• Lottery Tickets Through Your Phone With GTECH’S New Telebetting Feature. Full Story
• Scientific Games Secures Additional William Hill Installations. Full Story
• OLG Supports Ajax With Additional 544 Slots to Create New Jobs, Boost Local Revenue. Full Story
• Veikkaus Among the First Companies in Europe to fulfill the Requirements for the EL Responsible Gaming Standard. Full Story
• Camelot Leads the Way in Meeting European Responsible Gaming Standards. Full Story
• Win Systems Will Be Presenting Its Server-Based Platform For Mexican Class II And Class III At ELA 2009. Full Story
• La Française des Jeux Awarded European Lotteries Responsible Gaming Standards Certification. Full Story
• New Members Appointed to Veikkaus´ Ethical Council. Full Story
• adesso AG Implements New Interactive Gaming Platform at Eesti Loto. Full Story
• GTECH Printing Corporation Selected By Loteria Nacional De Nicaragua As A Provider Of Instant-Ticket Printing Services. Full Story
• The Number of New Millionaires Did Not Change in H1 2009 but Players Won Larger Amounts. Full Story
• Iowa Lottery Teams Up With Artist of the Freedom Rock™ For Veterans Scratch Game. Full Story
• Kansas Lottery Sales Decrease Slightly in FY’09. Full Story

Lottery Players in Jamaica Can Now Purchase Lottery Tickets Through Their Phone With GTECH’S New Telebetting Feature

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (July 10, 2009) – Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) lottery players in Jamaica now have the convenience of playing their favorite lottery game over the phone with a new telebetting feature provided by GTECH Corporation. GTECH’s ES Connect® system allows SVL lottery players to place wagers and collect winnings over their landline or mobile phone, without visiting a lottery agent.

“The launch of the new telebetting feature in Jamaica is a result of GTECH's continued commitment to providing innovative products and solutions to help our customers successfully grow their businesses,” said Senior Vice President of GTECH Americas, Alan Eland. “With the security and reliability of our ES Connect system, buying a lottery ticket in Jamaica is now as easy as making a phone call.”

“Mobile phone use in Jamaica is increasing and now with GTECH’s advanced technology and security system, we are able to offer our games to a new player segment that might have not otherwise considered buying a lottery ticket,” said President and CEO of SVL, Brian George. “This is an exciting new avenue that will potentially help us expand our player base and raise more revenue for our good causes.”

Under the GO PLAY brand, players register for access to an assigned card that monitors all transactions and is linked to a specified phone account. GO PLAY gives lottery players the freedom and convenience of placing wagers for a variety of popular games such as Lotto, Pick 3, or Cash Pot through their phone from wherever they are in Jamaica.

Players must be at least 18 years of age and open an account with a minimum of JMD$100. Players call a toll free number to place their bets, add money, or check the balance on their account. Winners are notified via text message and prizes up to JMD$300,000 are automatically deposited into the players’ account. Prize amounts in excess of JMD$300,000 must be claimed in person at an SVL Regional Retail or Prize Payment Center.

GTECH Corporation has been the technology provider to SVL since its inception in 2001. SVL is a publicly listed company on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with shares also cross-listed on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange. SVL contributes to good causes through the Government’s C.H.A.S.E. Fund, which is set up to aid various organizations that promote culture, health, arts, sports and early childhood education in Jamaica.

About GTECH

GTECH is a leading gaming technology and services company. With 6,200 people in over 50 countries, GTECH provides innovative technology, creative content, and superior service delivery to effectively manage and grow today’s evolving gaming markets. GTECH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lottomatica, one of the world’s largest commercial lottery operators and a market leader in the Italian gaming industry. For more information about the Company, please visit GTECH’s website at www.gtech.com.

SOURCE: GTECH Corporation. CONTACT: Robert K. Vincent, Public Affairs, GTECH Corporation, 401-392-7452.

