Starnet Communications International Inc. (OTC BB: SNMM) solidified its presence in the Asian market on December 8 when its wholly owned subsidiary, World Gaming Services Inc., launched a Japanese Internet gaming website.
Pachinko Casino, located at http://www.pachinkocasino.com, brings the game of Pachinko, Japan's most popular game of chance, to cyber bettors throughout the world. Described as a hybrid between a pinball and slot machine, the game was introduced in the early 1920s and is played in "Pachinko parlors" throughout the country. P-ARK Corporation, one of Japan's major Pachinko machine manufacturers, has estimated that there are over 30 million Pachinko enthusiasts in Japan that generate U.S. $180 billion in wagers.
The new online casino is in the latter stages of its development. The website is translated into Japanese and is intended for use by Japanese Web browsers and operating systems. Visitors to the site can download or mail-order a CD-ROM of the Japanese software. Java versions of blackjack, slots and video poker are currently in English, but can be played immediately on the site.
A Japanese sportsbook, live horseracing system and Java Pachinko games are under development. Customers can place real-money wagers on the games by opening an account with traditional online payment methods, most notably the Japanese credit card JCB.
Starnet is an Internet software, technology and service company, which commercializes online applications for established markets. Since the autumn of 1997, Starnet has been penetrating the emerging Internet gaming market through two avenues: as an operator of its own technology, and as a technology provider to other operators.
World Gaming holds a permit in its domicile of Antigua to operate its own Internet casino and sportsbook, http://www.worldgaming.net. Marketed in eight languages to online gamblers residing in Europe and Asia, World Gaming also simulcasts horse and dog racing via the Internet, from nine North American racetracks.
World Gaming and Pachinko Casino compete in the Internet gaming "end-consumer" market with other operators, such as GIC Global Intertainment Corporation (OTB BB:GGNC), Global Games Corporation (OTC BB:GLOW) and Gaming Lottery Corp. (Nasdaq:GLCCF).