STOCKHOLM - Last week, the mahjong world witnessed the start of a new online network: Mahjong Logic. On two servers, the game is already running, with impressive graphics. Within the next couple of months, more servers will be in the air, and from then, also money games will be launched. Time to talk with Jonas Alm, chief executive officer of Mahjong Logic. “Yes, we intend to sponsor mahjong events. And yes, on our server a player can win thousands of euros.” 

Jonas Alm: “Definitely. I believe there is great interest in a true network based mahjong, where players from all over the world can play and interact with each other. With our solution, players can play at one of our licensee’s game in for instance Japanese together with another player from another licensee playing in English. With the large number of mahjong devotees around the globe there is surely room for more mahjong operators.

“Also, with bigger tournaments that are being televised, this will further increase the awareness and popularity of the game. We intend to establish Mahjong Logic as the main global supplier of online mahjong solutions.”  

In what way do you offer more or better game play than others?

Jonas Alm: “We have single hand games; sit and go and multi table tournaments; 2, 3 and 4 people can play; great graphics and fast game play. Furthermore, we have a user-friendly game client and finally, our software can handle any number of concurrent players.”  

One of your competitors, MahjongTime.Com, also participates in events as the World Series of Mahjong, by sponsoring them and co-organizing them. Do you intend to support the worldwide spread of mahjong to stimulate the game in a similar way? Is there any contact with international mahjong organizations?  

“Yes, we intend to sponsor events and cooperate with as many organizations as possible. We have been in contact with mahjong associations in Sweden, and established a testing group for our software, which received very good feedback. “Mahjong Logic is a software provider and we will license our product to other companies wishing to add mahjong to their existing game portfolio or run a stand-alone mahjong business. Hence it will also be up to our licensees to market their own brands and cooperate with existing organizations and associations. We will not run our own mahjong brand; we do however operate and manage the network.”  

Right now, you offer Chinese classical, International Rules and Riichi Mahjong. Will other rule sets be presented in the near future?  

“Next rule set to be released, is Hong Kong rules. We can easily add any rule set to the system, but we don’t want to add too many rules and game varieties in the beginning, in order to maintain player liquidity.”  

How much money can players win? Will it be possible to win a couple of thousands euros in a short time?

“I don’t have an exact figure but yes, a player can win thousands of euros depending on what table they play at. There will be different tables with different denominations. Single hand games and sit-and-go tournaments can for instance have entry fees of 1 US dollar, 5, 10, 50, or 100 dollar and so forth, and players will win according to what points they have at the end of a game.

“Multi table tournaments will also have different entry fees, where the top players will receive their respective share of the total deposits to that tournament.”

How much does subscription cost if you just want to play free games?

"We don’t charge for subscription at this time. The system is prepared for both free play, cash games and subscription. We have had requests for a subscription based model but have not yet signed a customer for this. We will initially focus on launching for real play with a number of licensees in the next six weeks or so. The network is up and running with free play only at this time, before we receive the full license at Isle of Man."    

Website of Mahjong Logic