| GTECH Chosen to Provide the Massachusetts Lottery
With New Instant Ticket Vending Machines (ITVMs)
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (April 10, 2007) --
GTECH Corporation, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Lottomatica S.p.A.,
announced that it has been chosen to provide the
Massachusetts Lottery with up to 3,050
Instant Ticket Vending Machines (ITVMs) over a three-year period, commencing in
July of this year. This award is the result of a competitive procurement
process. GTECH expects to receive approximately $17 million to $20
million in revenue from the sale of these machines. “Self service continues to play a major role in our
lottery growth strategy,” said W.
Bruce Turner, GTECH President & CEO and Lottomatica S.p.A. CEO.
“Since completing the acquisition of Interlott in September of 2003, we
have won all stand-alone ITVM bids in the United States. We value the
relationship we have established with the Massachusetts Lottery, one of the
most successful lotteries in the world, and we look forward to continuing to
support their instant ticket sales program with our latest self-service
technology.”
Through its acquisition of
Interlott Technologies, GTECH has been
providing ITVMs to the Massachusetts Lottery since 2001. The majority of the
3,050 ITVMs, which will be a combination of EDS-Q™, GamePoint™, and
CDS machines, will replace machines already in the field with the remainder
being placed in new locations. The 24-bin EDS-Q, or Expandable Dispensing
System Quad Burster, vending machine provides the most reliable dispensing
system combined with the best visual display and the smallest footprint in the
industry. GamePoint, GTECH’s combination instant ticket and online lottery
product vending machine, offers simple push-button instant ticket selections
and one-step, on-screen instructions for online lottery purchases. The CDS, or
Compact Dispensing System, vending machine will enable non-traditional outlets
in Massachusetts, particularly social-space locations, to become more effective
full-service lottery providers. Since the ITVM bid was
submitted in Massachusetts, GTECH has renamed its line of self-service
terminals. The EDS-Q and CDS machines are now the Instant To Go™ 24 and
Instant To Go™ 4, respectively, and the GamePoint machine is now called
Lottery To Go™. The Massachusetts Lottery ranks
first among worldwide lotteries in terms of instants per-capita sales, and
third in instant ticket sales with more than $3.1 billion in instant ticket
sales in 2006. About GTECH (http://www.gtech.com)
GTECH is a leading
gaming technology and services company, providing innovative technology,
creative content, and superior service delivery. Lottomatica is one of
the world’s largest commercial lottery operators and a market leader in
the Italian gaming industry. GTECH and Lottomatica together create a fully
integrated lottery operator and gaming technology solutions provider — a
combined company with worldwide scale, considerable financial strength, and
industry-leading customer solutions. Lottomatica is majority owned by the De
Agostini Group, a century-old publishing, media, and financial services
company. Lottomatica is publicly traded on the Italian Stock Exchange (LTO),
and in 2006, had more than euro 1.6 billion in revenues and 6,000 employees in
over 50 countries when combined with GTECH. CONTACT:
Robert K. Vincent, Public Affairs,
GTECH Corporation, 401-392-7452. SOURCE:
GTECH Corporation. 
Scientific Games and 12 State Lotteries Launch Major League Baseball
Instant Games Games Offer
Cash, Season Tickets, Trips and Other Prizes for 23 Teams
NEW YORK, USA (April 9, 2007) -- Lotteries countrywide are
celebrating their own version of Opening Day, with a starting lineup of 23
major league teams, as 12 state lotteries introduce Major League Baseball (MLB)
themed instant lottery games in partnership with the
MDI Entertainment division of
Scientific Games (Nasdaq: SGMS).
California, for example,
will have separate tickets that will feature each of its five teams. New Jersey
will feature the Yankees, Mets and Phillies on a single ticket. The
Massachusetts Lottery has introduced its second Red Sox game at the highest
price point to date -- $10. The Texas Lottery will have two games; one for the
Houston Astros and one for the Texas Rangers. The Missouri Lottery will do the
same with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals. The Ohio Lottery
will feature in-state rivals the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds on
the same ticket. Some teams are even featuring a Lottery Night, and selling
lottery tickets in their stadiums throughout the season.
