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13th November 2009 - Leading skill gaming provider GameAccount Network announce the launch of the inaugural London Blackjack Open – which culminates in a grand final at the Casino at the Empire, on London’s Leicester Square on the 30th January 2010 - where players will compete for a £10,000 first prize.

Blackjack fans on top sports betting and gaming sites Paddy Power, Blue Square, Boylesports and Stan James will compete against each other in a bid to qualify for the live, offline tournament, where a final 32 players will go head-to-head for a chance to win a chunk of the £25,000 total prize pool.

The final will be recorded live for broadcast on the Poker Channel and the internet, along with tutorial segments and player interviews. Online qualifiers begin on Saturday 14th November and will run for a total of 10 weeks. Twice-daily qualifying tournaments will take place with a weekly ‘semi-final’ – when at least two seats each week will be awarded for the London Open grand final - every Saturday until 23rd January. Further entry details and information on the daily qualifying tournaments can be found at www.gameaccount.com or on any of the participating partner sites.

“We are proud to be hosting one of the biggest blackjack tournaments of the year on behalf of some of the top names in the betting and gaming industry,” comments Per Petersen, GameAccount Marketing Director.
“Blackjack has been an ever-popular fixture in casinos but in terms of head-to-head tournament play it has always come second to poker as people perceive a lower skill aspect to the game. We have seen increasing numbers of users of GameAccount Network’s own player-to-player version of the game and we’re sure that the London Blackjack Open will be a huge success for our network partners.”

About GameAccount Network
Launched in 2002 the GameAccount Network offers sophisticated skill gaming software to regulated operators of online sports betting, casino, bingo, poker and lottery products as well as major cross-platform videogame publishers. The company’s proven portfolio of person-to-person skill-based online games are accompanied by casino side games and exclusive branded games. Members of the GameAccount Network include major European sports betting operators William Hill, Sportingbet Europe, Stan James, Rank Interactive, Boylesports, Betfred, Paddy Power and Gala Coral. SEGA Corporation of Japan is the first major cross-platform videogame developer and publisher to join the GameAccount Network. Members of the Italian Network, dedicated to the regulated Italian market, include sportsbetting operators SNAI, Sisal MatchPoint, Eurobet, Cogetech and Intralot Italia together with lottery operator Lottomatica. GameAccount’s headquarters are in London, United Kingdom.

For more information please visit www.GameAccountNetwork.com or contact:

David Wild
Square in the Air Communications
squareintheair.com
020 7239 8242
07789 888 082
The Office Islington, 338 City Road, London, EC1V 2PY

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GAMEACCOUNT AND BORN.COM SIGN INNOVATIVE AGREEMENT
Sports, lifestyle and retail company enter deal with GameAccount

Thursday 5th November 2009 - Leading skill-gaming developer GameAccount has signed an innovative white-label deal with international sports, lifestyle and retail firm Born.com, to provide skill games for its website – www.born.com.

The deal will see GameAccount’s popular games, such as dominoes, blackjack and backgammon made available on the site – with a real money UK version of the site due to launch on 16th November. GameAccount are also building a site for Born.com’s customers in the newly-regulated French market, to be launched on 1st December, with a free-to-play site currently under development. The games portfolio will be offered under a new section of the website named ‘Born – Compete’ and will be easily accessible from the website’s homepage by clicking on a new top pane.

David Berrebi, Born.com COO comments:
“We are looking forward to working with a company of GameAccount’s stature in the skill-gaming sector. They are the clear leaders in their field and we have high hopes for future growth both domestically and across Europe.”

Per Petersen, GameAccount Marketing Director comments:
“We expect this relationship to bring great success to both parties and we’re very pleased that our games are now going to be available via a leading international lifestyle and clothing website. The competitive element of our skill games are a perfect match for the Born.com philosophy and we are sure our relationship with them will prove very fruitful in the future.”

About GameAccount Network
Launched in 2002 the GameAccount Network offers sophisticated skill gaming software to regulated operators of online sports betting, casino, bingo, poker and lottery products as well as major cross-platform videogame publishers. The company’s proven portfolio of person-to-person skill-based online games are accompanied by casino side games and exclusive branded games. Members of the GameAccount Network include major European sports betting operators William Hill, Sportingbet Europe, Stan James, Rank Interactive, Boylesports, Betfred, Paddy Power and Gala Coral. SEGA Corporation of Japan is the first major cross-platform videogame developer and publisher to join the GameAccount Network. Members of the Italian Network, dedicated to the regulated Italian market, include sportsbetting operators SNAI, Sisal MatchPoint, Eurobet, Cogetech and Intralot Italia together with lottery operator Lottomatica. GameAccount’s headquarters are in London, United Kingdom.

About Born.com
Born is an online marketplace where you can purchase sports style goods at discount prices all year round from carefully selected brands, retailers and merchants. The site has now caught the imagination of sports and fashion consumers across the web and Born now trades in Europe, Asia and the US.

For more information please contact:

Ben Cleminson
Square in the Air Communications
+44 (0)20 7239 8242
07788 640732

LOTTOMATICA LICENSES GAMEACCOUNT SKILL GAMES
Bringing dominoes, backgammon & briscola to Lottomatica.it

August 13th, 2009 (London, UK) – GameAccount Network, a leading software developer and supplier to the regulated online gaming industry, has signed a multi-year software licensing agreement with Lottomatica, a leading worldwide lottery and numeric games operator.

Lottomatica is also one of the main gaming and commercial service providers and operates the most extensive on-line network infrastructure within Italy. The objective is to launch GameAccount Network’s suite of skill-based games in the newly-regulated Italian market in autumn. The deal will enable Lottomatica’s online customers to engage in playing real money tournaments for GameAccount’s market-leading portfolio of online Skill Games including Poker Dice, Gin Rummy, Backgammon, Dominoes and Briscola.

“GameAccount leads the market for Skill Games in Europe and were natural partners for Lottomatica in the newly regulated Italian market. GameAccount was chosen after an exhaustive process investigating the commercial potential and cultural appetite in Italy for GameAccount’s Skill Games portfolio, the experience of potential suppliers and the technical & regulatory capabilities of their respective platforms.” said Francesco Mastantuoni, Manager at Lottomatica.

GameAccount’s software is compatible with the stringent technical requirements of regulated and licensed Italian operators and grants Lottomatica the opportunity to be among the first major operators to bring GameAccount’s skill-based games to Italy for real money competition.

"We are delighted to partner with Lottomatica, a leading regulated lottery, sportsbook & gaming operator in one of Europe’s fastest-growing regulated online gaming markets," said Dermot Smurfit, Chief Operating Officer. "Later this summer we launch real money tournaments heralding a new suite of Skill Games for the fast-growing Italian market. Passing the technical tests of AAMS, the Italian Regulator, was one of the proudest milestones in our company’s history and the result of many months painstaking development effort. With our established market lead in Italy, we’re on course to become a major software supplier to the new regulated online gaming markets in Europe.”

About GameAccount Network
GameAccount Network is the leading skill gaming provider for regulated International & Italian lottery, sportsbook, casino & poker operators seeking a fully integrated skill gaming solution compatible with the technical requirements of the Italian regulator. The company’s proven portfolio of dynamic skill-based games attracts recreational gamers and is the perfect vehicle to build and sustain a broad user audience. GameAccount Network’s software powers leading International eGaming operators around the world.

For more information please visit: www.GameAccountNetwork.com

About Lottomatica
Lottomatica is the worldwide leading lottery operator in terms of overall wagers and, through its subsidiary GTECH, is among the world's leading suppliers of technological solutions for lotteries and games. Lottomatica Group is active in the worldwide gaming market in the following sectors: lotteries (online, instant and traditional); gaming solutions (products and services for videolottery terminals and new slot machines); sports betting; interactive and skill games (multi-channel entertainment services such as poker); commercial services (ticketing and non gaming-related payments such as parking tickets).

For more information please visit: www.lottomaticagroup.com

For more information on GameAccount Network or Skill Games in Italy contact:

Dermot Smurfit
Chief Operating Officer
GameAccount Network
+44 (0) 20 7292 6262
dsmurfit@GameAccountNetwork.com

SISAL LAUNCHES GAMEACCOUNT SKILL GAMES
Play dominoes, backgammon & more at Sisal Skill Games

Tuesday 9th June 2009 (London, UK) – GameAccount Network, a leading software developer and supplier to the regulated online gaming industry has launched a suite of free-to-play skill-based games for Sisal (www.sisal.it) a market-leading online sportsbook operator in Italy. The multi-year deal enables Sisal’s online customers to engage in playing GameAccount’s portfolio of online skill-based games including Solitaire, Poker Dice, Gin Rummy, Blackjack, Backgammon and Dominoes.

