Harrah's Entertainment Inc., which is being taken private in a $17.1 billion deal, said Wednesday its third-quarter profit climbed 38 percent in part on solid results from Las Vegas and Atlantic City, N.J.The world's largest casino operator by revenue reported earnings grew to $244.4 million, or $1.28 per share, from $177.2 million, or 95 cents per share, in the prior year. Revenue rose 13 percent to $2.84 billion from $2.5 billion.

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations climbed to $1 per share from 94 cents.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected net income on that basis of $1.01 per share on revenue of $2.69 billion. The earnings estimates typically exclude one-time items.

Las Vegas revenue increased to $900.4 million from $812.4 million, while Atlantic City revenue climbed to $671.5 million from $560.2 million. Las Vegas results benefited from the acquisition of Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon in the first quarter, the company said.