|
GTECH Bolsters Its Instant Tickets Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID) Intellectual Property (IP) Portfolio
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (August 11,
2009) – GTECH Corporation announced
that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted the Company an additional
patent pertaining to radio frequency identification (RFID) in lottery game
tickets, further strengthening GTECH’s existing suite of IP in this area,
that will ultimately provide added security and significantly improve the
efficiency of inventory tracking and management of instant tickets.
“With the addition of this
patent, we have significantly strengthened GTECH’s IP portfolio,
particularly in the area of instant-ticket management and inventory control, a
critical component to the success of any lottery enterprise,” said
Connie Laverty O’Connor, GTECH Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing
Officer. “We are committed to finding and investing in innovative
solutions for our customers. We have recognized the labor intensiveness of
instant-ticket inventory management – from the time a ticket is printed,
to the time it leaves the warehouse, to its arrival at the retailer –
tracking these tickets at all times is essential, given the cash value and the
potential winning value of the tickets.”
“As instant tickets continue
to go up in face value, it is becoming common-place to have $20 and $30 tickets
at lottery retailers. As the price point increases, the opportunity for theft
or fraud also increases,” said Ross Dalton, GTECH Senior Vice
President of Printed Products and Licensed Content. “The future use of
RFID for ticket-by-ticket activation would be one way to mitigate these issues.
With embedded RFID, lotteries will be better able to control instant-ticket
inventory in real-time, and retailers will be able to provide players with
faster transactions at the point-of-sale. We believe that RFID technology has a
promising future for the lottery industry.”
GTECH’s IP portfolio associated
with RFID encompasses inventory control, dispensing at the point-of-sale,
activation, validation, and security. As RFID technology continues to evolve
and become more cost effective, GTECH will look to leverage its IP portfolio in
direct support of customers’ needs.
About GTECH
GTECH is a leading gaming technology
and services company. With 7,500 people in over 50 countries when combined with
Lottomatica Group, 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 Group, 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
CONTACT: Robert K. Vincent, Public
Affairs, GTECH Corporation, Phone: 401-392-7452.
Electronic Game Card, Inc. Appoints New U.S. Based Chief Financial
Officer
NEW YORK and LONDON, (August 10,
2009) - Electronic Game Card, Inc. (OTC
Bulletin Board: EGMI) ("EGC"), announced today that it has appointed Thomas E.
Schiff as its chief financial officer effective September 1, 2009, replacing
Linden J. Boyne who is retiring after serving as ECG's interim chief financial
officer, corporate secretary and board member over the last three years. Mr.
Schiff, formerly a certified public accountant with over 15 years of public and
private company CFO experience, will work from the Company's new headquarters
to be located in Irvine, CA.
Mr. Schiff brings over 30 years of
executive experience in the gaming, electronic security, marketing and
manufacturing industries. He received his CPA certification while at KPMG
(formerly Peat, Marwick & Mitchell) where he was an audit services and
computer audit specialist. He also holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Arts degree
in economics from Stanford University. Mr. Schiff previously served as
executive vice president and CFO for Planetwide Games, Inc., interactive
entertainment software and digital media company, where he was actively
involved in the transition of the company from development stage into
commercialization, executed license agreements with entities such as Electronic
Arts, Sony Online Entertainment, National Geographic, Marvel Characters, and
Viacom/Paramount Pictures. Prior to this he was executive vice president and
CFO of SSP Solutions, Inc., a digital security company providing PKI-based
solutions, where he managed two mergers, multiple complex financings and
significantly reduced expenses. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Schiff was chief
financial officer for Gotcha International, L.P., an international trademark
licensor of apparel products, responsible for the structuring and negotiations
of numerous business ventures.
Commenting on Mr. Schiff's
appointment, Kevin Donovan, EGC's chief executive officer, said, "Our search
for a highly qualified financial executive with relevant industry and public
company experience was extensive. Tom Schiff has stellar credentials and an
entrepreneurial enthusiasm that should prove instrumental in accomplishing our
mission of achieving EGC's market potential. Throughout his career, Tom has
worked through restructurings, turnarounds and importantly business expansions,
establishing proper financial controls and improving processes and performance.
We expect Tom to be a vital part of our management team as we build our client
base, develop strategic partnerships, and expand our platform."
"This is an exciting time in
Electronic Game Card's evolution. The company has completed its turnaround,
entered its commercialization phase while establishing a healthy financial
base," commented Tom Schiff. "Having successfully guided a number of
companies through significant transitional and high growth periods, I am eager
to become part of EGC's management team to participate in its further
development. The company is poised for significant business expansion as it
secures enterprise contracts and joint venture partnerships."
The Board of Directors of Electronic
Game Card, Inc. wishes to thank Linden Boyne for his efforts during the last
three years. He was instrumental, along with Lee Cole the former interim CEO of
EGC, in giving the Company the foundation it now has, and we wish him good
health and happiness in the future.
About Electronic Game Card,
Inc.
Electronic Game Card, Inc., (OTC
Bulletin Board: EGMI), develops, produces and markets innovative games to the
promotional industry worldwide, toys and games, casinos and lottery. The
Company's lead product is the EGC Electronic GameCard™, a unique credit
card-sized pocket game combining patent and patent-pending proprietary
technology of interactive capability with "instant win" excitement. The
EGC Electronic GameCard™ can be programmed to suit a variety of gaming and
promotion applications.
EGMI's client base extends across
the $100 billion global market of sales promotion, gaming and casinos, Indian
gaming and state and national lotteries markets. EGMI develops sales and
marketing relationships with agents and distributors globally and currently has
agents and distributors in North America, United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico,
Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, South Africa Australia, New Zealand
and Japan.
For further information please visit
www.electronicgamecard.com
SOURCE Electronic Game Card,
Inc.