GameAccount’s software is compatible with the stringent technical requirements of regulated and licensed Italian operators and grants Sisal the opportunity to be among the first major operators to bring GameAccount’s skill-based games to Italy both for free and, in due course, for real money competition.

"GameAccount’s games broaden the demographic appeal of our online sports betting portal and provide proven unique marketing opportunities in Italy’s new regulated market for skill-based gaming. GameAccount was chosen after an exhaustive process investigating the commercial potential and cultural appetite in Italy for GameAccount’s skill games portfolio, the experience of potential suppliers and the technical & regulatory capabilities of their respective platforms.” said Michael Staskin, Marketing and Communication Director of Sisal.

"We are delighted to partner with Sisal, a market-leading regulated sportsbook operator in one of Europe’s fastest-growing online gaming markets," said Dermot Smurfit, Chief Operating Officer. "This summer we will launch Briscola, our first game developed to meet the particular cultural appetites of Italians, with more to follow in 2009.”

For more information on GameAccount Network or Skill Gaming contact:

Dermot Smurfit
Chief Operating Officer
GameAccount Network
+44 (0) 20 7292 6262
dsmurfit@gameaccount.com
www.GameAccountNetwork.com

About GameAccount Network
GameAccount Network is the leading skill gaming provider for regulated International & Italian sportsbook operators seeking a fully integrated skill gaming solution compatible with the technical requirements of the Italian regulator. The company’s proven portfolio of dynamic skill-based games attracts recreational gamers and is the perfect vehicle to build and sustain a broad user audience. GameAccount Network’s software power leading International eGaming operators.

For more information please visit: www.GameAccountNetwork.com

About Sisal Group
Sisal was the first company to introduce in Italy pool games based on the Italian football championship in 1946. Today Sisal is a widespread Group and manages lottery and tote related games under authorization from the Italian Government – AAMS - such as SuperEnalotto, Tris, Totocalcio, Totogol, Big Match and Big Race. The Company has a network of 30,000 retailers equipped with online terminals. Through its network Sisal provides over 230 non-gaming related products, such as mobile operators scratch cards or money transfer and it is also operates in Bingo market. Sisal Match Point - a wholly owned Sisal subsidiary - operates in the betting market and offers horse race and sport betting through a network of 140 betting shops and 4000 sport and horse race betting retailers. SisalSlot - a wholly owned Sisal subsidiary - sets up and runs the network to manage legal gambling remotely, using AWP machines. Sisal has also developed internet channel, such as the website dedicated to the betting market – www.match-point.it – and poker online through www.sisalpoker.it. It’s one of the most appreciate website of the gaming market.

For more information please visit: www.sisal.it
External Relationships and Press Office, Sisal:
Press Office
Tel. ++392 8868.616
comunicazione@sisal.it

GAMEACCOUNT SIGNS LICENSING DEAL WITH EIDOS
For development of ‘Championship Manager’ and ‘Kane & Lynch’ as online slot and skill-based games

25th May 2009 (London, UK) – Leading skill-game developer GameAccount has signed a licensing agreement with video game publisher Eidos™ Interactive, to develop online person-to-person skill-based games based on three of their game franchises; Championship Manager™, Kane & Lynch™: Dead Men and Battlestations: Pacific™ in non-US markets.

In a first move into branded games for the GameAccount Network, development, based on GameAccount’s ‘hi-lo’ game engine, is already underway for an online version of the popular soccer management simulation Championship Manager. This will be followed by an online translation of Kane & Lynch: Dead Men and a further online skill-game based on a new Eidos title, Battlestations: Pacific.

As well as official naming and branding rights, as part of the agreement GameAccount’s Kane & Lynch and Battlestations: Pacific skill-based games will also feature sound effects, video animations and images from the original games.

"We’re very excited about the development and release of our games for these well known Eidos brands,” comments Kevin Dale, GameAccount CEO. "These franchises already have a massive and loyal following and we hope to benefit from that brand recognition. We feel that the combination of our engaging game formats and the rich imagery and animations of the video game titles will prove a winner for everyone.”

For more information on GameAccount Network or head-to-head Gaming contact:

Dermot Smurfit
COO
GameAccount Network
+44 (0) 207 292 6262
dsmurfit@gameaccount.com

About GameAccount Network
GameAccount Network comprises hundreds of websites created for third party regulated sportsbook, casino and poker operators seeking a single-wallet skill-based gaming solution. The company’s proven portfolio of dynamic games attracts recreational gamers and is the perfect vehicle to build and sustain a broad user audience. Members of the International Network include William Hill, Sportingbet Europe, Stan James, BoyleSports, Paddy Power, Gala Coral, BlueSquare, Betfred and GamingVC. Members of the segregated Italian Skill Games Network include SNAI S.p.A, Sisal MatchPoint S.p.A, Eurobet Srl and Cogetech S.p.A. GameAccount’s financial services platform supports full multilingual white-label solutions with seamless login and real-time funds transfers for a true ‘single-wallet’ experience. GameAccount Network’s multi-table tournament technology, unique to non-poker skill-based gaming, drives longer customer lifetimes and creates superior value from players.

For more information please visit: www.GameAccountNetwork.com

About Eidos
Eidos is the creator of some of the world's leading videogame properties, consisting of several development studios including Crystal Dynamics, IO Interactive, Beautiful Game Studios, Eidos Game Studios, Eidos Hungary and Eidos Montreal, plus sales and distribution offices in Europe and the US. The Group has a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: Tomb Raider™, Hitman™, Deus Ex™, Championship Manager™ and Just Cause™. Eidos is a wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

Championship Manager, Kane & Lynch, Battlestations: Pacific, Thief, Deus Ex, Tomb Raider, Hitman, Just Cause, Eidos and Eidos Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Eidos Interactive Ltd. All rights reserved. SQUARE ENIX is a trademark or a registered trademark of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. in the United States and/or other territories. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

GameAccount Network and Sportingbet strengthen relations
Sportingbet signs multi-year agreement

Tuesday 5th May 2009 (London, UK) - Sportingbet has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with gaming software supplier GameAccount Network strengthening the long-standing commercial relationship. Sportingbet is taking full advantage of the critical mass of player liquidity for non-poker Skill Games resident within the GameAccount Network pooling together customers from many of Europe’s leading online sportsbook operators.

"GameAccount has been providing games to Sportingbet since 2004 and their software today generates a material proportion of Net Gaming Revenue for our Casino & Games business by offering leading browser-based games software with a particular strength in person-to-person Skill Games, tournaments and localisation for European markets. This deal ensures our players enjoy ongoing access to one of the largest communities of Skill Games players in Europe and fits with our strategy of providing our customers with the best possible experience as a result,” says Jim Wilkinson, Group Finance Director at Sportingbet Plc.

"We are delighted to continue developing our relationship with Sportingbet and delivering a compelling experience to their customers,” said Dermot Smurfit, COO. "Our continued focus on Skill Games such as Backgammon is delivering results with excellent yields per active player day. Backgammon is a game for both recreational players and sophisticated high-roller players. Creating a software solution to cater to both customer groups is something GameAccount Network can be rightly proud of. Our network-wide tournaments allow all licensees to offer better-value tournaments compared to any standalone operator. A non-download professional quality Backgammon product capable of catering to a wide variety of recreational and serious punters is a must-have for all sportsbook operators offering a full portfolio of eGaming products.”

For more information on GameAccount Network please contact:

Dermot Smurfit
Chief Operating Officer
+44 (0) 207 292 6262
dsmurfit@gameaccount.com

About GameAccount Network
GameAccount is the market-leading in Skill Games for regulated sportsbook, casino and poker operators seeking a single-wallet gaming solution. GameAccount maintains the International Network comprising leading online operators such as William Hill, Sportingbet Europe, Gala Coral Eurobet, BlueSquare, BoyleSports, PaddyPower and Betfred. The Italian Skill Games Network comprises SNAI S.p.A., Eurobet Srl and Cogetech S.p.A. GameAccount’s financial services platform supports full multilingual white-label solutions with seamless login and real-time exchange rates. GameAccount Network’s cash games, multi-table tournament technology and side games drive longer customer lifetimes to create superior value from players.

For more information please visit: www.GameAccountNetwork.com

About Sportingbet
Sportingbet Plc, founded in 1998, has been listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange since 2001 and is one of the largest companies on AIM. Sportingbet.com is a major brand in the online gaming sector operating across Europe, Australia and the Emerging Markets and offers online sports, casino, poker and gaming to its customers.

