50:1 Longshot, Giacomo Wins Kentucky Derby

Saturday, May 7th, 2005

Giacomo Stuns Field to Win 131st Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Giacomo defied the odds and won the $2.4 million Kentucky Derby in a gigantic upset Saturday, running down a game Afleet Alex in the final strides and generating a huge payoff.

Even though trainer Nick Zito had five horses in the field of 20, including the favorite, George Steinbrenner's Bellamy Road, this Derby belonged to a 3-year-old colt who had won just once in seven races.

Afleet Alex is this year's Kentucky Derby working-class hero

Saturday, May 7th, 2005

Source: SI.com

During the last two Triple Crown seasons the horse-racing gods have given their sport entry into America's living rooms -- and chat rooms -- with heartwarming storylines that transformed the Sport of Kings into the sport of commoners. The sports landscape is impossibly cluttered and noisy; horse racing gets precious help when its stars seem like they could be the guy next door.

The 2003 Kentucky Derby was won by Funny Cide, a New York-bred gelding with 10 owners, including five fun-loving former high-school buddies from upstate New York. They called themselves Sackatoga Stable and traveled to Churchill Downs in a rented school bus they christened their "Yellow Stretch Limo." In a game where yearlings are sold every year for millions of dollars, they bought a gelding for $75,000, and he nearly took them -- and America -- to the Triple Crown. The TV ratings soared. A horse's name punctured water-cooler conversations.

In '04, a repeat seemed impossible, yet along came a reddish colt named Smarty Jones. Smarty won the Kentucky Derby and, in one of the most dominant performances in recent racing history, the Preakness. As a 2-year-old, he had nearly killed himself in a starting-gate accident, and neither his owners -- two senior citizens from the Philadelphia suburbs -- nor his trainer or jockey ever had participated in the Derby. Smarty's TV ratings were even better than Funny Cide's. People cried when Birdstone beat him in the Belmont Stakes.

Is it too much to ask the fates for a triple crown of another sort, for a third consecutive horse-racing story America will embrace?

The good news is that there's a chance. Afleet Alex, who was tabbed the 9-to-2 betting choice in Saturday's Derby at Churchill Downs, is a treasure trove of delightful and heartwarming little stories. Like Funny Cide, he was bought for $75,000 by a group of friends; like Smarty Jones, those owners are from Philadelphia. Alex, named for three of the five owners' children, was nursed from a Coors Light beer bottle as a yearling by the then 9-year-old daughter of his breeder. That breeder, John Silvertand of Florida, is ill with cancer of the colon and liver, but has outlived a six-month terminal prognosis and says the horse is helping keep him alive. With each of the horse's victories, money is donated to a pediatric-cancer charity called "Alex's Lemonade Stand.''

And Alex can run. Most recently, he won the Arkansas Derby by a storming eight lengths, reversing a surprising sixth-place finish in the Rebel Stakes (both races were held at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.), when he was suffering from a lung infection. In the long view, Alex arguably is the most accomplished horse in the Derby field, with two second-place finishes in six Grade I and Grade II races. He has demonstrated talent and toughness and it is difficult to imagine any race or pace scenario in which Alex would not be a factor (unless his rider, Derby rookie Jeremy Rose, falls apart).

GWIN CEO Announces Primetime TV Series 'King of Vegas'

Saturday, May 7th, 2005

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GWIN Chairman & CEO Wayne Allyn Root previously announced that GWIN Inc. (OTCBB: GWNI) was taking steps to capitalize on the worldwide popularity of poker and gaming on television. With Spike TV's announcement last week to air "King of Vegas" as part of their primetime lineup this fall, that goal is now becoming reality. "King of Vegas," a national competition to crown the world's greatest gambler, was created by Root and Michael Yudin, CEO of MY Entertainment. Root and Yudin will be co-executive producers of the series with GWIN receiving 25% of the executive producer fees and royalties. Root will also have a starring role in the series.

According to the May 3 release in Variety, "'King of Vegas' ... pits professional gamblers against amateurs in a series of casino games -- poker, blackjack, horse racing, roulette -- to win a $1 million pot and the title of world's greatest gambler."

