Marriage of two market leaders as MSN.co.uk signs casino deal with Harrods 

London
8th June 2001

    The UK’s number one web site, MSN.co.uk, today announced a new partnership with the world’s leading luxury retailer, Harrods, to promote the exclusive Harrods Online Casino on the site for the next two years. 

    Players can enter the virtual casino and gamble on a wide range of casino games including black jack, roulette and stud poker.  Gamblers have the chance to win up to $8 million in the casino, which is operated on behalf of Harrods by a subsidiary of Gaming Internet plc. an AIM listed company, of which Harrods On Line is a significant shareholder.  MSN is building a special page on the site for the casino that will describe the experience and the games and will link through to the Harrods casino site.  MSN will drive traffic to the special page using text links on the home page and contextual advertising throughout the site.

    The partnership will create Britain’s biggest online gaming site, MSN.co.uk attracts over eleven million users per month. The Harrods casino has been operating since December 2000 and in that time the casino has earned itself a reputation for integrity and customer service.  Since the launch each customer has, on average, visited and gambled at the casino more than three times.

    Matt Whittingham, MSN Business Marketing Manager, said: “The deal represents a great opportunity for MSN to increase its presence in the online gambling space. A key driver is the innovation aspect – it’s a fantastic idea and gambling attracts a large, repeat audience. Harrods has built a world-wide reputation for excellence over its long and illustrious history and this initiative is sure to continue that process. ”

    Andrew Tottenham, Director, Harrods On Line Ltd., said: "We are delighted that this project has brought together two companies that are market leaders in their own sector. The months ahead will see further development of Harrods Casino Online. Later this year we will launch our multi-player casino – the first ever fully interactive virtual gaming experience, enabling players to try their luck with friends, family and colleagues. This new offering will feature software developed especially for and exclusive to Gaming Internet and we look forward to working with MSN to successfully launch and deliver the best possible product. "
 

About harrods-casino.com
    The Harrods Casino Online has been operating for six months and during that time has built a reputation as one of the premiere Internet casino sites. Offering visitors the opportunity to play several of the most popular casino games - loyal to the original versions played in the gaming rooms of the world - the Harrods Online Casino offers a secure environment in which to gamble. A completely new version of the casino will launch later in the year - offering an even more interactive environment 

    The Harrods Casino business is a 50/50 joint venture between Gaming Internet and Harrods Online Limited. Harrods Casino was the first global brand to launch an Internet casino.  The joint venture is based on a three year fixed term basis with a rolling twelve month contract thereafter

About Gaming Internet plc (www.gaminginternet.plc.uk)
    Gaming Internet plc (GIN) is a one-stop gaming and gambling digital media business, including an online casino and sports gaming company. 

Currently the Group comprises:
 

•  Zap Casino, which is operated by Fortuna is the first European online casino and was launched in August 1999;
• gobarkingmad, the Group’s interactive greyhound racing service.  The Company has acquired the web and broadcasting rights, including interactive and m-commerce rights, to approximately 20% (123,000) races of the world’s greyhound racing events.  gobarkingmad will be a 24 hour interactive service with online gambling (tote basis – not fixed odds) facilities;
• SportsMAD, which was launched in May 2000, is a collection of sports entertainment and information websites which aims to provide a gateway to a host of gaming and gambling activities across all major sports; and
• Racing Network (formerly known as Creative Corporate Communications Limited), which was acquired in February 2000, is a horse racing information website providing full details on racehorses, racecourses, jockeys, trainers, tipping, results and news headlines.

For further information on Harrods please contact:
Andrew Tottenham 
T: 020 7893 8665 
andrew.tottenham@harrods.com