Playtech signs California software agreement

RNS Number : 8129I

Playtech Limited

21 June 2011

 



Playtech Limited

"Playtech" or "the Company"

Playtech announces signing of software licensing agreement with the

California Online Poker Association

Playtech Limited, (AIM:PTEC) the international software and content provider to the online and land-based gaming industry, is pleased to announce that it has signed a software licensing agreement with the California Online Poker Association ("COPA") for the provision of online poker software.

COPA is the largest association of California's proven and trusted gaming partners. COPA's membership is comprised of 29 federally recognised California tribal governments, including some of the largest gaming tribes, and 31 California card clubs.

Under the terms of this agreement, Playtech will license its market-leading poker software and IMS operator management system to COPA to develop a sophisticated and feature-rich poker environment and player management capability in preparation for any authorisation of online poker in California.

The contract was signed in conjunction with an ancillary services agreement between COPA and Sciplay, Playtech's joint venture with Scientific Games Corporation (Nasdaq: SGMS), also announced today. The contracts were awarded following a competitive selection process.

California is currently considering legislation that would allow legal operation of intrastate, Internet poker. In advance of such legislation, these agreements with Playtech and Sciplay 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 is planned for launch in 2011.

Robert Martin, chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and a member of the COPA board of managers, commented: "It has been estimated that Californians wager more than $13 billion a year 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 Playtech for the software and with Sciplay to deliver a full ancillary service solution."

Haig Papaian, President and CEO of Commerce Casino and a member of the COPA board of managers, said: "We sought a best-in-class technology partner for COPA and Playtech was the clear winner for the provision of poker software. Together with the services from Sciplay, this 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."

Mor Weizer, CEO of Playtech, commented: "We are very excited by the opportunities these contracts bring to Playtech and 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 Playtech is delighted to have the opportunity to work with them, both for the provision of software and also through our Sciplay joint venture."

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 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.

 

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