Rene Angelil is ahead of the game in terms of gambling wins and losses, Caesars Palace says. Laurence Fishburne seen at Tangerine.

Caesars Palace, in a statement considered breathtaking for its rare detail by a gaming giant, criticized the media for "grossly inaccurate" and "entirely false" reports about the gambling losses of Celine Dion's husband/manager, Rene Angelil.

Responding to a British newspaper report that quoted Harrah's executive Jan Jones as saying Angelil had a $1 million-a-week gambling habit, Caesars Palace President Gary Selesner denounced the media coverage and released Angelil's gambling numbers, a stunning disclosure.

Selesner's statement did not mention Jones, senior vice president of communications and government relations for Harrah's Entertainment Inc., the parent company of Caesars Palace.

In an interview published here Tuesday, Jones confirmed that she mentioned Angelil was gambling $1 million a week during her interview with The Observer in London. But she insisted that she only was repeating remarks made at a forum by a "Canadian scientist" who studies pathological gamblers.

"Shame on me for not thinking," she said in the Tuesday interview.

Selesner, in his statement, said, "In deference to the privacy of all our guests, we don't discuss their gaming or hotel patronage, but with Rene's permission, we would like to set the record straight. His casino losses in 2005 and 2006 have totaled exactly $230,300, which have been more than offset by his tournament poker winnings, of $259,079, which are posted on the Internet."

Selesner added, "Rene and his wife Celine Dion are very dear to us. In addition to being the best partners a business person could want, they are exemplary people, whose integrity, achievement and philanthropy have justly earned worldwide respect.

"In life and in business, Rene is a winner, and one of the finest people I have ever known. Caesars Palace is very sorry for any embarrassment that may have resulted from the media speculation."

Cardplayer.com lists Angelil's lifetime winnings at $344,194, most of it won in tournaments at Bellagio.

Angelil's gambling habits generated headlines long before Dion began as Caesars' headliner in 2003.

Responding to rumors, she told Swedish reporters in 2002 that both she and Angelil operated on daily budgets. She put limits on herself, she said, because of her shopping sprees.

"The best way is divide the money into equal amounts and put it in an envelope for each day of the week. When the money is gone, we are not allowed to spend any more that day."

And when that happens, "He doesn't get any money the next day," Dion said.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Sammy Davis Jr. will become the first member of the Rat Pack to get a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars, during ceremonies Feb. 15 in Le Bistro Room at the Riviera. Fans of the late Bobby Darin are raising funds to have him honored with a star May 14, which would be his 71st birthday.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

For our on-the-run Super Bowl fans:

Best hot dog -- Pink's chili cheese dog, Aladdin/Planet Hollywood; cost: $6.95.

Best cheeseburger -- In-N-Out Burger, many locations; cost: priceless.

Best Mexican buffet -- El Patron Mexican Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 2797 S. Maryland Parkway, Saturday and Sunday; cost: $11.99.

SIGHTINGS

Seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, lounging Thursday in the new Heart Bar at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood after golf at Southern Highlands. ... Britney Spears, sporting multi-color extensions to go with her black hairdo Thursday after four hours at Amp (Palms) . ... Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., getting a manicure and passing out $100 tips Thursday at the Nail Shack at Tropicana and Jones. ... At Tangerine (Treasure Island) on Wednesday: actor Laurence Fishburne, in town for the filming of "21," poker star Phil Ivey and Philippine actress Aubrey Miles.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Barry Bonds' agent said that Bonds could hit as many as 1,000 home runs. And the agent admitted he's on more drugs than Barry Bonds.'' -- Conan O'Brien

Reach Norm Clarke at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.