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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2002

For the transition period from                              to                             

Commission file number 0-23588

PAUL-SON GAMING CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(702) 384-2425
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE
(Title of class)

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ý Yes    o No

        Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

        The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of July 8, 2002, based on the closing price as reported on the Nasdaq National Market of $3.25 per share, was approximately $5,610,875.

        Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of July 8, 2002.

        Common Stock, $.01 par value, 3,456,654 outstanding shares at July 8, 2002.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

        Portions of the definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relative to the Company's meeting of stockholders to be held in the fourth calendar quarter of 2002 are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof (as indicated therein).

PART I

Item 1. Business

        Paul-Son Gaming Corporation, a Nevada Corporation (the "Company" or "Paul-Son"), believes it is a leading manufacturer and supplier of casino table game equipment in the United States. The Company's products include casino chips, table game layouts, playing cards, dice, gaming furniture and miscellaneous table accessories such as chip trays, drop boxes and dealing shoes, which are used in conjunction with casino table games such as blackjack, poker, baccarat, craps and roulette. The Company is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, with its manufacturing facilities located in San Luis, Mexico and primary sales offices in Las Vegas, Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Company sells its products in every state in which casinos operate in the United States.

        The Company also makes retail sales of casino-quality products for personal use, including poker chips, "Fantasy Casino" chips, dice, playing cards and gift items made with Paul-Son components. Scaled-down gaming furniture and accessories are also offered for personal use. The Company through its Authentic Products, Inc. ("Authentic Products") subsidiary, offers many of its products to the non-gaming and specialty markets, although this has not yet become a significant business for the Company.

        The Company was founded in 1963 by its former Chairman, Paul S. Endy, Jr. and initially manufactured and sold dice to casinos in Las Vegas. In the more than 39 years since its founding, the Company has expanded its product offerings and, as the industry has expanded and gaming has been legalized in other jurisdictions, its customer and geographic base. As a result of this growth, the Company now offers a full line of table game products.

        As a full-service supplier, Paul-Son manufactures products to meet particular customer and industry specifications, which may include a range of shapes and sizes, varied color schemes and other graphics, and security and anti-counterfeit features. The useful lives of the Company's products typically range from several hours in the case of playing cards and dice, to several months in the case of layouts, and several years in the case of casino chips and gaming furniture. As such, the Company's primary business is the ongoing replacement sale of these products. When a new casino opens, the Company strives to supply most of the products required to operate the casino's table games, frequently on a sole-supplier basis. When successful, revenues are generated both from the initial sale to the new casino and on a continuing basis as the new casino becomes part of the Company's primary customer base.

        The Company operates in one operating segment—casino game equipment products. See the Business Segment disclosure in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.

Recent Developments

Debt Financing

        In March 2002, the Company entered into a $995,000 loan transaction with a financial institution. The Company is using the cash proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes. The loan is secured by a first deed of trust on the Company's Las Vegas, Nevada headquarters. The Company is required to make monthly principal and interest payments of approximately $7,300 with a balloon payment of approximately $874,000 due in March 2012. Interest accrues at a variable rate (approximately 8% at May 31, 2002).

Proposed Combination

        On April 11, 2002, the Company entered into an exchange agreement (the "combination agreement") for the combination of the Company, Bourgogne et Grasset SA ("B&G") and B&G's

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wholly-owned subsidiary, The Bud Jones Company, Inc. ("Bud Jones"). Pursuant to the combination agreement, Paul-Son will acquire 100% of the stock of B&G in exchange for (a) shares of Paul-Son common stock which immediately after the closing will equal 53.45% of the shares of Paul-Son common stock outstanding and (b) the warrants to provide antidilution protection to the extent that any stock options or other stock conversion rights to acquire Paul-Son common stock that are outstanding at the completion of the combination are subsequently exercised. Based on 3,456,654 shares of Paul-Son common stock outstanding, Paul-Son will issue an additional 3,969,026 shares of its common stock to the stockholders of B&G which will result in a total of 7,425,680 shares outstanding immediately after the completion of the combination. Assuming the closing was as of July 8, 2002, the B&G stockholders would be entitled to warrants to purchase an aggregate of approximately 477,000 shares pursuant to the terms of the combination agreement. The actual number of shares underlying the warrants, however, may change. Paul-Son will also purchase 100% of the shares in B&G's wholly-owned subsidiary, Bud Jones. In payment of the Bud Jones shares, Paul-Son will issue a promissory note to B&G in the principal amount of $5,437,016. The promissory note will be payable in full on the fifth anniversary of the closing of the combination. Interest on the promissory note will be payable annually at a rate equal to the average prime rate for the year. B&G will not distribute the note to its stockholders, but the note will remain an asset of B&G. As a result, B&G and Bud Jones will become wholly-owned subsidiaries of Paul-Son.