Czech Lottery Has Paid Out Winnings of More Than CZK 90
Billion
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (August 5,
2009) - The total amount of winnings that have been paid out by the joint-stock
company SAZKA to bettors has exceeded CZK 90
billion. The amount is roughly half the foreign debt of the Czech Republic,
which was CZK 185.5 billion as at the end of last year according to the Czech
Ministry of Finance.
The total amount of winnings paid
out by SAZKA so far reached CZK 90,049,043,075 this week and increases CZK 320
– 340,000,000 a month. This is despite the fact that the maximum winnings
in betting games and lotteries were legally limited for a long period of time.
For example, you could win a maximum of CSK (Czechoslovak koruna) 40,000 in
1957; a mere CSK 15,000 in 1961; CSK 200,000 in 1965; and CSK 500,000 in 1990.
The upper limit was not lifted until February 1991 and a jackpot was permitted
in August 1993, allowing you to win millions.
The top individual winning in the
history of Czech and Czechoslovak betting games and lotteries has been CZK
112,931,592 and it was paid out in the Sportka number lottery. This year’s
top winning has been CZK 72,384,867, in Sportka as well.
SOURCE: SAZKA, a.s. CONTACT: PhDr.
Zdeněk Zikmund, Press Spokesperson, SAZKA, a.s.
Arizona Lottery to Launch New Four-Number Drawing
Game
New Game Offers Opportunity
For $20,000 Jackpot Winners Six Days A Week
PHOENIX, Arizona (August 6, 2009) -
Arizona Lottery players looking to win big
money for just a couple of bucks will find their match with a new game
launching Aug. 9 that will provide high jackpots and a chance to win big money
six days a week — all for just $2.
Players of 2by2 choose two "red"
numbers and two "white" numbers from a 26-number matrix. Players matching all
four numbers in the correct color combination will win a top prize of $20,000.
Players can also win other prizes ranging from $2 to $200 by matching various
combinations of red and white numbers.
Monday through Saturday, players
will have a chance to win the $20,000 2by2 top prize. This is a guaranteed top
prize six days a week; the jackpot doesn’t roll from day to day.
"Our newest game, 2by2, is
another important way your Lottery works to increase the entertainment value of
all our games. For just $1 more than our existing draw games, 2by2 offers lots
of prizes and gives players a chance to win $20,000 six days a week." said
Jeff Hatch-Miller, executive director of the Arizona Lottery. "We believe
2by2 will be a real winner for our players."
Tickets can be purchased at
retailers where Lottery products are sold. 2by2 drawings will broadcast Monday
through Saturday during the 10 p.m. news on Channel 15 (ABC) in Phoenix,
Channel 13 (CBS) in Tucson and in Spanish on Univision.
Players can check their numbers by
logging onto arizonalottery.com or by calling the winning numbers hotlines at
480-829-PICK in Phoenix and 1-800-499-3798 in all other Arizona areas.
You must be at least 21 to purchase
or redeem tickets. The Arizona Lottery reminds everyone to please play
responsibly.
SOURCE: Arizona Lottery
Pollard Banknote Announces 2nd Quarter Financial
Results
WINNIPEG, Canada (August 5, 2009) --
Pollard Banknote Income Fund (TSX Symbol
PBL.UN) (the "Fund") today released the financial results of the Fund and
Pollard Holdings Limited Partnership ("Pollard LP") for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2009.
HIGHLIGHTS
| |
2nd Quarter
ended June 30, 2009 |
2nd Quarter
ended June 30, 2008 |
| Sales(1) |
$49.5 million |
$ 44.6 million |
| EBITDA(1) |
$5.0 million |
$7.4 million |
| Adjusted Distributable Cash(1)
|
$3.1 million |
$5.8 million |
| Distributions Declared(1) |
$ 4.1 million |
$5.6 million |
| Adjusted Distributable Cash per
unit(1) |
$0.1312 |
$0.2487 |
| Distributions per unit(2) |
$ 0.1742 |
0.2376 |
| Payout ratio(3) |
132.8% |
95.6% |
- Sales, EBITDA, Adjusted
Distributable Cash, Distributions and Adjusted Distributable Cash per unit are
for Pollard LP for the period ended June 30, 2009.
- Distributions per unit are
declared by the Fund for the period ended June 30, 2009.
- Payout ratio is calculated as
Distributions per unit divided by Adjusted Distributable Cash per unit.
"Our second quarter continued to
be impacted by the challenges experienced during the first quarter," stated
John Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer. "Our volumes during the beginning
of the second quarter were lower than expected and the ramp-up of our new press
was slower and more expensive than anticipated. These factors, combined with
higher realized foreign exchange loss on our U.S. dollar denominated accounts
receivable due to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar, resulted in our
underlying distributable
CASH FALLING SHORT OF OUR
TARGET.
We are encouraged, however, with the
increasing volumes witnessed as the second quarter progressed and are
anticipating higher production and sales volumes for the third quarter. The
performance of our new press has improved and our volumes produced on this
press have increased significantly towards the end of the second quarter and
are scheduled to be higher in the third quarter."
"The fundamental strength in the
instant lottery ticket market remains and we are working diligently to acquire
new sales. Our focus on cost reduction has resulted in a number of positive
trends including reduced overtime and reduced direct material costs and we
believe that this trend, in conjunction with improved operating results from
the new press, will generate increased distributable cash in the upcoming
quarters."
THE FUND
The Fund commenced business
operations on August 5, 2005, and earnings from
the Fund's investment in Pollard LP have
been accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under this method,
the Fund's share of earnings of Pollard LP is adjusted for the amortization of
certain intangible assets arising from the use of purchase accounting, certain
administrative expenses and any future income tax reductions. The results of
operations of the Fund are dependent on the performance of Pollard LP.
