Youbet and Delta Downs sign deal

WOODLAND HILLS, California -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Youbet.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBET) today announced that it has signed a co-promotion agreement with Boyd Gaming's Delta Downs Racetrack in Louisiana to help build the venue's online pari-mutuel wagering handle over the next three years.

The agreement calls for Youbet to feature Delta Downs racing content on its online advance deposit wagering website and to use its e-direct marketing and customer incentive programs to develop national wagering handle for the track. The key target for the co-promotion is Youbet's customer base of nearly 200,000 subscribers who wagered more than $463 million last year.

"Delta Downs' racing product has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, and with the help of Youbet we expect that trend to continue well into the future," said Jack Bernsmeier, General Manager of the Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino near Lake Charles.

"Youbet is a recognized leader in providing race fans with high quality streaming video and an online wagering format that is second to none," he said. "We're delighted to be partnering with them to build our business."

Louisiana HPBA president Sean Alfortish is strongly supportive of the arrangement. "I truly believe the Delta Downs - Youbet partnership will produce increased contributions to the horsemen's purse account," he said. "As both a horseman and an enthusiastic fan of the sport, I have been very impressed with the features and functionality of Youbet's wagering service ... and I think customers will respond to it very favorably."

In addition to race features on the website, Youbet expects to deploy its highly effective Youbet Advantage player points program to provide Delta Downs customers with the opportunity to earn double rewards on selected race cards. Youbet also will be the presenting sponsor of the $300,000 Delta Downs Princess Stakes race on Delta Jackpot Night, the main event of the season.

Delta Downs has agreed to promote online wagering at Youbet.com with on-track signage, print advertising, simulcast TV spots and Delta Downs home page banner ads. It also will stage Youbet sign-up opportunities at the track and conduct online handicapping contests with Youbet on Delta Downs races.

"This long term co-promotion arrangement with Boyd's Delta Downs is exciting," said Youbet CEO Charles F. Champion. "We are joining forces with one of the top brands in gaming to unleash the full power of our marketing and distribution platform and expose Delta's product to our large audience of pari-mutuel wagering customers. Youbet, with its own national presence and its own database, is uniquely suited to this kind of collaborative handle and fan-growth oriented effort."

The co-promotion agreement is effective immediately. The plan is to implement elements of the program during the final month of this year's Delta Downs thoroughbred season.