Scientific Games Secures Additional William Hill Installations

NEW YORK, USA (July 10, 2009) -- Scientific Games (Nasdaq: SGMS) announced its wholly owned subsidiary The Global Draw Ltd, has signed a new supply agreement until December 2012 to supply multi-game server based gaming terminals to an additional 42 William Hill (LSE: WMH.L) betting shops in the United Kingdom, increasing its number of installations with the leading bookmaker to just over 600 shops in total nationwide.

Phil Horne, Managing Director of The Global Draw, said: "It is a testament to the quality and performance of our product and further strengthens our relationship with William Hill. We look forward to working in close partnership with the new shop managers to maximize the opportunities for growth afforded by the Nevada terminal and its market leading content."

The Global Draw is the leading supplier of dual screen B2/B3 gaming machines to the UK betting shop market with more than 12,500 terminals operating in around 3,400 shops.

About Scientific Games

Scientific Games Corporation is a leading integrated supplier of instant tickets, systems and services to lotteries worldwide, a leading supplier of server based gaming machines and systems, Amusement and Skill with Prize betting terminals, interactive sports betting terminals and systems, and wagering systems and services to pari-mutuel operators. It is also a licensed pari-mutuel gaming operator in Connecticut, Maine and the Netherlands and is a leading supplier of prepaid phone cards to telephone companies. Scientific Games' customers are in the United States and more than 60 other countries. For more information about Scientific Games, please visit our web site at: www.scientificgames.com

Company Contact: Investor Relations, Scientific Games, 212-754-2233.

About William Hill

William Hill is a leading betting and gaming company. It is one of the UK's largest bookmakers, with around 2,300 shops in the UK and Ireland that provide betting opportunities on a wide range of sporting and non-sporting events, and offer gaming machines. William Hill Online provides internet-based sports betting, casino, poker and bingo, and is on of the leading European online betting and gaming businesses operated by a listed company.

SOURCE: Scientific Games.

OLG Supports Ajax With Additional 544 Slots to Create New Jobs, Boost Local Revenue

AJAX, Ontario, Canada (July 10, 2009) -- A total of 70 new full and part-time jobs will be created with the planned expansion of OLG Slots at Ajax Downs. The construction project will soon begin and will include the installation of 544 new slot machines that will create jobs and revenue to benefit the municipality of Ajax.

“Since the opening of Slots at Ajax Downs more than three years ago, OLG has enjoyed a strong partnership with the Town of Ajax and its residents,” said Kelly McDougald, CEO of OLG. “This expansion is a further indication of how gaming in Ontario has exceeded all of our expectations. The Ajax facility is one of the busiest gaming floors in North America, it not only gives area residents an exciting entertainment option, it also puts dollars into the local economy through job creation and additional municipal non-tax revenue.”

The project will also generate approximately 40 additional short term construction-related jobs. Construction is slated for completion by spring 2010.

“The expansion of OLG Slots at Ajax Downs is another example of our government’s commitment to create jobs and stimulate the economy of Ajax and Durham Region,” said Joe Dickson, MPP for Ajax-Pickering. “By adding to this already-thriving attraction, we are helping to strengthen our community and provide substantially more revenue for the Town of Ajax for important local projects.”

“We welcome both the new jobs being created and the new non-tax revenue from the additional slots at Ajax Downs,” Ajax Mayor Steve Parish commented.  “The additional revenue will continue to support key infrastructure projects such as roads, trails and other municipal facilities.”

Since opening in February 2006, OLG Slots at Ajax Downs has welcomed more than 3.5 million patrons, provided more than $106 million in municipal payments, direct and indirect employment, the purchase of goods and services from local and regional vendors and sponsorship for community-wide events. For example, slot machine revenues from Ajax Downs helped create the LEED Certified Fire and Emergency Services Headquarters. This award-winning facility made Ajax a municipal leader in innovative infrastructure projects and also created new jobs.

As part of the OLG Responsible Gaming Program, once finished, the expanded gaming floor will also include a full service Responsible Gaming Resource Centre (RGRC), one of 28 full and self-service RGRC’s to be fully operational by 2010. RGRC’s provide OLG customers with essential information about the risks of problem gambling, tips on recognizing warning signs, and links to treatment or counseling services.

