|
Idaho’s
20-year Lucky Streak Continues; Lottery Returns Sixth Consecutive Record
Dividend on 20th Anniversary BOISE, Idaho (July 21, 2009) - In the shadow of the state
Capitol, the Idaho Lottery
marked its 20th Anniversary today by returning its sixth consecutive record
dividend to the people of Idaho. During a community celebration in Boise’s
Capitol Park, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter accepted a dividend
check for $35 million on behalf of Idaho citizens. The Idaho Lottery sold
its very first ticket on the steps of the Idaho Capitol in July 1989.
In addition to the annual dividend check, Idaho Lottery
Commission Chairman Roger Jones, Idaho Lottery Director
Jeff Anderson and 2005
Powerball Jackpot Winner Brad
Duke presented Governor Otter with a check representing the 20-year dividend
provided to schools and public buildings for $437.3 million.
“The Idaho Lottery
has been a winner for Idaho since it began 20 years ago – a winner for our
public schools and buildings, a winner for Idaho businesses, and a winner for
our communities,” Governor Otter said. “Behind that success is a team
dedicated to upholding the fairness, integrity, and responsible play that have
been the hallmarks of the Idaho Lottery since day one.”
“We’ve reached a significant milestone in the
history of the Idaho Lottery today,” announced Anderson. “With
the support of all our players and behind the strength and commitment of our
statewide retailer network, the Idaho Lottery had a record year in sales,
grossing nearly $140 million. Today’s dividend, and those of the previous
nineteen years, would not be possible with out everyone’s efforts. Thank
you Idaho, for a long lucky streak!” On July
19, 1989, the Idaho Lottery sold its very first Idaho Match 3 Scratch ticket.
Since then, the 20-year economic opportunity to Idaho businesses has resulted
in over $1.86 billion in product sales with retailers earning more than $108
million in commissions. In addition to creating 22 new millionaires, the Idaho
Lottery has awarded nearly $1.1 billion in prizes to its players.
For the seventh time in eight years, and the second
consecutive year, the Idaho Lottery’s annual sales exceeded the previous
year. This year’s sales improved by 2% over last year’s record
making Idaho one of the few Lotteries in the nation that saw a sales increase
this past fiscal year. With the assistance of Ken
Covert, the all-time winner of $2.78 million on Wild Card, Governor Otter
presented Nick Smith, Deputy Superintendent for School Support Services at the
Idaho State Department of Education with a $218.15 million dividend check
representing the total dollar amount returned to Idaho public education since
1989. "Over the past 20 years, the Lottery has
raised more than $200 million for classrooms across the state. On behalf of the
State Department of Education, I want to thank Idahoans across the state for
supporting Idaho students through the Idaho Lottery," Smith said.
The State of Idaho’s Permanent Building Fund was the
final recipient of the day’s events. Two-time, top prize Scratch Game
winner Carrie Mulligan of New Plymouth, assisted Governor Otter with the
presentation of a twenty-year dividend check totaling $218.15 million to Mike
Gwartney, Director of the Idaho Department of Administration.
| Advertisement |
 |
“The contribution
from the Idaho Lottery to the preservation, protection, and maintenance of
Idaho’s public buildings has been immeasurable in the past twenty
years,” said Gwartney. “The provision of Lottery resources
allows us the continued opportunity to provide safe work environments for the
Gem State’s workforce, maintain our historical facilities, and improve the
quality of every college campus in Idaho.” The Idaho Lottery celebrated its 20th Anniversary by setting
six new records in Fiscal Year 2009. In addition to the record dividend
and sales figures, the Lottery also set records in Scratch ticket sales ($88.4
million), total prizes paid to the players ($84.2 million), commissions earned
by Idaho Lottery retailers ($8.4 million), and the total number of players
(145) who won $10,000 or more. About The Idaho
Lottery The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides a
variety of entertaining games featuring Powerball, Scratch™ tickets, and
PullTabs with a high degree of integrity to maximize the dividend for Idaho
public schools and the permanent building fund. Since it’s inception in
1989, the Idaho Lottery has sold more than $1.8 billion in products, awarded
over $1.1 billion in prizes to players, returned more than $108 million in
retail commissions, and distributed more than $437 million in Lottery dividends
to state public schools and buildings. To learn more, please visit www.idaholottery.com. SOURCE: Idaho Lottery.
