A leading North East casino has re-affirmed its reputation for industry-leading innovation, becoming the first gaming venue in the UK to introduce the game of Live Draw Poker, which has already proven a huge hit in the United States.

Aspers at The Gate is hosting a six-month trial of Live Draw, which has roots in the game of Draw Poker going back almost 180 years, when it was favoured among the hard-drinking inhabitants of the fabled Wild West. Now the game is coming to North East, with a little bit of help from modern technology.

"This game is legendary, but until the advent of the new AccuPlay table, it was simply too complex to be managed by a single dealer," said Alan Barnes, Head of Gaming at Aspers at The Gate. "This system keeps track of the game for the dealer, with all betting and payments managed electronically, meaning that we can bring it into the casino environment for the first time.

Draw Poker gets its name from the second round of cards dealt to each player, which is known as 'The Draw'. After placing their bets, players are dealt five consecutive cards face-up. They then decide which of these cards to keep, if any, before the draw round sees any cards they have discarded replaced by the dealer.  This leaves each player their final hand.

"In 2008, we signalled our intent to lead from the front in the UK gaming industry, becoming the first casino to go membership-free and introduce 24-hour opening," added Alan. "We're now taking the same approach to gaming and, whenever we see something new and innovative that will work with our clientelle, we'll work to bring it to the North East."

Like any new game being introduced in the UK, Live Draw Poker has been subject to a detailed application process involving extensive consultation between Aspers Group and the Gambling Commission. It will now be evaluated over the six month trial before being confirmed as a permanent fixture in the Newgate Street casino.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Aspers at The Gate

by Point Pleasant Communications

For further information please contact Rob Lawson

on (0191) 519 7219 (Mobile: 07940 501 993) or email rob@point-pleasant.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

• Aspers is a 45,000ft2 leisure facility in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne.
• The venue includes bars, restaurant, beauty spa, live entertainment and state-of-the-art gaming facilities.
• Aspers has attracted almost 138,000 members in just over three years from a catchment area covering Northumberland and County Durham, reaching across to Cumbria and down to York.
• In late 2007 Aspers became the first casino operator in the country to launch a loyalty club - Aspire - that allows customers to collect and redeem points throughout its operations (including gaming). Customers are now able to gain points for every purchase made on the premises and can also earn bonus points on selected promotions.
• In April 2008, Aspers became the first British casino to go 'membership free' which means that virtually all visitors can freely walk through the reception area without completing membership forms. Photo ID is required if you look under 21 and to join our Aspire Loyalty Club.
• Visitors to Aspers must be 18 or over
• At every Aspers location, the company has set up the Community Action for Responsible Gaming (CARG) programme. This initiative is unique to Aspers and is based on similar successful schemes in Australia and New Zealand. CARG is a voluntary, not-for-profit group that seeks to constructively address problem gambling issues in society through a working partnership between local community-based interest groups.