Following Party Gaming's monumental buyout of Empire Online and Intercontinental Online Gaming IOG, it has been confirmed that Party Gaming will continue using the online casino software platform powered by Playtech for all of their acquired IOG and Empire gaming sites, including Casino Las Vegas. Pending approval from Empire Online shareholders, the Party Gaming acquisition gives Playtech a  new four-year licensing agreement.

Business will continue as usual at all of Empire's and IOG's (former) online casinos, aside from some new advertising and cross brand promotion. Several well-known Playtech-powered gaming sites come with the package deal, including Noble Poker, Club Dice Casino, Miss Bingo and Magic Box casino. Former licensing agreements with IOG and Empire will be replaced by the new software licensing contract.

All of Party Gaming's current player base will be given direct opportunities to join many of the newly acquired sites, which provide a balanced offering of poker, bingo and online casino games. The decision to buyout IOG and Empire is fitting with Party Gaming's new business strategy following their dropout from the U.S. facing online gambling industry. The fact that an increasing number of poker players have been turning to online casino games and other forms of internet gaming to supplement their poker activities was likely a motivating factor for Party Gaming as well.

As for Playtech, they have been striking the iron while it is hot. Despite an apparent setback resulting from the U.S. ban on the online casino gambling industry, Playtech has managed to shift its focus on the European and Asian betting industry's. Just prior to their landmark deal with Party Gaming, Playtech signed a major pact with Sino Strategic International to power a Texas Hold'em Poker game on hundreds of Chinese betting terminals. Playtech's CEO, Avigur Zmora, said he is very pleased to be partnered with Party Gaming, and that he looks forward to a long and prosperous relationship.