|
South Australian Lotteries is Investing Almost $500,000 Training
Agents
ADELAIDE, South Australia (July 27,
2009) -- South Australian
Lotteries is investing almost $500,000 in training at its agencies, most of
which are family-owned enterprises.
Business SA successfully tendered
for the project and will be responsible for training at more than 550 agencies
across the state.
The program includes terminal
operation, responsible gambling education and the training of new agents.
SA Lotteries chief executive
June Roache said
Business SA had a proven track record of providing high-quality training
services.
"The training program will
include core commercial elements such as business management and customer
service, in addition to essential skills in terminal operation and responsible
gambling'' she said.
"We are delighted that Business
SA has successfully secured the training tender.''
Business SA chief executive Peter
Vaughan said the peak business organisation had a “good synergy''
with SA Lotteries.
"This is a fantastic opportunity
for our highly skilled team of specialist trainers to assist lottery agents
throughout the state,'' Mr. Vaughan said. “Business SA is proud to
be at the forefront of learning, development and education for individuals and
businesses in South Australia.''
SA Lotteries' agency network
includes newsagents, chemists, supermarkets, service stations and hotels.
SOURCE: Adelaide Now.
The South Carolina Education Lottery’s Fiscal Year 2008-09 is a
WIN for Education!
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (July 23,
2009) - Fiscal year 2008-09 was another successful year for the
South Carolina Education Lottery
(SCEL). Total transfers to the State Treasurer for deposit into the
Education Lottery Account (ELA) exceeded $260 million. This surpassed the
revenue goal set by the Board of Economic Advisors by over $8.0 million.
“The hard work of our
dedicated staff and qualified retailers enables the Lottery to successfully
continue to raise proceeds that enhance the quality of life for South
Carolinians,” commented Interim Executive Director Paula
Harper Bethea.
SCEL continued to operate in a
fiscally conservative manner while generating over $1.003 billion in ticket
sales. Lottery players won over $630 million in prizes, over 62.8 percent of
sales, via an entertaining selection of SCEL games. Retailers earned more than
$70 million in commissions, representing 7 percent of total sales.
Important Gaming Milestones for
Fiscal Year 2008-09:
Instant ticket sales continued to be
a strong source of revenue for SCEL with total instant ticket sales exceeding
$648 million. The combined revenue for all online games exceeded $355
million.
Another important milestone for
Fiscal Year 2008-09 was SCEL’s November conversion to a new online gaming
vendor – INTRALOT.
Across the state, Lottery and INTRALOT staff collaborated to train retailers
and replace the old terminals with the new INTRALOT terminals. The terminals
enable faster satellite communication and provide retailers with the
opportunity to sell lottery tickets 24 hours a day.
About SCEL and Education
Funding:
“The Lottery continues to be
a strong revenue generator for schools and students throughout the
state,” said SCEL Chief Operating Officer Tony Cooper.
“We’re quite proud of this year’s results, especially given
the weak economy.”
From January 7, 2002 through June
30, 2010, the General Assembly appropriated over $2.2 billion from the ELA to
supplement educational funding in South Carolina. Since 2002, SCEL’s net
proceeds have provided over $1.9 billion toward lottery-funded scholarships and
grants. Proceeds have also supported various educational programs for students
in kindergarten through 12th grade. Other educational programs benefiting from
lottery funds include county library systems, the Higher Education Excellence
Enhancement Program, the School for the Deaf and Blind, and other community
educational programs.
After seven successful years,
lottery proceeds are helping to build opportunities for students of all ages in
South Carolina. Fiscal Year 2008-09 provides confirmation of SCEL’s
continued support of educational opportunities for the Palmetto State’s
citizens.
For more information about the South
Carolina Education Lottery, visit
www.sceducationlottery.com or contact Beneficiary
Communications Coordinator Julie Huffman at 803-737-2696.
CONTACT: Julie E. Huffman, SCEL
Beneficiary Communications Coordinator, Office: (803) 737-2574,
Fax: (803) 737-2893, Cell: (803) 667-2848, Email:
Julie.huffman@sclot.com.
