Starnet Changes Name, Becomes World Gaming

Business Wire -- Starnet Communications International Inc., a global pioneer in I-gaming technologies, has become World Gaming plc, as part of the company's reorganization plans first announced in October of 2000. World Gaming has been incorporated in the United Kingdom, a jurisdiction that strongly supports the I-gaming industry, in order to accelerate expansion into Europe and Asia.

"Today's announcement is only the first step in a corporate reorganization focused on reasserting our position in the international I-gaming industry," said Michael Aymong, World Gaming's new Chief Executive Officer. "Today we are not merely changing logos and stationery -- we are creating an entirely new organization and culture committed to doing all of the things necessary to ensure strong international growth and enhanced shareholder value."

In recent months, the company has taken a number of important steps to improve performance: making reductions in operating costs, improving management and reporting structures, and recruiting a new CEO with a track record of making technology companies thrive in competitive, rapidly evolving markets.

"Management has made clear commitments to sound business practices and leadership, a strong sales and customer focus, and accelerated product development cycles and innovation," said Aymong. "In the coming weeks, we will be announcing a number of key management appointments that will be important to achieving our ambitious goals."

Aymong, a former senior executive with GT Group Telecom, Telus and MetroNet Communications, took on the top job at World Gaming on April 9, 2001.

In connection with the reorganization, World Gaming has obtained United States Securities and Exchange Commission registration of American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts ("ADR"s) for World Gaming plc. ADRs are negotiable U.S. securities that represent a non-U.S. company's publicly traded equity. Their prices are quoted in U.S. dollars and will settle in the same manner U.S. shares do.

The World Gaming ADRs will be traded on NASDAQ:OTC, effective May 29 2001, just as the Starnet Communications shares have been in the past. In connection with the reorganization, each holder of shares of Starnet will receive one ADR of World Gaming plc, in exchange for each share of Starnet common stock. Stockholders may obtain further information from their broker.

Back to Headline index