        Upon completion of the combination, Paul-Son will expand our board of directors from four to seven persons. The Paul-Son board of directors will consist of four persons to be designated by Holding Wilson, the principal stockholder of B&G, and three persons from Paul-Son's current board of directors. The four individuals that will be designated by Holding Wilson are Francois Carretté, Gérard Charlier, Benoit Aucouturier and Alain Thieffry. Each of these individuals currently serves on the B&G board of directors, other than Alain Thieffry who serves on the board of directors of Holding Wilson. In addition, three individuals designated by Paul-Son who are currently serving on the Paul-Son board of directors will remain on the board after the combination. These individuals are Eric P. Endy, Jerry West and Paul Dennis. As the regular term of Eric P. Endy expires in 2002, the Paul-Son stockholders will be asked at the annual meeting to re-elect Mr. Endy to serve as a director of the Paul-Son board of directors. As a condition to the combination agreement, Paul-Son will receive the resignation of Richard Scott as a director. In connection with the combination and the proposed amendments to Paul-Son's bylaws, the Paul-Son board of directors will no longer be divided into classes, so that, effective upon the completion of the combination after each director's current term expires, all directors of Paul-Son will stand for election at each annual stockholders' meeting, subject to their earlier resignation or removal.

        After the combination, the management of Paul-Son is expected to be as set forth below:

        Pursuant to a stock purchase agreement among Paul-Son controlling stockholder, the Paul S. Endy, Jr. Living Trust (the "Endy Trust"), Eric P. Endy and the stockholders of B&G, the stockholders of B&G agreed to purchase an aggregate of 670,000 shares of Paul-Son's common stock from the Endy Trust for an aggregate purchase price of $1.0 million. the Endy Trust sold the first 40,000 shares to the B&G stockholders at the execution of the combination agreement. The Endy Trust will sell the remaining 630,000 shares to the B&G stockholders upon the completion of the combination. Upon

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completion of both the combination and the purchase of shares from the Endy Trust, the stockholders of B&G will own approximately 63.0% of Paul-Son's outstanding shares. The Endy Trust has agreed to sell for no additional consideration 34,556 additional shares to the B&G stockholders if the Nasdaq SmallCap Market delists Paul-Son's common stock as a result of the combination.

        The combination agreement will be presented to Paul-Son's stockholders for approval at an annual meeting of stockholders to be held in the fourth calendar quarter of 2002. The description of the proposed combination is qualified in its entirety by the detailed description contained in the Company's definitive proxy materials to be filed in connection with the upcoming annual meeting of stockholders. The Company has filed preliminary proxy materials with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and hopes to complete the review process in the near future. Upon completion, definitive proxy materials will be completed, filed and mailed to stockholders as of a record date to be set by the Board of Directors. The preliminary proxy materials are available through the Securities and Exchange Commission website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/webusers.htm.

Products

Casino Chips

        Paul-Son designs and manufactures casino chips to meet a variety of customer preferences and specifications, including size, weight, ability to stack, ease of handling, texture, color, graphics, durability, security and anti-counterfeit features. Casino chips are manufactured from a proprietary formulation of approximately ten raw materials using a compression molding system that management believes is unique to the industry. The Company has developed the ability to mold detailed graphics bearing casino logos or other designs onto both sides of a chip. In addition, customized security and identifying features are incorporated into a chip.

        A casino will generally order all of its chips, including replacement chips after wear and usage, from a single supplier. Accordingly, Paul-Son strives to become the original chip supplier to a casino upon its opening. A new casino order will typically include approximately five distinct chip colors and styles, ranging in denominations from $1 to $1,000. The Company's selling price is generally between $.60 and $.80 per chip, depending upon the specification, quantities, design and security features. Given this relatively low cost and a chip's expected lifespan of five or more years, management believes that competition is generally based upon factors other than price.

        The Company manufactures all of its chips at its facilities in San Luis, Mexico. The Company's annual production capacity at its Mexico facilities is approximately 16 million chips (based on a single shift and increased labor availability). Management believes that given its current production level of approximately 7 million chips per year, the Company will have sufficient manufacturing capacity to meet potential increases in future demand.

        Since 1994, Paul-Son has marketed commemorative chips. Management of Paul-Son and its casino customers determined that casino patrons often retained casino chips which commemorated certain types of events such as title boxing matches, significant anniversaries, and premier entertainment events. Casinos benefit to the extent that casino chips purchased are not redeemed, thereby resulting in added cash flow to the casino. The Company is also pursuing opportunities to sell commemorative chips outside of the gaming industry.

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Table Layouts

        Every gaming table is covered with a layout containing silk-screened patterns particular to each specific game, as well as multi-colored logos and other markings according to individual casino preferences. Historically, the casino industry used a layout made from woolen material. However, in recent years, many customers are requesting layouts made from synthetic material for various reasons. Paul-Son believes it is a leading manufacturer of layouts in the United States, utilizing high quality cloths, enhanced graphics, and proprietary dye formulations which management believes result in the widest variety of customized colors. Since 2000, when the Company acquired certain patent rights covering methodology and processes relating to the screening of inks on synthetic cloth for casino tabletop layouts, the Company has also offered synthetic layouts in a wide variety of colors and customer preferences. The patent rights have a remaining duration of 13 years. Although synthetic layouts sales constitutes a relatively small percentage of the Company's revenues, the patent rights enable the Company, in part, to provide a full line of table game supplies and equipment.

        Paul-Son typically installs layouts on new gaming tables prior to delivery to a casino. The layouts are then regularly replaced by the casinos to maintain their appearance, generally within 60 to 150 days. Layouts typically sell in a range of approximately $65 to $325, depending on the type of table, the complexity of the patterns and the variety and difficulty of color combinations.

