PokerTek Renews Three-Year Contract With Carnival Corporation

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PokerTek, Inc., (Nasdaq: PTEK) the industry pioneer and worldwide leader in automated poker tables, announced today that the company has renewed its contract to provide its PokerPro(TM) automated poker tables to Carnival Corporation & PLC cruise ships for another three years.

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"PokerPro is a welcome addition to our casinos, and we're pleased with the performance of the tables across our fleet," said Rodney Dofort, Senior Vice President of Carnival Corporation's Casino Division. "PokerTek has been great partner for us over the past three years, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them."

The initial PokerPro installation occurred in April of 2006 on the Carnival Victory. Based on the successful performance of the product, 50 additional installations have taken place on various Carnival Corporation cruise ships across the fleet.

"We value our continued partnership with Carnival Corporation," said James Crawford, President of PokerTek. "In addition to extending our contract, Carnival's commitment to PokerPro has allowed us to co-develop unique additional features which further enhance the players' experience and maximize participation. We are currently rolling these upgrades out across the fleet, and we are both pleased with the results."

Carnival and PokerTek have also partnered for the second year in a row to offer the Carnival PokerPro Challenge, a large-scale poker tournament on the high-seas. Players compete in No-Limit Texas Hold'em tournaments on Carnival brand ships. Winners of each tournament qualify for a seat in the final event, which will take place on January 24, 2010. A guaranteed $50,000 in cash prizes will be awarded during the final event, with first place awarded $25,000 in cash. For more information about this tournament, visit www.CarnivalPlayersClub.com.

About PokerTek:

PokerTek, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTEK), headquartered in Matthews, NC, develops and markets products for the gaming and amusement industries. PokerTek developed PokerPro automated poker tables and related software applications to increase revenue, reduce expenses and attract new players into poker rooms by offering interactive poker that is fast, fun and mistake-free. Heads-Up Challenge is a two-player table that allows bars and restaurant patrons to compete head-to-head in various games for amusement purposes, increases earnings for game operators and provides patrons unique and challenging on-site entertainment. Both products are installed worldwide. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.PokerTek.com or contact Tracy Egan at 704.849.0860 x106.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are made in accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to, the expected adoption of the PokerPro systems by gaming properties and other customers and the expected acceptance of the PokerPro systems by players. Our actual results may differ materially from those implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, overall industry environment, customer acceptance of our products, delay in the introduction of new products, further approvals of regulatory authorities, adverse court rulings, production and/or quality control problems, the denial, suspension or revocation of permits or licenses by regulatory or governmental authorities, termination or non-renewal of customer contracts, competitive pressures and general economic conditions, and our financial condition. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in more detail in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur, except as required by applicable laws, and you are urged to review and consider disclosures that we make in the reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that discuss other factors germane to our business.

    Contact: Tracy Egan             704.849.0860 x106

SOURCE PokerTek, Inc.