Inside Asian Gaming

27 Cover Story The Asian i-Gaming Congress was abuzz with speculation that China could soon license regulated online gaming. With the Chinese government having made no statements to that effect, it remains purely speculation, but if online gaming is ever legalised in China, Playtech appears well positioned to serve the market, having already entered into several strategic agreements that boost its China presence. In March 2007, Playtech entered into a landmark sponsorship agreement with the China Mahjong Association under a three-year deal which makes Playtech the exclusive software provider to the CMA. Mahjong is China’s most popular game, and as part of the agreement, Playtech sponsors the CMA’s annual championship and the quarterly regional championships, with the events renamed the “Playtech China Mahjong King Championship” and “PlaytechChinaRegionalMahjongFinals”respectively. Playtech also sponsors the CMA World Mahjong Championships. With the CMA deal, Playtech will develop its brand presence in the potentially lucrative China market. It was Playtech’s Asia expertise that enabled it to clinch the deal. CMA Chairman Sheng Qi explained: “We chose Playtech over other potential sponsors as they demonstrated an outstanding knowledge of Mahjong, of China and its regulatory framework and had existing extensive Asian and Chinese support operations already in place.” Another major China-focused contract signed by Playtech last year was with Hong Kong-listed CY Foundation Group Ltd to supply P2P gaming software within China. A subsidiary of CY Foundation Group Ltd has signed licensing agreements with an operating arm of the Communist Youth League (CYL). CYL is responsible for the implementation of China’s “Green Internet Policy”, which seeks to provide duly licensed play for cash prizes P2P tournament games via internet cafés situated throughout China. Well poised