For more information on OLG’s RGRC’s, please visit www.knowyourlimit.ca

About OLG

OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries, casinos, slots, and resort casinos have generated more than $28 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario. Gaming proceeds support Ontario’s hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

For further information: OLG Public Affairs, (705) 946-6716.

Veikkaus Among the First Companies in Europe to fulfill the Requirements for the EL Responsible Gaming Standard

VANTAA, Finland (July 1, 2009) -- Veikkaus signed the EL Responsible Gaming Standard in 2007. By doing so, we committed to compliance with the Responsible Gaming Framework.

One of the requirements of the Framework is that the responsibility of our activities is audited.

This year we carried out the audit at Veikkaus and it was assured by an external operator. Veikkaus was among the first members of the EL (European Lotteries) to carry out a responsibility audit.

The audit aims at ensuring that Veikkaus' work for the promotion of responsible gaming is sufficient. This means that we shall pay attention to responsibility in all our activities, including marketing, sales, and game development.

SOURCE: Veikkaus' eNews.
CONTACT: Veikkaus Oy, Communications, Tel: +35820 750 750, Fax: +35820 750 7145, Email: tiedotus@veikkaus.fi

Camelot Leads the Way in Meeting European Responsible Gaming Standards

Achievement Recognises UK National Lottery Operator’s Ongoing Commitment to the Highest Standards of Responsible Gaming

WATFORD, UK (July 9, 2009) -- UK National Lottery operator Camelot has received certification of alignment with international requirements on responsible gaming standards – underlining its position as a leading player on the world stage in the field of responsible play.

Alignment with the European Responsible Gaming Standards forms part of a Responsible Gaming Certification Framework established by the European Lotteries Association (EL). The framework was recently ratified by 60 out of 62 lottery operators – including Camelot – at the European Lotteries Congress in Istanbul.

Camelot’s certification was carried out by an independent assessor – Deloitte LLP – and confirms its commitment to setting and maintaining the highest standards of responsible gaming in the UK gambling industry, as well as in the lottery sector worldwide. Having played a leading role in developing the framework and having chaired the European Lotteries Responsible Gaming Working Group since 2005, Camelot is one of only 10 lottery operators so far to have been certified as meeting the standards.

The framework assesses performance in areas such as research, employee training, sales force programmes, game design, remote gaming channels, advertising and marketing, player education, stakeholder engagement and reporting.

Enshrined in its everyday operations, corporate responsibility lies at the heart of Camelot’s strategy and the company has implemented numerous carefully-developed player protection initiatives to ensure that people enjoy playing UK National Lottery games responsibly, both in-store and interactively.

As well as using pioneering Game Design Protocol and GAM-GaRD tools to assess any potential problems posed by new games, Camelot continues to see excellent results with its groundbreaking Operation Child test-purchasing initiative that promotes retailer vigilance against selling National Lottery products to underage players.

In addition, the company uses a range of safeguards on its digital channels – including age verification checks, play limits and spending caps – and was the first organisation in the UK to be given GamCare accreditation for its website, interactive TV and mobile phone services.

Camelot has again been recognised for the highest standards of corporate responsibility, having won the World Lottery Association’s 2008 Best Reporting Award for its corporate responsibility reporting. In addition, the company was awarded a Big Tick by Business in the Community for its work on responsible marketing.

European Lotteries’ President Friedrich Stickler commented: “Creating and ratifying the European Responsible Gaming Standards Certification Framework – the first of its kind for lotteries worldwide – is a great achievement. The framework will not only protect players across Europe, but it also makes business sense for our members. I’m delighted that Camelot has played a central part in the process.”

Dianne Thompson, Camelot Chief Executive, said: “Camelot’s commitment has been integral in driving the development of the new standards framework. I’m thrilled that it has now been ratified – It’s good for us and good for all of our players. I hope that the majority of European Lotteries will also seek certification against it.