The Fund has declared distributions
totaling $0.1742 per unit during the period ended June 30, 2009.
POLLARD LP
Pollard LP is one of the leading
providers of products and services to lottery and charitable gaming industries
throughout the world. Management believes Pollard LP is the largest provider of
instant-win scratch tickets based in Canada and the second largest producer of
instant tickets in the world.
SELECTED FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
| (millions of dollars) |
Three mts ended
June 30, 2009 |
Three mts ended June 30, 2008 |
Three mts ended
June 30, 2009 |
Three mts ended
June 30, 2008 |
| Sales |
$49.5 |
$44.6 |
$96.5 |
$83.7 |
| Cost of Sales |
40.0 |
34.5 |
78.9 |
67.1 |
| Gross Profit |
9.5 |
10.1 |
17.6 |
16.6 |
| Gross Profit |
19.2% |
22.6% |
18.2% |
19.8% |
| Selling and Administration
Expenses |
5.6 |
4.9 |
11.2 |
9.7 |
| Expenses as a % of sales |
11.3% |
11.0% |
11.6% |
11.6% |
| Realized foreign exchange loss
(gain) |
1.9 |
(1.0) |
2.5 |
(2.4) |
| Loss (gain) as a % of sales
|
3.8% |
(2.2%) |
2.6% |
(2.9%) |
| EBITDA |
5.0 |
7.4 |
9.0 |
12.0 |
| EBITDA as a % of
sales |
10.1% |
16.6% |
9.3% |
14.3% |
| |
June 30, 2009 |
Dec. 31, 2008 |
|
|
| Total Assets |
$101.9 |
$113.0 |
|
|
| Total Long Term
Liabilities |
$78.1 |
$60.4 |
|
|
The selected financial and operating
information has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the
consolidated financial statements of Pollard LP.
Results of Operations - Three months
ended June 30, 2009
During the three months ended June
30, 2009, Pollard LP achieved sales of $49.5 million, compared to $44.6 million
in the three months ended June 30, 2008. Factors impacting the $4.9 million
sales increase were:
- During the three months ended
June 30, 2009, Pollard LP generated approximately 69% of its revenue in U.S.
dollars including a significant portion of international sales which are priced
in U.S. dollars. During the second quarter of 2009 the actual U.S. dollar value
was converted to Canadian dollars at $1.19, compared to a rate of $1.02 during
the second quarter of 2008. This 17% increase in the U.S. dollar value resulted
in an approximate increase of $5.0 million in revenue relative to the second
quarter of 2008.
- Instant ticket volumes for the
second quarter of 2009 were lower by approximately 4% which reduced sales by
$1.6 million. Increased sales of related services generated an additional $0.9
million in sales. Charitable Gaming Products (pull-tabs and bingo paper) volume
was similar during the quarter, however there was an increase in higher priced
product mix generating $1.1 million in additional sales. A volume decrease in
other product lines reduced sales by $0.5 million.
Cost of sales was $40.0 million in
the second quarter of 2009 compared to $34.5 million in the second quarter of
2008. Higher exchange rates on U.S. dollar transactions in the second
quarter of 2009 increased cost of sales approximately $3.5 million. Higher
costs associated with the new press including inefficiencies relating to the
start up, and overall production inefficiencies increased cost of sales $2.0
million. Gross profit decreased from $10.1 million (22.6% of sales) in
the second quarter of 2008 to $9.5 million (19.2% of sales) in the second
quarter of 2009.
The gross margin percentage was lower than 2008 due to lower
order volumes and higher cost of sales as discussed previously. The
ramp-up of the new press continued during the second quarter. Production
volumes and effective capacity has increased steadily during the three months
with additional staff being trained at the end of June and early July to
increase the number of shifts. Spoilage and other inefficiencies have also
improved.
Selling and administration expenses were $5.6 million in the
second quarter of 2009 which is higher than $4.9 million in the second quarter
of 2008 due to higher resources committed to increasing sales volumes including
higher staff costs and increased travel costs.
Foreign exchange gain increased to $1.0 million in the second
quarter of 2009 compared to a gain of $0.8 million in the second quarter of
2008. Within the 2009 foreign exchange gain are unrealized gains of $2.9
million relating to the foreign exchange gain on U.S. dollar denominated debt
(caused by the strengthening of the Canadian dollar) offset by $1.0 million in
realized losses relating to forward hedge contracts (caused by fixed exchange
rates in the hedges being lower than the actual rates) and $0.9 million in
realized losses on write-downs of U.S. dollar denominated receivables.
Over the course of the second quarter in 2009 the Canadian dollar strengthened
significantly versus the U.S. dollar. While our cash flow during this period
remained effectively hedged, our ongoing investment in U.S dollar denominated
accounts receivable is impacted negatively when the Canadian dollar
strengthens. These realized losses are non-recurring, assuming the relationship
of the Canadian dollar remains steady relative to the U.S. dollar.
In the second quarter of 2008 the foreign exchange gain
consisted of an unrealized loss of $0.2 million relating to the foreign
exchange on U.S. dollar denominated debt and $1.0 million in realized
gains relating primarily to forward hedge contracts having exchange rates
higher than the actual rates. During the second quarter of 2009, Pollard
LP disposed of a surplus office building and land in Winnipeg, Manitoba to an
affiliate of Equities for total proceeds of $3.4 million resulting in a gain of
approximately $1.7 million. The selling price was based on current fair market
value as determined through an independent valuation.
EBITDA was $5.0 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared
to $7.4 million in the second quarter of 2008. EBITDA margins were 10.1% in the
second quarter of 2009 compared to 16.6% in the second quarter of 2008. The
primary reasons for the decrease in EBITDA was the lower gross profit, higher
selling and administration costs and a change to a large realized foreign
exchange loss from a gain in 2008, due to the impact of the exchange rates of
the hedge program. Partially offsetting this reduction in EBITDA was a gain on
the sale of property, plant and equipment.
