Gala Bingo Launches using Parlay Entertainment's Bingo Software
Gala's online offering is now live on Parlay-based St. Minver Bingo Network, giving millions of bingo players a new way to enjoy the game
LONDON , U.K. — June 10, 2005 — Parlay Entertainment Inc. (Pink Sheets: PRYNF), the world's leading supplier of Internet bingo solutions, is pleased to announce that Gala Bingo, the United Kingdom's dominant bingo operator has launched its online bingo website
www.galabingo.co.uk using Parlay's flagship multi-player bingo software. Gala's online bingo site will offer 90-number bingo games with linked jackpots to thousands of online bingo players across the UK.
Dominic Harrison, Gala Group's Trading Director says: "The launch of Gala's online bingo is an important strategic move for the company. Gala believes that online bingo is set to be the next big thing in online gaming - and the most exciting development since online poker. " Mr. Harrison further added, "With 166 bingo clubs in the UK, a Gala Bingo website was a natural augmentation for the company. With its expertise in this area and a 40% share of UK land-based bingo, Gala is well placed to become the UK's number one online bingo brand. "
Gala Bingo chose the Parlay-based St. Minver bingo network because it operates on an aggregated model so that all partners in the network will benefit from shared critical mass and large jackpots. Gala is supporting the launch with a comprehensive integrated online and offline marketing campaign which includes advertisements in national media, point of sale in Gala's 166 Bingo clubs, and a sponsorship with Big Brother.com, which will deliver over two million page impressions per day.
"We are extremely pleased with Gala Group's decision to power their new online bingo portal with Parlay's industry leading bingo software," said Andrew Branscombe, Vice President of Sales for Parlay Entertainment. It is estimated that some $150 million is deposited in Internet bingo halls annually by 5 million online players. With only 5% of online bingo players presently emanating from the UK, Gala's ability to convert some of its estimated 2.2 million land-based players to also play on the Internet could dramatically enhance the size of the online bingo sector.
"Gala's entry into online bingo is a momentous event for Parlay and the gaming industry because it signals the acceptance of online bingo by major land-based operators as a significant component of their corporate growth strategy," continued Mr. Branscombe. "This confirms to us that the online bingo market is rapidly evolving and that Parlay is at the forefront of this evolution by driving significant change within our industry."
About Parlay Entertainment
Parlay Entertainment Inc. is the world's leading developer and dominant licensor of Internet bingo solutions. As the inventor and patent holder of Internet bingo¹, Parlay is the first company in the world to develop and deploy a commercial Internet bingo product, offering a best-in-class suite that features 75-number and 90-number bingo, lottery and casino entertainment software. With its unmatched depth of industry experience and a comprehensive range of products and services, Parlay offers business solutions to fit every need. Parlay has a seven year proven track record built on the success of our clients: in 2004, more than 1,850,000 paying players enjoyed the experience of playing Parlay games on our licensees' gaming websites. Parlay is headquartered in Oakville, Canada with offices in Bridgetown, Barbados.
About Gala Group
Gala Group, one of the UK's leading leisure operators, is headquartered in Nottingham. It has 10,000 employees. Gala Bingo operates 166 UK bingo clubs with over 6 million members. Gala Casinos has 28 sites in the UK, in addition to casinos on the Isle of Man and Gibraltar. Gala Group was formed after a management buy-in from Bass in 1997. Candover and Cinven acquired the Group in January 2003 for £1.24 billion. Further information on the Group can be found on
www.galagroup.co.uk