        The Company manufactures its layouts in its Mexico facilities. The Company's layout production capacity is approximately 50,000 "steam" woolen layouts, approximately 25,000 "hand-painted" woolen layouts and 10,000 synthetic layouts per year. In fiscal 2002, the Company produced approximately 32,000 layouts. Management believes the capacity of its layout production facilities in Mexico will allow the Company to increase layout production as needed.

Playing Cards

        The Company manufactures and sells its own line of paper casino playing cards. A deck of cards typically sells to casinos for between approximately $.70 and $1.20 and, based on casino industry practices, is generally replaced every eight hours or less. A casino typically enters into a one or two year purchase commitment with a supplier to supply its cards at regular intervals, generally monthly. Casinos occasionally purchase cards from more than one supplier, as casino floor managers often have preferences for a particular type of card.

        Given the Company's relatively low market share of the playing cards market, its established distribution system for table game supplies and its low cost manufacturing facilities, management believes that playing cards represent a significant growth opportunity for the Company.

        The Company produces all of its playing cards in its Mexico facilities. The Company purchased and leased additional equipment in fiscal 1999 to increase its production capacity to approximately 25 million decks per year (based on two production shifts). Expanded playing card production capacity will permit management to aggressively seek new playing card business from its existing casino customer base, from other casinos and from customers outside of the casino industry. In fiscal 2002, the Company produced approximately 7 million decks of playing cards.

        The Company also distributes plastic playing cards which are used predominately in California card clubs. Traditionally, the plastic playing cards are preferred by the California card room market while the paper cards are generally preferred by the traditional hotel-casino markets.

Gaming Furniture

        The Company sells a variety of casino gaming furniture, including tables, seating and roulette and Big Six wheels. Tables range in price from approximately $1,000 for a blackjack table to approximately $15,000 for a double roulette table and wheel. The Company offers a "Premier" line of gaming

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furniture which has been the staple of the Company, and a "Select" line in response to the industry's demand for a lower priced, quality line of blackjack tables. Management believes that the "Select" line enables the Company to compete with the price structure of its competitors while maintaining Company quality standards. Paul-Son vigorously pursues gaming table sales because the sale of a gaming table will generally bolster its ability to sell consumable products such as layouts, dice, chips, cards, and other accessories to the table purchasers. Prior to fiscal year 2000, the Company bought its tables in unassembled form from quality wood shops. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2000, the Company began manufacturing its own table game furniture components in its San Luis, Mexico facility. Tables are assembled by the Company and completed by adding the felt layout, drop boxes, trays and other accessories. Table game seating is produced by nonaffiliated manufacturers and distributed by the Company. The Company also manufactures its own roulette and Big Six wheels. Due to the pending B&G combination, the Company may temporarily or permanently suspend the manufacture and sale of roulette and Big Six wheels or relocate such activities out of the state of Nevada due to the currently anticipated surrender of its Nevada gaming device manufacturer and distributor license. See "Regulation and Licensing" below. By manufacturing the wheels, management believes the Company has better control over the quality of the wheels it offers to its customers.

Dice

        Paul-Son manufactures dice at its Mexico facilities from cellulose acetate specifically formulated to provide the required clarity, hardness and dimensional stability. The Company offers a variety of spot designs, which are inserted in the body of the dice and machined flat to the surface. A casino may request the imprinting of its name and logo (in a variety and combination of colors), the insertion of a security "key" onto the reverse side of a particular spot, the addition of a security "glow" spot, the serialization of the dice, or all or a combination of the above.

        Paul-Son dice are manufactured in conformity with the strictest standards of gaming regulators, which require that each die be within 3/10,000th of an inch of a perfect cube. The typical sales price of casino dice currently ranges between approximately $2.50 and $3.00 per pair. Generally, a set of dice (two and one-half pair) does not remain in play for more than eight hours in a busy casino. The Company currently has the capacity to produce approximately 900,000 pairs of dice per year (based upon one production shift). In fiscal 2002, the Company produced approximately 600,000 pairs of dice. Management believes the Company's capacity for dice production is sufficient to accommodate an increase in production requirements.

Table Accessories and Other Products

        In order to offer its customers a full product line, the Company sells a number of ancillary casino table game products which it typically does not manufacture. However, the Company manufactures limited quantities of certain plastic products, including dealing shoes. Ancillary products include plastic money paddles, discard holders, drop boxes, dealing shoes, trays and covers, dice sticks and on/off pucks. These products are generally sold in conjunction with the sale of gaming tables and tend to have long useful lives. The Company generally maintains two suppliers for each of these products.

Sales, Advertising and Promotion

        The Company generally distributes its products through its approximate 7 person sales force, which operates out of regional offices in Las Vegas, Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Management believes that the long-standing customer relationships which have been developed over the years by its individual sales representatives, as well as the Company's reputation for quality and reliability, are key factors upon which the Company successfully competes in the market place. From time to time, the Company enters into agreements for the distribution of its products on an exclusive and non-exclusive basis.

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        The Company's experience has been that once a casino buys from a table game supplier, it tends to purchase replacement products from the same supplier, provided quality, service and competitive pricing are maintained. As a result, the Company's sales efforts are primarily focused on selling a full range of table gaming products to casinos while they are in the development and licensing stage. By thereafter maintaining a frequent contact program, the Company seeks to realize a steadily increasing base of recurring sales while capturing incremental sales to new casinos.

