Irish Firm Bets on Online Poker

IRELAND – (PRESS RELEASE) -- An Irish firm is betting on Internet poker with the launch this week of DV8poker.com - powered by the Excapsa Poker Network, which also includes two of the top sites in the market, UltimateBet.com and UltimatePoker.com

Behind the venture is AVA Leisure, which manufactures gaming machines and operates a chain of arcade outlets. Online gaming is a natural extension of the Company's existing operations, while a partnership with Paradigm New Media ensures that the new online brands, including an interactive bingo site launched in July, are backed by top class expertise in interactive marketing.

"As we continue to expand our business in the UK market it is important that we enter into strategic partnerships with licensees that have a presence in the market," stated Jim Ryan, CEO of Excapsa. "UK-based AVA Leisure is able to leverage its customer base to our poker network with their background in the arcade arena. We believe the tie in to poker will be a natural."

Internet gambling continues to grow at a rapid pace in the UK, as the increasing availability of broadband encourages more people to try out a quick flutter online. The online gambling audience in the UK has increased by 45 per cent over this time last year, with 3.2m visiting a gambling site in February 2005.

"The appeal of quality, online poker is growing rapidly. It is now an interactive sport that spans the globe and brings together enthusiasts from all walks of life." said Sherril McCahon, Marketing Director for DV8poker.com "Celebrity poker fans include pop legend Robbie Williams, comic Johnny Vegas, film director Guy Ritchie, and big Holywood names, such as Matt Damon and Ben Affleck who recently won $356,400 at a poker tournament. The game is proving extremely popular with top business men and women too, as they apply their strategy skills to outwit competitors at the tables. Captains of Industry and Investment Bankers are playing at tables with all sorts of unlikely competitors – probably including your next door neighbour!"

A key benefit of playing poker online, is that the essential 'poker face' thought to be a pre-requisite to success in offline poker games, is no longer necessary. So if you can't hide your excitement at being dealt a pair of aces, you are free to express your emotions. This aspect of the online game is a cornerstone of the marketing campaign for DV8poker.com as well as big prize pots including a $125,000 guaranteed prize pool every Sunday and qualification for major International tournaments through the site.

Gamblers are also more superstitious than the average person. According to new research, 80% of gamblers would look for lucky seats, lucky numbers, lucky friends or lucky nights to try to gain more gambling wins - this is compared with just one third of the population that are thought to be superstitious. This is one reason why the DV8poker brand name deliberately includes what is considered a very lucky number by many – the number 8, which has a strong appeal in far eastern markets.

When participants log on to DV8poker.com, they virtually sit at a table chatting with other people from all over the world in real time. The smoke-filled, back room parlours of yore have been replaced by the convenience of being able to play poker in the privacy of your own home. It has become so popular within the last 12 months, that the daily estimated income from the online poker sector has shown a 500% increase, according to industry trade website, Poker Pulse.

People can have fun learning to play poker for free at DV8poker.com before they feel ready to cash in on their newfound skills. DV8poker.com players can try their luck against Team UB pros including: David "The Devilfish" Ulliott, Annie Duke, Phil Hellmuth and Antonio Esfandiari.

Designed with the assistance of the world's best tournament directors and professional poker players, the software on DV8poker.com offers the most realistic online card game available. When a person takes a seat, he or she is as close to experiencing the thrill of sitting down at the tables in a card room, without leaving the comfort of their own living room. They won't find comparable technology anywhere else on the Internet.