A non-cash mark-to-market gain on foreign currency contracts
of $5.9 million was recorded in the second quarter of 2009, compared to a
non-cash gain of $0.1 million recognized in the second quarter of 2008. The
strengthening of the Canadian dollar in relation to the U.S. dollar during the
second quarter of 2009 resulted in a non-cash increase in the fair value of
forward foreign currency contracts that Pollard LP had in place. These
contracts expire during the next 15 months with the final one maturing in
September 2010.
Net income was $11.3 million in the second quarter of 2009 and
in the second quarter of 2008 net income was $4.5 million. The difference was
primarily due to a gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment, and a
large mark-to-market gain on foreign currency contracts. Pollard LP
generated $3.1 million in Adjusted Distributable Cash, or $0.13 per unit, for
the second quarter of 2009. Adjusted Distributable Cash will vary on a
quarter-to-quarter basis due to changes in the product mix and short term
variation in the order quantities from customers.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Reference to “EBITDA” is to earnings before
interest, income taxes, amortization, unrealized foreign exchange gains and
losses, mark-to-market gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts and long
term incentive plan expense. Reference to “Adjusted Distributable
Cash” is to cash available for distribution to Unit-holders,
calculated as cash flow from operations, before changes in non-cash working
capital, less maintenance capital expenditures. Management views Adjusted
Distributable Cash as an operating performance measure, as it is a measure
generally used by Canadian income funds as an indicator of financial
performance. Adjusted Distributable Cash is important as it summarizes the
funds available for distribution to Unit-holders. As the Fund and Pollard LP
will distribute substantially all of its cash on an ongoing basis and since
EBITDA and Adjusted Distributable Cash are metrics used by many investors to
compare issuers on the basis of the ability to generate cash from operations,
management believes that, in addition to Net Income, EBITDA and Adjusted
Distributable Cash are useful supplementary measures.
EBITDA, Adjusted Distributable Cash, Maintenance Capital
Expenditures and Growth Capital Expenditures are not measures recognized under
GAAP and do not have standardized meanings prescribed by GAAP. Therefore, these
measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities.
Investors are cautioned that EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative
to Net Income or Loss determined in accordance with GAAP as indicators of the
Fund’s and Pollard LP’s performance or to cash flows from operating,
investing and financing activities as measures of liquidity and cash flows.
Outlook
The 2009 outlook for the lottery industry, and in particular
the instant ticket product line, remains healthy. Retail sales of instant
tickets in North America continue to grow approximately 4-5% annually and sales
in certain jurisdictions outside North America also show significant
incremental growth, notwithstanding the ongoing general economic
uncertainty. We have no material contracts that come due in 2009 (when
extensions are considered). The New Jersey Lottery contract has been extended
to September 30, 2009 and Pollard has responded to the lotteries’ request
for proposal to award a new long term contract. We are bidding aggressively on
all new contract opportunities as well as working to increase our market share
for individual contracts where we share work with other suppliers. Our
volumes in the charitable gaming sector (pull-tabs and bingo paper) remain
strong and we expect to maintain our current volume level. The Canadian
dollar strengthened relative to the U.S. dollar during the second quarter. Our
historical strategy of hedging our future net U.S. dollar cash flow has locked
in our exchange value for U.S. dollar cash inflow until September 2010 at rates
that are lower than the current exchange rate. On average our exchange rates
for our U.S dollar cash flow will be converted at $1.03 Canadian for every $1
U.S. cash flow. This will result in higher realized foreign exchange losses
over the next five quarters. We have discontinued hedging our net U.S. dollar
cash flow with the final hedges expiring in September 2010.
Notwithstanding that we have locked in the exchange rate for
our current U.S. dollar cash inflow, significant swings in the Canadian dollar
relative to the U.S. dollar will still result in significant volatility in our
reported net income due to the accounting rules requiring foreign currency
forward contracts be marked to market value. In addition, net income and
distributable cash will be impacted due to the change in value of our
investment in accounts receivable, accounts payable and long term debt
denominated in U.S. dollars. Sales and production volumes increased
during the later half of the second quarter and we are currently expecting our
volumes during the third and fourth quarter to exceed the first half of the
year. The third quarter traditionally generates slightly stronger volumes in
preparation for the holiday season in December. Order levels from a number of
our larger customers have returned to expected levels. The continuing
improvement in the new press operations should also assist us in generating
higher volumes of production. The nature of the industry will result in
some ongoing variability in volumes on a quarter-to-quarter basis due to
changes in our customers marketing plans, inventory management and the
introduction or delay of new product offerings. Licensed property sales
continue to be an important growing part of our product offering and
traditionally the third and fourth quarter has seen higher sales in this area
as lotteries produce specialty products for the holiday season. We expect sales
of this line of product offering to be higher than the first half of the
year.
Production efficiencies and volumes on the new press improved
throughout the second quarter and we are hopeful that this trend will continue
through the third and fourth quarter of 2009.
Our balance sheet will continue to strengthen over the next
few quarters reflecting the impact of lower capital expenditures compared to
recent history and the lower level of distributions introduced near the end of
the second quarter. These factors combined with our recently renewed bank
facility will allow us to strengthen our balance sheet.
Legislation relating to the Tax Fairness Plan continues to
evolve. The legislation relating to tax efficient means to revert to corporate
status has been enacted and Pollard Banknote is currently reviewing the
alternative strategic plans. The introduction of taxation under the Tax
Fairness Plan is not expected to apply to the Pollard Banknote Income Fund
until 2011. Pollard Banknote believes that its credit facilities and
ongoing cash flow from operations will be sufficient to allow it to meet
ongoing requirements for investment in capital expenditures, working capital
and distributions at existing business levels.
