Sitting at the Virtual Poker Table: Results From First Ever Epidemiological Study...

Sitting at the Virtual Poker Table: Results From First Ever Epidemiological
Study of Actual Internet Poker Gaming Behavior, in Press

VIENNA, Austria, April 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The results from the
first ever epidemiological analysis of the actual gaming behavior evidenced
by a large sample of 3,445 online poker players over the span of 2 years are
about to be published. The study was conducted by the Division on Addictions,
Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate. This
collaboration reflects the longstanding partnership with bwin, the world's
leading online gaming provider.
The partnership between bwin and the Division on Addictions was
established in 2005 to provide a scientific basis for the assessment of
conspicuous gaming behavior and its consequences for responsible gaming. Two
key findings beginning to emerge from the research initiative are:
1) The myth of online gaming as a powerful seductive force has been
empirically refuted. Online gaming has no greater problem potential than
offline gaming.
2) Responsible gaming measures show effect.
The current research, which analyzes the behavior of Internet poker
players over the course of two years, is the world's largest longitudinal and
the first ever epidemiological study of its kind.
Individuals exhibit rational behavior
"In this research we provide additional evidence in support of our
previous research showing that most subscribers who gamble on the Internet do
so moderately. In fact, correlation analyses indicated that as Percent Lost
increased, Duration, Total Gambling Sessions, and Total Amount Wagered all
decreased, suggesting that individuals moderated their behavior based on
their wins and their losses - exhibiting "rational" betting behavior." says
Howard Shaffer, PH.D., Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School, Director,
Division on Addictions, The Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate
of Harvard Medical School.
- The average age of the cohort (sample) was 27.9 years and
almost 95% were male. The typical poker player was an active poker
player for a median duration of six and a half months and participated
in a median of one poker session every three days. The median Euros
per session gambled was EUR13 and the median cost of playing poker
was EUR1.80 per session.

- The gaming behaviors of the most involved poker players show that
this group, representing 5% of all players, was active for a duration
of 18.5 months and participated in ten sessions per week.

- This 5% subgroup had a smaller percentage lost than the sample
majority, suggesting that skill is a factor in poker play and that
players are able to improve their performance compared with chance.

- When examining the most involved poker players who devoted more
time and money to this activity, the study found that like the rest
of the sample, they reduced Euros per session and reduced Total
Wagered as Percent Loss increased.

"In our intention to replace speculation with scientific evidence, this
study takes us a big step closer towards understanding the behavior of online
poker players. Ultimately we are interested in developing algorithms capable
of identifying behavioral patterns or identifying risk patterns associated
with disordered gaming." says Manfred Bodner, Co-CEO of bwin.
For further information about the study please visit
http://www.divisiononaddictions.org
Press:
Kevin O'Neal, Press Officer
bwin Interactive Entertainment AG
Borsegasse 11, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Tel.: +43(0)50-858-24010
E-mail: press@bwin.org
http://www.bwin.org

Investors:
Konrad Sveceny, Investor Relations
bwin Interactive Entertainment AG
Borsegasse 11, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Tel.: +43(0)50 858-20017
E-mail: investorrelations@bwin.org
http://www.bwin.org

SOURCE bwin Interactive Entertainment AG

Press: Kevin O'Neal, Press Officer, bwin Interactive Entertainment AG,
Borsegasse 11, 1010 Vienna, Austria, Tel.: +43(0)50-858-24010, E-mail:
press@bwin.org; Investors: Konrad Sveceny, Investor Relations, bwin
Interactive Entertainment AG, Borsegasse 11, 1010 Vienna, Austria, Tel.:
+43(0)50 858-20017, E-mail: investorrelations@bwin.org