For more information please visit: www.sportingbetplc.com

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GAMEACCOUNT AND PGL SIGN AGREEMENT
UK-based developer to provide skill-games for Players Gaming & Leisure

Tuesday 14th April 2009 (London, UK) – Leading skill-gaming developer GameAccount has signed a white-label deal with US-based firm Players Gaming & Leisure to provide skill games for their websites www.grandcasinoworld.com and www.dominoworld.com.
The deal will see GameAccount’s popular games such as dominoes, blackjack and backgammon made available primarily to Asian and South American markets, repackaged and rebranded under the dual banners of Grand Casino World and Domino World. The first of the sites officially launched on Friday 10th April, a particularly lucky day according to the Asian art of Feng Shui, with Domino World due to launch next week. GameAccount will provide software and support for the sites while Players Gaming and Leisure will be responsible for marketing and member acquisition. The deal is the first white-label arrangement for GameAccount in two years, after a decision to concentrate on their rapidly expanding European network.
Henry Leong, Players Gaming & Leisure President comments:
"We are very pleased to be joining forces with a company of GameAccount’s skill-gaming expertise and knowledge and look forward to venturing together into the promising markets of Asia and South America. We have high hopes for future growth, particularly in these new territories – it’s a very exciting time.”

Per Petersen, GameAccount Marketing Director comments:
"We expect this relationship to be fruitful for both parties, and for our first foray back into white-label skill-games provision for over two years Players Gaming & Leisure are the ideal partners. After recent deals which have seen an increase in our European presence, we are looking forward to pushing our popular skill-games further afield.”

For more information on GameAccount Network or head-to-head Gaming contact:

Dermot Smurfit
COO
GameAccount Network
+44 (0) 207 292 6262
dsmurfit@gameaccount.com

About GameAccount
GameAccount was launched in 2002 and is a head-to-head skill-based gaming provider for regulated sportsbook, casino and poker operators seeking a single-wallet skill gaming solution. The company’s proven portfolio of dynamic games attracts recreational gamers and is the perfect vehicle to build and sustain a broad user audience. GameAccount powers leading online partners such as William Hill, Sportingbet Europe, Stan James, Victor Chandler International, BlueSquare, Boylesports, Paddy Power and Gala Coral. GameAccount’s headquarters are in London, United Kingdom.

About Players Gaming & Leisure
Players Gaming and Leisure is a consulting, marketing and sales firm in the gaming and entertainment industry. As consultants they use industry networks to link the right companies to enhance growth and opportunity. As marketers they provide a range of traditional and innovative solutions for clients to build brand image and increase revenues. Clients are retained from all corners of the industry including casinos, hotels, entertainment facilities and internet gaming firms.

For more information please contact:

David Wild
Square in the Air Communications
www.squareintheair.com
020 7239 8242

COGETECH SIGNS UP WITH GAMEACCOUNT
Italian firm join expanding skill-based games network

Tuesday 10th March 2009 (London, UK) – Leading skill-gaming developer GameAccount has signed a partnership deal with Italian betting giant Cogetech SpA to provide skill games for their horse racing and sports betting website www.mistertoto.it.
The agreement will allow the Milan-based company to broaden the range of skill games available and offer their customers the chance to play blackjack, poker dice, gin rummy, backgammon and dominoes. Cogetech will include GameAccount skill-games alongside popular Italian favourites such as Briscola.

"We are enthusiastic and very confident about our new partnership, and being able to rely on a first-class network - essential for the success of a product. With their wide library of games GameAccount is without a doubt one of the world’s best skill-gaming operators,” said Fabio Schiavolin, CEO of Cogetech SpA.

"We are sure that our sophisticated skill games and tournaments will appeal to the customers of www.mistertoto.it and in turn will become the natural choice for Cogetech’s corporate customers. Cogetech is the leading managed services provider to the Italian regulated online sports betting industry and we’re confident our choice of partner will ultimately result in several additional members joining our Italian Skill Games Network alongside existing members SNAI S.p.A. and Eurobet Srl,” said Dermot Smurfit, GameAccount COO.

For more information please contact:

David Wild

Square in the Air Communications
www.squareintheair.com
020 7239 8242

GAMINGVC SIGNS UP FOR GAMEACCOUNT
Casino Club & BetPro to join leading skill-based games network

Monday 23rd February 2009 (London, UK) - GameAccount, a leading software developer and supplier to the regulated online gaming industry has signed a software licensing agreement with Gaming VC Corporation Limited, Malta-based operator of various major online sportsbook, poker & casino websites principally targeting the German-Austrian & Italian markets.

The multi-year deal enables GamingVC’s online customers to engage in playing GameAccount’s market leading portfolio of online games including Dominoes, Poker Dice, Gin Rummy, Blackjack and the network’s most-popular game Backgammon.

Kenny Alexander, CEO, Gaming VC Holdings SA comments:
"In my opinion GameAccount’s software suite is the best portfolio of non-poker skill-based games available in the market today. Unlike other suppliers’ skill gaming products, GameAccount’s games are proven revenue generators. Furthermore, non-poker skill-based games are expected to become a crucial part of any regulated Italian sportsbook operator’s product portfolio.

"Having examined the experience and technical capabilities of all potential suppliers to International eGaming operators and Italian regulated sportsbook operators, we believe GameAccount to be the market leader and are delighted to be joining both their International Network and their Italian Skill Games Network in 2009.”

Dermot Smurfit, COO, GameAccount Global comments:
"We are delighted to welcome GamingVC into both our fast-growing International & Italian Skill Games Networks. GamingVC’s timing is excellent, following our entry into the Italian Skill Games market in October 2008 with the launch of www.snaiabilita.it in partnership with SNAI S.p.A.

"Outside of the regulated Italian market many existing operator’s businesses remain under pressure to extend customer values and broaden their product’s appeal. Our games enable our blue-chip corporate customers to mine a strong seam of demand for these emerging games in regulated markets. Our investment in the regulated infrastructure in all major white-listed licensing jurisdictions speaks volumes of our commitment to growing the market for non-poker person-to-person games. Our licensees and the number of players online at peak times demonstrates our proposition to any operator seeking person-to-person games business ‘Beyond Poker’.”

GamingVC becomes the first licensee sportsbook operator in 2009 to join GameAccount’s International Network following membership by William Hill, Gala Group, Sportingbet Europe, Boylesports PaddyPower, Stan James, BlueSquare and most recently Betfred. GamingVC also joins GameAccount’s burgeoning Italian Skill Games Network joining dominant retail & online Italian sports betting operator SNAI S.p.A and Eurobet Srl.

For more information on GameAccount Network or head-to-head Gaming contact:

Dermot Smurfit
COO
GameAccount Network
+44 (0) 207 292 6262
dsmurfit@gameaccount.com

About GameAccount Network
GameAccount Network comprises hundreds of websites created for third party regulated sportsbook, casino and poker operators seeking a single-wallet skill-based gaming solution. The company’s proven portfolio of dynamic games attracts recreational gamers and is the perfect vehicle to build and sustain a broad user audience. Members of the International Network include William Hill, Sportingbet Europe, Stan James, BoyleSports, Paddy Power, Gala Coral, BlueSquare, Betfred and GamingVC. Members of the segregated Italian Skill Games Network include SNAI S.p.A, Eurobet Srl. GameAccount’s financial services platform supports full multilingual white-label solutions with seamless login and real-time funds transfers for a true ‘single-wallet’ experience. GameAccount Network’s multi-table tournament technology, unique to non-poker skill-based gaming, drives longer customer lifetimes and creates superior value from players.

For more information please visit: www.GameAccountNetwork.com

About GamingVC
Established in 2004, Gaming VC Corp BV is an operating and acquisitions company focused on the growing world of online gaming. The Company was incorporated in Luxembourg to acquire the business and operating assets of Casinos International NV, collectively known as The Casino Club, the dominant on-line casino in German-speaking markets. Larger than William Hill, Sportingbet and Bet 365 from a single market position, The Casino Club boasts 58,000 active customers and more than 100,000 registered users. The associated Casino-Club magazine is well respected among roulette enthusiasts and currently has a circulation of over 100,000.

Gaming VC provides a proven business model and is a leading online gaming operator in German speaking countries. Importantly, we do not accept wagers from US customers and as such are not affected by current or potential prohibitive legislation in that market. Our aim is to continue growing in our core German markets, where new marketing initiatives have proven to be successful and we are continuing to expand market share. We are also selectively looking at opportunities to replicate this model in other geographic areas.

For more information please visit: www.gamingvc.com

RECORD £100 MILLION STAKED IN LAST QUARTER

Leading skill gaming provider bucks current financial trends with record results

Monday 16th February 2009 (London, UK) – Leading skill gaming provider GameAccount reveal that over £100 million has been staked in the last quarter, a staggering 75% increase on the previous three-month period.