For further information: John Pollard, Co-Chief Executive
Officer, Telephone: (204) 474-2323 ext 204, Facsimile: (204) 453-1375; Gordon
Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Telephone: (204) 474-2323 ext 211,
Facsimile: (204) 453-1375; Rob Rose, Chief Financial Officer, Telephone: (204)
474-2323, ext 250, Facsimile: (204) 453-1375.
SOURCE: Pollard Banknote.
Jets, Chrebet, N.J. Lottery Join 'Fantasy'
Forces
New York Jets (August 10, 2009) --
The New York Jets, the New Jersey Lottery,
Gov. Jon S. Corzine and State Treasurer and Sports and Exposition Authority
Commissioner R. David Rousseau today announced an extension of their
partnership that will now include a new Jets-themed instant lottery ticket and
the chance to win several once-in-a-lifetime Jets-themed prizes.
Cash prizes for "Jets Football
Fantasy" range from $5 to $100,000 for a single winner. One lucky
second-chance winner will win lower bowl season tickets in the New Jets Stadium
for a decade. "Jets Football Fantasy" is expected to hit store shelves
in early September.
Jets legend and New Jersey's own
Wayne Chrebet has signed on to be the primary “ambassador” for
this partnership. Wayne becomes the first former player in the league to take
an active, high-profile role in supporting a joint instant lottery venture
between a state lottery and a league franchise.
In addition to promoting "Jets
Football Fantasy" in radio spots, print ads and at appearances throughout
the state, Wayne will also host some lucky "Second Chance Drawing"
winners at a Jets home game in one of the luxury suites.
Other winning experiences include
being "Team Owner for a Day" — traveling to an away game on a
private jet, pregame sideline passes, premium seats, access to the Jets
postgame press conference and a meet-and-greet with team owner Woody Johnson.
Over 400 first-prize winners will receive $300 Jets Shop Gift Cards, redeemable
online at www.jetsshop.com or at the brand new flagship store on 50th and
Madison Avenue in Manhattan. All non-cash winning tickets can be submitted to
New Jersey Lottery for the second chance drawings.
"Partnering with a storied
franchise like the New York Jets promises great things," said William
Jourdain, New Jersey Lottery’s acting executive director, "The Jets
have a special place in the hearts and minds of countless New Jerseyans, and
we're very pleased to be able to work with them to give something back to their
fans."
“This partnership will go a
long way toward supporting the many worthy programs funded through the New
Jersey Lottery while also giving Jet fans a chance to dream about some great
NFL prizes,” said Rousseau.
Governor Corzine also noted that
Jets fans aren't the only ones who will win with this new game.
"Each ticket a Jets fan purchases
goes to support kids in K-12 education, students in New Jersey colleges and
universities, and our state's veterans and the developmentally disabled, to
name just a few beneficiaries of Lottery support,” he said.
“As fans support their favorite team, they provide support for young
and old New Jerseyans alike in communities throughout the Garden
State."
"We are excited to partner with
New Jersey Lottery to offer our fans not only a chance at winning substantial
monetary prizes but unique Jets experiences not offered anywhere else,"
said Matt Higgins, the Jets’ executive vice president of business
operations. "We're pleased that Wayne Chrebet will be the first former
player in the league to support such a program, helping to generate excitement
and interest in what is also the first NFL-themed instant ticket launched in
New Jersey.
“Although the tickets will
be sold throughout the state, fans won't have to travel far to give the game a
try — the Lottery has arranged for Jets Football Fantasy to be available
at the Meadowlands on gamedays."
"Calling New Jersey home and
being a member of the Jets family, I think this is a natural fit for me,"
said Chrebet. "I hope Jets fans see a lot of winning this year with the Jets
Football Fantasy Instant Ticket and on the field, too, with new head coach Rex
Ryan.”
SOURCE: New York Jets (www.newyorkjets.com) press release.
NeoGames and People’s Postcode Lottery partner to create
‘Postcode Lottery Scratch’
Pioneers of the online
scratch card industry, NeoGames, provide fully branded Scratch card operations
to People’s Postcode Lottery.
ST. JULIAN, Malta (August, 10, 2009)
-- NeoGames, global leaders and pioneers of online scratch cards, have today
announced the partnership with People’s
Postcode Lottery, to provide a white label scratch card website.
People’s Postcode Lottery is a well known postcode based subscription
charity lottery organization in Scotland, England, Sweden and the
Netherlands.
NeoGames have custom-made and
personalised design materials for People’s Postcode Lottery’s current
brand to create fully managed scratch cards site. People’s Postcode
Lottery Scratch site will offer over 40 scratch games to its target market
audience.
The NeoGames and People’s
Postcode Lottery partnership combines NeoGames’ growing successful online
scratch card fully managed solution with a brand new lottery division. Both
companies have the sheer passion and determination to create a new and exciting
online scratch card offering for the People’s Postcode Lottery
audience.
Michael Labrecque, CFO of NeoGames,
states:
“All over the world scratch
cards are closely associated with lotteries and for the first time, the two
products have been put into a successful synergy. We are looking forward to
building a successful and profitable future with People’s Postcode
Lottery. ”
Alec Burett, Web Marketing Manager
of People’s Postcode Lottery has stated:
"The People's Postcode Lottery
are delighted to be working with NeoGames to create our new scratchcards
product. We are confident that the coming months will see us develop a strong
player base, and enhance the enjoyment of the lottery for our existing
customers."
About NeoGames:
NeoGames is the pioneer and global
leader of the online scratch card market. Holding an EU gaming license in
Malta, NeoGames has been offering flexible solutions ranging from fully managed
operations to customized integration of its scratch card offerings. Since its
establishment in 2005, NeoGames has hosted the largest number of players
worldwide with over 1 billion cards sold across the NeoGames Network.
