Moody's Upgrades Global Cash Access Debt

LAS VEGAS, Jan 23, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Global Cash Access Inc. (NYSE:GCA) ("GCA" or the "company") today announced that Moody's Investors Service has upgraded GCA's corporate family rating to B1 from B2, senior secured bank credit facility rating to Ba3 from B2, and senior subordinated debt rating to B3 from Caa1. The upgrade concludes a review for possible upgrade initiated on Oct. 6, 2005.

Among other factors, Moody's stated that the ratings upgrade reflects the company's significant reduction in financial leverage since the initial rating assignment in February 2004. The upgrade also reflects the company's leading market share, earnings predictability from exclusive, multiyear client contracts, and conservative acquisition appetite.

The complete text of Moody's press release announcing the upgrade is available from Moody's Web site at http://www.moodys.com/moodys/cust/qcksearch/ qckSearch_search_result.asp?searchQuery=807407299&search=5. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

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 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