LONDON, Jan. 30 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- PacificNet, Inc. (Nasdaq: PACT), a leading provider of gaming technology, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and e-commerce in China, announced today that its Octavian International Limited ("Octavian") subsidiary has extended its worldwide coverage by gaining GLI certification for its ACP casino management system. Gaming Laboratories International (GLI, http://www.gaminglabs.com ) is the certification standard as accepted in most gaming jurisdictions worldwide, allowing Octavian to sell in many more countries worldwide. The ACP (Accounting, Control, Progressives) system is already being used by leading casino and gaming operators in Europe, Russia and Latin America.
The news coincides with a period of intense systems development by Octavian to link the ACP system to the new Octavian GateManager and Octavian CashManager casino systems. By developing a software 'bridge' between these two new systems and ACP, Octavian says it has created "the ultimate end-to-end table and slots management system for casinos".
The core Octavian ACP system was originally launched over 10 years ago to enable operators to link slot machines into an efficient local or wide area network, controlled centrally on a PC at the local gaming venue or remotely via a web interface. Today, around 27,500+ gaming machines worldwide are networked via ACP systems either to Octavian's own central computer centres or to operators' computer centres/IT departments using the 'My ACP' version of the system. The Octavian ACP system is one of the most powerful of its kind in the gaming world, with the single largest deployment of ACP connecting and controlling around 18,000 gaming machines via a central server database.
The powerful accounting, technical control and progressive functionality of the ACP system enables operators to exercise greater control over gaming operations and costs, while also taking advantage of its revenue-generating capabilities. Key ACP features include:
The Accounting function
-- Provides all required data from every linked machine, machine group,
gaming hall and casino within the operator's business. Allows
operators to link machines from various manufacturers allowing them
to see which machines are performing well and which are not, thus
increasing profits.
-- Securely stores this data and transforms it into comprehensive
reports and financial analysis.
The Control function
-- Performs detailed analysis of each machine and enhances system
security.
-- Carries out real-time system diagnosis, detection and
identification of machine malfunctions, notification of unauthorized
entry to any machine, and monitoring of transmission links. Allows
quick response to machine malfunctions.
-- Data can be manipulated easily to enable a variety of reporting
functions and alerts.
The Progressives function
-- Enables connected machines to be linked to both progressive and random
or mystery jackpots. Progressive jackpots increase play which in turn
increases operator profits.
-- Jackpot groups can be configured locally or globally according to the
operator's precise business requirements.
Octavian will roll out the 'My ACP' system to a number of casinos in Germany operated by Spielbank Hamburg including Casino Steindamm, Casino Wandsbek and Casino Reeperbahn, which is being refurbished and relaunched. This follows the successful initial deployment of 'My ACP' at Casino Mundsburg and Casino Esplanade in the second half of 2007.
Commenting on the global potential of Octavian's ACP systems offering, Octavian CEO Harmen Brenninkmeijer said, "Octavian ACP systems have a proven track record and the rich functionality and stability these systems provide have already become integral to the efficient and profitable operation of many casino and gaming operations worldwide. I feel confident that GLI approval and recent systems developments will be well received in both our existing and new markets, and I am confident that we will now see Octavian ACP solutions selected by more and more operators throughout the gaming world."
About Octavian International
Octavian International ( http://www.octavianinternational.com ) a wholly owned subsidiary of PacificNet (Nasdaq: PACT) , was established in 2001 and has operations in the UK, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, India, Australia and USA. Octavian employs 224 staff worldwide. The company is an international provider of innovative networked gaming solutions, developed to enhance the efficiency, profitability and enjoyment of gaming and lottery operations. Activities encompass both software development (OctaSystems and OctaGames) and gaming equipment distribution (OctaSupplies). Octavian serves casino, AWP (Amusements With Prizes), lottery and emerging gaming markets worldwide. It delivers solutions directly to gaming and lottery operators, large and small, and also works in close collaboration with hardware manufacturers, other gaming industry software developers and distributors.
About PacificNet
PacificNet, Inc. ( http://www.PacificNet.com ) is a leading provider of gaming and mobile game technology, e-commerce, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in China. PacificNet's gaming products are specially designed for Chinese and Asian gamers with focus on integrating localized Chinese and Asian themes and content, advanced graphics, digital sound effects and popular domestic music, with secondary bonus games and jackpots. Through its Chinese subsidiary, PacificNet is also a legally licensed provider and sales agent for the legalized welfare lottery gaming in the People's Republic of China.
PacificNet gaming products include: Multi-player Electronic Table Games- Baccarat, Sicbo, Fish-Prawn-Crab, and Roulette machines, Server-Based Games (SBG) with multiple client betting stations, slot and bingo machines, Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs), Amusement With Prizes (AWP) machines, gaming cabinet and client/server system designs, online i-gaming software design, and multimedia entertainment kiosks.
PacificNet's gaming clients include the leading hotels, casinos, and gaming operators in Macau, Asia, and Europe, while e-commerce and CRM clients include the leading telecom companies, banks, insurance, travel, marketing and business services companies and telecom consumers in Greater China such as China Telecom, China Mobile, Unicom, PCCW, Hutchison Telecom, Bell24, Motorola, Nokia, SONY, TCL, Huawei, American Express, Citibank, HSBC, Bank of China, Bank of East Asia, DBS, TNT, China and Hong Kong government.
PacificNet employs about 1,500 staff in its various subsidiaries throughout China with offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Macau and Zhuhai China, USA and the Philippines.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. We may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in our periodic reports to the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, etc., in our annual report to shareholders, in our proxy statements, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by our officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, PacificNet's historical and possible future losses, limited operating history, uncertain regulatory landscape in China, and fluctuations in quarterly and annual operating results. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in PacificNet's Form 10K and other filings with the SEC.