Scientific Games Awarded Delaware State Lottery Sports Wagering
System Contract
NEW YORK, USA (July 29, 2009) --
Scientific Games (Nasdaq:
SGMS) announced that it has been awarded the contract to operate the
Delaware State Lottery
Sports Wagering System and Bookmaking Services, which includes a statewide
network of lottery sports wagering terminals at the three racetracks (racinos),
connected through a central processing system, with supporting sports book
services. The system will provide communications, monitoring, sports book risk
management, and accounting services for the lottery sports wagering operation.
Scientific Games was chosen with the highest point total in all evaluation
categories in a competitive procurement process. The contract begins in the
third quarter of this year, will have an initial term of six years and will
provide for four one-year extension options.
Scientific Games is partnering with
Brandywine Bookmaking LLC to manage the bookmaking services. Brandywine
Bookmaking LLC is an independent race and sports book management company, which
operates 11 Lucky's sports books in Nevada.
Delaware re-authorized sports
betting in May 2009 and is one of only four states grandfathered under a 1992
federal law that otherwise bans sports betting at the national level. Delaware
has a population of over 850,000 residents and is the only state east of the
Rocky Mountains where sports gambling is permitted. Delaware is a two-hour
drive from such metropolitan areas as New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C.,
and Baltimore, combining for an estimated target population of at least 30
million.
By way of contrast, Nevada generates
sports wagers in excess of $2.5 billion annually from all sources and draws
from its population of 2.6 million residents and its tourist population.
"We consider Scientific Games'
sports wagering system and bookmaking services to be key to a successful sports
lottery in Delaware. Scientific Games has proven to be a superior vendor with
innovative wagering options, sound technology and effective support
services," said Wayne Lemons, Director of the Delaware State Lottery.
"We are confident that Scientific Games will successfully deliver the
technology and services required, in a manner that meets our exacting standard,
ahead of schedule."
"We are proud to be selected by
the Delaware State Lottery to assist in driving this historic effort," said
Mike Chambrello, President and Chief Operating Officer of Scientific Games. "We
are pleased by the recognition of our leadership in the industry and we will
use this opportunity to help the Lottery generate critical revenue for the
General Fund. The addition of Delaware to Scientific Games' growing portfolio
of customers who offer sports wagering products is consistent with our strategy
of offering expanded gaming and entertainment opportunities to the converging
lottery and sports wagering markets."
Expected revenues to the Company
depend on the form of wagers the Lottery offers, one of which has been
challenged by the professional sports leagues and NCAA through a lawsuit filed
on July 24, 2009.
In 2008, the Delaware State Lottery
generated $742 million in retail gaming sales and returned $252 million toward
important state projects and services that benefit all Delawareans. Since
inception, the Lottery has raised $2.7 billion for the General Fund.
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.
SOURCE: Scientific Games.
Lottery Sales Nearly $1.5 Billion; $20.4 Million Ahead Of
Projections
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (July 22,
2009) - The West Virginia
Lottery ended Fiscal Year 2009 on June 30, with sales of $1.493 billion,
according to Lottery Director
John Musgrave.
In a report to the Lottery
Commission today in Charleston, Musgrave said lottery revenue was more than $20
million ahead of projections.
“We are still holding
steady, despite the continuing economic climate and competition from
neighboring racetracks,” Musgrave told lottery commission members
today at their monthly meeting in Charleston.
He said the Lottery has completed
cash transfers of $522 million earmarked by legislators for programs, including
those benefiting veterans, education, senior citizens, parks, tourism, and
economic development.
Totals included:
- $84 million from the online games
Powerball, Daily3, Daily4, Cash25, and Travel Keno;
- nearly $114 million from instant
scratch tickets;
- more than $412 million from
Limited Video Lottery in bars and taverns;
- $848 million from video lottery
at four West Virginia racetracks; and
- $34 million from table games at
the tracks.
While every racetrack but Wheeling
Downs saw decreases in revenue from video lottery, they received a boost from
table games during the first full year of operation at three of the four
locations.