Root said, "'The World Poker Tour,' and its numerous imitators, have clearly shown the huge audiences and profit potential that gambling-related shows can attract. In addition to 'King of Vegas,' pilots are also in production for 'The Oddsmakers' and 'Poker Updates' (a co-production with Eric Rosenberg), a show that resembles the 'Entertainment Tonight' of poker. Operationally we have now divided GWIN into four divisions focused on four distinct revenue streams: online and database; handicapping services; media (television and radio) production and advertising; and gaming interests. We expect over the next weeks and months to be making additional announcements regarding each of these strategic revenue areas. To capitalize on this strategic direction we intend to submit a name change for shareholder approval at the next annual meeting from GWIN Inc. to VegasEDGE Entertainment Inc. This name more clearly reflects the gaming, handicapping & entertainment aspects of our business model."

Douglas Miller, president of GWIN, said, "This is a very positive and exciting opportunity for the company. In addition to receiving a share of the executive producer fees and royalties, GWIN will also benefit from the added exposure the Wayne Root brand will receive as a featured gambling celebrity on primetime, national television. As a strategic direction, this is especially attractive for GWIN since the company will have no financial exposure or risk, thereby ensuring that 100% of the revenues from 'King of Vegas' drop directly to the bottom line."

About GWIN

GWIN Inc. is America's only publicly traded sports handicapping company. GWIN specializes in developing and marketing sports handicapping advice and information via television (The Winning EDGE(TM), radio and the Internet (www.WinningEDGE.com).

Safe Harbor Statement -- The above news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions that the management of GWIN Inc. believes are reasonable based on currently available information, and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of GWIN Inc. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and are subject to a wide range of business risks, external factors and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. GWIN Inc. assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:

GWIN Inc., Las Vegas
Doug Miller, 702-967-6000

World Gaming plc announces admission date to AIM

Friday, May 6th, 2005

LONDON, UK, May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - World Gaming plc (OTC BB: WGMGY), a UK-based Internet-gaming software and e-business services group of companies (" the Company" ), is pleased to announce its expected admission to trading its shares on the Alternative Investment Market (" AIM" ) of the London Stock Exchange commencing May 17, 2005. Upon completion of an institutional offering, the Company has agreed a placing price of 52.5 pence per share on the placing of pnds stlg 2.5m worth of new ordinary shares with such institutional investors upon admission to AIM.

The Board believes that the key benefit of trading the Company's shares on AIM will be demonstrated through execution of its strategy to potentially find and acquire operators or other related businesses within the industry. The impending AIM listing has given the Company the opportunity to raise capital through institutional investment in the Company's shares together with the ability in the future to strategically use shares traded on the AIM as currency for its acquisitive strategy. It is expected that existing ADR holders will continue to trade their shares on the OTC.BB market; however, they will be invited to transfer their shares to the AIM market should they wish to do so. Existing ADR holders will receive an explanatory memorandum in this regard prior to admission of the Company to AIM.

Kentucky Derby Advance Wagering Available at All Horse Racing

Friday, May 6th, 2005

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--All Horse Racing, http://www.allhorseracing.com, a privately held international gaming company, today announced the launch of its unique advanced wagering platform for the running of the 131st Kentucky Derby.

Members will now have the ability to bet the Kentucky Derby 1-2 days before post time with payout at track, posted payouts on Saturday, May 7th.

"It is essential to offer more than just horse racing nowadays," commented Leonard Manley, Director of Marketing. "On derby day, we have members who will not be near their computers. For them, this is a perfect solution. Place your bet on Friday and enjoy the greatest two minutes of sports with your family and friends."

To celebrate the Running of the Roses, All Horse Racing is offering a free bet on the Kentucky Derby as well as free bets on the other two jewels of the Triple Crown, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

Other companies involved with online horse racing include Magna Entertainment Corp. (NASDAQ:MECA), Youbet.com (NASDAQ:UBET), TVG Network (NASDAQ:GMST) and BrisBET.com.