        The Company places advertising in trade publications, produces a complete sales catalogue for the retail market, and participates in major casino industry trade shows. The Company keeps abreast of new casino openings through personal contact with casino management, legislative and trade publications and wire service press releases. When new casinos are identified, Company representatives make personal contact with appropriate officers and/or purchasing agents in order to solicit the sale of the Company's products to such potential new customers.

Materials and Supplies

        The Company maintains good relationships with its suppliers and has, where possible, diversified its supplier base so as to avoid a disruption of supply. In most cases, the Company's raw materials are staple goods, such as paper, plastic and wool, which are readily available from several suppliers. The Company believes that its practice of purchasing from diversified sources minimizes the risk of interrupting the supply of raw materials.

Competition

        There are a number of companies that compete with the Company in the sale of each of its product lines:

        Casino Chips.    The casino chip product line has in recent years become an increasingly competitive area of the gaming supply business. Currently, the Company's major competitors are Chipco International Ltd., and Bud Jones. The Company believes key competitive factors for casino chip sales are durability, graphics, ease of handling and security.

        Table Layouts.    The Company's two primary competitors for casino table layouts are Bud Jones and Midwest Game Supply Co. ("Midwest"). Management believes the key competitive factors for felt table layout sales are cloth quality, enhanced graphics, designs, clarity and range of colors.

        Playing Cards.    The Company's major competitors in the domestic playing card market are The U.S. Playing Card Co. and Gemaco Playing Card Co. Management believes the primary competitive factors for playing cards are price, ease of handling, durability, brand name identification and reputation.

        Gaming Furniture.    The Company's principal competitors for casino gaming furniture are Bud Jones and smaller regional wood shops in certain geographic areas. Competition is based on quality, price and durability.

        Dice.    The Company's principal competitors for casino dice sales are Bud Jones and Midwest. Management believes the primary competitive factors for dice sales are quality and pricing. In addition, casino shift managers typically prefer that casinos purchase dice from more than one supplier due to industry superstition that dice from one of its suppliers may run "cold" for the house from time to time.

        Table Accessories and Other Products.    The Company's principal competitors for distributing table accessories and other products, which include plastic money paddles, discard holders, drop boxes, dealing shoes, trays and covers, dice sticks and on/off pucks, are Bud Jones and Midwest. The

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Company believes that key competitive factors for these products are the ability to be a single source supplier, price and product quality.

Employees

        At July 8, 2002, the Company employed approximately 425 persons. Nearly 375 of the employees are located at the Company's Mexico facilities and the remainder are located in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. None of the Company's employees is covered by collective bargaining agreements.

Regulation and Licensing

        General Gaming Regulation.    The gaming operations of Paul-Son are subject to extensive regulation, and each of Paul-Son and its subsidiaries hold registrations, approvals, gaming licenses or permits in each jurisdiction in which it operates gaming activities. A list of the jurisdictions in which Paul-Son and its subsidiaries are subject to licensing and regulatory control of the gaming authorities is set forth below.

        In each such jurisdiction, certain regulatory requirements must be complied with and/or approvals must be obtained in connection with the proposed combination with B&G. Paul-Son and B&G have filed a notice of the proposed combination with the gaming authorities in each such jurisdiction. The majority of these gaming authorities do not require approval of the combination. Pursuant to the combination agreement, Paul-Son's and B&G's obligations to consummate the combination are subject to the satisfaction of the condition that all necessary gaming regulatory approvals and authorizations have been obtained. Paul-Son has filed applications for approval from, and initiated discussions with,

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each of the gaming authorities in which approval of the gaming regulators is required. The status of our approval requests to the gaming authorities is as follows:

        While the regulatory requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, most require licenses, permits, findings of suitability, documentation of qualification including evidence of financial stability and/or other required approvals for companies who manufacture and distribute gaming equipment, as well as the individual suitability of officers, directors, major stockholders and key employees. Under the various gaming regulations, key personnel generally include the current and/or proposed corporate officers and directors of a corporation and its subsidiaries. Laws of the various gaming regulatory agencies are generally intended to protect the public and ensure that gaming related activity is conducted honestly, competitively, and free of corruption.

        Various gaming regulatory agencies have issued licenses allowing Paul-Son's wholly-owned subsidiaries, Paul-Son Supplies and Paul-Son Mexicana, to manufacture and/or distribute their products. Paul-Son and its key personnel have obtained or applied for all government licenses, permits, registrations, findings of suitability and approvals necessary allowing for the manufacture and distribution of gaming supplies and equipment in the jurisdictions where Paul-Son does business. Paul-Son has never been denied a gaming related license, nor have any licenses been suspended or revoked.

