Bodog Production a Hit as Card Player, Player of the Year Awards Gala Comes

Up Aces

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bodog-produced Card
Player, Player of the Year Awards took poker to another level
Wednesday in Old Hollywood. Hosted by Calvin Ayre, the Founder and CEO
of online gaming giant http://www.Bodog.com, the awards solidified
poker as a mainstream pastime that appeals to celebrities and a broad
demographic of Americans.

Master of ceremonies Brad Garrett of "Everybody Loves Raymond" brought
down the house at the Music Box Theater with his comic genius while
award recipients delivered speeches that were grateful and poignant.

Ayre set the tone for the evening -- and drew a loud round of applause
-- with an address that celebrated poker's stunning rise in global
popularity. Later, he handed out the people's choice award for
Favorite Player, which went to Kid Poker himself, Daniel Negreanu.

Among the other notable winners were actress Jennifer Tilly (Best
Celebrity Player) and poker great Doyle Brunson (Lifetime Achievement
Award). The man known as The Master, Men Nguyen, took home the coveted
Player of the Year honor.

Nguyen arrived with a contingent of over 30 family and friends. During
his acceptance speech he talked about the growth of poker and his love
of the game. Speaking eloquently, he informed the audience of the
charity poker games he's helped organize and how the funds have
benefited the less fortunate. He also thanked the United States, his
adopted nation.

"This country made me a poker champion," he said. "It made my dream come true."

Celebrities in attendance included "Boston" Rob and Amber Mariano
("Survivor"), Christopher Masterson ("Malcolm in the Middle"), Danny
Masterson and Laura Prepon ("That 70's Show"), Don Felder of the
Eagles and Gilby Clarke, formerly of Guns 'N Roses, among others.

The event marked another foray into mainstream entertainment by
Bodog.com, the primary sponsor and producer of the awards gala. On the
heels of the huge success of the Bodog.com Lingerie Bowl III, held at
the L.A. Coliseum on Super Bowl Sunday, the Card Player, Player of the
Year Awards demonstrated again why Ayre and his company are at the
forefront of the online gaming boom.

"Tonight we exalt in poker's tremendous success. We honor the players
and their accomplishments," Ayre said after the show. "But at Bodog we
know we will be celebrating again and again. These kinds of nights
will soon be commonplace as our industry continues to eclipse
milestones. I'm glad we produced a high-caliber show and I'm also
proud we're among those companies who are a driving force in our
business."

The following is a complete list of awards and recipients handed out
at the Card Player, Player of the Year Awards:

Favorite Poker Player -- Daniel Negreanu

Best Celebrity Player -- Jennifer Tilly

Lifetime Achievement -- Doyle Brunson

Player of the Year -- Men Nguyen

Most Underrated Player -- Allen Cunningham

Best Female Player -- Jennifer Harman

Most Feared Player -- Phil Ivey

Breakthrough Player -- Michael Gracz

Best Mixed Game Player -- Chip Reese

Best Heads Up Player -- Phil Ivey

Most Entertaining Player -- Mike Matusow

Best No-Limit Player -- Phil Ivey

Poker Ambassador -- Mike Sexton

Best Cash Game -- Chip Reese

Card Player Freeroll Champion -- Jim Coca

For available photos please see
http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====166385&nbc1=1&VwMd=i

Bodog.com, located in San Jose, Costa Rica, is federally licensed by
the Costa Rican and UK governments. One of the pioneers in the field,
Bodog.com is the top-ranked US facing online gambling brand, with
highest site traffic amongst multi-product US gaming web sites
according to Hitwise. Bodog.com, valued at over US $1 billion and
ranked in the Power 10 online companies by eGaming Review, processed
$7 billion in wagers in 2005. The Bodog.com Marketing Conference,
http://www.bodogconference.com, will take place at the Wynn Las Vegas,
July 23-26 2006, attracting the leaders of the online gambling
industry. Bodog Entertainment Group also includes a music label,
BodogMusic, an online magazine, BodogNation, a television production
unit and further properties coming soon. For more information, contact
Media Relations at 1-866-892-3371, or pr@bodog.com. BODOG is a
registered trademark of Bodog Entertainment Group S.A. SOURCE
Bodog.com