Online poker deal with French casino

[jetset]

PLAYWIZE INKS AGREEMENT ON PARTOUCHE POKER

UK video game developer working with major French casino operator

The AIM-listed British video games developer Playwize plc (formerly Bits Corporation) signed a major deal this week with the intractive division of the leading French land casino operator Partouche, which manages some 50 casinos.

The terms of the agreement give Playwize entre to promote and distribute its flagship Playwize poker game through various channels in France, including all Partouche casino locations, under the brand Partouchewize Poker.

Playwize has fully localised its offering so that French players will be able to access its exclusive interactive tutorial, in-game advice and statistics calculator in their own tongue.

A company spokesman said that Playwize management believes that the agreement with Partouche will increase awareness of the company and its capabilities amongst a key demographic in France, who will be able to get free copies of Partouchewize Poker on disc or through a download on the company's French website: www.playwize.fr, or the Partouche Interactive website: www.partouchewize.com.

Foo Katan, CEO of Playwize, said: "No other poker game in the French market has the suite of features offered by Playwize Poker - and none are fully localised to the French language. With Partouche, we will be able to promote Playwize poker through strategic distribution channels throughout the country."

Playwize is no stranger to collaboration with major corporates, having developed innovative games for consoles such as XBOX, PS2 and Nintendo GameCube.