INTRALOT’S
B-ON Makes Gaming In South Africa Available Through Cellphone, ATMs & Web
Banking ATHENS, Greece (July 23,
2009) - GIDANI (Pty) Ltd, in which
INTRALOT’ssubsidiary
INTRALOT South Africa is an equity member, will offer LOTTO through cellphone
banking, ATMs and online banking using INTRALOT’s gaming platform B-On.
This new method of playing LOTTO will initially be launched through First
National Bank (FNB) of South Africa. The customers of the bank will be able to
play the lottery through the new sales channels effective immediately. GIDANI
will also cooperate with other banking institutions to provide the same
services in the near future.
INTRALOT’s B-On
innovative gaming platform, provided by INTRALOT’s subsidiary I2 (INTRALOT
Interactive), is a secure and reliable interactive gaming platform, offering
rich gaming experience, player club services , multichannel support and
advanced services for efficient management of e-payments and e-marketing
activities. The platform features various multiplayer mobile and Internet
gaming capabilities, and can also support a wide range of game types involving
skill, knowledge and chance. In addition, community features such as
friends’ lists, matchmaking, presence, chat and instant messaging
complement the rich gaming experience. B-On provides game developers with
fundamental network tools to create multiplayer, connected games, as well as
the essential infrastructure upon which game service providers can build and
expand their gaming communities and game portfolios. Dr. Bongani Aug Khumalo, Chairman and CEO of GIDANI, stated:
"The second half of this year GIDANI will see the introduction of new and
exciting National Lottery experiences every other month. This is in fulfillment
of the commitment we made when we took over the running of the National Lottery
of our country in October 2007 promising that South Africa will have a Lottery
like no other in the world." Mr. Constantinos
Antonopoulos, CEO of INTRALOT S.A., added: "We are very pleased that South
Africa will benefit from the great advantages of our pioneering gaming platform
B-On. With the new playing channels the National Lottery of South Africa will
have the opportunity to raise more money for Good Causes and players will enjoy
more exciting gaming experiences." Dr. Yannis
Rondiris, COO of GIDANI and CEO of INTRALOT South Africa, commented:
"INTRALOT, as the technology provider of GIDANI has been working hard, in
order to offer to South Africa unique gaming products and services and the
result of this endeavour is a state-of-the-art National Lottery. The advanced
technological status of many industries in South Africa (Banking, Retail, etc.)
has made such a sales channel a reality." GIDANI,
in which INTRALOT’s subsidiary INTRALOT South Africa is an equity member,
the biggest shareholder after the Government of South Africa, undertook the
operation of the National Lottery of South Africa in October 2007 following an
international tender. GIDANI has promised and is currently leading the National
Lottery of South Africa into a new era. About
INTRALOT INTRALOT, a public listed company,
is the leading supplier of integrated gaming and transaction processing
systems, innovative game content and sports betting management, to
state-licensed gaming organizations worldwide. Its broad portfolio of products
& services, its know-how of Lottery, Betting & Video Lottery operations
and its leading-edge technology, give INTRALOT a competitive advantage which
contributes directly to customers’ efficiency, profitability and growth.
With presence in more than 50 countries, with 5,000 people and revenues of
€1.1 billion for 2008, INTRALOT has established its presence on all 5
continents.
