Empire Online Limited 27 October 2005 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO UNITED STATES, CANADA, JAPAN, AUSTRALIA AND IRELAND Noble Poker Launches $100 Million Poker Mega Tournament Empire Online, a leading online gaming and marketing services company, announces the launch of the world's first poker tournament with a potential first prize of $100 million. Noble Poker, the licensed poker platform acquired by Empire in August 2005 will host "The Noble Poker $100 Million Mega Tournament". The competition will be a multi-stage Texas Hold'Em tournament consisting of free-roll and cash satellite tournaments culminating in April 2006 when the final tournament will take place. During the televised Final Table action, if a player hits a Royal Flush of spades he will win $100 million. In addition, other jackpot prizes will be available during the Final Table action (ranging from $1,000,000 to $250,000) depending upon the hand drawn, for example 4 aces will win $500,000. The full details of the tournament will be set out on Noble Poker's website www.noblepoker.com. Noble Poker is the exclusive online sponsor of this unique tournament, which is being produced by Cinda Ltd., a company engaged in the development of novel poker and gaming products. In order to guarantee payment of the Jackpot prizes, Cinda Ltd. has entered into agreements with ASU International, a subsidiary of HCC Insurance Holdings (NYSE: HCC) and National Indemnity Company, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The $100 million Grand Prize is reinsured by National Indemnity Company, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The former Tournament Director of The World Series of Poker (WSOP), Matt Savage has been announced as the Tournament Director. Endeavor Agency will develop the worldwide television and media rights to the tournament. Noam Lanir, Chief Executive of Empire Online, said "Poker tournaments of real scale and widespread appeal are critical to the success of any poker business. We are confident that by offering the largest potential prize in poker history we will take interest in poker tournaments to a new level both from the existing online poker players and from new potential audiences. Through this, we expect to significantly raise the profile of our Noble Poker brand in the territories in which we operate." Enquiries: Empire Online Limited +357 25 847700 Noam Lanir, Chief Executive officer Andrew Burns, Chief Financial officer Andrew Burnett Citigate Dewe Rogerson +44(0) 20 7638 9571 Simon Rigby Sarah Gestetner Ged Brumby The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution to persons in the United States of America. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold without registration thereunder or pursuant to an available exemption therefrom. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange