California company NTN Hospitality Technologies has released a fully
interactive, electronic version of Texas Hold 'Em on its North American
iTV network, capitalizing on the game's widespread popularity by bringing
the world's first fully interactive, skill-based electronic poker
game to the hospitality industry.
The new interactive NTN Texas Hold 'Em poker game allows up to 10
players to participate, using the company's hand-held, wireless game
devices at a virtual table displayed on televisions. Players can be
ranked against other players at enabled sports bars and premiere casual
dining restaurants.
The product is currently in limited release, with widespread deployment
scheduled for the early part of 2005 throughout the company's new
iTV2 dual channel interactive network. In addition to the game itself,
consumer promotions are planned throughout 2005, subject to local
and state legal compliance.
"As part of our commitment to bring fresh and interesting
content to our interactive entertainment network, Texas Hold 'Em is
the latest addition to our new NTN BLAST channel," commented
Mark deGorter, President and Chief Operating Officer.
NTN Texas Hold 'Em was developed with insights from Phil Gordon, World
Poker Tour Champion and host of Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown.
Mr. Gordon, a world-renowned poker expert and commentator, says: "The
introduction of Texas Hold 'Em to the NTN iTV programming lineup marks
an exciting time for poker fans nationwide, who will soon be able
to participate in the first multi-site electronic poker tournaments
of their kind. I'm pleased to be associated with NTN, both as a spokesperson
as well as co-developer of the game, and am excited that fans now
have a new venue in which to learn the game and test their skills."
The venture is expected to spread to the over 800 NTN BLAST-enabled
sites. The company is currently striving to convert the balance of
the over 3,600 sites located in North America to the new NTN BLAST
platform allowing Texas Hold 'Em to be a part of the entire network
programming line-up going forward.