        The complex regulatory scheme governing the licensing of roulette wheel and big six wheel manufacturers and distributors in Nevada imposes administrative burdens which far exceed those of

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most other gaming jurisdictions when applied to Paul-Son's proposed corporate structure and its proposed foreign stockholders. The anticipated time and expense of a foreign investigation that would be conducted by the Nevada Gaming Authorities would, in the opinion of Paul-Son's management, far outweigh any benefit to be gained by manufacturing licensure in Nevada. Specifically, based upon an analysis of three factors: the potential market for Paul-Son products in Nevada; the benefits gained through Paul-Son's choice of corporate structure; and the administrative costs associated with compliance with certain requirements of Nevada Gaming Authorities, Paul-Son has concluded that the costs of maintaining licensure in Nevada upon the completion of the combination significantly exceed the potential profits. Paul-Son thus intends to administratively surrender the Nevada gaming licenses of Paul-Son Supplies upon the completion of the combination, a procedure which allows Paul-Son Supplies to forego licensure in Nevada without impacting its licensure in other gaming jurisdictions or its ability to continue to manufacture roulette wheels and big six wheels in and for other jurisdictions. The above will not impact the manufacture or sale of Paul-Son's other products in Nevada.

        New Jersey Gaming Regulation.    Paul-Son Supplies and Paul-Son Mexicana are currently required to be licensed under the New Jersey Casino Control Act, or the New Jersey Act, as casino service industries qualified to manufacture and sell gaming-related products to casinos in New Jersey. As part of such licensure, parent companies, holding companies and certain officers and directors of the companies are required to be found qualified by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, or the New Jersey Commission. The sale and distribution of gaming equipment to casinos in New Jersey is also subject to the New Jersey Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the New Jersey Commission. The New Jersey Commission has broad discretion in promulgating and interpreting regulations under the New Jersey Act. Amendments and supplements to the New Jersey Act, if any, may be of a material nature, and accordingly may adversely affect the ability of a company or its employees to obtain any required licenses, permits and approvals from the New Jersey Commission, or any renewals thereof. The current regulations govern licensing requirements, standards for qualification, persons required to be qualified, disqualification criteria, competition, investigation of supplementary information, duration of licenses, record keeping, causes for suspension, standards for renewals or revocation of licenses, equal employment opportunity requirements, fees and exemptions. In deciding to grant a license, the New Jersey Commission may consider, among other things, the financial stability, integrity, responsibility, good character, reputation for honesty, business ability and experience of the applicant and its directors, officers, management and supervisory personnel, principal employees and stockholders as well as the adequacy of the financial resources of the applicant. New Jersey licenses are granted for a period of three or four years, depending on the length of time a company has been licensed, and are renewable. The New Jersey Commission may impose such conditions upon licensing, as it deems appropriate. These include the ability of the New Jersey Commission to require the applicant or licensee to report the names of all of its stockholders as well as the ability to require any stockholders whom the New Jersey Commission finds not qualified to dispose of the stock, not receive dividends, not exercise any rights conferred by the shares, nor receive any remuneration from the licensee for services rendered or otherwise. Failure of such stockholder to dispose of such stockholder's stock could result in the loss of the license. Licenses are also subject to suspension, revocation or refusal for sufficient cause, including the violation of any law. In addition, licensees are also subject to monetary penalties for violations of the New Jersey Act or the regulation of the New Jersey Commission.

        The proposed combination with B&G will result in the substantial change in ownership for Paul-Son Supplies and Paul-Son Mexicana. Thus, each of their casino service industry licenses will become void upon its completion. However, in order to maintain the ability of these companies to do business with New Jersey casinos without interruption upon the completion of the combination, prior to 30 days before such consummation, each company must submit a new application for licensure. Upon a satisfactory initial background investigation, each company may obtain transactional waiver approval from the New Jersey Commission to engage in specific transactions with New Jersey casinos pending the outcome of the complete investigation of its respective license application. This transactional approval process permits each company then to continue its business with New Jersey casinos uninterrupted upon the completion of the combination.

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        Other Gaming Jurisdictions.    In addition to Nevada and New Jersey, Paul-Son Supplies and Paul-Son Mexicana are currently licensed in several other jurisdictions. Although the regulations in these jurisdictions are not identical to the states of Nevada and New Jersey, their material attributes are substantially similar, as summarized below. The manufacture, sale and distribution of gaming supplies in each jurisdiction are subject to various state, county and/or municipal laws, regulations and ordinances, which are administered by the relevant regulatory agency or agencies in that jurisdiction. These laws, regulations and ordinances primarily concern the responsibility, financial stability and character of gaming supply and equipment owners, distributors, sellers and operators, as well as persons financially interested or involved in gaming or liquor operations. In many jurisdictions, selling or distributing gaming supplies may not be conducted unless proper licenses are obtained. An application for a license may be denied for any cause which the gaming regulators deem reasonable. In order to ensure the integrity of manufacturers and distributors of gaming supplies, most jurisdictions have the authority to conduct background investigations of a company, its key personnel and significant stockholders. The gaming regulators may at any time revoke, suspend, condition, limit or restrict a license for any cause deemed reasonable by the gaming regulators. Fines for violation of gaming laws or regulations may be levied against the holder of a license and persons involved. Paul-Son Supplies and Paul-Son Mexicana and their respective key personnel have obtained all licenses necessary for the conduct of their respective business in the jurisdictions in which they sell and distribute gaming equipment and supplies. Suspension or revocation of such licenses could have a material adverse effect on the Paul-Son's operations.

        Prior to the consummation of the combination, certain pre-approvals will be required from the gaming regulators in certain states, including Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan and Mississippi.

