PokerTek responds to Lightning Poker lawsuit

MATTHEWS, North Carolina -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- PokerTek, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEK), the industry pioneer and worldwide leader in automated poker tables and related software, said today it believes that the allegations outlined in Lightning Poker's announcement are without merit. PokerTek believes that its products do not violate the patent that forms the basis of the lawsuit, or that the patent is invalid, or both. PokerTek intends to vigorously defend its intellectual property.

Additionally, PokerTek has more than 40 published patent applications of its own, and will carefully examine how best to utilize those assets in responding to Lightning Poker's lawsuit.

"After consulting with our attorneys, we believe this suit is without merit," said Chris Halligan, PokerTek CEO. "This is not the first time Lightning Poker has sued us. Its last lawsuit was unsuccessful, and we will work to ensure a similar outcome here. We remain focused on growing our business and extending our lead in the marketplace."

PokerTek, which is traded on Nasdaq, announced that it had 189 PokerPro tables installed worldwide at the close of its fourth quarter and is widely acknowledged as the leader in the automated poker market.