Decreases experienced by the
racetracks were 8.57 percent at Mountaineer, 4.25 percent at Charles Town, and
21.16 percent at Tri-State. Officials at Tri-State have attributed the bulk of
their $14 million drop in video lottery revenue to Kanawha County’s
smoking ban. An increase of 1.38 percent was reported by Wheeling Downs.
Musgrave noted that Limited Video
Lottery sales were steady with last year, while sales from instant scratch
tickets were up by $62,000.
"Traditional" lottery
retailers, those who sell instant scratch off games and online games such as
Powerball, earned $13.9 million in commissions and bonuses for the year, while
the state's four licensed racetracks and other related entities will receive
$463.7 million. Limited Video Lottery retailers and operators are expected to
earn approximately $202.1 million in commissions.
SOURCE: West Virginia Lottery.
Historic First Lottery Ticket Presented to NH Lottery
Commission
Local businessman secures
item at auction, then surprises commission with ticket for public
display
 |
| The
historic first ticket sold in the first legal state lottery. The back of the
ticket bears the autographs of former Governor John King, racing legend Lou
Smith, and the original Sweepstakes commissioners and directors.
|
CONCORD, New Hampshire (July 23,
2009) – Manchester marketing executive Patrick Griffin has presented the
New Hampshire Lottery
Commission with the historic first ticket sold in the first legal state
lottery. Griffin anonymously purchased the 1964 ticket at auction with
the intent of loaning it to the Lottery for display.
“Pat kept his plan to bid on
the ticket a secret. It was a total surprise when we discovered he was
the anonymous bidder,” said Lottery Commission chairman Richard
Campbell. “Anyone familiar with the history of the Lottery knows
what a Herculean feat it was to get the Sweepstakes off the ground. They
can appreciate exactly how symbolic this ticket is to the industry and to New
Hampshire culture.”
Griffin presented the ticket to
Campbell at the Lottery Commission meeting Thursday morning. The ticket
– marked # 0000001 – has been kept in a Plexiglas case and is in mint
condition. The back of the ticket bears the autographs of former Governor
John King, racing legend Lou Smith, and the original Sweepstakes commissioners
and directors. The ticket was sold at auction last month for $5,000.
“I wanted to make sure the
ticket stayed in New Hampshire. There was never any doubt in my mind that
it was an important piece of state history and should be displayed at the
Lottery,” said Griffin. He is the CEO of Griffin York &
Krause, an advertising and marketing innovation company that has crafted NH
Lottery advertising since 1986.
“We were thrilled when we
learned Pat obtained this important piece of New Hampshire history on our
behalf. It was a wonderful surprise,” said
Rick Wisler, executive
director of the New Hampshire Lottery. “When we learned the
ticket was going up for auction and could have gone into some private
out-of-state collection, we were heartbroken. Now the ticket is coming home
where it belongs.”
In 1964, New Hampshire launched the
first legal lottery in the country to raise money for public education.
The “NH Sweepstakes” was modeled after the Irish Sweepstakes,
in which players drawn at random would be matched with a horse in a
thoroughbred race. The inaugural NH Sweepstakes was an international
sensation in the press and paved the way for future US state lotteries.
In order to match players with
horses, purchasers would write their names on the $3 Sweepstakes tickets; these
tickets were placed in a large drum while the players got a carbon copy as a
receipt. Governor King bought the first ticket on March 12, 1964 at Rockingham
Park in Salem to much fanfare.
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 $4 billion in lottery sales
and other earnings, with $2.5 billion being paid in prizes and other cost of
sales. Net proceeds to education to date total more than $1.4 billion.
Recently the New Hampshire Lottery has introduced new scratch tickets such as
Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox™ and The Three Stooges™ with much
success.
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 Megabucks Plus®, Tri-State Weekly Grand®, Hot
Lotto Sizzler®, and Tri-State Pick3/Pick4 Daily Numbers® games.
CONTACT: Maura McCann, 603.271.3391
x308, Email: Maura.A.McCann@lottery.nh.gov.
GameTech and Lancaster Bingo Company Enter Into Distribution
Partnership for the Kentucky Market
RENO, Nevada. (July 22, 2009) -
GameTech
International, Inc. ("GameTech((R))") (Nasdaq: GMTC), a leading designer,
developer and manufacturer of electronic bingo, gaming equipment, gaming
systems, and video lottery terminals, announced today that it has entered into
a distributor agreement with Lancaster Bingo Company, one of the leading
distributors of bingo products, services and games in the Midwest.
