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WAUKEGAN, Ill.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--WMS Industries Inc. (NYSE:WMS), a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of games, gaming content and gaming machines to the worldwide gaming industry, today announced that a wholly owned WMS subsidiary has entered into an agreement with France-based Groupe Partouche SA, (PARP.PA) one of Europeas largest casino operators with nearly 50 casinos, to provide Groupe Partouche with a WMS-hosted online casino site for residents of Belgium.

"The focus of the Partouche Group is to offer the very best of online games and gaming experiences for our customersa entertainment; and to position the Partouche brand as the premier benchmark in online gaming in Belgium, as well as in our land-based Belgian and French markets."

The joint operations agreement with Groupe Partouche represents the first business-to-business (B2B) deployment of WMSa robust online gaming solution, including the iGaming technology and platform that power the successful, award-winning JackpotParty.com site, which made its full-scale debut in the United Kingdom in January 2011. Players visiting the new Groupe Partouche online site, branded under the familiar Casino Knokke name, will have access to a diverse array of WMSa proven, premium licensed and proprietary slot games as well as a number of player-favorite card and table games, including Baccarat, Roulette, Blackjack and Video Poker. The site will feature unique WMS online gaming experiences including licensed game themes such as THE WIZARD OF OZa" and I LOVE LUCYa", and classic WMS games such as Super Jackpot Partya",Goldfisha", Life of Luxurya" Progressive, Reel aem Ina" and Zeusa" themed slot machines. In addition, players will be able to enter the Jackpot Party Progressivea" a" the first accumulating online jackpot in the world that can be awarded on any game, with any wager, at any time, completely at random.

Group Partouche presently operates four Belgian casinos and holds licenses from the government to conduct online gaming in Belgium. The WMS-hosted online casino will operate under one of nine online casino licenses awarded by the Belgium Gaming Commission and is expected to go live in summer 2012.

Orrin J. Edidin, President of WMS, said, aGroupe Partouche is an ideal launch partner for our comprehensive iGaming B2B solutions. We look forward to working collaboratively to create cross-marketing opportunities that will complement their land-based casino operations by providing players with the convenience of playing at home, in addition to playing at the casino. This joint operation marks a significant milestone in the execution of our online gaming strategy and expansion plans. It establishes our comprehensive suite of B2B online gaming capabilities and managed services offering as value-creating online solutions for land-based casino operators seeking to move forward with online gaming for their patrons.a

Fabrice Paire, Chairman of Groupe Partouche, said, aThis collaboration with WMS is the obvious next step in our business development. As Europeas leading casino operator, we are proud and delighted to be working in close association with WMS, a global leader in both gaming content and gaming machines, to now extend its gaming content to our online customers through their iGaming platform.

Paire added, aThe focus of the Partouche Group is to offer the very best of online games and gaming experiences for our customersa entertainment; and to position the Partouche brand as the premier benchmark in online gaming in Belgium, as well as in our land-based Belgian and French markets.a

Edidin added, aGlobal markets are rapidly moving toward content convergence and multi-channel distribution as consumers demand engaging content across multiple platforms and ready access to their favorite entertainment. WMS has established a successful online presence and a record for responsible gaming and compliance in regulated markets. Our more-than-60-year legacy of creating great content and games along with our proven iGaming platform positions WMS as a premier partner for casinos and gaming companies seeking a proven and integrated strategic approach. Our customers can count on WMS to evolve with them and help them stay connected to their players, wherever and however players find it most convenient to seek out gaming entertainment today and in the future.a

WMSa JackpotParty.com site has had a very successful first year of operations, which was recently capped with a Highly Commended designation in the aSlots Operator of the Yeara category at the eGaming Review Awards and named aBest New Casino of 2011a by Casinomeister. WMSa online strategy has been to develop and demonstrate the robustness of the Companyas online JackpotParty.com technologies and end-to-end gaming capabilities in the United Kingdom; and then to utilize its proven capabilities to expand into new markets as a provider of value-creating online-ready solutions, offering a full array of business-to-business products and services for land-based casino operators ready to move forward with online gaming for their patrons.

About Groupe Partouche

Since the opening of its first casino in 1973, Groupe Partouche has expanded and diversified its casino and hotel interests to become an industry leader in hospitality activities. Quoted on the Bourse de Paris-Euronext (code ISIN FR0000053548), the Company operates casinos and gaming websites, with an expansive offering from slot machines to traditional casino games and poker, 21 hotels, 120 restaurants, spas and golf resorts. With 5,600 employees and its 49 casinos (in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Tunisia), Groupe Partouche offers the highest standard of service to its patrons and well-regulated gaming areas. The Company today is the European leader in poker tournaments with the Partouche Poker Tour, offering 15 million euros in prize pools since its creation. More information can be found at [ www.partouche.com ].

Partouche - For the Love of the Game.

About WMS

WMS is engaged in serving the gaming industry worldwide by designing, manufacturing and marketing games, video and mechanical reel-spinning gaming machines, video lottery terminals and in gaming operations, which consists of the placement of leased participation gaming machines in legal gaming venues. The Companyas online iGaming business develops and markets products, services and end-to-end solutions that address global online wagering and casual gaming opportunities. WMS is proactively addressing the next stage of casino gaming floor evolution with its WAGE-NET networked gaming solution, a suite of systems technologies and applications designed to increase customersa revenue generating capabilities and operational efficiency. More information on WMS can be found at [ www.wms.com ] or visit the Company on [ Facebook ], [ Twitter ] or [ YouTube ].

I LOVE LUCY and related marks are trademarks of CBS Broadcasting Inc. 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Images of Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz are licensed by Desilu, too, LLC. Unforgettable Licensing.

THE WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements are a" and Turner Entertainment Co. (s12) Judy Garland as Dorothy from THE WIZARD OF OZ. (s12)