Playtech Limited
20 December 2006
Playtech signs landmark Chinese gaming agreement
Playtech (AIM: PTEC), the listed international designer, developer and licensor
of software for the online and land-based gaming industry, is pleased to
announce today that it has agreed a landmark five year software licensing
agreement with China's leading gaming group: Sino Strategic International
(ASX: SSI).
SSI is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and is a diversified investment
holding company. Its primary operations are in the large and fast growing
Chinese gaming, internet and mobile media markets.
SSI's subsidiary, Shanghai Kelo, operates the largest corporate retail gaming
network in China, distributing the legalised keno, lotto, and Video Lottery
Terminal (VLT) games. Shanghai Kelo currently runs more than 460 Point of Sale
('POS') gaming outlets in Shanghai under license from the Shanghai Welfare
Lottery Centre. In October 2006, the license agreement was extended, allowing
Shanghai Kelo to operate up to 600 outlets distributing keno and other welfare
games for the next five years.
Playtech and SSI will be the first major distributor and promoter of Texas
Hold'em Poker in the Chinese market. Following the launch of the poker product
in the coming months, SSI expects to launch a selection of Playtech powered P2P
Chinese tournament games through selected SSI outlets in China in the first
half of 2007 after a testing, approval and implementation period.
Initially, a selection of P2P poker games will be offered, followed by games
played more commonly in China such as mahjong, Do Di Zhu, Cho Da Di and To La
Ji.
Avigur Zmora, Chief Executive Officer of Playtech, comments:
'This is a major development for both Playtech and SSI bringing the Play for
Real P2P tournament gaming experience to China at appropriately licensed gaming
outlets for the first time. The Chinese market is a vast and incredibly
exciting marketplace and Playtech is extremely well positioned to assist
operators such as SSI in rolling out new gaming products in a phased manner in
accordance with Chinese regulations. This license agreement will further
establish Playtech's presence in Asia and is in line with the Company's
ongoing strategy. Playtech is increasingly Asian-facing and this transaction is
another milestone in further diversifying the geographical reach of the business
and its customer base.'
Richard Li, Chief Operating Officer, Australia, of Sino Strategic International
states:
'In Playtech, we have found a software provider that has a clear understanding
of the Asian gaming marketplace and who understands the intricacies of gaming in
China. The private gaming network, consisting of up to 5,000 terminals to be
implemented by Playtech, will upon completion, expand the SSI gaming terminal
network significantly. SSI also intends to further expand this network via
franchising to other parts of China over the next five years.'
- ends -
For Further Information:
Avigur Zmora, CEO, Playtech Ltd
c/o Bell Pottinger
Tel: +44 20 7861 3232
www.playtech.com
David Rydell / Amy Rajendran
Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial
Tel: +44 20 7861 3232
Richard Li, COO Australia, SSI
media@sino.com.au.
Tel. +61 3 96296615
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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