With this agreement, Lancaster Bingo
Company will market, sell and support GameTech products to bingo operators
specifically in the Kentucky market. This agreement expands the opportunities
for both GameTech and Lancaster to provide bingo customers in Kentucky with the
most innovative and compelling bingo products and solutions in the market
today.
"Kentucky is a unique and
exciting market for charitable bingo," said Jay Meilstrup, GameTech
President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are very happy to have the
additional opportunities our partnership with Lancaster provides to further
grow our business in Kentucky, and be able to reach even more customers with
GameTech's products. We have seen from experience that every time we expand our
market opportunities for our products, we are able to deliver real value and
performance for our bingo customers. Our new Lancaster partnership will help us
do just that."
GameTech International, Inc.
is in the business of designing, manufacturing, and marketing computerized
bingo and gaming equipment, systems, and services. Under the GameTech(R)
product brand the company provides electronic bingo systems and equipment, and
is an innovator in advanced wireless gaming applications and devices. Under the
Summit Gaming(TM) product brand the Company provides video lottery terminal
devices, Class III gaming machines, and related software and content. GameTech
International, Inc. serves customers in 43 U.S. States, Canada, Japan, Mexico,
Norway, Philippines, and the United Kingdom. The company was incorporated in
1994 and is headquartered in Reno, Nevada.
SOURCE GameTech International,
Inc.
Wish List to Feature in New Lotto Campaign
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (July 24,
2009) - Lotto will be launching a new television advertising campaign this
Sunday. Following up on a string of successful award winning Lotto brand ads
and the quirky Instant Kiwi ‘Live A Little’ campaign,
according to NZ Lotteries’
Chief Executive Todd McLeay.
| Advertisement |
 |
“Our ‘Classic
Car’ and ‘Old Flame’ Lotto ads have been hugely
popular with the public and critics alike for the past couple of years, as they
appealed to Kiwis young and old – but it’s now time for a fresh
approach,” says Mr McLeay.
“Our new Lotto ad campaign
has a central character and theme most people will be able to relate to. We
follow family man Dave as he makes his childhood wish list come true –
after winning Lotto of course!”
The campaign will launch on Sunday
27 July with a 75 second ad which sets the scene for the main character Dave
and his family.
“Our ad campaigns often
become the topic of discussion, whether it be at the office, over a cup of tea
with friends or at the family dinner table – and we know this one
won’t be an exception!” says Mr McLeay.
SOURCE: New Zealand Lotteries
Colorado Lottery Posts More Than $490 Million In Sales In
Fy09
DENVER, Colorado (July 30, 2009)
– Despite the poor economy, the
Colorado Lottery managed
to post the second best sales performance in its history for Fiscal Year 2009,
with $493.4 million in sales for the year ended June 30, 2009. The Lottery also
continued to generate significant funds for its beneficiaries, returning $119.6
million to the state, the third best year in terms of proceeds.
“I think we’ve
weathered the storm well,” said Colorado Lottery Director
Jack Boehm. “We
didn’t expect to register gains in this economic climate, but we worked
hard to fulfill our mission of maximizing revenue for our proceeds partners.
We’re proud that we raised a substantial sum to help keep Colorado a
beautiful place to live and play.”
Sales of Lottery tickets overall,
declined 2.5 percent in FY09. The recession took a particular toll on sales of
Scratch tickets and Powerball tickets, which declined 2.3 percent and 8 percent
respectively. But the Lottery’s Jackpot games Lotto and Cash 5, posted
sales increases. Sales of Lotto jumped 6 percent from $41.1 million in FY08 to
$43.5 million in FY09. Cash 5 broke a record, reaching nearly $21 million in
sales for FY09, compared to $19.1 million the year before. Slightly higher
jackpots may have lured players to Lotto, which hit a high for the year of $11
million in October 2008.
The small drop, however, didn’t
prevent the Lottery from meeting its obligations to its proceeds partners,
Great Outdoors Colorado, the Conservation Trust Fund and Colorado State
Parks. The three organizations received the following contributions from
sales of Lottery tickets:
- Great Outdoors Colorado: $54.3
million
- Conservation Trust Fund: $47.8
million
- Colorado State Parks: $11.9
million
In addition, the Lottery returned
$5.5 million to the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Fund.
Recreational enthusiasts
weren’t the only winners last year. Seven players hit Lotto jackpots in
FY09. Another two became millionaires by matching five numbers in Powerball and
paying an extra $1 for the Power Play option. In total, the Lottery paid out
$296.5 million in prizes in FY09.
“While the recession
continues to challenge us, we believe we are poised for a strong showing in
FY10,” said Boehm. “We recently converted to a new computer
system that will allow us to operate more efficiently and provide our players
with an exciting slate of new and innovative games.”
CONTACT: Erika Gonzalez, Phone:
(303) 759 6872, Cell: (303).945.9724, Email:
erika.gonzalez@lottery.state.co.us
SOURCE: Colorado Lottery.
Louisiana Lottery's Second-Best Fiscal Year Gives Louisiana a Reason
to Smile
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (July 27,
2009) -- Exceeding what the state expected by about $12.2 million, the
Louisiana Lottery had no
problem fulfilling its mission to maximize revenue for public education with
cumulative fiscal year 2009 transfers to the state at their highest level since
1993. The Lottery's fiscal year revenue topped $381.1 million, and it
transferred to the state $135.9 million in proceeds, which are earmarked for
public education.
"Despite economic uncertainty,
our games have maintained popularity because they hold up to their brand
promise, giving players a reason to smile for just a dollar," said Lottery
President Rose
Hudson. "We take the public's trust in our products very seriously
and that everyday commitment to integrity is what stands behind our
success. I'm proud of the positive contribution the Lottery has made to
the state over the past year."
Much of the Lottery's 2009 success
can be attributed to scratch-off games sales, which hit a 15-year record.
The Lottery offers a wide variety of scratch-off game play styles, themes and
price points ranging from $1 to $10. "Players can find a little something
for everyone in our scratch-off product line," explained Hudson. "This
past year we focused on giving players added value and more bang for their
lottery buck, through seasonal promotions and second-chance drawings."
Under state law, the treasury
department receives 35 percent of every $1 Lottery sale. At least 50 percent is
returned to players in the form of prizes and retailers receive at least 5
percent as commission on ticket sales. Less than 10 percent is retained by the
Lottery for operating costs.
The Louisiana Lottery ranks first in
the nation for percentage of revenue transferred to its government among
lotteries with traditional games, according to fiscal year 2008 industry
data.
June's treasury transfer of
$12,485,915 brought the Lottery's total fiscal year state proceeds to
$135,908,240, an increase of about $4 million over 2008.
Since the Lottery began operations
in 1991, more than $6 billion in revenue has been generated, primarily from
ticket sales, and over $2.1 billion has been transferred to the state treasury.
More than $2.9 billion has been paid to prize winners, and retailers have
earned approximately $323 million.
Also in 2009 and for the eleventh
consecutive year, the Louisiana Lottery received the Certificate of Achievement
for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers
Association of the U.S. and Canada.
Lottery ticket purchasers must be at
least 21 years of age. The Lottery encourages those concerned about a gambling
problem to call toll-free 1-877-770-7867 for assistance.
SOURCE: Louisiana Lottery
Corporation.
NeoGames Signs License Agreement With Betsson
NeoGames International,
the global leaders of online scratch cards, provide Betsson, one of the largest
European online gaming operators, with a bespoke scratch card
offering
ST JULIAN, Malta (July 27, 2009) -
NeoGames International, the global leaders of online scratch cards, provide
Betsson, one of the largest European online gaming operators, with a bespoke
scratch card offering.
2009, July 27th: Today, NeoGames,
pioneers and world leaders of online scratch cards, announces its new licensing
agreement with Betsson, one of the largest publicly traded online gaming
operators in the European Market.
