CryptoLogic helps Littlewoods launch online poker
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<a href=""http://www.cryptologic.com/"">CryptoLogic Inc.</a>, a leading software developer to the Internetgaming and e-commerce industries, announced today that Littlewoods Gaming - a trusted name in UK gaming for 80 years - debuted its new poker room at www.littlewoodspoker.com powered by WagerLogic Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CryptoLogic. Littlewoods Gaming customers can now instantly enjoy live person-to-person poker excitement, one of the world's favorite card games with real players from around the globe.
"Real-money poker on the Internet is a big growth market - and for <a href=""http://www.cryptologic.com/"">CryptoLogic</a>, it's a great opportunity to increase our market leadership with a major land-based international operator," said Lewis Rose, <a href=""http://www.cryptologic.com/"">CryptoLogic's</a> President and CEO. "We have worked with Littlewoods Gaming to establish its brand as one of the premier casinos on the Internet. And by leveraging its trusted reputation, its extensive customer base and now also our leading poker technology, we expect Littlewoods Gaming to achieve further growth."
Poker has quickly become a favorite with Internet users. While online casinos still represent tremendous potential, poker today is where online casinos were five years ago. Poker was estimated at about 5% of the $3.5 billion global online gaming market last year. By leveraging CryptoLogic-developed poker software, some of the most prominent online and land-based gaming operations in the world are experiencing exciting growth in their online businesses driven by this large, emerging game segment that attracts a strong online community of loyal players.
"We are delighted to bring poker to life for our customers and offer an enhanced gaming experience," said Phil Kissane, Head of Casino, Littlewoods Gaming. "CryptoLogic's proven poker solution will allow Littlewoods Gaming to increase player loyalty with a broader portfolio of games and expand into a new high-growth market. Our customers can get a game at any time, challenging hundreds of real money players around the world in fun poker play."
Littlewoods Poker brings the fast-paced excitement of poker live to the Internet. Customized to the same look, feel and integrity of its brand, Littlewoods' online poker room offers the most popular Texas Hold'em, Omaha and 7-Card Stud games. With WagerLogic's centralized poker offering, players can choose from a seemingly endless number of tables and stake levels. Daily tournaments offer chances at big cash prizes, and are a popular marketing feature that increases player appeal and traffic.
About CryptoLogic (<a href=""http://www.cryptologic.com/"">www.cryptologic.com</a>)
Focused on integrity and innovation, CryptoLogic Inc. is a leading software development company serving the global Internet gaming market. The company's proprietary technologies enable secure, high-speed financial transactions over the Internet. CryptoLogic continues to develop state-of-the-art Internet software applications for both the electronic commerce and Internet gaming industries. WagerLogic Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of <a href=""http://www.cryptologic.com/"">CryptoLogic</a>, is responsible for the licensing of its gaming software and services to customers worldwide. For more information on WagerLogic, visit www.wagerlogic.com.
<a href=""http://www.cryptologic.com/"">CryptoLogic's</a> common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: CRY), the Nasdaq National Market (symbol: CRYP) and the London Stock Exchange (symbol: CRP). There are currently 12.3 million common shares outstanding.
About Littlewoods Gaming
A dominant force within the home gaming industry, and most famous for its Littlewoods Football Pools, Littlewoods Gaming has drawn upon over 80 years of experience to develop a portfolio of brands that are leading the way in entertainment-based gaming. Harnessing the latest interactive TV and Internet technologies, Littlewoods Gaming provides a mix of betting and gaming solutions for the mass market.
The Littlewoods Gaming portfolio of products includes: football pools and football games, sports betting, charity lotteries and casino and entertainment games. These products are accessed by over 1.7 million customers via a series of channels including the Internet, iDTV, telephone, retail outlets and a UK wide collector network.
Littlewoods Gaming is owned by Sportech PLC, which has a full listing on the London Stock Exchange and recorded a turnover of Pounds Sterling 195.3 million for the year ended 31 December 2002.
CRYPTOLOGIC FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER:
Statements in this press release which are not historical are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risks associated with the Company's financial condition and prospects, legal risks associated with Internet gaming and risks of governmental legislation and regulation, risks associated with market acceptance and technological changes, risks associated with dependence on licensees and key licensees, risks relating to international operations, risks associated with competition and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with securities regulatory authorities. These risks may cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