GameAccount, the skill gaming partner to many of the industry’s leading bookmakers including William Hill and Gala Coral, has reported astonishing growth in recent months, bucking the trend of gloomy forecasts and failing companies. With total stakes of just £10.5 million in 2007, the results confirm the company to be one of the fastest growing online gaming firms in the UK.

Active user numbers have also risen dramatically, up 38% on the previous quarter, with over 15,000 players logging onto GameAccount websites in the last week alone. The promising results preempt a significant move into European territories for GameAccount, following an agreement last week with Gaming VC, owner of The Casino Club, the dominant online casino in German-speaking markets, and an earlier deal to provide skill games for Eurobet Italia.

The rise of online skill gaming is being spearheaded by GameAccount. GameAccount manages a large network of games websites where players can compete against other players in tournaments and head-to-head matches for free or for real money. Traditional games such as dominoes, backgammon, poker dice and blackjack can be played remotely against a rival on the other side of the world.

"We’re beginning to see a change in the way people are playing games online and thankfully it’s in our favour,” says Kevin Dale, GameAccount CEO. "Partly in an effort to save money, more and more people are turning to the internet for their entertainment and our person-to-person skill games are exactly what they’re looking for.

"Potential partners are now wise to this and are directly approaching us as a provider. By exploiting the favourable conditions and reinvesting in product development and our technology platform we’re able to continually improve our offering and maintain our market-leading postion.”

For more information on GameAccount Network or head-to-head Gaming contact:

Dermot Smurfit
COO
GameAccount Network
+44 (0) 207 292 6262
dsmurfit@gameaccount.com

EUROBET ITALIA SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH GAMEACCOUNT

Thursday 20th November 2008 (London, UK) –Eurobet Italia today signed an agreement for the platform services of Skill Games with the leading skill-based gaming provider GameAccount, whose offer is fully compatible with the requirements of regulated licensed Italian operators. Eurobet’s decision follows SNAI S.p.A’s, who are using the same supplier.

"We are delighted to have signed this agreement”, says Domenico Giovando, Managing Director of Eurobet Italia. "Skill Gaming is really starting to grow in all of Europe and research suggests that as customers look for "Peer to Peer” experiences beyond poker, this will also be the case in Italy. The reliability of Game Account’s network and experience will help us exploiting the potential of the Skill Games”.

"We’re very excited about Eurobet Italia joining the network”, comments Dermot Smurfit, COO of GameAccount. "We are convinced that our unique Blackjack and Poker Dice products will prove a hit with Italian gamers and that Eurobet Italia will enjoy a significant new revenue stream”.

For more information on GameAccount Network or head-to-head Gaming contact:

Dermot Smurfit
COO
GameAccount Network
+44 (0) 207 292 6262
dsmurfit@gameaccount.com

About GameAccount
GameAccount was launched in 2002 and is a head-to-head skill-based gaming provider for regulated sportsbook, casino and poker operators seeking a single-wallet skill gaming solution. The company’s proven portfolio of dynamic games attracts recreational gamers and is the perfect vehicle to build and sustain a broad user audience. GameAccount powers leading online partners such as William Hill, Sportingbet Europe, SNAI, Stan James, Victor Chandler International, BlueSquare, Boylesports, Paddy Power and Gala Coral. GameAccount’s headquarters are in London, United Kingdom.

Eurobet
Eurobet Italia is Gala Coral Group’s sportsbook dedicated to the Italian market since 2006. Gala Coral is Europe's largest integrated betting and gaming group and one of Britain's largest privately owned companies. Eurobet has been operating in Italy since April 2006 after the purchase of a betting licence and in compliance with AAMS laws and regulations. Eurobet.it has extremely competitive odds on both major national and international sport events offered by the State monopoly. These include football, tennis, motorsports, basketball, volleyball and winter sports. Alongside with the Eurobet.it, website, the firm has successfully developed its retail business with 368 betting shops throughout the Italian peninsula.

Gala Coral
The Gala Coral group is made up of over 19 thousand employees, more than 1600 betting shops, 175 bingo halls, and 30 Casinos in the UK. With its 5 Internet sites
www.galabingo.co.uk,
www.galacasinos.co.uk,
www.www.coral.co.uk,
www.eurobet.it,
www.eurobet.com
Gala Coral has customers in more than 100 countries with around 6 million bingo players.

For more information please contact:

David Wild

Square in the Air Communications
www.squareintheair.com
020 7239 8242

Record breaking £120 million staked in last 12 months

Leading skill gaming provider flourishing despite current financial climate and posts record financial results

Wednesday 12th November 2008 (London, UK) – According to the experts we are in a global recession, but GameAccount – one of the fastest growing online gaming companies in the UK – has just posted an amazing set of results that have seen a dramatic increase in staked revenues. The £10 ½ million staked in the year ending 2007 has been totally eclipsed by the staggering £120 million recorded for 2008.

The rise of online ‘skill-gaming’ is being spearheaded by GameAccount. In the last quarter alone total stakes have increased by 30% and the total number of active users by 19%. In the last week, over 13,000 players have logged on to GameAccount websites, a 70% increase in players compared to the same 7-day period last year.

GameAccount manages a network of games websites where players can compete against other players in tournaments and head-to-head matches for free or for real money. Traditional games such as dominoes, backgammon, poker dice and blackjack can be played remotely against a rival on the other side of the world. Last month, GameAccount hosted the World's largest and fastest person-to-person online blackjack tournament where the winner walked away with 50 times his original stake. He took just 45 minutes to be crowned champion and pocket his prize.

"People are staying at home, not just because it's getting colder, but to save money too,” says Dermot Smurfit, GameAccount COO. "As markets all over the world are melting, we’re pleased that more and more people are turning to the internet and skill gaming for their entertainment.”

In fact, the company has just had a record October with staked revenue of over £25 million and is very much looking to the future. "We have taken advantage of these favourable trading conditions to reinvest in our core product development and underlying technology platform in order to maintain our market leading position in the skill games market”, adds Smurfit.

For more information on GameAccount Network or head-to-head Gaming contact:

Dermot Smurfit
COO
GameAccount Network
+44 (0) 207 292 6262
dsmurfit@gameaccount.com

GameAccount Network
Join the fun at any of our online partner sites.
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www.coralhead2head.co.uk
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www.gamesgrid.com
paddypowerplay.gameaccount.com
www.stanjames.com (select 'Skill')
www.sportingbet.com (select '1v1')
www.williamhillskillgames.com

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Gala Coral launches GameAccount 'Head to Head' Games

Gala Coral joins the leading Skill Games Network

May 20, 2008 (London, UK) - GameAccount, a leading software developer and supplier to the regulated online gaming industry has launched their suite of skill-based games for Gala Coral, Europe’s largest integrated betting and gaming group. The multi-year deal enables Gala Coral’s’ online customers to engage in playing GameAccount’s market leading portfolio of head-to-head online games including Gin Rummy; Blackjack; and Backgammon. All GameAccount head-to-head games offer multi-table tournaments together with head-to-head cash games and are currently available for Gala Coral’s customers via the single-wallet integrated websites Coralhead2head.co.uk, Galacasinohead2head.co.uk and Eurobethead2head.com.

"Head-to-head games broaden the demographic appeal of our online destination sites. GameAccount’s market-leading Blackjack tournaments are expected to naturally appeal to our online and offline casino customers. Backgammon and Gin Rummy are anticipated to offer meaningful appeal to Corals’ sports-betting and Gala’s bingo-playing customer demographics. GameAccount was chosen after an exhaustive process investigating the experience of potential suppliers, the established player liquidity and the technical capabilities of their respective platforms.” said Joe Coughlin, Head of New Product Development for Gala Coral E-Commerce.

Gala Coral becomes the second licensee eGaming operator in 2008 to join the GameAccount Network following membership by William Hill, BoyleSports, PaddyPower, Sportingbet Europe and most recently Stan James. All GameAccount licensees enjoy the benefits of GameAccount’s recent software upgrade which includes navigation enhancements for the games lobby, more information for tournament players and brand new side games. Players can now easily find and register for the next tournament to start and simply navigate between game tables. For the first time in the skill-based gaming industry, players can launch side games from the game lobby without missing a moment of live head-to-head skill-based gaming action.

"We are delighted to welcome Gala Coral as our latest blue-chip licensee." said Kevin Dale, Chief Executive Officer. "Membership of our network offers regulated eGaming operators the benefit of our substantial and continued investment in unique head-to-head gaming software together with access to a significant pool numbering tens of thousands of active real money players each month. Gin Rummy, Backgammon and our unique Blackjack form a compelling suite of head-to-head games. In the coming weeks these games will be joined by head-to-head Poker Dice and Dominoes together with an upgraded games lobby increasing usability for players and the value proposition for licensees."