For more info: Ms. Persa Kartsoli, Head of Corporate Affairs,
Phone: +30-210 6156000,
Fax: +30-210 6106800,
email:
kartsoli@intralot.com - www.intralot.com
SOURCE: Intralot Press Release
Atlantic Lottery Shares the Story of the Past Year
– The 2008/09 Accountability Report is Released
MONCTON, New Brunswick,
Canada (July 17, 2009) -- Atlantic Lottery’s President and CEO
Michelle Carinci summed up the past
year best when she said, “We’ve really put a renewed focus on
answering one simple question – what do our players want? We made an
organization commitment to put the player at the heart of every single decision
we made, every initiative we undertook, and every game we
introduced.” So how did Atlantic Lottery
answer this question? Read the details in the 2008/09 Accountability Report. It
is available on the Atlantic Lottery web site at
http://www.alc.ca/English/AboutALC/AnnualReport.
One of the important ways we give back is through
financial performance. Every year 100% of Atlantic Lottery profits go back to
the four Atlantic Provinces. Last year over $398 million went to the Provinces
of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and
Labrador. The profit allocation is as follows:
| Nova Scotia |
$139.7 million
|
| New Brunswick |
$133.4 million |
| Prince Edward Island |
$17.6 million |
| Newfoundland and Labrador |
$107.5 million |
2008/09 Highlights:
- New games, and a sneak peak at
the new national game set to launch September 2009.
- $1.1 million to support the 2009
Canada Games on Prince Edward Island and a total of over $2.1 million to
community groups and events across Atlantic Canada.
- Hosting 221 community groups
across Atlantic Canada at Community Fan Club events – Atlantic
Lottery’s way of applauding volunteer groups for their good work.
- Implementation of the New
Brunswick and Prince Edward Island Responsible Gambling Strategies.
- A new Dream Centre for our
winners – and over 90,000 big and small wins every day in Atlantic
Canada!
Click
here to download
Financial Highlights: CONTACT:
Jennifer Dalton, Atlantic Lottery, (o) 709.724.1718, (c) 709.697.0684.
Scientific
Games to Release Second Quarter Results July 30, 2009 Conference Call July 31,
2009 at 8:30AM EDT NEW YORK, USA
(July 20, 2009) -- Scientific
Games (Nasdaq: SGMS) plans to release financial results for the second
quarter ended June 30, 2009 on July 30, 2009 after market close. The conference
call is scheduled for July 31, 2009 at 8:30 AM Eastern Time.
To access the call live via
webcast, please visit www.scientificgames.com and click on the webcast link under
the Investors tab. To access the call by telephone, please dial (888) 396-2356
(US & Canada) or (617) 847-8709 (International) fifteen minutes before the
start of the call. The Conference ID# is 61696901. The call will be archived
for replay on the Company's website for 30 days. About Scientific Games (http://www.scientificgames.com) 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 Corporation, 212-754-2233
SOURCE: Scientific Games.
CONTACT: Investor
Relations of Scientific Games Corporation, +1-212-754-2233.
Georgia Lottery
Reaches $11 Billion Mark For Education
ATLANTA, Georgia (July 16, 2009) -- The Georgia Lottery Corp.
today announced it has transferred a total of $11 billion for education to the
state of Georgia since the lottery’s inception in 1993.
“The transfer of
$11 billion to education is a remarkable accomplishment that benefits
Georgia’s students and families,” said Georgia Lottery President
and CEO Margaret
DeFrancisco. “We are very pleased that we were able to sustain
growth and raise more dollars for the HOPE Scholarship and Pre-K programs
despite challenges presented by the current economic climate.”
The Georgia Lottery’s fiscal year 2009 profits
transferred to the State Treasury’s Lottery for Education Account were
$872,082,000. Georgia Lottery sales for fiscal year
2009, which spanned from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, were $3,663,061,000.
Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corporation
has returned over $11 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All
Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs including
Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Pre-K Program. More
than 1.1 million students have received HOPE, and more than 940,000 4-year-olds
have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.
For more information, please visit the Georgia Lottery Web
site at: www.galottery.com CONTACT: Tandi
Reddick, Media Relations Manager, Georgia Lottery Corporation, P: (404)
215-5062, F: (404) 215-8983, C: (404) 323-4644, Email:
treddick@galottery.org
Saints and
Louisiana Lottery Partner on New Lottery Opportunity
Lottery Partners With the New Orleans Saints to
Offer Scratch-off With Fan Experiences as Second-Chance Prizes
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (July 16, 2009) -- The New Orleans
Saints' 2009 season may be sold out with a waiting list of over 50,000 fans,
but Louisiana Lottery
players will still get a chance at tickets when a Saints-branded scratch-off
game is launched in early September. The Lottery announced plans today for a
partnership with the New Orleans Saints that will also include
once-in-a-lifetime fan experiences as second-chance prizes.