        Federal Gaming Registration.    The Federal Gambling Devices Act of 1962 makes it unlawful for a person to manufacture, transport, or receive gaming machines, gaming devices (including roulette wheels) or components across interstate lines unless that person has first registered with the Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition, gambling device identification and record keeping requirements are imposed by the Federal Act. Violation of the Federal Act may result in seizure and forfeiture of the equipment, as well as other penalties. Paul-Son Supplies and Paul-Son Mexicana, which are involved in the manufacture and transportation of gaming devices, are required to register annually. Each company has complied with the registration requirements of the Federal Act.

        Native American Gaming Regulation.    Gaming on Native American lands is governed by federal law, tribal-state compacts, and tribal gaming regulations. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, or the IGRA, provides the framework for federal and state control over all gaming on Native American lands and is administered by the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The IGRA requires the tribe and the state enter into a written agreement, a tribal-state compact, which governs the terms of the gaming activities. Tribal-state compacts vary from state to state and in many cases require equipment manufacturers and/or distributors to meet ongoing registration and licensing requirements. In addition, tribal gaming commissions have been established by many Native American tribes to regulate gaming-related activity on Indian lands. Paul-Son subsidiaries manufacture and distribute gaming supplies to Native American tribes who have negotiated compacts with their state and have received federal approval. As of July 8, 2002, Paul-Son Supplies is authorized to sell products to Native American casinos in seventeen states.

        International Gaming Regulation.    Certain foreign countries permit the importation, sale and operation of gaming supplies in casino and non-casino environments. Certain jurisdictions require the licensing of manufacturers and distributors of gaming supplies. Paul-Son Supplies manufactures and distributes gaming supplies to various international markets including Australia, the Caribbean, and South Africa. Paul-Son Supplies has obtained the required licenses to manufacture and distribute its

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products in the various foreign jurisdictions where it does business. Prior approval of the combination will be required from gaming authorities in South Africa.

Item 2. Properties

        The Company is based in, and operates domestically from, a Company-owned facility in Las Vegas, Nevada and currently assembles and manufactures its primary products at facilities in San Luis, Mexico.

        Las Vegas.    The Company's Las Vegas headquarters (the "Las Vegas Headquarters") are located in an approximately 60,000 square foot building. The Las Vegas Headquarters was purchased in September 1995 for approximately $2,000,000, and houses the Las Vegas sales and corporate offices, a centralized warehouse for certain of its finished goods inventory, a roulette and "Big Six" wheel manufacturing department and a graphics art department. In the Las Vegas Headquarters, the Company also maintains certain inventory of templates, graphic designs, logos, and tools and dies for casino customers' gaming equipment. Maintaining such an inventory results in time and cost savings for product manufacture and delivery to the Company's customers. During fiscal 1998, the Company completed the transition of its primary manufacturing processes to San Luis, Mexico. The Las Vegas Headquarters secures a deed of trust issued under the Company's outstanding term loan. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources." The Company intends to sublease approximately 13,500 square feet of the Las Vegas facility effective August 1, 2002 to the Bud Jones Company to be used as a wood shop.

        San Luis.    The Company manufactures casino chips, playing cards, furniture, dice, plastic products and layouts at three facilities in San Luis, Mexico. These facilities include a 34,000 square foot leased facility in which casino chips and dice are manufactured and an approximately 66,000 square foot facility used for playing card, furniture and layout products production. The Company leased the 34,000 square foot facility pursuant to an eight-year lease which expired in April 2001, with an option to extend the term an additional 12 years. The Company did not exercise its option to extend the lease, but presently leases the facility on a month to month basis. The Company owns the 66,000 square foot facility. The Company also owns an approximately 45,000 square foot facility which was previously used for layout, furniture and machine shop production purposes. The facility is presently vacant. The Company is currently evaluating various alternatives for this facility, including its sale.

        Facility Capacity.    With its current approximate 145,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities, management believes that the Company has sufficient production capacity to meet anticipated future demand for all of its products.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

        Paul-Son Gaming Corp., The Paul S. Endy, Jr. Living Trust and Eric P. Endy v. AIG Technical Services, Inc. and National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, et al., District Court, Clark County, Nevada, Case No. A442822. This suit was filed on behalf of the Company and the other plaintiffs on or about December 3, 2001 seeking declaratory relief, among other things, for the purpose of determining the parties' respective rights and obligations under a directors, officers and corporate liability insurance policy issued by National Union and administered by AIG Technical Services. At the time suit was filed, a lawsuit was pending between the Company and Martin Winick, arising out of his employment by the Company. The Company's suit sought a declaration that, pursuant to the terms of the insurance policy, the insurance carrier had a duty to pay for the defense and to indemnify with respect to various claims filed against it by Mr. Winick. Since that time, the underlying litigation has been resolved, so the focus of the Company's suit will be reimbursement from the insurance carrier for the attorney's fees, costs, interest and settlement funds involved in resolving the underlying Winick suit and in securing coverage by the insurance carrier. The Company's suit is seeking, among other things, general, consequential and punitive damages that were allegedly directly

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and proximately caused by the insurance carrier's bad faith in delaying, reducing or denying indemnity in defense to the Company and otherwise failing to act fairly and in good faith in analyzing the Company's tender under the insurance policy.

        An answer was filed by National Union. No answer was filed by AIG. A default was entered on March 15, 2002. AIG has requested a stipulation that the default be set aside, which is presently being contemplated by the Company and its counsel.