For more information on GameAccount or head-to-head Gaming contact:

Dermot Smurfit
COO
GameAccount
+44 (0) 207 659 2500
dsmurfit@gameaccount.com

About GameAccount
GameAccount is the #1 head-to-head skill-based gaming provider for regulated sportsbook, casino and poker operators seeking a single-wallet skill gaming solution. The company’s proven portfolio of dynamic games attracts recreational gamers and is the perfect vehicle to build and sustain a broad user audience. GameAccount powers leading online partners such as William Hill, Sportingbet Europe, Stan James, Victor Chandler International, BlueSquare, BoyleSports, and Paddy Power. GameAccount’s financial services platform supports full multilingual white-label solutions with seamless login and real-time exchange rates. GameAccount’s multi-table tournament technology, unique to head-to-head gaming, drives longer customer lifetimes and creates superior value from players.

For more information please visit: www.gameaccount.com

About Gala Coral
The Gala Coral Group is Europe's leading integrated gaming company and one of Britain’s largest private companies, with 1,750 retail trading outlets in the UK and an E-Commerce division, which offers customers casino, poker, bingo and sports betting on line. The Group employs over 18,000 people in the UK, and is the first in the industry to achieve full GamCare accreditation, covering all of the Group’s divisions - Coral/Gala Bingo/Gala Casino/E Commerce.

For more information please visit: www.galacoral.co.uk

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Stan James launches GameAccount Skill Games

Stan James joins the leading Skill Games Network

May 02, 2008 (London, UK) - GameAccount, a leading software developer and supplier to the regulated online gaming industry has launched their suite of "Skill” games for Stan James, operator of the Stan James UK licensed betting shops and major UK & International online sportsbook www.StanJames.com. The multi-year deal enables Stan James’ online customers to engage in playing GameAccount’s market leading portfolio of online games including Gin Rummy; Blackjack; and Backgammon. All GameAccount person-to-person skill games offer multi-table tournaments - a first for skill gaming - together with head-to-head cash games.

"Skill games broaden the demographic appeal of our online sportsbook offering, particularly relevant for southern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries where Backgammon is a cultural phenomenon. GameAccount was chosen after an exhaustive process investigating the potential for these emerging games, the experience of potential suppliers and the technical capabilities of their respective platforms.” said Russell Young, Head of eGaming for Stan James.

Stan James becomes the first licensee sportsbook operator in 2008 to join the GameAccount Network following membership by William Hill, BoyleSports, PaddyPower and Sportingbet Europe. All GameAccount licensees enjoy the benefits of GameAccount’s recent software upgrade which includes navigation enhancements for the games lobby, more information for tournament players and brand new side games. Players can now easily find and register for the next tournament to start and simply navigate between game tables. For the first time in the skill gaming industry, players can launch side games from the game lobby without missing a moment of live person-to-person skill gaming action.

"We are delighted to welcome Stan James into our fast-growing Network, which has experienced explosive growth in player numbers and staking activity," said Kevin Dale, Chief Executive Officer. "Our blue-chip corporate customers benefit from unique skill gaming software in attracting new players - reducing the dreaded churn and driving meaningful revenues comparable to poker. Gin Rummy, Backgammon and our unique Blackjack form a compelling suite of person-to-person games super-charged by the presence of new instant win side games to fill idle minutes. GameAccount is integrated with several sportsbook platforms including Orbis and Finsoft. Stan James is our third licensee sportsbook operator utilising the Finsoft sports betting software platform."

For more information on GameAccount or Skill Gaming contact:

Dermot Smurfit
COO
GameAccount
+44 (0) 207 659 2500
dsmurfit@gameaccount.com

About GameAccount
GameAccount is the #1 skill gaming provider for regulated sportsbook, casino and poker operators seeking a single-wallet skill gaming solution. The company’s proven portfolio of dynamic games attracts recreational gamers and is the perfect vehicle to build and sustain a broad user audience. GameAccount powers leading online partners such as William Hill, Sportingbet Europe, Victor Chandler International, BlueSquare, BoyleSports, Paddy Power and SkyBet. GameAccount’s financial services platform supports full multilingual white-label solutions with seamless login and real-time exchange rates. GameAccount’s multi-table tournament technology, unique to skill gaming, drives longer customer lifetimes and creates superior value from players.

For more information please visit: www.gameaccount.com

STAN JAMES

Stan James (Gibraltar) Ltd. is a long-established and respected name in the betting industry. The original sports bookmaker, the company’s reputation was built on its range of innovative markets and value prices.

Stan James was the pioneer of in-running betting which raised the bar for the entire industry. Our telephonists are renowned for their efficiency, knowledge and speed to make our telephone betting service second to none. In excess of 10,000 calls are handled every day from over 30 countries worldwide.

Stan James went online five years ago. Quickly introducing Casino, Games and Poker products, Stan James are proud to offer their customers a complete suite of gambling entertainment.

For more information please visit: www.stanjames.com

Stan James (Gibraltar) Limited is licensed by the Gibraltar Government.

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GameAccount signs multi-year deal with Gala Coral

Gala Coral joins the leading Games Network

July 23, 2007 (London, UK) - GameAccount, a leading software developer and supplier to the regulated online gaming industry has signed a software licensing agreement with Gala Coral, Europe’s largest integrated betting and gaming group. The multi-year deal enables Gala Coral’s’ online customers to engage in playing GameAccount’s market leading portfolio of head-to-head online games including Gin Rummy; Blackjack; and Backgammon. All GameAccount head-to-head games offer multi-table tournaments together with head-to-head cash games.

Gala Coral becomes the latest licensee sportsbook operator in 2007 to join the GameAccount Network following membership by William Hill, BoyleSports, BlueSquare and Stan James. All GameAccount licensees enjoy the benefits of GameAccount’s April 2007 software upgrade which includes navigation enhancements for the games lobby, more information for tournament players and brand new side games. Players can now easily find and register for the next tournament to start and simply navigate between game tables. For the first time in the skill gaming industry, players can launch side games from the game lobby without missing a moment of live person-to-person skill gaming action.

"We are delighted to welcome Gala Coral as our latest blue-chip licensee." said Dermot Smurfit, Sales & Marketing Director. "Our corporate customers benefit from unique head-to-head gaming software in attracting new players - reducing the dreaded churn and driving meaningful revenues comparable to poker. Gin Rummy, Backgammon and our unique Blackjack form a compelling suite of head-to-head games super-charged by the presence of new instant win side games to fill idle minutes."

For more information on GameAccount or head-to-head Gaming contact:

Dermot Smurfit
Sales & Marketing Director
GameAccount
+44 (0) 207 659 2500
dsmurfit@gameaccount.com

About GameAccount

GameAccount is the #1 head-to-head gaming provider for regulated sportsbook, casino and poker operators seeking a single-wallet skill gaming solution. The company’s proven portfolio of dynamic games attracts recreational gamers and is the perfect vehicle to build and sustain a broad user audience. GameAccount powers leading online partners such as William Hill, Sportingbet Europe, Victor Chandler International, BlueSquare, BoyleSports, Paddy Power and SkyBet. GameAccount’s financial services platform supports full multilingual white-label solutions with seamless login and real-time exchange rates. GameAccount’s multi-table tournament technology, unique to head-to-head gaming, drives longer customer lifetimes and creates superior value from players.

For more information please visit: www.gameaccount.com

For more information please visit: www.galacoral.co.uk

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Gin Rummy proves Online Poker is ‘Not The Only Game’

GameAccount.com hosts 2007 Online Rummy World Championship

London – February 22, 2007 - What card game links legendary WSOP Champion Stu Ungar, Hollywood stars and lovers Bogart and Bacall, the incorrigible Rat Pack, alongside Goldfinger and James Bond? You may remember it as the card game of your youth – Gin Rummy. Before the incredible rise of poker, gin rummy was the only game in town. Easy to learn (it is said the game can be learned in 90 seconds), accessible and mentally provocative, the ‘Thinking Man’s Poker’ is perfect to play online, and is fighting for some serious recognition alongside poker. Leading skill-gaming network GameAccount.com (www.gameaccount.com) is the first global site catering to both rookie and expert gin players, having hosted over 100 million hands of gin rummy for stakes ranging from £1 to £1,000 per game. Every month, million of pounds exchange hands between members of this growing community of dedicated gin players.

At heart, gin rummy players are poker players and vice-versa. Gin has been slowly gaining a cyber presence and the crossover with poker means that the site has witnessed a surge in players looking to apply their card skills for fun and profits. Gin rummy is a skill game, but it retains the element of chance necessary to make it encouraging to all newcomers. Players can read up on gin techniques, practise their games for low stakes at first, then move into the big money games when confident.