"Imagine touring the
Saints practice facility, having lunch with the Saints' head coach, enjoying
the season in plaza sideline seats or getting VIP access to pregame field
activities or a clubroom in the Superdome," said Lottery President
Rose Hudson. "These
are just some of the ways the Lottery will give Saints fans a reason to smile
this football season when we launch a $5 game featuring the team."
In addition to tickets, autographed memorabilia, and other
Saints fan experiences, the sponsorship also gives the Lottery premium
advertising positioning on the Saints Web site, Superdome exterior and interior
signage, in-game advertisements, as well as the use of Saints marks and logos
in its scratch-off game and related advertising. "We look forward to working with the Louisiana Lottery to
bring this new co-branded game to our fans and Lottery players," said
Owner/Executive Vice President Rita Benson LeBlanc. "This partnership
will generate both excitement and revenue for important state programs funded
through the Louisiana Lottery every year." The
Saints scratch-off game is scheduled to go on sale Sept. 8. While details have
not been finalized, the Lottery said the game will feature a top cash prize of
$100,000 and a cash payout percentage that is typical of its $5 product. The
Saints fan experience prizes will be lagniappe, given away through a series of
four second-chance drawings where players send in non-winning tickets as
entries. By law, at least 35 percent of Lottery game
sales is transferred to the state treasury department and earmarked for public
education. Lottery ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age.
SOURCE: Louisiana Lottery.
Number of
Children Playing The National Lottery Drops to Record Low
LONDON, UK (July 21, 2009) -- The
number of 12 – 15 year olds illegally buying
National Lottery products
has dropped to the lowest levels in over a decade shows latest research
published today. The independent study, British
Survey of Children, the National Lottery and Gambling 2008-09, is the only
British underage research of its kind and was commissioned by the National
Lottery Commission to test the effectiveness of
Camelot’s child
protection measures. The survey of nearly 9,000 children aged between 12 and 15
in England and Wales was conducted by Ipsos MORI and the Centre for the Study
of Gambling at the University of Salford. Just
two percent of children say they have played with their own money in the past
seven days on Lotto – down from five percent in 2006. Four percent claim
to have bought Scratchcards – down from six percent in 2006 (nine percent
in 2000). Just one per cent said they had tried other Lottery games compared to
six percent in 2006.
Online restrictions
preventing children from accessing interactive Lottery games appear to be
successful. Of the 96 per cent of children who have been on the internet
in the past week, 27 per cent have bought things but importantly just 0.3 % of
children claim to have spent money on National Lottery games.
Dr Anne Wright CBE, Chair of the National Lottery
Commission said: “This continuing decline in
underage play shows that an effective regulatory framework together with a
socially responsible operator makes it very difficult for children to access
National Lottery products. “But there is
no room for complacency – we need to continue to identify ways to prevent
the small percentage of children who claim to be playing from accessing games.
We will look carefully at the research findings and continue to work with
Camelot to see where we might make these controls even more effective to
maintain the downward trend.” Under the
current regulatory framework, Camelot has introduced a rigorous set of child
protection measures to prevent underage National Lottery play. Measures
adopted include:
- Operation Child – a test
purchasing programme for retailers;
- a strategy to reduce underage
play;
- an advertising code; stringent
registration requirements for interactive play;
- tools to assess the potential
appeal of games to those who are under 16;
- retailer education programmes;
and
- the removal of free trial games
from The National Lottery website.
