LONDON, May 20, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- ukbetting plc is today launching a poker news and information website, www.pokerzone.co.uk. The Poker Zone forms part of the recently launched betting information website, www.bettingzone.co.uk and is being launched in conjunction with the ukbetting sponsored London Poker Night on Monday, May 20. The night is expected to attract the glitterati of the London poker scene and players will include Ben Elliot, Zac Goldsmith and Tom Parker Bowles amongst many others.
The Poker Zone enables poker fans to easily access relevant information and the latest U.K. and global news, as well as providing non-players with all the background and information they need to get started.
Eric Semel, CEO of ukbetting plc, said: "Poker is one of the fastest growing recreational activities in the world and there has also been a recent flurry of big tournaments in Europe. ukbetting therefore decided it was a natural addition to offer our users this service, as they already access our sites for sport and betting information and there is an undeniable affiliation between these areas.
"We have created a community for fanatics and newcomers alike and one that will also appeal to advertisers who are keen to attract affluent, predominately male users. The Poker Zone is obviously going to appeal to many of the 1.5m unique users who already visit Sportinglife, Sportal and Bettingzone," added Semel.
The Poker Zone includes tournament and club news, previews on major tournaments, information on poker in the U.K., including club and casino listings, as well as a user forum and a bookshop allowing users to buy chips and the latest book releases. The site also includes a poker glossary, information on rankings of hands and an in-depth history to the world of poker.
In order to provide the best and fastest news and information, ukbetting has forged syndication deals with the www.ukpoker.com in the U.K. and the leading U.S. poker site, www.pokerpages.com. Poker Zone has also signed up top stars Dave Welch and 'Smokin' Steve Vladar to write a series of monthly columns, starting with Welch's thoughts on the main event of the 33rd annual World Series of Poker at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas.
The Poker Zone is the latest addition to the ukbetting group of sites following in the steps of the Bettingzone, which offers bettors the most comprehensive betting information available on the net. Sports fans are also kept up to date on all sporting activity by the U.K.'s leading sports content sites, www.sportinglife.com and www.sportal.com.
NOTE TO EDITORS
About ukbetting plc
ukbetting plc (AIM:UKB.L), the digital wagering operator is the owner and operator of sportinglife.com, sportal.com, ukbetting.com, sportscard, totalbet.com and the bettingzone.co.uk.
About Sportinglife.com
Sportinglife.com is the online authority on U.K. sports. Sportinglife.com was launched in January 1997 and developed its name and strong brand associations from the former racing paper of the same name. The site is owned by ukbetting, which also owns Sportal UK, ukbetting.com and Totalbet.com. Sportinglife.com boasts an average of over 60 million page impressions per month. The U.K. accounts for 70 per cent of traffic on the site.