PokerTek Says Lightning Poker's Patent Lawsuit is Without Merit

Business Wire, March 5, 2008

MATTHEWS, N.C. -- PokerTek, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEK), the industry pioneer and worldwide leader in automated poker tables and related software, said today it believes that the allegations outlined in Lightning Poker's announcement are without merit. PokerTek believes that its products do not violate the patent that forms the basis of the lawsuit, or that the patent is invalid, or both. PokerTek intends to vigorously defend its intellectual property.

Additionally, PokerTek has more than 40 published patent applications of its own, and will carefully examine how best to utilize those assets in responding to Lightning Poker's lawsuit.

"After consulting with our attorneys, we believe this suit is without merit," said Chris Halligan, PokerTek CEO. "This is not the first time Lightning Poker has sued us. Its last lawsuit was unsuccessful, and we will work to ensure a similar outcome here. We remain focused on growing our business and extending our lead in the marketplace."

PokerTek, which is traded on Nasdaq, announced that it had 189 PokerPro tables installed worldwide at the close of its fourth quarter and is widely acknowledged as the leader in the automated poker market.

About PokerTek, Inc.

PokerTek[TM], Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEK), headquartered in Matthews, NC, develops and markets PokerPro and PokerPro Heads-Up[TM], automated poker tables and related software applications developed to increase casino revenue, reduce expenses and attract new players into poker rooms. PokerTek entered the amusement space by introducing Heads-Up Challenge[TM], a heads-up poker table for bars and restaurants that targets adults who play for amusement only. PokerPro tables are located in the United States, Canada, Macau, Panama, Germany, Australia, South Africa and several major cruise lines. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.pokertek.com or contact Tracy Egan at 704.849.0860 x106.

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.