        Martin S. Winick, Plaintiff, vs. Paul-Son Gaming Corporation, a Nevada corporation; the Paul S. Endy, Jr. Living Trust; Eric P. Endy, Trustee of the Paul S. Endy, Jr. Living Trust; Eric P. Endy, individually and in his capacity as an officer and director of Paul-Son Gaming Corporation; and Lawrence A. Spieser, an individual, Defendants, Case No. A416734.

        On February 5, 2002, without admitting liability, the Company and its affiliates entered into a settlement agreement with Winick. As a part of the settlement agreement, the Company agreed to pay Winick the sum of $210,000, payable in four equal principal installments of $52,500, which began February 2002 and are payable in June and October 2002 and in February 2003. In addition, the Endy Trust agreed to transfer to Winick and his designees a total of 250,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The Company agreed to register the 250,000 shares transferred to Winick and his designees. The Endy Trust agreed to pay any legal fees incident to the registration of the shares. The Company will pay "blue sky" expenses, accounting fees and filing fees.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

        The Company held its 2001 annual meeting of stockholders on May 20, 2002. At the meeting, the stockholders elected Jerry G. West as a director for a term expiring in 2004. The names of the other persons whose term of office as a director of the Company continued after the meeting are: Eric P. Endy, whose term expires in 2002, and Richard W. Scott and Paul S. Dennis, whose terms each expire in 2003. The number of votes cast for or withheld with respect to Mr. West is as follows:

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

(a)

Price Range of Common Stock

        The Company's common stock ("Common Stock") is traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol "PSON." Prior to December 11, 2000, the Company's Common Stock was traded on the Nasdaq National Market. The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices of the Common Stock, as reported by the Nasdaq, during the periods indicated.

        The last reported closing price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on July 8, 2002 was $3.25 per share. There were approximately 128 holders of record of the Common Stock as of July 8, 2002.

(b)

Dividend Policy

        The Company has never paid cash dividends. Payments of dividends are within the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and depend upon the earnings, capital requirements, and operating and financial condition of the Company, among other factors. The Company currently expects to retain its earnings to finance the growth and development of its business and does not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data

        The selected consolidated financial data included in the following tables should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes, and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" appearing elsewhere herein. The selected consolidated financial data for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000 and as of May 31, 2002 and 2001 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included elsewhere herein. The selected consolidated financial

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data for the years ended May 31, 1999 and 1998 and as of May 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 have been derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements not included herein.

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Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

        Paul-Son provides gaming equipment and supplies to casinos for new openings and consumable products for existing casino operations. The principal consumable products have limited useful lives, ranging from several hours in the case of playing cards and dice to several months in the case of table game layouts and several years in the case of casino chips and gaming furniture. The majority of Paul-Son's revenues are generated by sales to customers with which Paul-Son has an established relationship. Complementing these revenues is the significant additional revenue Paul-Son realizes when providing a full range of products to new casinos. Paul-Son strives to become the casino's sole supplier of table game equipment and supplies.

        During the past decade, casino entities have expanded from land-based resort properties to riverboats, both cruising and dockside, and to Native American lands. As a licensed supplier, Paul-Son has vigorously pursued table gaming opportunities in emerging gaming jurisdictions. Because of Paul-Son's production capacity and its experience in the gaming supply industry, management believes Paul-Son is well positioned to capitalize on the combined growth of the gaming industry both domestically and internationally.

        While the gaming industry has grown in recent years, the growth rate of table games has not matched that of the gaming industry as a whole. This trend is attributed to an increasing allocation of total casino gaming space to slot machines which, in certain cases, may reduce the allocation of total casino gaming space to table games. The number of new table games in new jurisdictions typically follows this trend after a period of operation.

        Paul-Son operates in one operating segment—casino game equipment products. See the Business Segment disclosed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.

Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates

        Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Certain of our accounting policies, including the depreciable lives of our assets, the recoverability of deferred tax assets, the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, the allowance for obsolete or slowing moving inventories and the estimated cash flows in assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets require that we apply significant judgment in defining the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Our judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of existing contracts, our observance of industry trends, information provided by or gathered from our customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from our estimates. To provide an understanding of the methodology we apply, our significant accounting policies are discussed where appropriate in this discussion and analysis and in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

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Results of Operations

        The following table summarizes selected items from the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:

        The following table details the Company's historical revenues by product line:

Comparison of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended May 31, 2002 and May 31, 2001

        Revenues.    For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2002, Paul-Son's revenues totaled approximately $16.6 million. The fiscal 2002 revenue figure represents a $3.9 million, or 19%, decrease from the $20.5 million in revenues which the Company generated during the previous fiscal year. The decrease in revenues for the 2002 period resulted principally from a decrease in casino chip, table layout, gaming furniture and table accessory product sales of approximately $3.6 million. During the year ended May 31, 2002, casino chip and table accessory sales experienced a decline of approximately $2.3 million as compared to the previous year. A decrease in the number of new casino openings or expansions, a general economic decline, and the effects of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, contributed to the decreased casino chip sales. Other product sales were negatively affected by decreased spending from the Company's casino customers subsequent to the terrorist acts and the resulting economic decline. Sales of Company manufactured products were approximately 91% of total revenues in fiscal 2002 compared to approximately 86% in fiscal 2001.

