Global Cash Access Makes Additional Debt Repayment

LAS VEGAS, Jan 09, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Global Cash Access Inc. (NYSE:GCA) ("GCA" or the "company") today announced that, effective as of Dec. 31, 2005, it had paid down an additional $17.5 million of senior secured term loan indebtedness. Of the $17.5 million paid down, approximately $2.5 million was a required quarterly amortization payment, and the remainder represented a voluntary prepayment of principal. When combined with the $20 million voluntary prepayment of principal made on Oct. 31, 2005, GCA has made approximately $35 million in such voluntary prepayments in 2005.

After giving effect to all principal repayments in the fourth quarter of 2005, GCA estimates that its total indebtedness at Dec. 31, 2005, was $321.4 million. Such estimate is subject to revision, including revisions made in connection with the company's year-end audit of financial statements.

Under the terms of the company's senior secured credit facilities, such prepayments reduce the amounts that the company would otherwise be required to repay as part of the excess cash flow mechanism provided for in those facilities. Based on preliminary data, the company believes that the 2005 voluntary prepayments will serve to eliminate most or all of the excess cash flow payments that would otherwise be required to be made within the first 100 days of 2006.

The company will provide updated estimates of year-end indebtedness and the required excess cash flow payments (if any) in its fourth quarter 2005 earnings conference call.

About Global Cash Access Holdings Inc.

Las Vegas-based Global Cash Access Holdings Inc. is a holding company whose principal asset is the stock of Global Cash Access Inc. ("GCA"). GCA is a leading provider of cash access products and related services to approximately 960 gaming properties and other clients in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the Caribbean. GCA's products and services provide gaming establishment patrons access to cash through a variety of methods, including ATM cash withdrawals, point-of-sale debit card transactions, credit card cash advances, check verification and warranty services, and Western Union money transfers. GCA provides products and services that improve credit decision making, automate cashier operations and enhance patron marketing activities for gaming establishments. With its proprietary database of gaming patron credit history and transaction data on millions of gaming patrons worldwide, GCA is recognized for successfully developing and deploying technological innovations that increase client profitability, operational efficiency and customer loyalty. For more information, please visit GCA's Web site at www.globalcashaccess.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any statement or implication that the 2005 voluntary prepayments will serve to eliminate most or all of the excess cash flow payments that would otherwise be required to be made within the first 100 days of 2006. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that, if realized, could materially impair the company's results of operations, business, and financial condition. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed from time to time in reports filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and the company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation to, update or qualify any of the forward-looking statements made herein.

SOURCE: Global Cash Access Inc.

Global Cash Access Inc.
Harry Hagerty, 702-262-5003 (Investors)
hhagerty@gcamail.com
or
Katcher Vaughn & Bailey
Kristi Gooden, 615-248-8202 (Media)
kgooden@kvpr.com