“We take our responsibilities towards players seriously, and go beyond our regulatory requirements in setting and maintaining the highest standards of responsible gaming in the UK, as well as in the lottery sector worldwide.

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“Corporate responsibility is at the heart of our business, and we work hard to make sure that National Lottery sales continue to grow in a socially responsible way, so that even more money is raised for the Good Causes. We are ranked as the sixth largest lottery in the world in terms of sales but, with an average weekly spend of around £3 per player, only 66th in the world in terms of per capita spend – highlighting our strategy to encourage many people to play but to spend relatively little.”

Camelot recently announced its full year figures to 31 March 2009, which saw the company grow total National Lottery sales across its portfolio of games to £5,149 million, an increase of £182.8 million on the previous year’s figure of £4,966.3 million.  The total amount that National Lottery players have helped to raise for the Good Causes to date is over £23 billion. So far over 317,000 Good Causes awards have been made across the UK – the equivalent of 109 awards per postcode district.

For further information, please CONTACT: Lisa Hancox, Corporate PR Manager: 020 7632 5716, Rob Dwight, Senior Media Relations Manager: 020 7632 5748 or Camelot Press Office: 020 7632 5711

SOURCE: Camelot Group plc.

Win Systems Will Be Presenting Its Server-Based Platform For Mexican Class II And Class III At ELA 2009

Advantages of WIN´s Server-Based Technology Will Be Demonstrated At Booth Nº 26 Of ELA 2009

MEXICO (July, 2009)- Win Systems (WIN), global technology supplier to the gaming industry providing leading edge software, networks and support services for online lottery systems, server-based gaming devices and video lottery terminals will present at ELA 2009 the new development of its server-based platform for the Mexican market together with it extensive game content library WINGAMES™.

WIN already have several Class II gaming machines installed in Mexico with an optimum performance and high levels of profitability. WINGAMES™ are widely accepted and are the favourites for the Mexican players.

WIN’s server-based system includes a multigame menu that allows the player to choose between a wide number of games that are remotely downloaded to the machine. The system also offers the possibility of WIN’s mystery jackpot with three prize levels, MEGA, SUPER and MINI configurable according to the requirements and needs of the operator.

“At ELA we meet our clients and friends from the industry and it is the perfect stage to exhibit our product to the Latin-American market,” commented Dario Zutel, Chairman & CEO of Win Systems.

WIN will present the new developments of its server-based Systems running on its brand new machine Gala-W, an interactive video lottery terminal especially designed for route and bingo halls operations.

The last generation terminals with double screen and touch monitor, and the advantage of always having the last and best games constantly updated by WIN through its remote downloadable games system provide confidence and efficiency to the operators of this market

About Win Systems

WIN is a global technology supplier to the gaming and lottery industries, providing software, networks and support services for online lottery systems, server-based gaming devices and video lottery terminals.  WIN offers a full range of technology services, including design, assembly, installation, operation and maintenance of its systems.  With offices in the US, Spain, UK, China, Mexico, Italy and Argentina and its wide experience international gaming market, WIN has managed the deployment of traditional online lottery systems for regulated national lotteries across the world, and has now introduced a cutting edge, server based solution for the gaming industry.

For more information: www.winsystemsintl.com

La Française des Jeux Awarded European Lotteries Responsible Gaming Standards Certification

BOULOGNE, France (June 29, 2009) -- La Française des Jeux has just received Responsible Gaming Standards certification by the European Lotteries Association, an umbrella organisation for 72 European lottery operators. The accreditation was awarded following an audit by the French standards body AFNOR. La Française des Jeux is one of the first lottery operators1 to obtain this certification of compliance with the responsible gaming highest standards.

For a week, AFNOR audited representatives from each division of La Française des Jeux (around 50 employees), who had to provide evidence of the responsible gaming measures introduced over a period of several years.