About People’s Postcode
Lottery:
The People’s Postcode Lottery
(PPL) is the lottery for charities in Scotland. Founded by Novamedia BV, an
international charity lottery operator, which operates Postcode Lotteries in
the Netherlands, Sweden, Scotland and England with a total of over 5.4 million
tickets sold each week. On an International scale, Novamedia have raised over
3.1 Billion Euros for charitable organisations across the globe.
SOURCE: NeoGames. CONTACT: Joanna
Waitzman, Public Relations Manager, T: +972 36072557, M: +972 547983122, F:
+972 3 6072509, E-mail: Joannaw@neogames.com.
New Scratch Game Offers Best Chance Of Winning Ever Provided By
Colorado Lottery
DENVER, Colorado (August 7, 2009) --
The Colorado Lottery has launched a new
$20 Scratch game that provides players with the best odds of winning ever
offered by the Lottery. The overall probability of winning any prize in the new
$18 Million Money Machine is 1 in 2.7 – better than any other Lottery
game. As its name suggests, $18 Million Money Machine is packed with $18
million in prizes, including 15, $50,000 top prizes.
“For $20, our players will
be getting a pretty good shot at winning,” said Colorado Lottery
Director Jack Boehm. “We believe this new game will generate a lot of
excitement and may even entice new players to give our games a
try.”
Beyond the $50,000 top prize, $18
Million Money Machine also offers players a chance at winning anywhere from $20
to $10,000. The game also gives holders of non-winning tickets an additional
opportunity to win $50,000 by registering their tickets in a second-chance
drawing online. Information for that drawing can be found here:
https://www.coloradolottery.com/index.cfm/ID/55/Second-Chance-Drawings
Proceeds from the Colorado
Lottery’s games – Scratch, Cash 5, Lotto, and Powerball - stay in
Colorado to improve the quality of life in the state. Lottery dollars have
contributed to building parks, restoring trails, preserving open space,
protecting wildlife and improving recreational opportunities for citizens
statewide. Since its founding 26 years ago, the Lottery has returned more than
$2 billion to Colorado through its proceeds partners - Great Outdoors Colorado,
the Conservation Trust Fund and Colorado State Parks.
CONTACT: Erika Gonzalez. Phone:
303.759.6872, Cell: 303.945.9724, Email:
erika.gonzalez@lottery.state.co.us.
Louisiana Lottery Reports More Than $7.6 Million in Winning
Draw-Style Tickets & More Than $5.7 Million Claimed from Scratch-Off
Tickets during July
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (August 10,
2009) - Donating to their church, purchasing back-to-school clothes, and saving
for a vacation are just a few of the ways winners of the Louisiana Lottery's
draw-style games plan to spend the more than $7.6 million won in July.
The Louisiana Lottery also reported more
than $5.7 million in winning tickets claimed from scratch-off games last
month.
July's draw-style game winnings
included two Easy 5 jackpots totaling $300,916, one Powerball Power Play prize
worth $1 million, two "match-5" Powerball prizes worth $200,000 each, three
Powerball prizes of $10,000 each, and 130 "match-5" Lotto prizes averaging
$2,206 each. Pick 3 prizes totaled $1,860,140 and Pick 4 prizes totaled
$1,596,000.
Easy 5 prizes totaled $492,874 with
an additional $249,930 won in ezmatch prizes. For an additional $1, players can
add ezmatch to their Easy 5 ticket for the chance to win up to $250
instantly.
"Over 30,700 Power Play
purchasers won a bonus total of $1,112,215 in addition to their regular
Powerball prize," Lottery President Rose Hudson said. For an
additional $1, the Power Play option offers Powerball ticket purchasers the
chance to multiply any nonjackpot-related prize up to five times depending upon
the Power Play multiplier number randomly selected during the drawing.
In total, draw-style game winnings
were $7,626,233 in July. Lottery draw-style game players have 180 days from the
date of the drawing to claim any winnings.
"We encourage players to sign the
back of their tickets immediately after purchasing and to check them promptly
after the drawing. Even if a ticket does not win the jackpot, it could have won
another prize," Hudson added.
In addition to $5,770,217 in
scratch-off cash prizes paid during July, players also claimed $1,135,184 worth
of free tickets. Scratch-off players have 90 days from the official game
closure date to redeem a winning ticket. According to Lottery policy,
scratch-off games are closed when all top prizes are claimed.
While actual game performance and
the amount of prizes claimed will vary from month to month, the Lottery
allocates at least 50 percent of sales to fund prizes. At least 35 percent of
sales is transferred to the state treasury for the Minimum Foundation Program
that funds public education in Louisiana. Retailers are paid at least 5 percent
in commission, and the Lottery retains less than 10 percent of sales to
operate.
Hudson reminded ticket purchasers to
play responsibly, encouraging anyone who has a gambling problem, or friends and
family of anyone with a gambling problem, to call toll-free 1-877-770-7867 for
help. Ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age.
SOURCE: Louisiana Lottery.
Kick-off for MD Lottery’s Ravens Cash Fantasy ~ August 10,
2009
New scratch-off from
Maryland Lottery and Baltimore Ravens Goes on Sale today, Monday, August 10, 20
BALTIMORE, Maryland (August 10,
2009) - ,First the first-time ever, thanks to a new ruling by the NFL,
The Maryland Lottery and Baltimore Ravens
have teamed up to offer an exclusive Ravens-themed scratch-off ticket .
This new $5 ticket, with a $1 million instant top prize, goes on sale Monday at
the more than 4,000 Lottery retailers throughout the State. The ticket will
also be sold at Ravens home games throughout the season, beginning August 13th
when the Ravens take on the Washington Redskins during the preseason home
opener at M&T Bank Stadium.