All Horse Racing is a privately held, international gaming company focused on the thoroughbred and harness horse racing market. Members have the ability to place wagers online or over the telephone on over 100 racetracks including Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Philadelphia Park, Pimlico Race Course and Belmont Park. Real time audio and video feeds are available for hundreds of races each day. There are no membership fees.

With operations in Ireland, Canada, Venezuela, Antigua and Nevis, All Horse Racing also receives and utilizes the services of Sportingbet (LSE:SBT.L), a United Kingdom company which is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. Sportingbet is the world's largest publicly traded online betting, gambling and gaming company.

More information on All Horse Racing is available at http://www.allhorseracing.com

Contacts
All Horse Racing, Charlestown, Nevis
Leonard Manley, 1-610-768-2888
Fax: 1-610-337-9548
manley@allhorseracing.com

Bodog.Com Updates Odds With Kentucky Derby Post Draw; "Bellamy Road" Favored at 5/2 With "Afleet Alex" Close Behind at 9/2

Thursday, May 5th, 2005

VANCOUVER, Canada--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New York Yankee owner George Steinbrenner's horse, "Bellamy Road" (5/2) is still the odds-on favorite to win the 131st Kentucky Derby according to Bodog.com, an online Sportsbook, Casino and Poker Site. Other top contenders include "Afleet Alex" (9/2); "Bandini" (6/1); and "High Fly" (8/1). (https://wwwbodog.com/sports-betting/horse-racing.jsp)

More than $1,000,000 in wagers are expected at Bodog.com before Saturday's "Run For The Roses." Three-year-old "Bellamy Road," trained by Nick Zito, has a career record of five starts, four wins and a total of $611,400 won.

While plenty of sports analysts, writers and commentators are offering their own opinions on the Derby's outcome, Bodog.com lines and odds show what the fans and wagerers themselves are predicting will be the outcome of this event.

"Horseracing has a tradition of odds-making and wagering," says Calvin Ayre, founder and CEO of Bodog.com. "With online sportsbooks like Bodog.com, you don't have to be at Churchill Downs to participate in the excitement."

Placing wagers now offers racing fans the opportunity to bet on contenders well in advance of the race at odds that could be better than those they would receive on Derby Day.

New account sign-ups on Bodog.com are more than five times higher on Derby Day. This indicates of the public's passion for the big race as well as their interest in placing Derby picks at Bodog.com.

Below are the lines/odds posted for the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown following Wednesday's post draw.

Bodog.com does not favor a Triple Crown winner this year, as odds are heavily against a horse winning the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

Events with Horses and Odds (ODDS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Odds to win the 131st Kentucky Derby - May 7, 2005

Post; Horse; Odds
1. Sort It Out; 50-1
2. Andromeda's Hero; 50-1
3. Sun King; 15-1
4. Noble Causeway; 12-1
5. Coin Silver; 20-1
6. High Limit; 12-1
7. Flower Alley; 20-1
8. Greater Good; 20-1
9. Greeley's Galaxy; 15-1
10. Giacomo; 50-1
11. High Fly; 8-1
12. Afleet Alex; 9-2
13. Spanish Chestnut; 50-1
14. Wilko; 20-1
15. Bandini; 6-1
16. Bellamy Road; 5-2
17. Don't Get Mad; 30-1
18. Closing Argument; 30-1
19. Going Wild; 50-1
20. Buzzards Bay; 20-1

Will there be a Triple Crown winner in 2005?

Yes +440 (multiply original bet by "4.4" i.e.: $5 bet wins $22.00)
No -775 (multiply original bet by "0.13" i.e.: $5 bet wins $0.65)


Bodog.com Sports Casino Poker located in San Jose, Costa Rica, is federally licensed by the Costa Rican and UK governments. One of the pioneers in the field, Bodog.com is the top ranked US facing online gambling brand, with highest site traffic amongst US gaming web sites according to Hitwise. Bodog.com is valued at over US $1 billion and ranked in the Power 25 online companies by eGaming Review. Bodog.com Poker & Sports Marketing Conference, www.bodogconference.com, will take place in Las Vegas July 6 & 7, 2005, attracting the leaders of the online gambling industry.

