MATTHEWS, N.C., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PokerTek, Inc., the industry pioneer and worldwide leader in automated poker tables and related software, is pleased to announce the successful completion of the inaugural Carnival(R) PokerPro(R) Challenge tournament.

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The tournament began with a series of No Limit Texas Hold'Em satellite tournaments aboard 20 ships in the Carnival fleet, and in select PokerPro land-based casinos, between January and June 2008. Each satellite winner received a cash prize, plus an entry into the Grand Final Event in October to compete for the over $70,000 cash prize pool.

For the Final Event, 10 PokerPro tables were installed in the Forum Lounge on the Carnival Fantasy specifically for the tournament, with an additional table located in the ship's casino available for cash play.

From Sunday, October 5th through Wednesday, October 8th, as the Carnival Fantasy sailed from New Orleans to Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico, 168 players battled it out over 3 rounds. Matthew "Powder" Hutt of Quebec's Casino du Lac-Leamy emerged victorious as the tournament champion walking away with $45,000 and the first Carnival PokerPro Challenge winner's bracelet. Second and third place winners, David LaRoche and Pierre-Luc Camille, won $15,000 and $5,000, respectively.

Renowned poker professional Clonie Gowen participated in the cruise and held a World Poker Tour(R) (WPT) Boot Camp in conjunction with the tournament. She also provided commentary for the final round and challenged players in other tournaments and cash games throughout the cruise.

"From the beginning, it was apparent the collaboration between Carnival Cruise Lines and PokerPro was the perfect foundation for a thriving, fully- automated poker tournament," said Rodney Dofort, Vice President of Casino Operations for Carnival Corporation. "However, we never anticipated this level of success on our very first PokerPro Challenge. Our goal was to add some poker excitement to our great cruise experience and, judging by the reaction of the guests, we did just that."

"We are especially pleased with the consistent play throughout the cruise," remarked PokerTek's Chief Executive Officer Chris Halligan. "The PokerPro tables were always full with cash games before, during, and after the tournament. Carnival is a great partner for us and their guests have embraced PokerPro."

Carnival and PokerTek expect to announce details of the 2009 Carnival PokerPro Challenge later this year.

About PokerTek:

PokerTek, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTEK), headquartered in Matthews, NC, develops and markets products for the casino and amusement industries. PokerTek developed PokerPro(R) automated poker tables and related software applications to increase casino revenue, reduce expenses, and attract new players into poker rooms by offering interactive poker that is fast, fun and mistake-free. Heads-Up Challenge(TM) is a two-player table that allows bar and restaurant patrons to compete head-to-head in various games for amusement purposes. Heads-Up Challenge increases earnings for game operators and provides patrons unique and challenging on-site entertainment. Both products are installed worldwide. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.PokerTek.com or contact Laura Petty at 704.849.0860 x106.

About Carnival Cruise Lines:

Carnival is the world's largest and most popular cruise line, with 22 "Fun Ships" operating voyages of three to 18 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and South America. The line currently has two 130,000-ton ships on order - Carnival Dream, set to debut Sept. 21, 2009, and Carnival Magic, scheduled to enter service in June 2011.

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. The forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to, the expected adoption of the PokerPro systems by casinos and other customers and the expected acceptance of the PokerPro systems by players. 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, 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 general economic conditions, and our financial condition. 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.

Contact: Laura Petty

             704.849.0860 x106

SOURCE PokerTek, Inc.