PokerTek and Carnival Award $150,000 in Prizes on the Fifth Annual Carnival PokerPro Challenge

MATTHEWS, N.C., Dec. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PokerTek, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEK) continued its successful partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines by hosting the fifth annual Carnival PokerPro Challenge onboard the Carnival Magic October 28 – November 4, 2012.

In its fifth year, the Carnival PokerPro Challenge hosted a variety of tournaments with a total combined prize pool of $150,000, including a $50,000 prize for first place in the main tournament. Several thousand players competed throughout the year for seats at the Carnival PokerPro Challenge, and 360 players – the largest turnout yet – played in the final event.

"The Carnival PokerPro Challenge has continued to grow, and with 360 players this year we broke the 2011 Challenge record of 312 players," said Mark Roberson, PokerTek's Chief Executive Officer. "Our tournament software is unrivaled in the industry, accelerating the speed of play and providing player-friendly features such as complete real-time game information, player statistics, and live leader boards. We are truly thrilled to partner with Carnival in hosting this event each year."

Qualifying for the 2013 Carnival PokerPro Challenge has already commenced. The 2013 event will be held the week of November 9, 2013 on Carnival's newest ship, the Carnival Breeze, sailing from Miami to Aruba, Curacao, Grand Turk and La Romana, Dominican Republic. Players interested in playing in next year's tournament can qualify by winning a satellite tournament onboard Carnival's "Fun Ships" and at participating land-based properties. Seats are also available for purchase directly from Carnival for $750.

About PokerTek, Inc.:
PokerTek, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEK) is a licensed gaming company headquartered in Matthews, NC that develops and markets electronic table game solutions for the gaming industry. www.PokerTek.com.

Mark Roberson
CEO and CFO
PokerTek, Inc.
704.849.0860, x101

[email protected]

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are made in accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our actual results may differ materially from those implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, the impact of global macroeconomic and credit conditions on our business and the business of our suppliers and customers, overall industry environment, customer acceptance of our products, delay in the introduction of new products, further approvals of regulatory authorities, adverse court rulings, production and/or quality control problems, the denial, suspension or revocation of permits or licenses by regulatory or governmental authorities, termination or non-renewal of customer contracts, competitive pressures, and our financial condition, including our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity to operate our business. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in more detail in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur, except as required by applicable laws, and you are urged to review and consider disclosures that we make in the reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that discuss other factors germane to our business.

SOURCE PokerTek, Inc.