Under the terms of the license
agreement, NeoGames will provide Betsson with its entertaining and successful
flash based scratch card games portfolio. The customized solution will be
tailored to meet the unique demands of Betsson and will cater for a unique
offering in over 17 languages, for players based mainly across Europe.
“We are thrilled to have
such an esteemed and successful operator like Betsson as a partner and look
forward to a long and productive working relationship.” commented
Michael Labrecque, CFO, today. “We are pleased to find in Betsson a
partner that shares our view on scratch cards being a vital mass market product
with a significant revenue potential”
Ebba Ljungerud, Product Manager of
Betsson Malta Ltd, stated:
“Betsson has always been an
innovator in adding new and exciting products to entertain our customers. We
believe strongly in the market appeal and high revenue potential of scratch
cards and partnering with NeoGames will ensure that we can continuously provide
the highest caliber of scratch card gaming experience to our
customers”
About NeoGames:
NeoGames is the global leader of the
online scratch card market. Since its establishment in 2005, NeoGames has
hosted the largest number of players worldwide with over 1 billion cards sold
on Scratch2Cash.com and Hopa.com.
NeoGames offers flexible solutions
ranging from fully managed operations for White Labels to customized
integration of its scratch card offerings with large-scale gaming operators.
NeoGames generates new revenue
stream by delivering the highest quality scratch card gaming experience to its
partners.
Website:
www.neogames.com.
About Betsson:
Betsson Malta Ltd is one of the
largest online gaming operators in Europe. Betsson offers a wide range of
first-class online gambling products and games in a safe and user-friendly
gaming environment mainly to the Scandanavia and European markets.
Betsson’s product portfolio currently includes: Sportsbook, Betting
Exchange, Casino, Poker, Games, Scratch Cards, Bingo and Trader. Betsson
operates Betsson.com, CasinoEuro.com and Cherrycasino.com.
Betsson Malta Ltd is licensed in
Malta.
Website:
www.betsson.com
For further information, please
contact:Ebba Ljungerud, Betsson Malta Ltd at
ebba.ljungerud@betsson.com or
+356 9974 3018
Michael Labrecque, NeoGames International at
michaell@neogames.com or +356 9928
5797.
SOURCE: Neogames Press Release.
Tough Economy, But Lottery Has Good Year
MADISON, Wisconsin (July 30,
2009) – The Wisconsin
Lottery posted the ninth best sales mark in its 21-year history despite
widespread consumer uncertainty and an off-year for big money jackpots in the
multi-state Powerball game. While U.S. retail sales in the period declined 6.5%
the Lottery weathered the tough economic conditions with $473.3 million in
sales in fiscal year 2009, a dip of only 4% from 2008. The $473 million in
sales represents approximately $130 million for property tax relief.
“The Lottery continues to
provide important tax relief for state residents and we performed well in a
very challenging year,” said
Michael Edmonds,
Wisconsin Lottery Director.
Edmonds said lottery instant scratch
sales started strong, but began to soften by January. Lottery retailers, like
retailers across the country, reported that customers were still buying, but
not as often. Instant sales slipped 3.7% to $276.7 million.
Jackpots also played a role in FY
09. Powerball, the multi-state jackpot game which accounts for more than 20% of
the Lottery’s gross revenue, underperformed as compared to the previous
year. Powerball relies on big jackpots to drive sales and in ‘09 the
game’s biggest jackpots were $206 and $232 million; in FY 08 itproduced
jackpots of $276 and $314 million. This normal year-to-year variation is
reflected in an $8 million drop in Powerball sales in FY 09.
The Lottery’s in-state jackpot
game, Megabucks, and its daily lotto games performed at or above FY 08
levels.
As the new fiscal year gets underway
Edmonds said it is more difficult than ever to predict how the Lottery will
fare. He said the Lottery expects to unveil soon an exciting new $10 instant
ticket with rare and highly-coveted prizes that will have everyone
talking…and buying. Initiatives are also planned for the daily lotto games
to keep them going strong.