Gin Rummy’s revival means that online gaming will witness a historical first in Summer 2007 when the inaugural Online ‘Gin Rummy World Championship’ will be hosted on the GameAccount.com network. The tournament prize purse, participating partners and structure will be revealed over the coming weeks.

Kevin Dale, GameAccount.com CEO believes that, "Serious card players are looking for a fresh new buzz or adrenalin rush that is similar but not identical to poker. We have been nurturing our gin community and product for the last year and now have that great combination of pro players and improving amateurs which has been such a success in the poker world. The ‘Gin Rummy World Championship’ will be a rewarding experience akin to other competitive online tournaments.”

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William Hill launches Skill Gaming

Major UK gaming site launches Backgammon, Gin Rummy and Blackjack

January 23, 2007 (London, UK) - William Hill, one of the best known and most trusted names in the UK and Irish betting industry, has launched Internet skill gaming in partnership with GameAccount (www.gameaccount.com), the world's largest integrated network of skill-based games.

Accessible through a tab on William Hill's homepage (www.willhill.com), the fully integrated browser-based skill games are now available in 7 languages and 11 currencies. Blackjack, Gin Rummy and Backgammon are supported by next-generation 'poker-style' tournament technology: cash games; non-stop 'sit and go' tournaments, money-added scheduled tournaments; guaranteed prize money tournaments; feeder / qualifier tournaments and regular scheduled freeroll tournaments. In addition, all games are William Hill branded throughout, providing added appeal to their customer base.

Peter Nolan, Group Director Interactive Business for William Hill outlined their choice, "We appointed GameAccount as our supplier after exhaustive research into the untapped skill games market. They are strongly aligned with our vision and have delivered games which are a great fit for our product expansion strategy. We are particularly excited about their unique multiplayer products, providing greater choice and quality entertainment to our customers."

Kevin Dale, CEO of GameAccount, agrees: "We are delighted to have launched our skill games with William Hill. They are a British gaming institution and key global brand. Our products are proven to generate per-player value comparable with and incremental to existing Poker services, and clearly these economics and product stability were decisive factors. Teaming with William Hill is confirmation of our belief that the right Skill Gaming derivatives are serious contenders in the remote gaming space".

GameAccount's Person-to-Person technology allows eGaming operators to expand their brand, acquire customers within key markets and reactivate lapsed players. Currently, millions of pounds, dollars and euros are paid out to players within the GameAccount Network each month. The William Hill partnership is another in a series of key deals for the company. Current partners include Sportingbet Europe, PaddyPower.com, Victor Chandler International, Skybet, and Blue Square.

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Migrate to the UK: What on Earth For?

GameAccount.com offers western income to eastern online players

January 20th, 2007 (London, UK) - More and more Eastern Europeans are finding that they don’t need to emigrate to the UK in order to enjoy incomes that exceed local salaries. In return for a decent internet connection and some serious gaming attitude, savvy Eastern Europeans are making money at games like backgammon and gin rummy. So-called ‘skill games’ differ from the popular casino, sports and bingo sites in that a person’s skill and mental stamina, rather than chance, are the key to success.

At GameAccount.com, (www.gameaccount.com) the UK and Ireland’s largest skill gaming site, they’ve seen a surge in players from Latvia, Turkey, Serbia, Romania and Russia looking to cash in on the multiplayer game challenges offered by comparatively well-off Europeans.

Sergejs D. is a 44-year old gin rummy player from Riga, Latvia who has mastered the classic card game to win upwards of €26,000 (£17,000) since mid-2004. "I came across non-gambling sites a while back, deposited €15 and after some trial and error, started beating more and more opponents. I read up on strategies and would even memorise and practise gin rummy hands when I wasn’t online. It’s now become my full-time profession”. In a country where the average wage is around £3,500 per year, Sergejs is well-off.

And it’s not just Eastern Europe where locals have a good standard of living through online skill gaming. In Turkey and the Middle East, backgammon is a national pastime. A 34-year old psychologist from Ankara, Ersen G. notes: "Here in Turkey, when I play for $20 (about £10) that’s serious money– it’s not just loose change. Thankfully, most UK players I challenge only play for fun - they’re not seasoned backgammon professionals like some of my neighbours over here! I can make several hundred dollars a week at the game, which is a wonderful income - and I only do it part-time.”

"My English has also improved by playing British opponents. They get quite excited about trying to beat me, but they have to understand that Turks are the best backgammon players in the world!.”

What seems to be ‘play money’ for westerners is treated as an income opportunity in the East. With internet penetration increasing in these regions, a skill gaming revolution is on the cards. The big advantage for these overseas players is that they benefit from the low cost of living at home whilst earning a good income from the West.

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GameAccount takes Internet Skill Gaming to the next level

New multi-table tournaments, instant win games and growing player numbers.

January 16th, 2007 (London, UK) - GameAccount, a leading software provider to the internet gaming industry, has redesigned its browser-based skill gaming software. The major network-wide upgrade for 2007 includes several improved lobby features, game tables and enhanced multi-table tournaments with feeder qualifiers. Players can now find and select their tournament types or cash game easier than ever, navigating between cash game tables for Backgammon, Gin Rummy or Blackjack with a single click. Another first for any skill gaming provider, is the ability for players to launch skill-based instant win games directly from the main lobby. Players can click, play and continue wagering while waiting for a scheduled tournament to start or even while involved in a tournament.

"This is an exciting period for GameAccount as we launch the next generation of our award-winning skill gaming software. Improving usability for players and the games cycle results in more revenue for our blue chip licensee partners.” said Dermot Smurfit, GameAccount’s Sales & Marketing Director. "Our improved software demonstrates our continued commitment to providing skill games on a par with industry standard poker software. Poker is not the only skill-based game!”

GameAccount’s person-to-person blackjack game won the eGaming Review magazine’s 2006 award for Innovation.

Fast-growth in player numbers

"Player numbers in our main lobby have more than trebled in the last eight weeks, driven by a variety of factors.” said Mr.Smurfit. "Network-wide or bespoke event tournaments with generous overlays have brought serious players to the site in search of value and compelling opportunities to stake a little, to earn a lot. William Hill’s launch in January and Skybet’s rebrand have proven a major driver of player liquidity and we expect William Hill’s players will soon represent a material proportion of all active network players.”

Instant-win skill games

The new suite of skill-based instant-win games, are accessed via the main game lobby through a series of easy-to-use drop-down menus. These games are a key reason why leading eGaming brands continue to choose GameAccount as their skill game supplier. GameAccount recognises that revenue per player-hour is a crucial key performance indicator. Players experiencing waiting time before or during tournaments can continue to spend on games which are just a single click away. Players choose from the available games, select their stake and the instant win game pops-up in a separate window. "We’ve found multi-tabling to be a powerful draw for players wishing to maximise their earning potential. The more games they can play, simultaneously, the better. It’s a crucial feature in poker, and the same applies to skill games.” said Sam Lawrence, GameAccount’s Chief Technical Officer.

About GameAccount (www.GameAccount.com)

Based in London, UK, GameAccount operates a network of person-to-person games including Gin Rummy, Backgammon and a unique Blackjack game – winner of a 2006 eGaming Review Award. Sportsbook, casino and poker operators license access to the GameAccount Network, granting their customers access to games in the same way they already access poker games available within popular networks. GameAccount is at the forefront of remote gaming with blue chip integrated licensees including William Hill, Paddy Power, Sportingbet, SkyBet, BoyleSports and BlueSquare.

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Online Skill Games Fuelling Luxury Lifestyles.

GameAccount.com offers players serious, tax free supplemental incomes

January 8th, 2007 (London, UK) - "I’m off abroad to live the life of a country gentleman” says Dan C. from Surrey, an average English guy with a not-so-average way of making his fortune. 34-year old Dan has earned over £30,000 playing online skill games in little over one year. He’s been saving most of this supplemental income and always planned to invest his well-gotten gains in Eastern European property. Dan reasons, "The UK property market is beyond me and much of that is probably due to the influx of East Europeans. Not enough houses and lots more people looking for a roof over their heads. I’ve never been one to follow the flow so I’m going to emigrate over there, where prices are fantastic!”

Skill-gaming is a growing niche in the online gaming world, where skill and not luck, is the main determinant in a game. Some of the more recognisable skill-based games are Backgammon, Gin Rummy, Solitaire and Tournament Blackjack. Unlike risky on-line casinos, a practiced player can earn a good income by outfoxing their online opponents.

"Friends told me that I was wasting my time and that I would only lose money gambling online. They just didn’t get it. I kept telling them these were games of skill, not gambling.”