The certification essentially requires the following actions:

• set up moderators on remote gaming platforms to verify the age of players and to offer them adequate tools so that they can regulate their gaming behaviour;
• inform the public about the risks of excessive gaming and clearly mention the ban on underage gambling;
• train employees and the entire games distribution chain on issues linked with responsible gaming;
• take account of the risks to vulnerable groups when designing its games;
• ensure promotional and marketing communications are not directed at vulnerable groups;
• encourage research into addiction and the prevention of excessive gaming;
• put players with problems in touch with organisations that can help them and offer treatment; and
• consult its stakeholders and keep them regularly informed of changes in its responsible gaming policy.

“This certification shows that the commitment of La Française des Jeux and its retailers to responsible gaming is in line with the highest industry standards. It represents a safe recreational gaming model that appeals to 29 million French people,” explained Christophe Blanchard-Dignac, Chairman and CEO of La Française des Jeux.

There are nine other certified lotteries¹: Camelot (United Kingdom), Veikkaus (Finland), Svenska Spel (Sweden), Lottomatica (Italy), Loterie Romande (Switzerland), Loto Catalunya (Spain), Mifal Hapaïs (Israel), West Lotto (Germany), Osterreichische Lotterien (Austria).

The European Lotteries Responsible Gaming Standards are now the European benchmark for responsible gaming; in other words, for the protection of vulnerable people (minors and at-risk or excessive players).

La Française des Jeux promotes responsible gaming values not only in Europe, but worldwide. As a member of the World Lotteries Association (WLA)¹, La Française des Jeux is a signatory of the WLA Responsible Gaming Standards, in which it has now attained the highest level (level 4).

The World Lottery Association is the umbrella organisation for 141 lotteries in 76 countries worldwide, mainly in the United States and Europe¹.

About La Française des Jeux

La Française des Jeux offers its 29 million customers a wide range of lottery games and sports betting products that are fun, secure and compliant with responsible gaming standards. These are sold via an extensive network of 37,600 points of sale, as well as a website – www.fdjeux.com – which is used by around 730,000 players.

With sales of €9.2 billion in 2008 and 945 employees, La Française des Jeux is the third-largest lottery operator in the world. It has embarked on a sustainable development policy reconciling economic development, community involvement and environmental and social development. La Française des Jeux allocates almost 28% of gaming revenues to society as funding for good causes. More specifically, 2.5% of stakes contribute to financing sports facilities and the “sport for all” movement in France.

SOURCE: La Française des Jeux press release.

New Members Appointed to Veikkaus´ Ethical Council

VANTAA, Finland (July 1, 2009) -- Veikkaus’ Ethical Council is an advisory expert organ whose task it is to provide Veikkaus’ Board of Directors and operative management with an external perspective to issues related to the ethics of gaming. Six new members were elected to the Council for the two-year term between 2009 and 2010; three Council members from the previous term will continue their work. The Ethical Council is chaired by Professor Olli Alho. 

The Council makes concrete suggestions and issues ethical statements on various practical issues and debate concerning gaming.

Veikkaus' Ethical Council issues statements and makes proposals it deems necessary to the company and reports on its operations of the year to the Board of Directors by the end of January. The members elect one Council member to be the Chairman and set working groups, as necessary. The Ethical Council does not make decisions concerning questions and appeals coming from outside of the company. Its term of operation lasts for two years.
CONTACT: Veikkaus Oy, Communications, Tel: +35820 750 750,
Fax: +35820 750 7145,
Email: tiedotus@veikkaus.fi.
SOURCE: Veikkaus' eNews.

adesso AG Implements New Interactive Gaming Platform at Eesti Loto

Extension of Online Games Offer and Improvement of Customer Service

BERLIN, Germany (July 7, 2009) -- adesso AG, an IT service provider with years of experience in the implementation of lottery applications, has been commissioned by the state lottery company in Estonia, Eesti Loto, to implement a new web-based gaming platform. With the “Interactive Gaming System” (IGS), Eesti Loto provides the basis for expanding the online games offer and the future use of other interactive marketing channels. At the go-live of the new platform in early 2010, the traditional lottery and the instant lottery formats will be offered as the first products. The system’s core is “in|FOCUS”, the adesso solution for the direct marketing of lottery products in all online sales channels.

