Playboy.com has signed an agreement with Ladbrokes, the world's biggest bookmaker, to develop an online sports wagering site at PlayboySportsBook.com. The site will be licensed and operated out of Gibraltar and should be online in the first half of 2001. Playboy expects to add casino games and pari-mutual wagering in the coming year.

PlayboySportsBook.com will offer a full-range of fixed odds sports wagering, allowing international consumers to bet on American sports including football, basketball, baseball, boxing, tennis and golf and international sports including soccer and rugby. In addition, the site will allow participants to wager on events ranging from elections to Playboy's Playmate of the Year.

"The site will bring Playboy's unique brand of sexiness, excitement and fun to online sports wagering," said Lawrence R. Lux, President of Playboy.com. "For example, we'll be inaugurating a Playboy Betting Bunny, a live Playboy Playmate dressed in the classic Playboy Bunny Costume, who will serve as the site's interactive hostess, including giving tips. In addition, PlayboySportBook.com will offer a range of distinctive features, including highlights of daily sports wagering events, video event coverage, sports commentary, scores and stats and a chat lounge."

Playboy said the site will have safeguards to prevent taking bets from the United States and other places where online sports wagering is illegal.

Playboy said that it believes that the online gaming market outside of the United States includes as many as 3 million players generating revenues in excess of $1.5 billion and will grow to 10 million players generating revenues in excess of $6 billion by 2004.

"We already have 6.5 million non-U.S. visits to Playboy.com each month and will be adding international sites tailored to regional tastes and interests," said Lux. "These sites, our 16 international editions of Playboy magazine and Playboy television networks in Asia, Europe and Latin America will generate significant international interest and potential."

Under the agreement, Ladbrokes will fund all operating costs, providing hardware and software, management and customer support. Playboy will provide marketing, branding, user interface, design and content.