Playtech to sponsor Chinese Mahjong action

[jetset]

PLAYTECH TO SPONSOR CHINESE MAHJONG


Landmark sponsorship agreement signed with China Mahjong Association


Playtech was in the news again today with a landmark sponsorship deal that will further its Asian business ambitions.

The turnkey provider and online games developer has been accepted as the exclusive sponsor of the China Mahjong Association (“CMA”), in a three year agreement which ensures that Playtech will also act as the exclusive software provider to the CMA.

Playtech will be sponsoring the CMA’s national championship and the quarterly held regional championships. These events will be renamed the “Playtech China Mahjong King Championship” and “Playtech China Regional Mahjong Finals” respectively. The company will also sponsor the CMA World Mahjong Championships timetable to be held in China later this year.

This agreement is part of Playtech’s integrated marketing strategy of strengthening the group’s leadership position in the Asian gaming market. The benefits of growth in Asia will complement and reinforce Playtech’s wider operational strategy of developing multi-lingual websites and customer support on an international basis.

This sponsorship deal follows the recent agreement signed with China’s leading gaming group Sino Strategic International (“SSI”), announced in December 2006. Playtech is therefore well positioned to develop its brand presence into lucrative Asian markets such as China, where Mahjong is the country’s most popular game. In addition, working with the CMA compliments the newly announced contract with Foundation Group Limited (“Foundation Ltd”) and further reinforces Playtech’s involvement in the Chinese Peer to Peer (P2P) market.

Tom Hall, President of Playtech’s Asia Pacific Operations, commented: “The CMA is an accredited government body and we are delighted to be supporting the Association to promote the world wide growth of Mahjong games. The CMA’s unrivalled knowledge of the Mahjong gaming community coupled with Playtech’s world leading technology makes for a winning partnership, and we look forward to a long and profitable relationship. This sponsorship agreement clearly illustrates Playtech full commitment to developing the considerable growth potential of Asian gaming market.”

CMA chairman Sheng Qi added: “We are very happy to have Playtech sponsor the CMA’s activities. Their considerable financial support will allow us to better manage our numerous tournaments and educate people about the great game of Mahjong, which has long been part of Chinese gaming culture. We chose Playtech over other potential sponsors as they demonstrated an outstanding knowledge of Mahjong, of China and its regulatory framework and had existing extensive Asian and Chinese support operations already in place. In addition, they will also be supportive in technology matters, which are extremely useful given our drive to take full advantage of the internet and new educational and promotional tools.”

[wangpoker]

I never heard this organization, the China Mahjong Association (“CMA”).

Sheng Qi is (was?) a member of the referee committee of the China Majiang Championship.