One of the new areas
uncovered by the survey is the link between those children playing free
practice gambling games online and those gambling with real money
offline. 28 percent of 12 – 15 year olds say they have played free
or practice gambling games on the internet in the past seven days with the
highest number playing free gambling games on social networking sites such as
Bebo and Facebook. The survey found that 56 percent of children who had gambled
with their own money in the past week had also played free online gambling
games. This underlines the importance of the decision by the National
Lottery operator to remove free trial games from the open area of its website
in 2008 to prevent underage players accessing these games.
Other key findings include:
There has been a significant fall in the numbers of
children who were classified as problem gamblers - two percent in this study
compared with 3.5 percent in 2006; The number of
children attempting to buy National Lottery tickets is going down – 97
percent hadn’t tried to buy tickets in the preceding seven days compared
to 91 percent in 2006; and Children who had attempted
to buy or who had bought National Lottery products in the past seven days said
the biggest deterrent to not trying again in future would be to be asked their
proof of age by the retailer. Professor David
Forrest from the Centre for the Study of Gambling at the University of Salford
said:
"I commend the National
Lottery Commission for commissioning this research to monitor the gambling
behaviour of British children. As well as tracking the number of gamblers in
the child population, analysis of the data collected has also revealed what
factors are associated with child gambling and what might put children at risk
of developing problems. The data set will continue to be used for research by
social scientists for several years". Julia
Pye of Ipsos MORI’s Social Research Institute who conducted the research
on behalf of the Commission said: “This
research adds to a growing body of evidence collected by the National Lottery
Commission over the past decade that suggests rates of underage gambling are
falling. At the same time, children are obviously highly aware of
gambling and the National Lottery, and of gambling advertising generally.
There are lots of interesting findings emerging from the research around what
children think and know about gambling, as well as their gambling experiences,
that should help regulators continue to restrict levels of underage
play” For further information please contact:
National Lottery Commission Media Office +44 (0) 207 016 3430/3440/3422 email:
s.hanratty@natlotcomm.gov.uk
SOURCE: National Lottery Commission News Release, REF:
04/09. 
WMS Opens Casino Evolved Advanced Technology Lab
to Demonstrate Benefits of Networked Gaming Solutions and Technologies Built on
Player Driven Innovation  Establishes
Industry’s First Collaborative Ideation Technology Center for Future
Product Development
CHICAGO, USA (July 14,
2009) - Furthering its commitment to demonstrate the tangible benefits of
network-enabled gaming technologies to casino operators now and in the future,
WMS Gaming Inc., a subsidiary
of WMS Industries Inc. (NYSE:WMS - News), announced the opening of the Casino
Evolved Advanced Technology Lab (“CEATL”) at its technology campus in
Chicago, Illinois. The CEATL is a dynamic collaborative research and
development laboratory focused on advancing the development of products that
highlight WMS’ leadership in evolving the casino slot floor to a networked
environment for the benefit of casino operators and their customers. The new
technology lab, which features products built on WMS’ foundational network
gaming technologies and Player Driven Innovation development process, will be
used to debut new, innovative technologies and applications that clearly
demonstrate how a networked gaming environment enables casino operators to
increase top-line performance by consistently engaging slot players on the
casino floor, while improving efficiencies and returns on capital.
Orrin J. Edidin, President of WMS, commented,
“Opening the CEATL represents a significant milestone for WMS and our
customers as it clearly demonstrates the real world benefits of networked
gaming. Simultaneously, it serves as a platform for the future evolution of
products and services that will allow entertaining gaming content to be enabled
on new platforms and in new mediums. Customer interaction is integral to WMS
and our product offerings, and our approach in designing the Casino Evolved
Advanced Technology Lab was to cultivate a two-way dialog with our customers,
regulators and players for addressing the constantly evolving shift in player
expectations and the needs of our casino customers,” Jeff Wyton,
Director, Product of Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, said.
“This lab is a
great mechanism to allow casino operators to clearly understand WMS’
strategic direction and participate in dialog focused on where opportunities or
enhancements may exist. We appreciate that WMS is clearly using the CEATL as a
tool to enable a whole new level of collaboration and partnership."