Poker tourist plans to retire after shock $1.7m win in Vegas

Wednesday, May 4th, 2005

By Ian Herbert
North of England Correspondent

After 25 years running a company that makes drying equipment for the pharmaceutical industry, Paul Maxfield reckoned he had earned two weeks of fun on the Las Vegas poker tables. But returning home with the largest sum ever netted by any Briton in a poker game in the United States had not formed part of his calculations.

Mr Maxfield was back in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, yesterday $1.7m (£900,000) richer, after clinching the second place spot in the week-long World Poker Tour (WPT) Championship.

So meagre were his expectations of success that he had to cancel return flights home twice, as his participation in the competition was prolonged.

Mr Maxfield, 48, who employs 25 people at the company he established in 1980 with his brother-in-law, Steve Elliot, has always had an eye for the gaming tables.

He started out at age 17 playing for pennies and graduated to a local casino where winnings were £100 tops. Amid the daily grind of producing flatbed dryers and granulation suites, internet competitions have yielded the odd big win. And there have been a couple of good events; among them, a £60,000 payout in the European Poker Tour in Paris last year.

Mr Maxfield, who has two children and is divorced, paid out £1,000 for the cachet of playing in the all-night qualifying competition for the WPT event and surprised himself by earning the right to compete with 450 others in the competition itself.

A place in the last 100 (guaranteed winnings £30,000) was certainly not expected and prompted the second cancelled flight.

As Mr Elliot looked on, Mr Maxfield found the opposition whittled down to five, and eventually one - the talented Vietnamese-American player Tuan Le, with whom he contested a dramatic eight-hour final.

"It was like the Ryder Cup," said Mr Maxfield, as he described the final at the luxurious Bellagio Hotel, which was watched by a huge television audience in the US. "All the audience [was] shouting for the American and there were only about eight English people shouting for me." Mr Maxfield's family, who shared his slim expectations of success, was reduced to text-messaging him from Staffordshire.

The game lasted nearly three times longer than a typical WPT final but Mr Maxfield was blessed with a sequence of good cards, including the five and six of diamonds in his last hand, and in the words of one of the sport's analysts, Mr Le was "on the ropes" for a considerable time.

But the American, who had already won one WPT competition this season, eventually revealed the vital seven that he needed in his last card and clinched the $2.8m first prize.

Mr Maxfield's success adds to the reputation in the US of British poker players, whose audiences in the UK have been limited to competitions screened by Channel 4 and Sky Sports. Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott, a former stand-up comic, bricklayer and lorry driver from Hull, has had an extraordinary five-year record on the US poker tables and was watched by 1.7 million British insomniacs when he won a competition on Channel 4 in 1999. But his biggest purse, $589,000, for seeing off a field of 160 players in the Jack Binion World Poker Open at Tunica, Mississippi, last year, pales in comparison with Mr Maxfield's haul.

Mr Maxfield has decided that his winnings will buy a "Mercedes, not a Ferrari" and said that he is looking forward to leaving the pharmaceutical industry. "I'm going to pay off my mortgage and retire - which isn't bad for 48," he said.

Thursday, May 5th, 2005

LONDON, May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - World Gaming plc (OTC BB: WGMGY), a UK-based Internet-gaming software and e-business services group of companies ("the Company"), is pleased to report financial and operating results for the year ended December 31, 2004. Highlights

- Profit from operations for the year of $5,183,000 vs. $2,127,000 for the same period last year.
- Royalty revenue from continuing licensees (excluding Sportingbet) up 41% percent in 2004 compared to prior year.
- Operating expenses down 31% in 2004 compared to prior year.
- Completion of Joint Venture transaction with Sportingbet resulting in extraordinary gain of $12,187,000 in 2004 and further minimum $16,000,000 committed development spend.
- Net working capital of $14,866,000 at December 31, 2004 vs. ($126,000) at December 31, 2003.
- Nil debt at December 31, 2004 vs. $2,944,000 at December 31, 2003.
- Phased software re-architecture project expected completion mid-2005.
- Company admission to AIM of the London Stock Exchange expected May 2005.

