Christmas in July was yet another shining addition to Fortune Lounge’s ground-breaking events. When it launched in June 2006, it immediately created a flurry of excitement and anticipation that only seemed to increase over the 8 weeks of exciting tournaments. Over and above the rich weekly prize pool of $160,000, each tournament carried with it a coveted ticket to the final event and a rare 1 in 25 shot of winning $50,000 cash! To mark the grand finale of this innovative promo, 25 Fortune Lounge enthusiasts and their partners were whisked off to legendary Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas for a few days of festive fun in the sun and a chance to unwrap a Christmas present of epic proportions!

Atlantis, Paradise Island itself played host to the final event. Finalists were treated like royalty at their hotel,
“The Royal Towers” described as
the crowning jewel of the Caribbean -
with sumptuous suites, sweeping
views of the ocean, harbour and marina.

November 15, 2006 marked the beginning of the week-long final event. The Fortune Lounge casino hosts were on hand to meet and greet their guests as they arrived at the airport. With finalists jetting in from as far as Sweden, Holland, Italy, USA and Canada the final promised to be a cosmopolitan affair. Guests received their Christmas gift packs and the game was on!

Atlantis Paradise Island is a feast for
the senses and imagination.
With activities aplenty including a
thrilling ride through a shark filled
lagoon, a walk along the luxury yacht harbour, or even sampling the mouth watering cuisine at any of the 35 bars, restaurants and lounges our players
were enjoying Atlantis as much as
the prospect of winning big!

November 18 - the day of the final dawned, a little cloudy, but nothing could put a damper on the finalists’ spirits. The Fortune Lounge team had planned an exciting day and everyone was raring to go! An invigorating morning sail got the ball rolling.

The games had to begin sometime
and the anticipation was tangible as guests made their way to the main
event – the gala dinner and drawing
at the Water’s Edge Private,
overlooking the lagoon.

The venue looked more than merry, done up with colourful Christmas decorations, complete with Santa and his helper who busied themselves by dolling out Christmas cheer and, the finalists hoped, a little more too...

After a sumptuous four course
Christmas dinner, the moment
everyone had been waiting for
arrived – it was time for Santa to
deliver the gifts!

Santa’s helper stood in for lady luck as she held out a deck of cards to each finalist, who picked one. Based on the value of the card picked, finalists came up, one by one, to select a gift from under the Christmas tree.

The runner up was William M,
who received 5,000 casino credits.

Chai A, from Italy, must have been very good all year because Santa gave him $50,000 cash! You know what they say about Christmas - ‘Tis the season to be lucky!