National Lampoon has sourced poker software for a new venture from Gaming Theory, a wholly owned licensing subsidiary of Canadian developer Excapsa.
National Lampoon Poker.com will be using the software for a US intercollegiate poker tournament in which 600 US higher education institutions will participate.
The free, televised event will culminate in regional semi finals, and ultimately a widely publicised national final. National Lampoon will promote its play-for-fun poker sites through its web pages, and in-dorm college network.
“Partnering with the Excapsa Poker Network gives us the premier technology and software necessary to bring poker to our mass college audience at NationalLampoon.com and at TogaTV.com,” said Daniel S Laikin, chief executive at National Lampoon. “The national competition also makes a perfect addition to our event marketing calendar. National Lampoon and poker make a winning combination.”
The deal also sees the creation of a multi-tiered marketing initiative between Game Theory and National Lampoon. Jim Ryan, president and chief executive of Excapsa Software, says that the NL brand identity among the college-age population is strong and with the growing popularity of poker in this demographic, this is a mutually beneficial partnership.
UltimateBet.com will be a co-sponsor in the college tournament.