“We remain focused on our
goal to maximize dollars for property tax relief,” Edmonds said.
| PRODUCT |
FY 08 SALES |
FY 09 SALES* |
| INSTANT |
$287.4 |
$276.7 |
| POWERBALL |
$93.7 |
$85.4 |
| MEGABUCKS |
$19.0 |
$20.7 |
| SUPERCASH! |
$27.9 |
$27.4 |
| BADGER 5 |
$25.4 |
$24.8 |
| DAILY PICK 3
|
$25.8 |
$26.3 |
| DAILY PICK 4
|
$11.9 |
$12.0 |
| OTHER |
$ 3.7 |
|
| TOTAL SALES
|
$494.7 |
$473.3 |
NOTE: Estimated &
unaudited; in millions, rounded.
SOURCE: Wisconsin Lottery.
Tabcorp Launches Gaming Solutions Business to Assist Clubs and
Pubs
MELBOURNE, Victoria, Australia (July
27, 2009) -- Tabcorp,
Australia’s leading gambling entertainment company, today launched
“Tabcorp Gaming Solutions” - a new service to help clubs and
pubs manage their gaming machines from mid-2012.
More than 600 gaming industry
representatives gathered in Melbourne for the launch of Tabcorp Gaming
Solutions which has been developed to meet the needs of entertainment venues
with gaming machines, following the decision by the State Government to change
the structure of gaming in Victoria.
Tabcorp’s Managing Director of
Gaming, Mr. Mohan Jesudason, said the Tabcorp Gaming Solutions business would
work with venues to ensure a smooth transition to the new gaming structure.
“The move to a new gaming
structure will lead to dramatic changes in the way gaming businesses operate in
the future. Clubs and pubs need to be planning for these changes now. Tabcorp
can share 15 years of market experience in the Victorian industry with venues
that participate in the Tabcorp Gaming Solutions business.”
Tabcorp Gaming Solutions can provide
clubs and pubs with a one-stop shop for the management of gaming activities,
including:
- Industry and business
intelligence
- Regulatory assistance and
responsible gambling support
- Business development support
- Supply of proven electronic
gaming machine products
- Support and maintenance
services
- Zero capital outlay finance
packages.
Mr. Jesudason said:
“We’re very pleased with the level of interest in the Tabcorp
Gaming Solutions offer. Pubs and clubs now realise that help is available to
ensure the future success of their gaming businesses. As the market leader,
nobody knows the gaming business better than Tabcorp. Pub and club venues will
be able to benefit from our experience.”
The Tabcorp Gaming Solutions concept
is endorsed by the Australian Hotels and Hospitality Association (Vic) and the
Community Clubs Association of Victoria.
For further information contact:
Financial analysts: Matt Bekier, Chief Financial Officer, 03 9868 2195 or Bruce
Tobin, Group GM Corporate Affairs, 03 9868 2508.
SOURCE: Tabcorp Holdings
Limited.
Sugal & Damani Launched Scratch Card Lottery In
Kenya
NEW DELHI, India (July 30, 2009) --
Sugal & Damani (SDLA)
through its Joint Venture Company Winlot Kenya launched scratch card lottery
operations in Kenya. Earlier Winlot Kenya was assigned
the license from Gaming and Lotteries Control Board of Kenya for offering
scratch card and online lottery games within the country. Winlot Kenya is
a Joint Venture between Sugal & Damani and a local Kenyan business house
which is having interest in Hotels, Real Estate and Tourism business.
Sugal & Damani will provide full
technical and operational support to Winlot Kenya including the provision of
Central System, Gaming Software, Technical Maintenance Services, Sales &
Marketing Services and other related services. Earlier Sugal & Damani
launched its operations in Zambia through its Joint Venture Winlot
(Zambia).
Commenting on this launch Sugal
& Damani group C.E.O. Mr. Kamlesh Vijay stated that Sugal & Damani is
continuing its international expansion plans and continue to grow from one
country to other and are confident to cover many more jurisdictions in the
coming days in different continents including Africa. In addition to operating
licensed lottery operations, Sugal & Damani is equally aggressively
pursuing its state of the art Gaming Technology solutions & services for
the licensed gaming operators across the globe.
About Sugal & Damani (www.sugaldamani.com)
Sugal & Damani is India’s
leading gaming operator and Global Gaming technology solution and services
supplier. Sugal & Damani is part of Sugal & Damani Group of companies
having interest in Lotteries, Real Estate, Diamond Jewellery, Tourism,
Hospitality Services, Engineering Goods, Utility Services, Information
Technology, Leasing and Finance etc.
For more information
CONTACT:
Mr. Rajneesh Kumar Gupta, Sugal & Damani Group, +91 11 43758882,
Email:
rajneesh.gupta@sugaldamani.com
Kentucky Lottery Breaks All-Time Sales & Dividend
Record
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (July 17, 2009)
- Sales in Fiscal Year 2009 for the Kentucky
Lottery Corporation (KLC) totaled $810.5 million, according to figures
presented to the group's board of directors. This number (which includes $45.5
million in free tickets) surpasses last year's record-breaking level by $32.3
million, or 4.2%. It also marks the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking
sales.
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The key behind the increase,
according to KLC President and CEO Arch
Gleason, was the continued sales growth of the KLC's scratch-off tickets.
"This ticket category grew $33.2 million to $504.1 million, 7% higher than
last year's record-breaking level of $470.9 million," said Gleason.
Based on industry sales reports thru
March 31, this sales improvement will likely place the KLC in the top five
lotteries for sales improvement in FY09 when reports are completed. On-line
(draw) game sales increased slightly to $292.2 million, up from $291.8 million
last fiscal year. On-line sales were led by gains in the daily Pick 3 and Pick
4 games. Powerball sales declined 1.5% to $96.9 million due to the absence of
large jackpot runs. Players won $470.4 million in prizes during the course of
the year, or 61.5% of cash sales.
The increased sales led to a record
$50.2 million paid to retailers in commissions and incentives, up .2% over
FY08's $50.1 million. Operating expenses in terms of real dollars and as a
percentage of sales decreased for the third consecutive year. Operating
expenses for the year totaled $33.1 million, or 4.3% of sales. In FY08,
operating expenses were $37.2 million (or 4.8% of sales). "This 4.3% mark is
the lowest operating expense percentage in KLC history," said KLC President
and CEO Arch Gleason. "It shows we have continued to sell more tickets and
spend less doing so for several years."
The Commonwealth received
record-breaking dividend transfers of $204.4 million during the year to be used
for the literacy, college scholarship, and grant programs funded by KLC
proceeds. The previous record was $204.3 million set in FY06. This is $12.3
million (or 6.4%) more than what was transferred in FY08, but falls $5 million
less than what was anticipated by the state budget.
The Commonwealth handed us a large
order last year to increase our profitability to 28% of sales," said KLC
President and CEO Arch Gleason. "We took significant steps that led to our
improving our profitability from 24.4% in FY08 to 26.5% in FY09. These included
slightly reducing cash prizes and substituting free tickets for low tier prizes
in scratch-off ticket prize structures, eliminating 13% of our workforce,
reducing advertising expenses, and significantly reducing capital and other
operating expenditures."
"While we fell just short of our
goal, we're proud of the additional $12.3 million we were able to transfer to
the Commonwealth this year, and the FY10 budget does project the Commonwealth
to receive 28% of sales," Gleason said. "A recession, high gas prices
and an increasing unemployment rate made for an extremely challenging year. I'm
very pleased with the hard work of our employees and our retailers to turn in a
record-breaking year in spite of these significant hurdles."
During the
meeting of the group's board of directors, the board approved:
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- Setting KLC President and CEO Arch Gleason's
salary at $226,800, a 1% increase over last year. The board also gave Gleason a
two-year contract extension through 2014.
- Contracts with Schafer Systems/Take-a-Ticket for instant ticket
dispensers and accessories, and with M&S Works for
production and distribution of the nightly televised drawing program.
- Game rules and regulations for 17 scratch-off
tickets and six pull-tab tickets.
The next meeting of the KLC Board of
Directors will be Friday September 18. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. ET,
and will be held at
KLC headquarters at 1011 West Main Street, Louisville.
Committee meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET.
(note: all fy09 figures
cited in this release are unaudited. Full audited financial statements will be
available in october)
SOURCE: Kentucky Lottery
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