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In addition to the $1 million
instant prize, Ravens Cash Fantasy features an Internet promotion offering
myriad football-themed prizes including season tickets for life, game-day
premium seats, game-worn jerseys, training camp facility passes, an away trip
with the Ravens team, autographed footballs, autographed photographs and more!
“As both the Director of the
Lottery and as an avid football fan, I’m thrilled about this
ticket,” said Buddy Roogow. “Teaming up with the Ravens brings
to fruition a collaboration that I have wanted for a very long time.”
Each Ravens Cash Fantasy scratch-off
features a perforated portion on the lower right hand side of the ticket
labeled “EXTRA YARDS,” which reveals a special 11-digit
alphanumeric code and the number of “EXTRA YARDS” that the
code is worth. This information is entered online at mdlottery.com/ravens along
with the players contact information. Players are guaranteed to get 10 yards
and could get up to 100 yards on their “EXTRA YARDS” ticket
code. Prizes have different “EXTRA YARDS” values and yards may
be accumulated to be entered into the various prize drawings.
Owing to the popularity of the
Ravens, the ticket’s Internet component, as well as the fact that this is
the first time that a $5 scratch-off has a top prize of $1 million, The Ravens
Cash Fantasy ticket is expected to generate net revenue of $3 million for the
State.
We are very pleased that the
Maryland Lottery will be selling a Ravens lottery ticket throughout
Maryland,” Ravens president Dick Cass said. “The Lottery generates
funds that benefit so many people in Maryland, and we are proud to have this
direct association with the Lottery. We will work hard with the Lottery
to make this effort a success.”
The partnership is a new endeavor
for the National Football League following a decades-long, no-gambling policy
that was recently overturned by NFL owners. NFL Commissioner Roger
Goodell said lottery proceeds could generate money for "many important
public purposes." State lotteries across the country have been discussing
NFL opportunities, and new partnerships have recently been formed with the New
England Patriots and Redskins. The NFL agreed to let lotteries across the
country use team logos and marks directly on lottery games.
The Maryland Lottery, which is
experiencing its 12th year of record-breaking sales, is also the 12th-largest
lottery in the country. Revenues from Lottery sales, which were more than
$529 million last fiscal year alone, are deposited into the State's General
Fund and used to support such services and programs as education, public
health, human resources and public safety.
In 2008, the Ravens posted an 11-5
regular season record and advanced to the AFC Championship game, where they
fell to the eventual Super Bowl champions. Led by John Harbaugh, Baltimore
produced 13 total victories, which set an NFL record for most wins by a
first-year head coach (Harbaugh) and rookie quarterback (Joe Flacco).
Baltimore’s stifling defense – ranked No. 2 in the NFL –
set several franchise records, while the Ravens also had five players earn Pro
Bowl honors: LB Ray Lewis, S Ed Reed, ST Brendon Ayanbadejo, LB Terrell Suggs
and FB Le’Ron McClain.
SOURCE: Baltimore Ravens News.
€412,781 Bad Beat Jackpot Won on GTECH G2’s IPN Poker
Network
STOCKHOLM, Sweden August 11, 2009)
-- An International Poker Network (IPN) player may have been surprised and
disappointed when he lost a hand despite having Quad Jacks, However the
disappointment quickly turned to triumph when he realized he had hit the
network’s massive €412,781 Bad Beat Jackpot ($590,000).
“I was so sure my four Jacks
would take the pot. My heart sank when my opponent revealed four Kings to beat
them,” said the winner, known at the poker table as AlkaliEars.
“But then I remembered that by losing with such a great hand I’d
won the Bad Beat jackpot!”
AlkaliEars received €144,473 of
the €412,781 jackpot. The winner of the hand got €72,236 and the
other players at the table each got €24,078. The new Jackpot is already
over €90,000.
“The Bad Beat Jackpot was
created to help ease the frustration of losing even when you’re dealt
great cards,” said Mery Blomqvist, Head of Marketing and PR at GTECH
G2. “With a jackpot requirement starting at Quad 6s, this has got to be
the easiest Bad Beat Jackpot to hit anywhere!”
To qualify for the Bad Beat at IPN
poker rooms, players must be at a designated Bad Beat table and use both pocket
cards in their winning or losing hand. The losing hand must be four-of-a-kind
sixes or better. Four or more players must be dealt into the hand.
The IPN is Europe’s largest
independent Poker Network. It recently celebrated its 3,000,000th player and
dealt its billionth hand last year. The IPN, which includes such popular poker
sites as VirginPoker.com, PokerHeaven.com and the Casino-Club.com poker room,
regularly hosts Guaranteed €1,000,000 tournaments.
GTECH G2 is the igaming division of
lottery industry giant, GTECH. It combines the software development and
customer management expertise of Boss Media, Finsoft, Dynamite Idea and St
Minver andoperates the International Poker Network and International Bingo
Network.
Details of the IPN Bad Beat Jackpot
are available at participating online poker rooms. There is a list of
International Poker Network poker sites at
http://www.ipnpoker.com/ipn_poker_rooms/area-52.html.
About GTECH G2 (www.gtechg2.com)
GTECH G2 brings together —
under one brand — the combined expertise of GTECH and its extensive
lottery insight with leaders in the interactive gaming world providing a
complete gaming portfolio of poker, bingo, casino, sportsbetting, fully managed
services and instant games. The group includes Boss Media (www.bossmedia.com), a
leading innovator in software and systems for Poker, Casino and Bingo
entertainment; Finsoft (www.finsoft.com), a leading provider of enterprise-wide real
time trading solutions for the commercial sports betting industry - both
interactive and retail; St Minver (www.stminverltd.com), a
fully managed service provider of Internet games to media, lifestyle, and other
brands; and Dynamite Idea (www.dynamiteidea.com), a developer of unique, innovative
digital instant and side games. Consolidating combined talent and expertise
into one premiere brand means that GTECH G2 can provide a flexible digital
solution to all customers, large or small, wherever they may be.
