Playtech's JV Sciplay signs California agreement

RNS Number : 8130I

Playtech Limited

21 June 2011

 



Playtech Limited

"Playtech" or "the Company"

Playtech's Joint Venture Sciplay Announces Signing of Internet Poker Agreement with COPA

Agreement to be Internet poker provider for largest association of California tribal governments and licensed card rooms

Playtech Limited, (AIM:PTEC) the international software and content provider to the online and land-based gaming industry, is pleased to announce that Sciplay International SARL, its joint venture with Scientific Games Corporation (Nasdaq: SGMS), has signed an agreement with the California Online Poker Association ("COPA") to be its provider of intrastate Internet poker services. The contract was signed in conjunction with a separate software licensing agreement between Playtech and COPA.

COPA is the largest association of California's proven and trusted gaming partners.  Its membership is comprised of 29 federally recognized California tribal governments and 31 state-licensed California card clubs.  The agreement followed a competitive selection process designed to identify the most capable service provider suitable to serve the needs of the California poker players, estimated to be the largest number of poker players in any one state in the United States.  Under the terms of the agreement, COPA will receive a full suite of internet poker services, including network management, hosting, advisory services, customer support, internal marketing, and all associated hardware. 

California is currently considering legislation to authorise and license intrastate Internet poker offerings. In advance of this, these agreements with Sciplay and Playtech will enable COPA to offer internet poker in a "play for fun" mode, which provides players with the opportunity to improve their strategies and hone their skills for free. This website is planned for launch in 2011.

Robert Martin, Chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and a member of COPA's Board of Managers, said, "It has been estimated that Californians wager more than US$13 billion annually on illegal, offshore internet poker websites. Our mission is to provide California players with a safe and secure option to play poker legally on the Internet. On behalf of all of COPA's trusted gaming partners, both tribes and card rooms alike, we are very pleased to enter these agreements with Sciplay and Playtech to deliver a full service solution."

Haig Papaian, President and CEO of Commerce Casino and a member of COPA's Board of Managers, said, "We sought a best-in-class service provider for COPA and after an extremely competitive selection process, Sciplay was the clear winner. It delivers the perfect combination of Playtech's state-of-the-art, industry-leading gaming software and online experience, with Scientific Games' nearly 40 years of expertise in providing secure, regulated, compliant-compatible services and meeting strict protocols of domestic and international regulatory bodies."

Rick Weil, CEO of Sciplay, said, "We are proud to be part of COPA's progressive efforts in California to serve the needs of poker players throughout the state.  COPA is supremely well positioned to become a licensed operator should Internet poker become legal in the state of California and Sciplay is delighted to have the opportunity to work with COPA. This contract demonstrates the value of the Scientific Games and Playtech joint venture and we see this as the first of a number of opportunities where our combined capabilities can deliver a comprehensive solution."

Information on COPA and their related announcement is available on their website:

www.calonlinepoker.org

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For further information contact:

Playtech Ltd Mor Weizer, Chief Executive David Mathewson, Chief Financial Officer Ross Hawley, Director of Investor Relations c/o Pelham Bell Pottinger	[phone]
Collins Stewart Piers Coombs / Bruce Garrow	[phone]
Deutsche Bank Andrew Smith	[phone]
Pelham Bell Pottinger David Rydell / Olly Scott / Guy Scarborough	[phone]

About COPA

The California Online Poker Association (COPA) is a California LLC consisting of 29 California tribal governments and 31 California-licensed card clubs. COPA is dedicated to the development of a safe and secure option for Californians to play poker online. As California's gaming partners, tribes and card rooms have proven to be responsible gaming operators, providing tens of thousands of jobs and more than $11 billion in state revenues over the past decade. 

About Playtech

Playtech develops unified software platforms and content for the online and land-based gaming industry. Leading gaming applications include casino, poker, bingo, sports betting, live gaming, casual and fixed odds games. Playtech provides licensees with the tools to maximise cross-selling opportunities, player loyalty and yield, all through the powerful management interface - the IMS. The system's fully integrated, cross-platform capability enables players to access online, broadcast, mobile and server-based gaming terminals, through a single account.

New licensees include existing online operators upgrading or diversifying their offering, land based casino groups, government sponsored entities such as lotteries, and new entrants making their online gaming debut, particularly in the newly regulated markets.

Founded in 1999, Playtech has over 1,000 employees located in development centres in five countries, the majority of whom are engaged in research and development of current and future gaming technologies. www.playtech.com

About Sciplay

Sciplay International SARL, a joint venture of Scientific Games and Playtech, is chartered with delivering the latest, state-of-the-art interactive technology to government-sponsored and government regulated gaming operators. This joint venture combines Playtech's acclaimed B2B Internet gaming software and content with Scientific Games' nearly 40 years of B2G expertise in creating fully compliant, revenue-generating, responsible gaming solutions for government gaming entities. www.sci-play.com

About Scientific Games

Scientific Games Corporation is a global leader in providing customized, end-to-end gaming solutions to lottery and gaming organizations worldwide. Scientific Games' integrated array of products and services include instant lottery games, lottery gaming systems, terminals and services, and Internet applications, as well as server-based interactive gaming machines and associated gaming control systems. www.scientificgames.com

 

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