• PlayTech Launches Four New Games

The new games – Blackjack Surrender, Derby Day, ‘Jacks or Better’ 10-Line Video Poker and ‘Aces and Faces’ 25-Line Video Poker – are available on all PlayTech casinos. Derby Day is a virtual horse racing fixed-odds game aimed primarily at the UK sportsbook market and at sports fans in general. The game boasts several value-added features, in addition to best-of-breed animation and realistic track sounds. Players can choose multiple betting patterns, such as Winner, 1st & 2nd place, 1st-2nd-3rd, or betting on 4-5 horses based on finishing position. There’s a graphical analysis of each horse competing in the race, including a picture of the horse and the jockey and a wins/competitions history. Information on track conditions - weather and track surface - is available, as is an overhead map of the track, an exciting countdown and photofinish, plus live race status throughout the game and a winners’ scoreboard afterwards. Blackjack Surrender is a game based on the Single-Deck Blackjack currently available in all Playtech-powered casinos but featuring a new surrender option. Available to players after they are dealt the first two cards, this feature allows players to surrender – thereby automatically losing the game round but only losing half their initial bet. Blackjack Surrender is the latest variation of the ever-popular card game to be added to Playtech’s games portfolio, and joins Standard 6-Deck Blackjack, Single-Deck Blackjack Pro and the exclusive-to-Playtech Blackjack Switch. The 10- and 25-line video poker games were developed by Playtech in response to renewed demand in the online casino industry in general, and among Playtech casino players in particular,r for a greater diversity of video poker games. These new games compliment Playtech’s existing suite of 9 video poker games, which includes multi-line and progressive jackpot versions. Commented Iris Toledano, Playtech’s Marketing Director: “Our company’s product development strategy has and will always be focused firstly on the needs of our licensees and their players. We’re confident that this games release – and more will follow in the coming months - will further enhance the offering of Playtech-powered casinos and will increase operators’ competitive edge in an increasingly crowded gaming market.” “Derby Day, our new horse racing game,” Toledano continued, “is aimed squarly at the UK market and follows on the heels of the successful launch two months ago of our twelve new fixed-odds games. Those proved a huge hit with sportsbook operators and punters alike. Derby Day complements Playtech’s growing suite of sports-oriented games and is set to be a winner.” The launch of the four new games is the latest in a long line of new product developments from Playtech, now recognized as one of the fastest growing and most highly respected software developers. Other recent developments include 12 fixed-odds flash games, UK-style 90-ball bingo and the launch of ToteSport Casino, the online gaming debut of The Tote, one of Britain’s most venerable sportsbooks.

> Read the full story here Source : Press Release

• Casino Rewards Announces Acquisition Of Integrity Casinos

25 March 2005 - Casino Rewards Group, operators of leading casinos including Blackjack Ballroom and Golden Tiger, and Integrity Casinos Limited, operators of the long established Captain Cooks Casino, today announced that the companies have reached an agreement under which Casino Rewards will acquire all Integrity gaming entities. Jamie Taylor from Casino Rewards stated, "The Casino Rewards Group and ICL are both Microgaming powered groups and share complementary business models, which will allow easy integration of ICL's product offerings and most importantly uninterrupted provision of service for all ICL players. This acquisition is an exciting opportunity that will make Casino Rewards a stronger company with increased opportunities for growth and greater resources to offer clients. ICL brings a suite of long standing and well respected brands, which really made the acquisition an easy decision, we can't wait to get the operational ball rolling, and put an end to the unfounded speculation regarding delayed payments". Casino Rewards has emphasized that all players and affiliates will incur no intended disruption to business at ICL, with all player and affiliate accounts to continue and be paid as per standard trading terms.

> Read the full story here Source : Press Release

• Internet Poker Supporters Attempt To Salvage Amendment

BISMARCK, N.D. -- A constitutional amendment to require the Legislature to license Internet poker companies got a lukewarm reception from North Dakota senators, who have already defeated a bill to regulate online card rooms. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which reviewed the amendment Wednesday, forwarded it to the full Senate without making a recommendation on whether it should be approved. The panel had a similar deadlock on a separate bill to license and tax Internet poker sites, which went on to get a pummeling in the Senate. Only three of the 47 senators voted for it. Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo, who is the amendment's sponsor, said he would give "no wager, no odds" on its Senate prospects. "I believe the people of North Dakota have the right to vote on this issue," he said at the Judiciary Committee hearing. "The revenue that could come to North Dakota from this is huge." Former Gov. Arthur Link, a prominent gambling critic who testified against the measure Wednesday, said he was encouraged by the committee's lack of support. "I don't want North Dakota to become known as the poker capital of the world," he told lawmakers. [...]

> Read the full story here Source : LasVegasSun.com

• PokerRoom.com Launches Cell Phone Poker

NEW YORK – (PRESS RELEASE) -- You still need to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em, but for the first time you can always walk away no matter where you are. PokerRoom.com, one of the fastest growing online poker sites in the world, today announced it is launching the first ever interactive cell phone poker. A mobile effort indeed! Using the most secure protocols and patent pending collusion software, players can play Texas Hold 'Em for "play money" or "real money" starting on Monday, April 11, 2005. Players who want to take their hand on the road, can sign up for the game on PokerRoom.com (the game is sent to their phone for download) and will play other members of the PokerRoom.com community, rather than a computer, as all cell phone games currently operate. With more than 3.5 million users, there will never be a lack of potential table mates no matter where one travels, and is a development sure to revolutionize both online gaming and the mobile phone industries. "With television shows, online poker's accessibility and celebrity fans, Poker – Texas Hold 'Em in particular – has become America's new favorite pastime." said PokerRoom.com CEO Patrik Selin. "Online sites such as PokerRoom.com first brought the game to the masses and now with availability on cell phones, the game is available anywhere, anytime. The advance of cell phone graphics makes the experience almost identical to that of playing online and I think people will enjoy taking the game on the road." Like the ipod people, expect to see a whole new crop of people tapping away at their cell phones perfecting their skills. The game offers an experience both geographically and interactively that has not been available in any mobile poker games before. The player can choose between 3 different views; Normal View which has graphics similar to those seen on Pokerroom.com, Symbol View which gives a view over the whole table with simplified graphics or the Text View which also gives history of how the hand was played. Additionally, there is a chat function allowing players to text one another during the game. On the subway or in a tunnel without a signal? The game also has an offline version where players can play against bots on three different levels.

> Read the full story here Source : Press Release

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