For further information CONTACT:
GTECH G2, Mery Blomqvist, Head of Marketing & PR, +46 (0) 8 509 200 02,
Email: mery.blomqvist@gtechg2.com
Elsym Consulting Achieves ISO 9001:2008
Certification
ATLANTA, Georgia (August 11th, 2009)
-- Elsym Consulting, Inc. is pleased to announce that their Quality Management
System has been certified as compliant with the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Assurance
Standard.
“Meeting ever-growing
customer expectations for the highest level of quality is vital to the future
success of companies in any kind of business. “Elsym Consulting,
Inc. has demonstrated their commitment to the continuous improvement of their
management system by successfully achieving certification,” said Mr.
Len Simonis, the company’s CEO and founder.
Elsym Consulting, Inc. chose to work
with EuroQuest and Bureau Veritas Certification as their partners in this
process. Bureau Veritas Certification has helped over 80,000 companies around
the world develop and maintain their management systems, and stresses the need
for continuous improvement as well as their commitment to adding value
throughout the process.
Elsym is dedicated to providing the
highest level of customer service, reaching the peak of technical innovation,
and fulfilling customers' individual requirements with integrity and timely
performance.
About Elsym Consulting,
Inc.
Founded over 20 years ago, Elsym is
the major provider of internal control system software for lottery operations,
with customers in 25 states and 4 countries worldwide. Elsym also provides
management information systems and trading platforms for financial services, as
well as advertising products for the internet.
Contact: Michele Coffsky, Elsym
Consulting, Inc, 770-590-7400 or Email:
michele.coffsky@elsym.com
SC Lottery Transfers Two Billionth Dollar to the Education Lottery
Account
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (August 13,
2009) – Total funds transferred to the Education Lottery Account (ELA) by
the South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL)
since inception exceeded $2 BILLION on August 13, 2009.
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SCEL deposits net proceeds
into the ELA each month. The General Assembly appropriates these funds to
support a wide range of educational initiatives including college scholarships
and grants; kindergarten through 12th-grade reading, science, math, and social
studies instruction; the Endowed Chairs Program; and technology upgrades at
public 4-year and 2-year institutions of higher education.
For detailed information on
where the money goes, visit sceducationlottery.com. The Lottery’s website
includes county-by-county totals for appropriations to scholarships, K-12
education, and county libraries. A detailed breakdown of appropriations made by
the General Assembly from the ELA is available online on the Budget and Control
Board’s website at http://www.budget.sc.gov/OSB-historical.phtm.
In the year that ended June
30, 2009, more than 97 cents of every dollar spent by players on the South
Carolina Education Lottery was returned to the state in the form of
contributions to education, prizes, retailer commissions, and other payments to
South Carolina residents and vendors.
Please contact Julie Huffman,
Beneficiary Communications Coordinator, at
julie.huffman@sclot.com for
additional information.
For More Information CONTACT: Julie
E. Huffman, SCEL Beneficiary Communications Coordinator Office: (803) 737-2696,
Cell: (803) 667-2848, Email:
Julie.huffman@sclot.com.
Independent Lottery Research Delivers A Successful And
Enthusiastically Embraced Research Camp
CHICAGO, Illinois (August 10, 2009)
– The fourth annual Independent Lottery
Research (ILR) Camp focusing on branding was held July 23 and 24 in
Chicago. ILR director Matthew Smith welcomed attendees from an international
group of lotteries and lottery vendors. Campers and speakers were unanimous in
feeling that it was the best ever held.
One camper commented, “RC
went beyond just a look at who plays…to a researched back look at what we
can expect…and most importantly what we need to do to
succeed…” Jay Young, CEO of the D.C. Lottery said, “This
was the best lottery conference I’ve been to.”
During the two-day period, the
Research Camp program was filled with expert speakers covering a wide array of
topics revolving around brand. Topics included the state of the lottery
consumer, why brand is important for lotteries, measuring and strengthening the
health of a lottery brand, the changing media landscape, new technologies, the
impact of social media and integrating brand in all messaging.
Following the dynamic presentation
on new media given by Jeff Minsky for the last two years, speakers David Houle,
Cameron Friedlander and Nichole Goodyear kept the group riveted leading them
all through a cutting edge analysis of what is now available in terms of social
media and new technologies as well what is coming next. Michael Jones, a former
director of the Illinois Lottery, and a director of ILR, commented, “As
the speakers interacted with the attendees with such synergy, the importance of
using new technologies and new media to reach Joe and Jack became evident. Even
more importantly, everybody in the room came to realize that whether
considering a piece of traditional POP or a ‘tweet’, how it looks,
how it’s used, every aspect of what lotteries do…building a great
brand is the most important consideration.”
Eric Madiar, chief legal counsel to
the Illinois Senate President, gave an overview of the process that led to
Illinois decision to privatize the lottery and test the sale of Mega Millions
tickets over the Internet. Copies of his presentation along with all speakers
are available on DVD at www.ilresearch.com/camp.
Over the past four years, Research
Camp has been able to build a reputation as an educational and beneficial
seminar not only for lottery constituents, but for the lottery industry as a
whole. Michael Mello of Gtech said, "I enjoyed the camp and found it both
interesting and informative. I will plan to be a regular attendee at summer
camp!" and Nora Ostrovskaya of JP Morgan Securities said “I really
enjoyed Research Camp. It was one of the best put together lottery events I've
attended."
For more information about ILR or
Research Camp, please visit www.ilresearch.com or call Jessica
Ellington at 312-321-8117.
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