indemnification of Escrow Agent.  The Pledgors, jointly and severally, agree
to indemnify and hold the Escrow Agent harmless against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees (including allocated costs of
in-house counsel), that may be imposed on the Escrow Agent or incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement, including but not limited
to any litigation arising from this Agreement or involving its subject matter (except to the extent resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent). The provisions of
this Section 7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. 

    8.  Resignation of Escrow Agent.  The Escrow Agent may resign at any time upon
giving at least ten (10) days prior written notice to the Trustee and the Pledgors; provided, however, that no such
resignation shall become effective until the appointment of a successor escrow agent has been accomplished and written notice is given to the Nevada State Gaming Control Board and Nevada 

2

 

Gaming Commission of such successor escrow agent and the address at which the Pledged Collateral shall thereafter be physically located within the State of Nevada. If the Trustee fails to designate a
successor escrow agent within such time, the Escrow Agent shall have the right to appoint a successor escrow agent authorized to do business in the State of Nevada, provided such escrow agent will
hold the Pledged Collateral within the State of Nevada. The successor escrow agent shall execute and deliver an instrument accepting such appointment and it shall, without further acts, be vested with
all the estates, properties, rights, powers and duties of the predecessor escrow agent as if originally named as escrow agent. Thereafter, the Escrow Agent shall be discharged from any further duties
and liability under this Agreement. 

    9.  Successors.  Any financial institution or trust company into which the Escrow
Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated or any financial institution or trust company to which the Escrow Agent may sell or transfer all or substantially all of its
corporate trust business, provided such financial institution or trust company shall meet the requirements of the Nevada State Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission, shall be the
successor to the Escrow Agent without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. This Agreement will be binding on successors and assigns
of each of the Pledgors and the Trustee. 

    10.  Termination.  When and only when directed in writing by the Trustee, the
Escrow Agent shall redeliver the Pledged Collateral to the Pledgors. The Escrow Agent shall not otherwise deliver, transfer or relinquish possession of any Pledged Collateral, except in connection
with the exercise of remedies by the Trustee under the Pledge Agreements and subject to all applicable Nevada Gaming Laws. 

    11.  Miscellaneous.  

    a.  Separability.  Each of the provisions of this Agreement is a separate and distinct agreement and
independent of the others, so that if any provision hereof shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of the other provisions hereof. 

    b.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York, except (i) as the Nevada Gaming Control Act may apply, (ii) as required by mandatory provisions of Nevada law and (iii) to the extent that the validity or
perfection of the lien and security interest hereunder, or remedies hereunder, in respect of any particular portion of the Collateral are governed by the laws of the State of Nevada. 

    c.  Modification or Waivers.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties and may
not be modified or waived except in a writing signed by all parties. 

    d.  Trustee's Rights.  In acting hereunder, Trustee shall be entitled to all rights, privileges,
benefits, protections, immunities and indemnities accorded to it as Trustee under the Indenture. 

    e.  Headings.  The headings of this Agreement are for convenient reference only, and they shall not limit
or otherwise affect the interpretation of any term or provision hereof. 

    f.  Capitalized Terms.  Any capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined shall have the
meaning ascribed to them in the Pledge Agreements. 

    g.  Notices.  Notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly
given three business days after being sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the 

3

 

following addresses (or such other addresses as any of the parties may have furnished to the other parties in writing by registered mail, return receipt requested): 

	

Trustee:	
 	

The Bank of New York

101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West

New York, New York 10268

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
	

The Escrow Agent:	
 	

Wilmington Trust FSB

3773 Howard Hughes Parkway

Suite 300 North

Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Attention: Christopher J. Monigle
	

Pledgors:	
 	

Herbst Gaming, Inc.

E-T-T, Inc.

Edward Herbst, Timothy Herbst and Troy Herbst

3440 West Russell Road

Las Vegas, Nevada 89118

Telecopier No.: (702) 740-4630

Attention: Mary E. Higgins
	

 	
 	

With a copy to:
	

 	
 	

Kummer Kaempfer Bonner & Renshaw

3800 Howard Hughes Parkway

Seventh Floor

Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Telecopier No.: (702) 796-7181

Attention: John N. Brewer, Esq.

(Signature Page Follows)  

4

 

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first written above. 

	

PLEDGORS:	
 	

TRUSTEE:
	

HERBST GAMING, INC.,

a Nevada corporation	
 	

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

a New York banking corporation
	

By:	

/s/ EDWARD J. HERBST   
 Name: Edward J. Herbst

Title: President and CEO	
 	

By:	

/s/ STACEY POINDEXTER   
 Stacey Poindexter

Assistant Vice President
	

E-T-T, Inc., a Nevada corporation	
 	

THE ESCROW AGENT:

WILMINGTON TRUST FSB
	

By:	

/s/ EDWARD J. HERBST   
 Name: Edward J. Herbst

Title: President and CEO	
 	

By:	

/s/ CHRISTOPHER J. MONIGLE   
 Name: Christopher J. Monigle

Title: Assistant Secretary
	

EDWARD HERBST	
 	

 	

 
	

/s/ EDWARD J. HERBST   
	
 	

 	

 
	

TIMOTHY HERBST	
 	

 	

 
	

/s/ TIMOTHY HERBST   
	
 	

 	

 
	

TROY HERBST	
 	

 	

 
	

/s/ TROY HERBST   
	
 	

 	

 

S–1

QuickLinks

EXHIBIT 10.1

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00030-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00030-of-00352.parquet"}]]