Press Release

SOURCE: GameTech International, Inc.

GameTech International Names Clarence H. Thiesen Chief Executive Officer; Charles W. Scharer named to GameTech’s Board of Directors.

RENO, Nev., Oct. 1 -- GameTech International, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMTC), a leader in the electronic bingo industry, today announced that Clarence H. Thiesen has been named Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Thiesen replaces, as CEO Jon L. Whipple who is leaving the Company.  Mr. Thiesen is a Co-Founder, was GameTech’s original Chief Financial Officer until 1998 and has been on the Board of Directors since the Company’s founding in 1994.  Previously, Mr. Thiesen held the position of Chief Financial Officer of Zygo Corporation, a publicly held high tech company based in Connecticut.  Mr. Thiesen was previously Chief Financial Officer for International Game Technology.  Mr. Thiesen received an MBA from the University of California-Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree from Claremont Mckenna University.  Prior to his involvement with IGT, Mr. Thiesen held various positions in financial management at Varian Associates in Palo Alto.  

In addition, the Company announced that Charles W. Scharer, former President and CEO of Harvey’s Resorts – Lake Tahoe and current Commissioner of the Nevada Commission On Tourism, was named to GameTech’s Board of Directors and will serve on the Audit Committee.

Frederick C. Lane, GameTech’s Chairman, commented, “Clare Thiesen has been actively involved with GameTech since its founding, first as Chief Financial Officer and more recently as an active Director.  His knowledge of our Company and its operations and his extensive experience in both electronic bingo and gaming make him readily capable to step into the role of CEO and to bring a unique combination of leadership and vision to our Company.”

Mr. Thiesen added, “I want all of our shareholders, employees, customers and distributors to know that GameTech’s standards of outstanding customer service and innovative products will continue and be enhanced.  Our employees continue to provide the strong backbone of our Company and with our financial strength, we will continue to provide leadership within our industry.”  
 
GameTech International, Inc. is a leading supplier of a comprehensive line of electronic bingo equipment, including portable bingo units, fixed base units, and turnkey accounting and management software. The Company supports its bingo operator customers with products that increase play, revenues and profits, and software customized to enhance management and operations, all backed by unparalleled customer service.

Certain statements contained in this document may be deemed to be forward looking statements under federal securities laws, and GameTech intended that such forward looking statements be subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to expectations of the financial growth and operating results of the company. GameTech cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward looking statements contained herein. Such factors include, but are not limited to (a) changes in the markets for the company's products; (b) the failure of new products to deliver commercially acceptable performance; (c) changes in the regulatory environment for the Company's products and the ability of the Company and its products to be licensed; and (d) the ability of GameTech's management, individually or collectively, to guide the company in a successful manner. Additional information on these risk factors that could potentially affect the company's financial results may be found in documents filed by the company with the Securities & Exchange Commission.