As Dan spent more time online, friends and family were sceptical both of his chances of success and of the legitimacy of this new skill-based gaming medium. "They just didn’t get it. I kept telling them these were games of skill, not gambling. If you get good at the games, you can consistently win money.” However, they were soon won over by his new hobby – especially when Dan showed them the first cheque which came in from his favourite site, www.gameaccount.com. "It meant everything to me” he recalls, "I waved it around in front of everybody!” Dan’s play increased and improved - so too did the flow of cheques. Any remaining scepticism was soon washed away as he raked in between £1,000 and £2,000 a month.

Kevin Dale, CEO at GameAccount, confirms that the skill angle makes this type of gaming rewarding. "Playing others at a game like Backgammon is a completely different proposition than putting your hard-earned cash on a roulette table or in a slot machine. You have far more control over your destiny. We’ve got hundreds of successful players from all over the world whose tournament winnings run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.”

And Dan? He’s recently bought 200 acres of agricultural land in Hungary for his own truffle farm and hunting lodge which he intends to build up with his wife. "With broadband internet over there too, I’ll probably buy my first tractor from my online winnings!”

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Thinking Man’s Poker: Gin Rummy is back in 2006.

By Meir Moses (Marketing Manager - RedHotRummy.com – the world’s first dedicated Gin Rummy site)

August 3rd, 2006 - Almost everyone remembers playing a game of Gin Rummy as a youngster, usually introduced by a grandparent keen on giving you your first taste of serious card play. However, few people younger than 40 realise that before Poker, Rummy was pretty much the card game of choice for hard core gamblers and casual players alike from the 1920’s through to the early 70’s. Gin Rummy was accessible and sexy. Bogart and Bacall played it, Shirley MacLaine had a gun pulled on her playing mob boss Sam Giancana, and of course the Rat Pack would indulge in the game while nursing a whiskey sour and cigarette. Bankrolled and endorsed Rummy pro-players criss-crossed the US looking for high-stakes tournaments and games (Vegas, Miami, California and New York being the major hubs). It was not uncommon to have $500 - $1,000 buy-ins per game (a lot of money in those days), with property and other capital sometimes put up as collateral.

Gin Rummy was the epitome of cool and everyone wanted in. Even Poker’s first "rock ‘n roll superstar” Stu ‘The Kid’ Ungar, had been a travelling Gin Rummy pro, to the extent that he eventually couldn’t even get a money game anywhere in the US. Famously, the three times WSOP champ uttered the words "I don’t see how anyone could ever play Gin better than me” – though Rummy old timers swear that he was by no means the best. Ironically, Ungar’s lifestyle and image signalled a popular cultural shift towards Poker (and specifically the ‘crapshoot’ – as Rummy players describe it - that is ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’) and eventually the multimedia money-spinner it is now. Poker captures the imagination due to a spectacular combination of culture, luck and huge purses. Importantly, anyone can dream and even sometimes realise a serious tournament win. Crucially, these elements translated almost perfectly into the online and television environment.

Poker slowly but surely swept Gin Rummy and other more skill-based Poker formats such as Omaha into a dusty corner (try and find a serious Omaha or Stud game in Vegas – it ain’t easy – that’s because the game is considered ‘too skilful’).

With growth in Poker slowing (though by no means dead) and the major operators consolidating or fighting for players, Gin Rummy has been slowly gaining a cyber presence. It certainly is a given that all Gin Rummy players are Poker players and vice-versa the same applies too. Certainly, Rummy is a far easier game to pick up and play, and it’s portability (either as a 2-or even 4-player game) is a prerequisite for internet popularisation – without the collusion issues of Poker or complications of Contract Bridge. Basically, a person can master the rules in 2 minutes (there are only minor variants). That’s also roughly the time it takes to get addicted to the format. Before long, you want to play the game for money – something genuine Rummy players take very seriously. As a rake-based online product, Rummy pretty much mimics all the dynamics and economics of online Poker and the requisite tournaments it supports. Instead of growing pots for example, your allocation of the profits can be determined through ‘per point’ Money Play – profits increasing according to the skill applied and the moves made (and sometimes risks taken) to win your hand. Gin Rummy is a Skill Game (in the US it is considered as such in most states – making it a fantastic legal advertising vehicle) – but it retains the elements of chance necessary to make it encouraging to all newcomers. After all, you can almost never beat a pro in chess or pool and even backgammon benefits from handicapping or rating systems. It takes a long time to master and memorise the over 66,000 possible hand variations in Rummy, but it is ultimately about common sense and keen observation. Rummy players build a vision of their opponent’s hands and the banter and culture of psyching out that player is almost as thrilling as the Poker variant because bluff and bluster still figure strongly in the game. What Rummy needs is the injection of youth and vigour associated with Poker – and of course TV. There is a strong belief that technology could enable a far more compelling television experience for the game than some other games out there currently being televised (Let’s not forget that the Poker we see is a heavily edited production that erases all the typical lulls and boring hands).

The game is rejuvenating online and player ages range from 20-50, with a good mixed demographic. Stakes can vary from the typical $4.00 mark to as much as $800.00 per game. Offline games currently cater to a mostly older crowd – but that crowd knows Rummy and there are hundreds of Doyle Brunsons and Titanic Thompson’s out there who are dying to take on the youth and educate them in the process.

With over 40 million hands of Gin Rummy played, www.redhotrummy.com is a site that has seen a huge uptake in the game and provides the kind of community spirit that confirms its potential as complementary to Poker as a serious gaming source for both the casual and serious player. More than any other game, Gin Rummy looks set to take the online market by storm this year and form the backbone of the another industry success story!

There are dozens of different Rummy games known around the world, from European 7-Card Rummy to the Gambler’s choice of 10-Card ‘Oklahoma’ rule Rummy common in North America.

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GameAccount is At The Races

Leading horse racing website chooses Skill Games Network

August 1st, 2006, (London, UK) - GameAccount (www.gameaccount.com), the world’s largest integrated network of skill-based person-to-person (P2P) games has teamed up with attheraces.com, one of the UK’s leading horse racing and betting websites, to supply cutting-edge Skill Gaming to its growing community of users.

Attheraces.com will now roll out over 14 classic multiplayer games and tournaments on its site by enabling player access to the ‘poker style’ GameAccount network of non-download games. These include popular skill-based games such as Tournament Blackjack, Three Card Poker and other popular card variants alongside real-time multiplayer Gin Rummy, Backgammon & 8-Ball Pool. Players will have access to sophisticated tournament and instant-win jackpot formats offering rolling prize pools totalling more than £250,000.

GameAccount has specially developed their products to appeal to the serious player looking to take part in heads-up games & tournaments for high stakes; at the same time, opening an important new, incremental profit stream for the commercially-astute operator. The attheraces.com service will run through a fully branded white label solution.

Tony Sweeney, Head of Commercial Development at At The Races commented, "We’ve seen massive growth in attheraces.com users each time we’ve introduced new developments and technologies to the site. A tailored games portfolio is another well targeted and relevant service for our users which will only help further increase the frequency and duration of visits.”

Kevin Dale, CEO at GameAccount is confident in the success of the relationship. "Our reputation in the industry is being cemented through these quality partnerships. We are delighted that At The Races has recognised the cross-platform opportunities available to them by choosing to invest in the GameAccount Network. We feel genuinely honoured to be able to service so many market leaders so successfully.”

GameAccount specialises in supplying bespoke white label and fully integrated back-end solutions to remote gaming operators. The company continues to penetrate remote gaming markets through unrivalled multi-currency and multi-lingual options.

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GameAccount Launches Televised Backgammon

Pokerzone TV to promote classic Skill Game

July 24th, 2006 (London, UK) – GameAccount Global Ltd. (GameAccount), the #1 online skill gaming provider (www.gameaccount.com), and Pokerzone will collaborate to bring viewers live Backgammon via Pokerzone’s global Poker and gaming lifestyle channel (www.pokerzone.tv) available via satellite, cable and broadband television.

The partnership means that Pokerzone will use live in-game footage taken from GameAccount’s WorldGammon brand and destination site (www.worldgammon.com) to educate and stimulate interest in this classic parlour game. Backgammon has a huge worldwide player base and its legal status as a pure game of skill has ensured a dedicated online audience as well. Hundreds of thousands of people enjoy a daily game of virtual Backgammon, from recreational newcomers to the more serious experienced pros.

Pokerzone (Sky Channel 843) will drive the editorial content and draw on GameAccount’s existing expertise to demonstrate the appeal of Backgammon to a targeted gaming audience. Each episode will last 3 hours for an initial run of 12 episodes, as well as additional repeats, every weekend, starting this October.

This unique collaboration marks the first time online players will be used to specifically promote and demonstrate Backgammon. Pokerzone have already achieved a track record in televising Backgammon, debuting the world’s first televised matchplay Backgammon event in addition to a series of lifestyle documentaries surrounding the "Sport of Kings” in 2005.

"GameAccount’s successful online Backgammon network and brand allowed us to make an informed choice of partnership for continuing with high quality and entertaining Backgammon programming on Pokerzone. We expect these new programs to inform our audience about the cross-over appeal of this compelling game steeped in the competitive culture associated with Poker.” said Jim Sibcy, CEO of Pokerzone.

Kevin Dale, GameAccount CEO: "This fantastic opportunity marks another succesful venture into television for the company. Pokerzone have a proven record in capturing the value and excitement of gaming products for broadcast purposes and we hope to combine efforts to be able to take Backgammon to new levels of popularity and recognition”.

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Five Goes Live with GameAccount

UK TV channel chooses leading Skill Games network

July 4th, 2006 (London, UK) – GameAccount, the #1 online skill gaming provider (www.gameaccount.com), and Five, the UK’s fifth terrestrial television and media channel, have joined forces to launch a dedicated skill gaming portal called Five Play and Win. The live portal can be found at playandwin.five.tv and will also be accessible via www.five.tv .

The unique partnership marks the first time a leading commercial terrestrial television channel has chosen to expand its platform by integrating with a full product network of person-to-person (P2P) skill-based games. Five can now offer their viewers a rewarding user experience by allowing them to register and play for fun or real money on the site.

Launched in 1997, Five currently boasts around 50 million UK viewers across all platforms watching some of the nations’ favourite programs, with a share of total viewing across the commercial networks of over 67.3%. Five are leaders in their field pertaining to commercial airtime, including sponsorship, interactive and advertiser-funded programming.

Online skill games are proving to be a significant growth area and GameAccount’s status as the leading industry provider offered Five a one-stop opportunity to enter the market. By leveraging their commercial reach to a wide audience, Five aim to generate significant player revenues as well as building a vibrant online gaming community.

GameAccount will power the skill gaming area on the Five portal, offering a full suite of non-download classic multiplayer and ‘heads-up’ games such as Gin Rummy, unique P2P variants of other games such as Mah Jong, 8-ball Pool and an impressive variety of popular Solitaire formats. The network also supports bespoke tournaments on demand – including the world’s largest knockout tournament with over 16,000 entrants.

"Skill Gaming is a new frontier for Five. We want to offer innovative and engaging online experiences for our viewers. We are aiming to tie in our broadcast capacity with our skill games offering in order to open up new revenue channels and further narrow the gap between online and TV.” said Laura Bowes, Commercial Development Manager at Five.

Kevin Dale, Chief Executive at GameAccount, sees significant cross-over opportunities for media companies looking to expand their platforms.

”Television is proving to be a winner for GameAccount. Skill Games provide a low barrier to entry into cross-media advertising channels and appeals strongly to audiences who like to play recognisable games for real money, comparable to the Bingo or Poker phenomena. We’re seeing very healthy player conversion rates and revenues from this type of deal.”

GameAccount is now emerging as a strong player in the television arena, having implemented services for Skybet, a division of British Sky Broadcasting Limited (BSkyB), as well as an advertising agreement and dedicated site with Mintplay.com. The company aims to acquire further customers through effectively marketed branded portals associated with the world’s leading media companies.

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GameAccount Launches More Blackjack Tournaments

Skill-Gaming’s Killer P2P Game is Hot with Affiliates

June 20th, 2005 (London, UK) – GameAccount, the #1 online P2P and skill gaming provider (www.gameaccount.com), has launched even more "Tournament Blackjack” formats, including daily scheduled knockout tournaments and a one-of-a-kind "Instants” format that plays out on the spot!

GameAccount’s original "Tournament Blackjack” is a unique person-to-person (P2P) adaptation of the ever popular casino game.

In this exciting skill-based version of Blackjack, players engage in ‘Heads-Up!’ play against online opponents, never directly against the ‘House’. Starting with an imaginary chip stack of $10,000 your objective is to build a larger chip stack than your opponent with the exact same sequence of cards dealt to both players and the automated in-game dealer. This represents a compelling opportunity for new and veteran players of Blackjack to demonstrate their own ‘edge’ instead of competing directly against the traditional ‘House’ edge.

Tournament Blackjack launched with a wide variety of instant-action cash tournaments catering to both the casual gamer and the veteran Blackjack player. Participating players can double their money, instantly, by entering cash tournaments with entry fees as low as US$2.00 or as high as US$900.00.

GameAccount’s daily back-to-back scheduled tournaments, branded "Frantic Fives” and "Famous Fifteens” offer a minimum of $1,000.00 in daily prizes. The tournaments play out within 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish.

Likewise, the "Instants” game provides immediate player satisfaction by offering participants the opportunity to build their imaginary chip stack in order to achieve a high-score that equates to a payout multiple of up to 30x. With cash prizes of up to $1,500.00, the instants are proving to be amazingly popular with the punters!

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The Guardian Selects Skill Gaming Services

GameAccount provides P2P network to major UK newspaper

April 20, 2006 (London, UK) – GameAccount, the #1 online skill gaming provider (www.gameaccount.com), and Guardian Newspapers ltd., a leading UK media company, have officially launched a dedicated skill gaming service at the newspaper giant’s flagship site, Guardian Unlimited: www.guardian.co.uk

The groundbreaking partnership brings together the world’s foremost integrated network of person-to-person (P2P) skill-based games and one of the largest and influential online news communities in the world.

The Guardian’s online customer base will have access to more than 20 classic real-money multiplayer games and tournaments through GameAccount’s ‘poker-style’ network joining players from over 130 countries worldwide.

Online skill games are a significant growth area in terms of popularity and revenues and GameAccount’s established industry status offered a natural partnership opportunity. As a result, the Guardian can now offer a seamless user experience allowing players to register and play for fun or real money.

GameAccount will deliver a full suite of non-download classic multiplayer and ‘heads-up’ games such as Gin Rummy and Backgammon, as well as unique P2P variants of other games, like tournament Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Mah Jong, 8-ball Pool and a variety of popular Solitaire and card formats. The integrated network also supports bespoke tournaments – including the world’s largest knockout tournament with over 16,000 entrants. GameAccount’s multiplayer games lobby allows players to see opponents’ moves in real-time, and is supported by in-game and ‘messenger’ chat functionality – designed to build the Guardian’s growing online community.

"We are excited to be adding Skill Gaming to our online portfolio as well as having GameAccount as a preferred provider. P2P games offer our readers a competitive and engaging gaming alternative and are a positive and entertaining addition to the site. This certainly marks a new direction for the Guardian” said XXXXXXX, at The Guardian.

According to Kevin Dale, Chief Executive at GameAccount, the demand for online skill gaming by blue-chip consumer brands continues to increase.

”The Guardian deal is another milestone for GameAccount. The company continues to progress with its strategy to ensure we are firmly positioned as the leading provider of tailored Skill Gaming solutions to leading global destination sites.”

"I am absolutely confident that our partnership with The Guardian will prove to be a long and successful one, with customer choice and total satisfaction clearly the number one priority.”

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GameAccount First Past the Post

The Racing Post Adds Skill Games to Online Portfolio

April 2, 2006 (London, UK) – GameAccount (www.gameaccount.com), the world’s largest integrated network of skill-based person-to-person (P2P) games, has been chosen by the Racing Post, the United Kingdom’s leading horse racing and sports betting daily paper, to provide Skill Gaming to its online readership at www.racingpost.co.uk.

The Racing Post’s online customer base can now access over 20 multiplayer games and tournaments through the GameAccount network joining players wagering real money from over 130 countries worldwide.

Browser-based games now playing within the GameAccount network include Sit ‘n’ Go games like Gin Rummy and Backgammon together with a selection of exciting P2P games such as Tournament Blackjack, Three-Card Poker and Solitaire variants featuring sophisticated knockout tournaments offering up to £150,000 in prize money.

GameAccount’s strategy of supplying ‘Games for Gamblers’, designed to appeal to Sportsbooks, Casinos and other gaming sites makes sense for the Racing Post core audience. Kevin Dale, Chief Executive at GameAccount, said: "We are thrilled about this new partnership with the leading name in British racing and sports betting. Each week, millions of pounds are won by high-staking players wagering within our robust network. Integrating our suite of proven revenue-generating products was a clear fit.”

Ross MacEacharn, Online Business Development Manager at the Racing Post, added: "GameAccount was the right choice to serve our customer base considering their portfolio of innovative skill games and wagering models tailored to our needs. We can now provide a serious extension to the user experience. The service offers our customers a fully branded space to enjoy real-money P2P Skill Games.”

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