Eesti Loto has provided games via the Internet for a long time. The Internet system in use by now, however, is reaching its limits with regard to user guidance, flexibility and convenient content maintenance. With the new Interactive Gaming System, Eesti Loto has commissioned a solution which enables considerable improvement in the games experience and the customer service via the Internet, and which at the same time will be the source of the future extension of the offer and its expansion over further channels, e.g. mobile devices.

These aims are optimally supported by the use of the adesso solution “in|FOCUS”.  in|FOCUS integrates seamlessly with the existing IT infrastructure of the lottery company and enables the marketing of existing and new games with a multitude of functions. The solution includes the fundamental concept of placing the customer at the centre of all processes and combines the requirements of customer centring, multi-channel capability and integration into one platform. In the project, adesso will take on the tasks of project management, software development and web interface design for Eesti Loto. “Eesti Loto customers will experience a fundamentally improved service with the new interactive gaming platform, starting from intuitive registration and personalised language, via attractive game variants with a realistic look and feel to transparency in the games history,” explains Dr Rüdiger Striemer, Member of the Executive Board at adesso AG. Aivar Lepp, Chairman of the Executive Board at Eesti Loto, adds: “With the new Interactive Gaming System and the support of the adesso experts, we are sure to position ourselves as a more attractive provider with an interesting portfolio – this in particular with regard to the upcoming liberalisation of the Estonian lottery market.”

Lottery Competence from adesso

adesso AG, which is represented in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, has been a sought-after partner of state lottery companies all over Europe for years and supports these companies in the design, implementation and realization of all processes which are necessary for the operation of the lottery business. The company increasingly provides services for lottery companies in the rest of Europe. The use of the multi-channel platform in|FOCUS at Eesti Loto will be the fifth installation of this solution and is thereby increasingly emerging as a standard for the direct marketing of lottery products.

SOURCE: adesso AG Press Release.

GTECH Printing Corporation Selected By Loteria Nacional De Nicaragua As A Provider Of Instant-Ticket Printing Services

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island and LAKELAND, Florida (July 13, 2009) – GTECH Printing Corporation (GPC) announced that Loteria Nacional de Nicaragua has chosen GPC for instant-ticket printing services, under a two-year contract. The contract commenced on July 10, 2009, and is the result of a competitive procurement. Loteria Nacional de Nicaragua is one of Central America’s top-performing lotteries with regard to instant-ticket sales, and is one of several opportunities for GPC in Latin America.

“We are very excited about Nicaragua selecting GPC. This is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate our customer service capabilities and deliver high quality products to a new customer in the international market,” said Ross Dalton, GTECH Senior Vice President of Printed Products and Licensed Content. “This contract verifies that customers see us as a leading instant-ticket provider in a competitive environment. We look forward to supporting Nicaragua’s instant-ticket program.”

“We foresee a very productive relationship between Loteria Nacional de Nicaragua and GTECH Printing Corporation,” said Don Ernesto Vallecillo, Director of Loteria Nacional de Nicaragua. “GPC’s extraordinary level of commitment, their printing capabilities, and precise attention to detail all proved to be a major draw for us when selecting our vendor.”

GPC is the fastest growing instant-game manufacturing company in the industry and is currently servicing more than 30 customers worldwide. GPC will manufacture instant tickets for Nicaragua at its new, state-of-the-art printing facility in Lakeland, Florida.

About GTECH

GTECH is a leading gaming technology and services company. With 6,200 people in over 50 countries, GTECH provides innovative technology, creative content, and superior service delivery to effectively manage and grow today’s evolving gaming markets. GTECH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lottomatica, one of the world’s largest commercial lottery operators and a market leader in the Italian gaming industry. For more information about the Company, please visit GTECH’s website at www.gtech.com

SOURCE: GTECH Corporation. CONTACT: Robert K. Vincent, Public Affairs, GTECH Corporation, 401-392-7452.