Fiscal results
Net income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $5,183,000 or $0.16 per participating ordinary share compared to net income from operations of $2,127,000 or $0.05 per participating ordinary share last year. Participating ordinary shares exclude the 13.6m shares effectively cancelled as a result of the transaction with Sportingbet as described to Shareholders in earlier announcements.

Revenue from continuing licensees (excluding Sportingbet) grew 41.0% during the year ended December 31, 2004 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2003. This organic growth made a significant contribution to the total royalty revenue in the year of $15,227,000 compared to royalty revenue of $15,856,000 in 2003. The overall decline in royalty revenue of 4.0% in the year was a result of the transaction with Sportingbet, where effective October 1, 2004, the Company no longer receives royalty revenues from this customer.

Gross wagering volumes on the Company's servers increased 63% during the year ended December 31, 2004 to $6.2 billion when compared to $3.8 billion in the prior year. Growth in wagering volume from continuing licensees (excluding Sportingbet) was 73% in the year.

For additional information visit the company website: WorldGaming.com

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2005

Press Release: Gaming Corporation PLC

Acquisition of Gambling.com

The board of Gaming Corporation plc ("Gaming Corporation"), the owner of the UK's number 1 gaming website www.casino.co.uk, announces the acquisition of Newbold Enterprises Limited ("Newbold") the owner of Gambling.com.

Gambling.com is the global leader in casino, poker, and sports betting search since 1997. Income is primarily generated through pay per click advertising where clients bid to reach higher rankings in the search results, a model used by other search companies such as Google and Overture.

Gambling.com is the number 1 listing on google.com for "Gambling" search and has over 500 other internet and affiliate sites linking to Gambling.com globally.

Gambling.com has extensive expertise in direct mailing and has built a double opt-in database of over 200,000 members.

Gambling.com's proprietary technology includes an International and UK specific pay per click bid management search engine. This allows advertisers to create and self manage their search listing campaigns from online deposits through to bid management and real time reporting. Like all the major pay per click search engines, Gambling.com uses complex algorithms and strict editorial to maximize efficiency for advertisers and end users alike. This technology also enables Gambling.com to distribute their gaming related listings to other web sites thus increasing their exposure and revenue earning potential. The technology can also be licensed to operators in other industries giving them the opportunity to create their own destination search sites

The consideration for the acquisition of Newbold is US$20million (£10.5million) to be satisfied as to US$15.3million (£8.0million) in cash and US$4.7million (£2.5million) in new ordinary shares. A total of 17,375,244 Gaming Corporation shares are being issued, of which approximately 7.38million are subject to a lock-in of six months and the balance has been placed on behalf of the vendors of Newbold with institutional investors. As at 28 April 2005, Newbold had a net cash balance of over US$850,000, which implies an enterprise valuation for the business of US$19.15milion (£10.1million).

Justin Drummond Chief Executive said,

"This acquisition is a major step in the evolution of Gaming Corporation. Gambling.com is the leading global online Gaming search brand and a very profitable and fast growing business".

"This acquisition forms part of Gaming Corporation's strategy of building a portfolio of gaming brands that attract a worldwide audience."

"We believe that bringing Gambling.com into our portfolio of gaming websites will enable Gambling.com to grow at an accelerated rate with improved profitability and create new revenue streams for our existing business".

For further information contact:

Gaming Corporation plc

Damion Greef, Communications Director, 07736 381 030
Trevor Phillips, Holborn PR, 020 7929 5599
Jason Drummond, Chairman, 020 7618 9000
Justin Drummond, Chief Executive, 020 7618 9000
Mark Ashurst, Canaccord Capital, 020 7518 2777

Monday, May 2nd, 2005

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2005--Gaming Transactions Inc. (Pink Sheets:GGTS), a leading provider of online gaming portal management is pleased to announce that it has launched its first version of www.KenoBook.com.

