Luxury Online Poker room and Casino, Purple Lounge, has responded to the explosive growth of interest among women poker players to Sponsor professional player and TV presenter Michelle Orpe. Michelle will be the new Face of Purple Lounge and will represent the exclusive operator at some of the highest profile poker tournaments and events in the world.

Unlike some of the girls you see adorning the pages of many an online poker room Michelle Orpe is far more than just a pretty face. Although there's no doubting her stunning looks Orpe has shown she has what it takes at the poker table, taking part in major events throughout Europe including at the European Poker Tour (EPT). Her poker brain has also been put to good use on air offering insight into poker strategy, on Poker night live and more recently as a key presenter at Sky Poker.

Purple Lounge has been seeing incredible growth in their female membership over the past year, way beyond the industry average. With women flocking to the site from all over the world to play in special women only tournaments or take part in the now legendary 'Battle of the Sexes' a gruelling schedule of online and live tournaments aimed squarely at seeing which gender really has the nuts. Says Purple Lounge marketing director Julia Wild "From our launch just 2 years ago Purple lounge has always been a home to a large community of women players and it's something we're extremely proud of. It's natural that we sponsor a female player and we're expecting great things from Michelle Orpe, she's a true professional and we're very lucky to have lured her to Purple Lounge"

The steady growth in online poker is also filtering through to the professional poker tours with fabulous women players like Kathy Liebert, Annie Duke or 19 year old Anette Obrestad, each winning well in excess of 2 million dollars. In this atmosphere Michelle is entering a tough field of players, but given what she's achieved already who would bet against Michelle Orpe or her sponsors Purple Lounge from rising to the challenge

About Purple Lounge (www.purple-lounge.com):
Purple Lounge poker room and casino offers a sophisticated online gaming and entertainment experience with a luxurious feel. The site is for discerning players seeking an alternative to run-of-the-mill gambling sites and traditional Vegas glitz. And it isn't simply a gambling site. Purple Lounge has an exclusive agreement with Quintessentially, the world's leading private members club, offering a whole range of lifestyle services, access to the inaccessible and great discounts and insider information for players all around the world.

Since launching in November 2005, Purple Lounge has successfully acquired over forty thousand non-US registered players and handled more than $3US Billion in poker and casino wagers. Unique product and promotional offers together with exceptional personalized customer service helps Purple Lounge to attract a wide range of casino and poker players. Purple Lounge has been able to bridge the gender and age gap, appealing to men and women, young adults and older players. Following an ongoing period of growth, month on month trading results have continued to demonstrate an upward trend into January 2008. For more information, visit: www.purple-lounge.com