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Slotland Launches Slot Machine and Video Poker Site for Spanish-Speaking Players

Responding to the increasing popularity of online casino games in Spain and Latin America, Slotland.com -- the world’s most popular online slot machine and video poker site -- has launched a Spanish online casino, Es.Slotland.com.

The new online casino offers Slotland.com’s unique games and renowned customer service -- all in Spanish. A special Spanish-speaking Customer Service team has been trained to assist the many Spanish-speaking players that have been registering in Spain and Latin America.

According to a recent issue of the GPWA Times, 130,000 people in Spain alone gambled online in 2007, a 47% increase from 2006. They wagered a total of €650 million, 57% more than in 2006. A study by Munich-based research company, MECN, has shown that the Spanish online gambling market could grow to a €4.2 billion industry by the year 2010. It defined Spain as a key region for future growth, with overall gambling potential reaching €39 billion in 3 years.

“We have players all over the world – in the UK and Europe, in North America, in Australia. One thing they all have in common is they all like innovative new games like ours, they all like to have their winnings paid quickly, and they all need to trust any online company they deal with,” said Ondrej Tuma of Slotland. “Our Spanish players enjoy Es.Slotland.com because we’re always adding unique new games, we have an excellent Spanish-speaking customer support, and our progressive jackpots are very frequently hit for over $100,000!”

All of the slot machines and video poker games on Es.Slotland.com are tied to the same jackpot pool as the English site. Over the years, Slotland’s progressive jackpot has earned a reputation for being hit quite frequently – every six weeks or so – for over $100,000. The last winner won nearly $200,000 on a $2 spin.

To accommodate Spanish-speaking players worldwide, Es.Slotland.com players can deposit by credit card, Neteller, ewalletXpress or Moneybookers where they can conduct their transactions in the currency of their choice. Slotland has always had some Spanish-speaking customer service staff but has increased that team to serve the new Spanish site.

Jadestone To Shake Up Online Poker Industry With New Multiplayer DiceArena Games

Swedish online game developer Jadestone announced today that it has developed a suite of new and exciting dice games for online gaming operators. The fully managed game network is called DiceArena(TM) and will be launched at popular European gaming sites during this fall.

As the growth in online poker in Europe is starting to level off, Jadestone readies a new gaming service aimed at both casual and hardcore players looking for something new and different. The DiceArena network, operated by Jadestone Networks, will feature a range of carefully selected dice games. The launch games will be the all-new Dice Hold’em(TM) and casual friendly, fast paced Shoot the Moons. These will be followed by the classic board favorite Backgammon and Liar’s Dice, which will let players take their bluffing skills to new heights.

“Billions of people have played with dice,” said Robert Henrysson, CEO of Jadestone. “We all know how to shoot dice and immediately associate it with exciting social gameplay. We’re now taking that feeling online with DiceArena. With quick and easy gameplay, it’ll be enjoyable for casual players but also a fun diversion for the more seasoned poker pros.”

The DiceArena suite of games has been in development at Jadestone for almost two years. With a high number of network partners lined up for DiceArena games, it’s one of the biggest new product introductions in Jadestone’s history.

“We’re really trying to create something new with this product,” said Linus Dalin, Product Director at Jadestone. “The whole experience is designed to be about fun and excitement rather than hard competition. We want the gameplay to be accessible and the look and feel to be really inviting. We’ve also seen in user tests that casual players enjoy the social features, like playing with the avatar editor to create their own in-game image.”

The DiceArena game service is built on a proven platform specifically designed for multiplayer turn-based games. It is heavily based on experiences from the online poker industry and contains all functionality and more from regular poker systems. DiceArena applies a network based model, aggregating players from a group of different network distribution partners.

The business model is based on in-game rake and tournament fees. Rake is taken from every real money game pot. The model is the same as for online poker. For tournaments, there will also be fees paid by each entrant.

Additional information about DiceArena can be found on www.jadestone.se. There is also a newly launched consumer website with information and blogging about the DiceArena games at www.dicearena.com.