Kenobook.com is owned by Gaming Transactions Inc., and is the second wagering portal to be launched by the company.

Kenobook.com offers a full range of sports betting options and an extensive number of betting types including straight bet, parlay, over/under, money-line, and teasers. The site showcases every North American sport from baseball to basketball to boxing, as well as soccer lines from over 60 different countries.

According to Christiansen Capital Advisors, the SportsBook industry is valued at $8 billion, and growing at an unprecedented rate with the expansion of the Internet into emerging markets.

Under the terms of a previously announced agreement with FutureBet Systems Ltd., Gaming Transactions will be building a second version of the site with its own branded betting lines early this quarter. Kenobook.com's customers will have access to the same sports odds lines that are used by several of the top Las Vegas books.

Patrick Smyth, CEO of Gaming Transactions Inc., commented, "Although men still dominate the gaming world, the majority of mainstream online game players are women. Over 55% of all activity on the five largest game sites for the month of August 2004 was by women. However, the Keno demographic is skewed towards males aged 25 to 45 years, with some college education. This provides the Company with the potential for increasing product offerings as our player database will have a greater proportion of males than other gaming sites. And following that logic, the Company believes that it will be able to convert a good proportion of its players into sports punters at Kenobook.com."

Monday, May 2nd, 2005

Ladbrokes -- The World's Largest Bookmaker -- Reduces IT Management Costs and Complexity with Nimsoft; Replacement of Legacy Enterprise Management Solution Paves Way for Service Level Management

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Privately held Nimsoft today announced that UK-based Ladbrokes, the betting and gaming division of Hilton Group, has chosen to adopt its NimBUS service-level management solution to provide real-time service monitoring and reporting for its IT infrastructure spanning thousands of heterogeneous servers, networks, databases and applications.

Faced with the task of replacing an existing enterprise management solution, Ladbrokes embarked in an extensive market evaluation that included more than 20 vendors. The final shortlist included BMC Software, HP, Microsoft and Nimsoft, but following actual onsite testing, Ladbrokes has decided to standardise on the NimBUS solution from Nimsoft after it demonstrated superior scalability, functionality and return on investment. Additionally, the NimBUS solution emerged as the only offering ready to tackle true service level compliance reporting through its unique ability to define, monitor and report against service level agreements (SLAs).

"As the market leader in the UK betting industry and the best-known brand in the global eGaming market, Ladbrokes works hard to continuously deliver innovative value and services to our customers," said Paul Thompson, Office Systems Manager, at Ladbrokes. "During our extensive research and onsite trials, we quickly realised that NimBUS adhered to all of our strict functionality requirements, including scalability, ease-of-use, and cross platform reach. All in all, we found that NimBUS is a fantastic solution also because of its built-in intelligence for service level management which is a key IT contribution to the continued success of our business."

Ladbrokes provides customers with a 24-hour a day, 7-day a week service via a network of nearly 2,000 licensed betting shops, plus over 600,000 registered customers from 160 countries bet with Ladbrokes. With the implementation of NimBUS, Ladbrokes will gain advanced monitoring capabilities for end-to-end visibility of its IT infrastructure, which allows for efficient detection and resolution of application outages that could affect any individual customer.

"Amidst today's proliferation of enterprise management solutions readily available to customers, NimBUS offers a value-add management dimension that is unmatched in the marketplace," said Gary Read, President of Nimsoft, Inc. "Through NimBUS' embedded service level management capabilities, Ladbrokes can leverage service views to proactively monitor performance and availability against defined SLAs, for an additional competitive advantage."

About Nimsoft

Nimsoft is a premier provider of cost-effective service level management solutions for maximum business uptime and compliance. The future-ready NimBUS solution is already empowering hundreds of IT enterprises across industries and around the world to successfully manage against their SLA targets within a matter of hours. Nimsoft stands ready 24x7 to help its customers manage complex network systems with an advanced performance and service-level management solution built on a flexible architecture, and offering a cost of ownership that brings Service Level Management ... within reach. For more information, visit www.nimsoft.com.