Larry Pacey, WMS’ Chief Innovation Officer, added,
“The benefits of networked gaming technologies are clear; and WMS has
been proving this for several years through the successful commercial
introduction of server-enabled games and technologies that raise the bar on
player entertainment. As such, the CEATL is neither WMS’ starting point
for making the benefits of networked gaming more tangible to our customers nor
the ending point, as this unique lab will continue to be updated with new and
differentiated products. Importantly, the lab is designed as a collaborative
ideation center that connects our leading player-focused gaming technologies
with casino operator thought leaders. By collaborating with customers and
players, we can refine our development activity to further improve the slot
floor entertainment experience in our customers’ casinos to enhance their
return on investment.” Casino Evolved
Advanced Technology Lab Featured Technologies The
products showcased today in the CEATL underscore WMS’ commitment to
optimize the casino patron experience by leveraging the Company’s
WAGE-NET® platform technologies: Remote Configuration and Download, Account
Based Wagering, Networked Gaming Enablement, and Patron Services. These
foundational advancements further casino operators’ understanding of the
near-, mid- and long-term benefits of networked gaming.
Robert P. Allen, Corporate Vice President of Slot
Operations of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians, stated, “By
establishing the Casino Evolved Advanced Technology Lab, WMS has created an
environment that clearly demonstrates their unique approach to networked gaming
applications and as such makes the benefits from such products more tangible
than ever. This lab is a great way for us to get a clear picture on how WMS
approaches networked gaming technology development from a player’s
perspective, and it allows us to see the products and benefits first
hand." WMS’ Central Game Controller™
(“CGC”) and FreedomPort™ technologies (collectively WMS’
“Portal Platform”) are key technology features of the Casino
Evolved Advanced Technology Lab. WMS’ Central Game Controller technology
is a distribution server that administers secondary network applications to
gaming machines on the casino floor. These applications are managed by the CGC
server and sent directly to the game, adding new differentiated gaming
experiences and features that increase the entertainment level for players.
WMS’ FreedomPort technology is a fully flexible network display interface
on the gaming machine that leverages open standards to enable gaming
applications, promotional messages and information relevant to the player. The
FreedomPort interface is easily programmable and controlled by the casino
operator, and enables the operator to host several network applications
providing for multiple media systems to establish personalized content.
In addition to these technology platforms, the CEATL also
features WMS’ Account Based Wagering technology and GamEdge™,
WMS’ focused loyalty management and patron services offering. Combining
the robust cashless network system, which provides numerous benefits arising
from its real-time, centralized transaction approach, with the ability to
deploy patron services and analytical applications that personalize the game
experience, enhances both player entertainment and retention.
About WMS Industries WMS
is engaged in serving the gaming industry worldwide by designing, manufacturing
and marketing video and reel-spinning gaming machines, video lottery terminals,
and in gaming operations, which consists of the placement of leased
participation gaming machines in legal gaming venues. More information on WMS
can be found at www.wms.com. CONTACT: For More
Information: Media WMS Industries Inc. Rob Bone or Candace Lucas, 773-961-1667,
Email: rbone@wms.com or Access
Communications for WMS GamingKathryn Green, 415-844-6219, Email:
kgreen@accesspr.com or InvestorsWMS
Industries Inc. Bill Pfund, 847-785-3167, Email:
bpfund@wms.com or Jaffoni & Collins
Incorporated Joseph Jaffoni or Richard Land, 212-835-8500, Email:
wms@jcir.com SOURCE:
WMS Industries Inc.
Tight Budgets
Push State Owners to Consider Privatizing Their Lottery and Gambling
Operations MECN published
the 2nd edition of its landmark report “Privatisation of State-
Controlled Gambling Operators”
LONDON / MUNICH ( July 21,
2009) – Exactly four years after the first edition, MECN
is now issuing the long awaited 2nd and updated version of its landmark report
“Privatisation of State-Controlled Gambling Operators”. In
this report, MECN and co-authors, such as investment bank Sal. Oppenheim,
analyse the topic of privatisation in unprecedented depth and detail. In
addition, the study includes the results of a survey of more than 50 industry
experts who offered their unique insights and assessments.