        Cost of Revenues.    Cost of revenues, as a percentage of sales, decreased to 75.2% for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2002, as compared to 77.2% in the prior fiscal year. This improvement in the gross margin percentage during fiscal 2002 was principally caused by an increase in the average selling price of casino chips, a reduction in manufacturing overhead costs at the Company's Mexican plants from certain average head count reductions and a decrease in inventory obsolescence provisions. These improvements were partially offset by the aforementioned decrease in sales which did not allow for a full absorption of fixed manufacturing overhead expenses.

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        Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.    Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2002 increased approximately $179,000, or 3.1%, to approximately $5.9 million, or 35.9% of revenues, compared to approximately $5.8 million, or 28.1% of revenues, in the previous fiscal year. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in costs from a proposed business combination whereby costs are expensed as incurred and a charge incurred in fiscal 2002 for a legal settlement of approximately $200,000. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2002, the Company incurred approximately $868,000 of merger costs as compared to approximately $244,000 during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2001. These increases were partially offset by reductions in administrative and sales department personnel related costs.

        Gain on Sale of Assets.    In fiscal 2002, the Company recorded a gain on the sale of certain assets of approximately $31,000 as compared to approximately $6,000 in fiscal 2001. This increase in the gain on the sale of assets occurred principally from the sale of certain nonoperating real estate owned by the Company in fiscal 2002.

        Interest Expense.    For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2002, interest expense decreased approximately 58% to approximately $67,000 as compared to approximately $161,000 in the prior fiscal year. This decrease was caused by a significant decrease in the average outstanding debt balance in the 2002 period as compared to fiscal 2001.

        Other Income.    In fiscal 2002, other income decreased to approximately $20,000 compared to other income in fiscal 2001 of approximately $69,000. This decline of approximately $49,000 was primarily attributable to an approximate $38,000 decrease in interest income caused by a decline in the average outstanding cash balances and interest rates during fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001.

        Income Taxes.    In fiscal 2002 and 2001, the Company did not record a tax benefit for pretax losses incurred by the Company. The Company has net operating loss carryforwards and believes it will recognize the benefits from the loss carryforwards as it earns income on a going-forward basis.

        Net Loss.    For the year ended May 31, 2002, the Company incurred a net loss of approximately $1,844,000 compared to a net loss of approximately $1,172,000 in the prior fiscal year. This increase in the Company's net loss of approximately $672,000 was primarily due to the aforementioned decrease in revenues and other income as well as an increase in selling, general and administrative costs. Partially offsetting these negative factors was the aforementioned improvement in gross profit margins. Basic and diluted net loss per share was $.53 and $.34 for the years ended May 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Comparison of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended May 31, 2001 and May 31, 2000

        Revenues.    For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2001, Paul-Son's revenues totaled approximately $20.5 million. The fiscal 2001 revenue figure represents a $2.2 million, or 10%, decrease from the $22.7 million in revenues which the Company generated during the previous fiscal year. The decrease in revenues for the 2001 period resulted principally from a decrease in casino chip, playing card and table accessory product sales of approximately $2.2 million. During the year ended May 31, 2001, casino chip sales experienced a decline of approximately $1.4 million as compared to the previous year. A decrease in the number of new casino openings or expansions, as well as the decline in certain commemorative casino chip sales surrounding the "Year 2000" celebrations which occurred during the previous fiscal year, caused the decline in casino chip sales. Playing card sales declined in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2001 by approximately $600,000 due to the loss of two significant corporate contracts due to acquisitions of those customers which occurred in calendar 1999 and 2000. Sales of Company manufactured products were approximately 86% of total revenues in fiscal 2001 compared to approximately 84% in fiscal 2000.

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        Cost of Revenues.    Cost of revenues, as a percentage of sales, increased to 77.1% for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2001, as compared to 74.6% in the prior fiscal year. This decline in the gross margin percentage during fiscal 2001 was principally caused by the aforementioned decrease in sales which did not allow for a full absorption of fixed manufacturing overhead expenses. Additionally, the Mexican peso strengthened relative to the U.S. dollar by approximately 4% during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2001, while costs to operate the Mexican manufacturing operations increased due to inflation.

        Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.    Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2001 decreased approximately $539,000, or 9%, to approximately $5.8 million, or 28.1% of revenues, compared to approximately $6.3 million, or 27.8% of revenues, in the previous fiscal year. This decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in administrative and sales department personnel related costs and the closure, in fiscal 2000 and 2001, of certain of the Company's retail and outlying sales offices. Additionally, bad debt expenses decreased approximately $228,000 in 2001 as a result of improved collection results from accounts receivable compared to the prior year. These improvements were offset, in part, by an increase in transactional costs related to the Company's negotiation of a proposed business combination during the year ended May 31, 2001 of approximately $244,000.

        Gain on Sale of Assets.    In fiscal 2001, the Company recorded a gain on the sale of certain assets of approximately $6,000 as compared to approximately $127,000 in fiscal 2000. This decrease in the gain on the sale of assets occurred principally from the sale of certain nonoperating real estate owned by the Company in fiscal 2000.

        Interest Expense.    For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2001, interest expense decreased approximately 33% to approximately $161,000 as compared to approximately $241,000 in the prior fiscal year. This decrease was caused by a significant decrease in the average outstanding debt balance in the 2001