With US headquarters in San Mateo, California, and European headquarters in Oslo, Norway, and other offices in Spain, Sweden and the UK, Nimsoft is an Independent Software Vendor fully owned by its founders and employees and self-finances its growth with the proceeds from its operations.

Contacts

Nimsoft
Monica Giannella, 408-218-0795
monicagiannella@nimsoft.com
Dag Lund, +47 22627149 (Europe)
dag.lund@nimsoft.com

Monday, May 2nd, 2005

SOURCE: Newsday.com

DEL MAR, Calif. -- Two men suspected of trying to rob World Series of Poker champion Greg Raymer in Las Vegas last year were arrested Sunday at a gun show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, authorities said. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department received an anonymous tip Sunday afternoon that Kevin R. Joy, 35, and Deem Cassim, 31, were selling toy helicopters at the show.

The pair are accused of trying to rob Raymer as he returned to his room after playing a cash game of poker at the Bellagio Hotel on Dec. 20.

Raymer, a soft-spoken 40-year-old from Stonington, Conn. who weighs more than 300 pounds, fought off the two men as they tried to shove him into his room, not giving up his money even after one of them pulled a gun. The two men fled and were later identified on security video by Las Vegas police.

When approached by authorities, both men gave false names and claimed to have no identification, but gave up without a struggle, sherriff's Corporal Dan Murtaugh said.

They were booked on outstanding felony warrants and were awaiting extradition to Las Vegas. Raymer, known as the "Fossilman" in poker circles, won the prestigious World Series Of Poker Texas Hold'Em title and $5 million in cash in May of 2004.

On a poker message board at the time of the robbery, Raymer wrote: "I don't write this to brag, I just want any robbery-minded people out there who hear about this to know that I'm a tough mark, and they won't get that much off me even if they succeed."

Sunday, May 1st, 2005

Cycle De Mayo Tournament Moves to Fort McDowell Casino. Participants Can Win a Seat at the World Series of Poker!

PEORIA, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2005--Growing anticipation and excitement is mounting for four days of fun at the Cycle De Mayo event May 5, 6, 7, and 8. Lake Pleasant will transform to a playground of fun for families, bikers, campers and more! And for every participant, Make A Wish Foundation benefits from portions of the proceeds.

"The Make A Wish Foundation is a great organization to support and to be a part of," stated Andrew Wise, one of the producers. A highlight of the event is a Texas Hold'em Charity Tournament held at the Fort McDowell Casino where participants have an opportunity to win a seat at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas where the purse is $5,000,000. The tournament is daily, Thursday from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Daily buy-ins are $160. For the first hour, there are unlimited rebuys for $60. Cycle De Mayo will prove to be a one-of-a-kind event this year!

"The Mexican-themed event will start out with a hot Latin flare on Cinco de Mayo day, the Samba Dancers performing sizzling performances. Previously the LA Mambo Combo Band were scheduled to perform but due to changes in the event planning they will not. Other exciting activities planned include such events as Soft Tail Biker Fashion Show, Dyno-Drags, Motorcycle Stunt Teams and much, much more!" stated Wise.

With such sponsors and vendors as: Budweiser, Arrowhead Harley, Metro Motorsports, Street Metal Cycles, Coca-Cola, Bourget's, Hacienda Customs, Iron Eagle Motorcycles, T-Mobile, Law-Tigers, Banana Communications, 93.3 KDKB, Auto Trader, Bad Boys Customs, Gazelle Clothing, VIP Creations, PorterFields inc., and more, attendees will experience a wealth of daily and nightly activities. Such activities include live bands, Extreme FMX, fireworks, Las Vegas Extremes, Cowtown Paint Ball, Famous Belize Chicken Drop, Party Boats, racing at Speedworld, Harley Top Fuel Drags at Speedworld, Comic Relief, Seal-Wash Bikini Bike Wash, Biker Best of Show ... just to name a few! Various packages are available to attend the event.

For information about Cycle De Mayo visit www.cycledemayo.com. For information about the Charity Tournament visit www.azbigballers.com. Vendors booths are still available, call 602-229-2992.