The topic of
privatisation is “more topical than ever” – mainly because of
tight state budgets Ever increasing legal
pressures (e.g., in most EU states), increasing liberalisation (e.g., in
France), and tight state budgets (e.g., in the US) are
putting pressure on state owners to evaluate a potential privatisation of their
gambling assets. Currently foremost tight state budgets are driving this
re-evaluation according to more than half of the surveyed experts. Because of
their budget situation, many states must at least consider privatising their
gambling operations quickly. Martin Oelbermann,
director of MECN, adds, “Indeed, recent privatisations and the heated
discussions in many jurisdictions worldwide about pros and cons of
privatisations show that the issue is more topical than ever.”
Drastic increase of likelihood that state gambling
operations will be privatised In comparison to the
first edition of the report, MECN now found a drastic increase in the
likelihood that some key state gambling operations will be
privatised soon. For example, the number of experts surveyed who believe that
some of the top state lotteries/operators will be privatised in the coming 2-3
years nearly doubled compared to MECN’s 2005 analysis. Currently, on
average nearly 60% of the surveyed experts find it likely that key lotteries,
such as La Française des Jeux or the California State Lottery, will be
privatised. Several privatisations are expected
– significantly more privatisations expected in the US
despite federal legal opinion
In addition to perennial “hot”
privatisations, such as the UK tote and Milli Piyango, many others are
currently under discussion. According to our survey, several potential
privatisations are expected to be at the top of the list: several Australian
and US lotteries/operators, the Hungarian State Lottery, … to name just a
few. The majority of the experts (83%) still see
Western Europe as the key region for privatisation – but the US is
catching up quickly. Although US federal jurisdiction on the whole opposes
privatization of state lotteries according to a recent legal opinion, 40% of
the experts surveyed believe that North America would be among the nations most
likely to see privatisation of gambling operations. This represents a nearly
threefold increase compared to MECN’s 2005 study. Some of the biggest state lotteries could be worth up to
USD 20-25 billion Experts see some
state-controlled operators’ worth already reaching several billion USD,
but Mr. Oelbermann sees even more potential: "If the same valuation
multiples of privatised and public companies, such as Greek gambling
heavyweight OPAP, were applied, some of the biggest state lotteries could be
worth up to USD 20-25 billion – this could be quite tempting for some
ministries of finance.” MECN’s report
analyses and discusses the most relevant issues
The updated report includes
the most recent developments and information as well as answers to the most
relevant questions associated with the privatisation of state gambling
operations:
- Analysis of selected potential
privatisations and overview of state operators most likely to be privatised in
the near future.
- Case studies of already
privatised lotteries/operators.
- Valuation of relevant
state-controlled gambling operators.
- Discussion of advantages,
disadvantages, and options for privatisation. Including questions such as: Are
state-controlled companies inefficient compared to private operators and does
privatisation lead to increased market expansion and problematic gambling?
In total, the second edition
has nearly 100 pages and 36 graphs/exhibits. The study
can be obtained at http://www.privatisation.mecn.net About MECN: MECN is a network
of experts on issues concerning the media and entertainment industry.
Together they provide in-depth knowledge, analysis, and
advice to global clients. CONTACT: Martin Oelbermann,
Tel: +49(0)89 3835 6785, e-mail: pr@mecn.net.
$2
“Tri-State Megabucks Plus®” Game to Replace “Tri-State
Megabucks®” July 26 New Game Will Have Higher Starting Jackpots, Better
Odds At Winning CONCORD, New Hampshire (July
20, 2009) -- Officials at the New Hampshire Lottery announce the launch of a new $2
jackpot game: Tri-State Megabucks Plus®. This game will replace
Tri-State Megabucks® which
in 1985 became the first multi-state lottery game in the nation.
“This is part of
the New Hampshire Lottery’s ongoing efforts to enhance our product
offerings and give our players new and better games,” said Executive
Director Rick
Wisler. “This is more than a revamping of a current
product. Tri-State Megabucks Plus® is a whole new game. The
rolling jackpots will now all start at one million dollars, the second tier
prize is now bigger, and the overall odds of winning are better.”
