LAS VEGAS, May 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NBCSports.com launched a new online Poker Room this past weekend. The Poker Room is completely free-to-play and offers players the chance to win cash, prizes, NBC Sports gear and a Grand prize package that includes a seat and $20,000 buy-in to the 2010 HeadsUp Poker Championships(tm). Zen Gaming's software platform was selected by Poker Productions, Inc. under a continuing agreement with NBC Sports to provide poker programming. Poker Productions provides executive production services for the HeadsUp Poker Championships(tm), Poker After Dark and the newly announced Face The Ace programs seen on NBC.
"Poker has been a growth area in our broadcast schedule over the last few years, and we have always sought to bring a complimentary online component to our audience," said Jon Miller of NBC Sports. "We feel we have brought a new level of engagement opportunity to our online audience by providing them an opportunity to enjoy free poker, connect with our on-air programming and interactively engage with our sponsors and advertisers."
"We are happy to add NBC Sports as a partner," stated Mark Brown, CEO of Zen Gaming. "Our team will provide all the logistical support for the promotion, including site development, hosting and tournament overview and administration. We look forward to bringing NBCSports.com, its advertisers, sponsors and, of course, its online constituency an immersive and compelling online contest."
The contest can be found at www.nbcsports.com/pokerroom and is open for play to contestants that are 21 years of age or older. The new Poker Room offers non-stop poker action with single and multi-table Texas Hold'em tournaments starting every half-hour. Each month, over 9 consecutive months, registered users will compete for a seat at a final event to be held on February 15th, 2010. The winner of that online final table will win the Grand Prize package and a seat at the NHPC to be held at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino in March 2010.
"This online content complements our television programming, and Zen Gaming provided a perfect partnership opportunity," noted Mori Eskandani, President of Poker Productions. "Their extensive experience at providing US-compliant contests and promotions in a Massive Multi- Player environment made our choice easy. But, it is the advergaming functionality that truly sets their platform apart from others. The compelling aspect of the platform is Zen's ability to immerse brands and sponsors into the game-play experience."
ABOUT ZEN GAMING
Zen Gaming, headquartered in Las Vegas, NV, is the parent company for NLOP.com and New Poker LLC. Zen provides legal, free-to-play online gaming online and compliments that with in-proprietary poker games that are found in-casino. Zen provides companies looking to open new revenue streams to leverage their proprietary technologies and offer MMOG contests on a turnkey and outsourced basis or to connect with their NLOP.com social gaming community on a co-branded basis.