The Number of New Millionaires Did Not Change in H1 2009 but Players Won Larger Amounts

PRAGUE, EU (July 9, 2009) - Thirty-eight players won more than CZK 1 million in some of the betting games and lotteries of SAZKA, a.s., in the first half of 2009, with 16 of them having won more than CZK 10 million. While the total number of new millionaires did not change year on year, the number of new multi-millionaires, i.e. those who won at least CZK 10,000,000, was up from 10 to 16 players.

In the first half of 2009, the most prizes of at least CZK 1 million were won in the Sportka and Štastných 10 (Lucky 10) number lotteries, along with the Šance (Chance) and Šance million (Chance at a Million) options. The tickets that won more than CZK 10 million were most often placed in South Moravia (5), North Moravia (3) and Prague (3).

This year’s highest amount, CZK 72,384,867, which was hit in April, was one of the top ten winnings in the Sportka history; the play-slip was placed in East Bohemia. Two players shared another top jackpot, of CZK 65,932,990, in February, with CZK 32,966,495 for each.

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The second highest individual amount, of CZK 50,975,504, was won by a person whose play-slip was placed by a friend just 13 minutes prior to the draw, because the winner was hospitalized and waiting for an operation. As far as other interesting winnings are concerned, a jackpot of CZK 32,966,495 was won by a player who kept picking numbers ‘inherited’ from his parents, while CZK 26,922,737 went to a winner who regularly plays a lottery for 27 years, and thus he actually won almost CZK 1 million for each year of playing.

The highest ever prize in the Štastných 10 number lottery, exactly CZK 40,000,000, went to a lucky player who had not played a lottery before at all. His relatives made him place the lottery ticket, and he staked the maximum possible amount, using just one board of his lottery ticket, where he matched all the ten numbers drawn, however.

In the first half of the year, Sportka was the most generous in the drawing held on 1 February 2009, when it distributed jackpots for almost CZK 117,000,000 while in the All Fools’ Day drawing on 1 April 2009 the jackpots won in both draws exceeded CZK 93,000,000.

March 2009 was the first time in the history of the Czech oldest and most popular lottery that the same six numbers – 5, 14, 27, 31, 46 and 47 – were drawn again; these numbers had been drawn as long ago as in 1980 for the first time.

* The number of winnings of this amount in parentheses.

SOURCE: Sazka Press Release. CONTACT: PhDr. Zdeněk Zikmund, Press Spokesperson, SAZKA, a.s.

Iowa Lottery Teams Up With Artist of the Freedom Rock™ For Veterans Scratch Game

Monday Marks First Day of Sales In "The Freedom Rock" Game

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 13, 2009) – The Iowa Lottery is teaming up with the artist of an Iowa landmark for the latest instant-scratch game that will raise money to support veterans and their families through the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund.

Ticket sales began Monday in "The Freedom Rock™," a $2 scratch game that features an image of the western Iowa landmark on its tickets. For 11 years, Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II, a Greenfield artist, has painted a 56-ton boulder near his Adair County hometown with patriotic images as a tribute to our nation’s veterans. The giant rock now called The Freedom Rock has become a draw for visitors from around the globe.

Sorensen, 29, was first inspired to paint the boulder in 1999 after seeing the movie "Saving Private Ryan."

"I thought I'd say, 'Thank you veterans for our freedom' and put the flag-raising at Iwo Jima on there. That's how it kind of got started," Sorensen said.

He was going to paint the rock just that one year, but veterans had other plans.

"Veterans asked, 'Would I paint it again for Memorial Day?'" Sorensen said. "And I took it a step further – I painted all the way around it."

Lottery officials said that as soon as the lottery gained authorization in 2008 to produce games to benefit veterans, they began to receive requests for The Freedom Rock to be put on those tickets. The Lottery met with Sorensen in mid-2008 about featuring his work on lottery tickets and reached agreement with him later that year.

