Playtech signs Rahaautomaatti

RNS Number : 2418M

Playtech Limited

20 May 2010

 



Playtech Limited

('Playtech' or the 'Company')

Playtech announces license agreement with Finnish state operator, RAY

Playtech (AIM: PTEC), the leading international designer, developer and licensor of software to the online and land-based gaming industry, is pleased to announce that it has signed a major new licence agreement for an online offering of internet gaming with Finland's Slot Machine Association, Rahaautomaattiyhdistys ('RAY'). The licence agreement was awarded after a formal tender process conducted by RAY.

RAY holds the exclusive right to manage gaming operations in Finland, comprising slot machines and casino games. Founded in 1938, RAY currently has over 19,000 slot machines in more than 8,400 locations across Finland, together with 300 club-based casino games, and operates Finland's only casino, the Grand Casino Helsinki. RAY's revenues in 2009 totalled €651 million.

In February, the Finnish Government confirmed an amendment to RAY's gaming licence enabling it to launch an online offering, which is planned to be launched during the third quarter of 2010. Under the terms of the exclusive four year contract, RAY will launch casino and poker online products using Playtech's market-leading software and technology platform.

The offering will also include casino games utilizing Playtech's EdGE gaming platform as well as a mobile capability. In Poker, players will enjoy a multiplayer poker room with both cash and tournament offerings on an exclusive local network.

Mor Weizer, Chief Executive Officer of Playtech, commented:

"This important agreement is further evidence as to the superiority of our product and the success of our stated strategy in soon-to-be-regulated markets. We have longstanding experience of helping land-based operators develop highly successful and complimentary online offerings. I am delighted that RAY has recognised our unparalleled credentials and chosen to partner with us.

RAY is an extremely experienced operator and very highly respected by Finnish players and the community as a whole. We very much look forward to working with them to develop the important and highly active Finnish gaming market. By establishing a domestic online offering, RAY will be furthering its philosophy of responsible and trustworthy gaming. The unique player management tools we can provide will ensure a secure and safe operating environment in line with RAY's core values."

Janne Peräkylä, Executive Director of gaming operations at RAY said:

"This agreement ensures we will have a world-class internet offering for RAY's customers. Using Playtech's technology platform and content, RAY can provide a constantly developing gaming selection, the most reliable and safe online service, and offer the best customer support. We strongly believe these are the key elements to attract both new and existing online customers.

There are many technical challenges for a provider to satisfy the requirements for a national online service including regulatory authority supervision, player ID-checking as well as implementation of RAY's own gaming selection and responsibility tools. Through our formal tender process it was clear that Playtech not only satisfied all requirements but had the best solutions for these challenges. We are looking forward to starting this new business with Playtech."

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For further information contact:

Playtech Ltd Mor Weizer, Chief Executive Shuki Barak, Chief Financial Officer Ross Hawley, Head of Investor Relations c/o Pelham Bell Pottinger	[phone]
Collins Stewart Piers Coombs / Bruce Garrow	[phone]
Deutsche Bank Mumtaz Naseem	[phone]
Pelham Bell Pottinger David Rydell / Olly Scott	[phone]

About Playtech

Playtech develops unified software platforms and content for the remote 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 Information Management Solution (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 companies such as lotteries, and new entrants making their online gaming debut, particularly in the newly regulated markets.

Founded in 1999, Playtech is headquartered in the Isle of Man and 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 RAY

RAY - Finland's Slot Machine Association was established in 1938 to raise funds through gaming operations to support Finnish health and welfare organisations. RAY has an exclusive right in Finland to operate slot machines and casino table games, and to run a casino. Total revenue in 2009 was €651 million of which over 90% came from slot machines.

RAY's existence and administrative model are based on a Government Decree. State representatives form a majority in RAY's Board of Governors, and so the State also exercises direct control over RAY's decision making. For RAY, responsible gaming is a self-evident principle. It operates within the limits set by the State, but in addition its activities are guided by its values: reliability, customer orientation, operational efficiency and respect for the individual.

In distributing funding assistance, RAY seeks to secure the long-term operations of the organisations it supports. In its gaming operations it aims to prevent the economic and social problems that some players can suffer as a result of their gaming.

www.ray.fi/inenglish

 

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