CryptoLogic Limited Takes Another step to bring Internet gambling into Asia

The Internet provider of online gaming, CryptoLogic Limited, this week made a strategic move in its ongoing march into Asian markets. It did this in the form of an investment in Mahjong Time, the inventive supplier of Internet turnkey solutions online software.

CryptoLogic's CEO and President, Brian Hadfield, is reported as stating that the game of Mahjong is one that bears a history that goes back centuries in China from which it comes. He also notes that the game is paid by in access of 600 million worldwide players. In addition, Hadfield notes that CryptoLogic Limited is extremely accomplished at using popular pastimes such as Mahjong, to create online entertainment. He also notes that his company's intentions are to continue operations in Asia utilizing partners who share their vision.

Dependent on their meeting particular performance requirements and dates, CryptoLogic Limited has entered an agreement that is expected to be completed within the coming month, that involves their investing as much as $2.5 million in Mahjong Time, providing them with a noteworthy minority equity stake.

The motivation for the investment is the fact that Mahjong Time possesses a patented Internet platform which they have created and which is managed by a group that has achieved in-depth Mahjong experience. Mahjong Time gains their revenues by licensing their software to online gaming operators. These operators in turn gain business through house of such innovative marketing ploys as "pay-for-play" models, online tournaments, subscriptions, and in-game advertising. In addition, Mahjong Time brings in revenue from MahjongTime.com, its own site.

According to CEO Harfield of CryptoLogic Limited, Mahjong Time contains a number of singular advantages for online gaming operators. Examples are more rulesets than other providers, multi-lingual versions of its software along with advanced gaming features including for example, play, watch and archive modes. A secure and robust environment also featuring no-download software act to benefit players and the software supports both subscription and tournament play. In addition there is included a practice mode allowing new players to learn the games.

Social network is made available and includes participants from as many as 136 countries who together enjoy social networking and the advanced community features available at Mahjong Time including a personalization engine, an superior avatar shop, lists of friends, a visual "belt" rating and ranking system for which they hold a patent, and rated competitions. All of these are instrumental to the success of Web 2.0 gaming.

Mahjong Time is officially partnered with national associations in ten European countries, along with the North American Mahjong Federation, as well as the European Mahjong Association and has developed an only one of its kind, rating system (MORSE) that is officially-certified for use in online tournaments.

In addition to this, Mahjong Time is the exclusive platform provider and online software provider for the World Series of Mahjong, which is currently the largest prize money tournament in the game's history. Literally millions of enthusiasts from all of Asia and beyond will be reached during the next three years, by the provision of a platform through Global TV coverage of the WSOM.

Mahjong Time's CEO, William Sutjiadi describes Mahjong as being both a game of strategy and one that creates a community, the approach taken by Mahjong Time to build up their software and their business. He sees CryptoLogic as a company that recognizes great innovation along with great software, and says that together they will build a business with potential that reaches worldwide.

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