"We're extremely pleased to be able to offer a game featuring The Freedom Rock," said Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich. "Bubba Sorensen's art is truly inspiring and we're honored to showcase his work while helping Iowa veterans at the same time."

Sorensen said he is glad that his artwork will help veterans in a new way through the lottery.

"Veterans deserve our thanks and support for defending our freedoms," Sorensen said. "I'm honored that my work can help the lottery provide proceeds for those who have given so much for our country."

The first lottery games to benefit the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund began sales in July 2008. The Lottery estimates that the new games will raise between $2 million and $3 million in proceeds annually for veterans' causes.

Tickets in The Freedom Rock game have a red, white and blue theme and feature artwork of this year's version of Sorensen's artwork, which bears the message "Thank you veterans" amidst scenes of U.S. soldiers from several different eras. Players can win up to 10 times on each ticket and prizes range from $2 to $7,777.

The next pull-tab game to benefit the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund begins sales on Monday, July 20. The $1 game called "Red, White & Blue" features artwork of several patriotic symbols, including the bald eagle and Liberty Bell.

As for Sorensen, he plans to continue honoring veterans with his work for years to come.

"I've been told I can't give it up until I die," he said with a laugh. "I delve into books, do my research on veterans, like our past wars and our U.S. history and what's currently going on. I get letters and e-mails from veterans and people currently serving. That either inspires me or sparks an idea somehow."

The Iowa Veterans Trust Fund was created to assist qualified veterans in paying for expenses such as:

• unemployment or underemployment assistance due to service-related causes;
• Assistance with vision, hearing, or dental care;
• Durable medical equipment and prescription drugs;
• Counseling and substance abuse services;
• Emergency housing repair and transitional housing in an emergency.

To learn more about the Veterans Trust Fund, visit www.iowava.org.

Since the Iowa Lottery's start in 1985, its players have won more than $2.2 billion in prizes while the lottery has raised more than $1.1 billion for state programs

SOURCE: Iowa Lottery.

Kansas Lottery Sales Decrease Slightly in FY’09

TOPEKA, Kansas (July 15, 2009). – Sales of Kansas Lottery products ended the fiscal year down 2.6 percent from the year before. Sales in Fiscal Year 2009, which began July 1, 2008 and ended June 30, 2009, were nearly $230.5 million (unaudited). As a result of the year’s sales, the Lottery transferred $68.2 million to the State in FY09.

Here’s a breakdown of FY09 sales, by game, compared to the year before.

*(eScratch was discontinued Dec. 29, 2007)

“We wish we could achieve a new sales record every year, but it didn’t happen this time,” said Kansas Lottery Executive Director Ed Van Petten. “Tough economic conditions have been a factor in decreased sales, as well as the lack of big jackpots in Powerball and Super Kansas Cash. We also lost ground in Keno this year, primarily due to some of our Keno locations going non-smoking and losing patrons because of that.”

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Growth continued in instant scratch tickets and pull tabs, with sales up over last year. The Lottery launched more than 100 new instant games in FY09, including a next generation lottery product called PushPlay, in which a player uses a reusable electronic player with an LCD screen to display the game.

“We’re always looking for new ways to stimulate sales,” said Van Petten. “One of the new things we’re introducing later this year that we’re very excited about is the first-ever lottery raffle in the state of Kansas.” Van Petten said the Lottery is also continuing to work hard to recruit new Lottery retailers and develop new in-state business partnerships.

Among the bright spots in FY09 were the Lottery’s Veterans Benefit instant games. The Lottery transferred $1,628,958 directly to Kansas veterans programs in FY09. It was the first year of year-round sales, and profits exceeded expectations. Sales from Veterans Benefit tickets provide direct funding for the Kansas Veterans, Soldiers Homes and Cemetery System; Kansas National Guard scholarships; and the Museum of the Kansas National Guard. Since 2003, the Lottery has transferred nearly $5.5 million in net profits from the Veterans Benefit games.

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CONTACT: Sally Lunsford (785) 296-5708, Email: sally.lunsford@kslottery.net.