Tri-State Megabucks Plus® tickets go on sale in New
Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine on July 26, 2009. Megabucks Plus®
players will select five numbers from a field of 1 to 41 and then select one
Megaball number from separate field of 1 to 6. Megabucks Plus®
drawings will be held every Wednesday and Saturday. The first jackpot
drawing will be on July 29th. The odds of
winning in Megabucks Plus® have gotten significantly better. The
chances of winning a prize in the original game were approximate 1 in 21.
Now, the overall chances of winning a prize are 1 in 6, the best of all of New
Hampshire’s jackpot games. Over the past year,
the New Hampshire Lottery has made many significant changes to its jackpot
games and scratch ticket offerings. In January, Powerball® was
enhanced to generate bigger grand prizes in a shorter time. In February,
the Tri-State Paycheck® drawing was replaced with Tri-State Weekly
Grand®. The Lottery also has rolled out several high-profile licensed
instant games, such as Boston Celtics Gold, Boston Red Sox, and Billboard.
“We’re listening to our players and doing all
that we can to offer them the kinds of games they want. Whenever
we’ve made an enhancement or offered a new lottery product, it’s
always outperformed the game it’s replacing,” said Wisler.
The last drawing of Tri-State Megabucks® game
will be on Saturday July 25th, 2009. When it was launched on September 3,
1985, Tri-State Megabucks® was the first multi-state lottery game in the
country. Its success paved the way for other multi-state games such as
Powerball® and
Hot Lotto®.
Since 1964, the New Hampshire Lottery has had a
significant financial impact on the state. For the past 45 years, the New
Hampshire Lottery has recorded $3.9 billion in lottery sales, with $2.7 billion
being paid in prizes and other cost of sales. Net proceeds to education to date
total more than $1.4 billion. The New Hampshire
Lottery Commission, located at 14 Integra Drive in Concord, currently manages
all lottery operations in the state, including Instant games, New Hampshire
POWERBALL®, Tri-State MegabucksÒ, Tri-State Weekly Grand®, Hot
Lotto SizzlerÒ, and Tri-State Pick3®/Pick4® Daily Numbers
games. CONTACT: Maura McCann, 603.271.3391 x308,
Email: Maura.A.McCann@lottery.nh.gov.
Lottery
Commissioners Elected To Leadership Positions
DENVER, Colorado (July 17, 2009) – Attorney
Dick Reeve has been elected to his third term as chairman of the
Colorado Lottery
Commission, and Robin Wise, president and CEO of Junior Achievement –
Rocky Mountain Inc., has been elected vice-chair. Commissioners Reeve and Wise
will serve in these leadership positions until July 2010.
Reeve, who was appointed to
the Commission in June 2005, serves as general counsel and chief deputy
district attorney for the Denver District Attorney’s Office. He is the
legal advisor to the Rocky Mountain Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory and
a graduate of Colorado College and the University of Southern California Law
Center. Reeve also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver
College of Law. Wise has served as president and CEO
of Junior Achievement for 18 years. A member of the Dean’s
Leadership Council for the University of Northern Colorado Monfort College of
Business, Wise has been honored for her work by the Denver Business Journal and
the Girl Scouts Mile Hi Council. She also serves on the Workforce
Development. Wise earned a BS in Journalism and Political Science from the
University of Nebraska-Omaha. Proceeds from the
Colorado Lottery’s games - Scratch, Lotto, Powerball and Cash 5 - stay in
Colorado to improve the quality of life in the state. The Lottery has retuned
more than $2 billion to the state since its creation in 1983, providing funding
for parks, recreation, open space acquisition, trails, wildlife protection and
conservation education.
CONTACT: Erika Gonzalez, Phone 303.759.6872, Cell
303.945.9724, Email: .erika.gonzalez@lottery.state.co.us
SOURCE: Colorado Lottery. 
|