"These games exemplify two major trends in lottery
marketing, the use of licensed properties and the adoption -- and popularity --
of non-cash prizes," said Lorne Weil, Chairman and CEO of Scientific Games.
"Major League Baseball has great fans, who will appreciate some of the best
prizes around." The Major League Baseball instant
games will feature prizes like season tickets, special team merchandise not
generally available, road trips, pre- game batting practice, throwing out the
first ball, trips to spring training and many other fan-friendly prizes.
"MLB games are a great way for state lotteries to
attract new players, rejuvenate infrequent or lapsed players, and offer
something new and exciting to regular players," added Steve Saferin,
President of MDI and SG Properties. "These games are also a great way for
lotteries to grow instant ticket profits which benefit great causes like
education, healthcare, and the environment."
The first MLB instant games
in New York and Massachusetts were very successful in 2006. The Red Sox game
was the top-selling $5 instant ticket in the history of Massachusetts, and the
Subway Series Game in New York generated great sales and a lot of buzz as both
New York teams made the playoffs. About
Scientific Games Corporation
Scientific Games Corporation is the
leading integrated supplier of instant tickets, systems and services to
lotteries, a leading supplier of fixed odds betting terminals and systems,
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
http://www.scientificgames.com.
Company Contact: Investor Relations, Scientific
Games Corporation, 212-754-2233 SOURCE: Scientific
Games.
Interim CEO selected for Ontario Lottery and
Gaming TORONTO, Canada (April 5,
2007) -- On behalf of the Ontario Lottery and
Gaming Corporation (OLG) Board of Directors, Chair Mr. Michael Gough today
announced the selection of Michelle DiEmanuele as interim Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) for the corporation. Ms. DiEmanuele
joins OLG on a four month secondment from her position of Deputy Minister of
Government Services, Secretary of Management Board of Cabinet and Associate
Secretary of the Cabinet. She has extensive experience in the provincial
government and in the private sector, having held the offices of Vice President
of Branch and Small Business Banking, Retail Markets/Human Resources for CIBC
and Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development for
Brookfield Properties Ltd. She will begin full-time duties at OLG on April 16,
2007.
Ms. DiEmanuele has spent
her career in the public and private sectors leading large-scale change,
driving service quality enhancements, improving performance and creating
sustainable results through people, process, governance and technology
strategies. In making the announcement, Mr. Gough
said, “Having Ms. DiEmanuele on our Executive Team will not only help
us deliver on the Ontario Ombudsman’s recommendations but will strengthen
our commitment to drive cultural change throughout the corporation.”
He added that “OLG does not have the luxury of appointing a
‘caretaker’ CEO during this search period for a permanent
CEO.” Ms. DiEmanuele said she welcomed the opportunity to join the OLG
Executive team at this critical period. “My track record is one of
driving change to improve accountability and enhance services and here at OLG,
change needs to occur,” said Ms. DiEmanuele. Meanwhile the Board Chair said he expected the process of
selecting a permanent CEO for the corporation would be completed within four
months. OLG is a provincial agency responsible for
province-wide gaming facilities and lottery games. With revenues of $6 billion
and more than 20,000 employees and associates, OLG is one of North
America’s leading gaming enterprises. For further
information: OLG CONTACT: Jim Cronin, (705) 946-6714; Teresa Roncon, (416)
224-7034 SOURCE: Ontario Lottery And Gaming (Media
Relations)
Virginia Lottery Announces “April 15, 2007: The Great
Virginia Millionaire Raffle Rush”
-- Chances of Becoming a Millionaire Are Best
Ever -- Quick Sell-out
Expected RICHMOND, Virginia, USA (April 6,
2007) -- The Virginia Lottery today
announced its first-ever raffle, saying that a quick sell-out of tickets is
expected because the chances of becoming an instant millionaire are the best in
the Lottery’s 19-year history.
Only 330,000 Virginia
Millionaire Raffle tickets will be sold at $20 each. When the winning tickets
are announced and televised statewide on June 14, 2007, three will be worth $1
million cash each; another three tickets will be worth $50,000 each, and there
will be 300 tickets that will each be worth $500. Virginia’s school
children will also win, as the proceeds of all Virginia Lottery games benefit
the public school system, K-12. Last year Virginia schools received a record
$454 million. Although not the first state to hold a
raffle, the first Virginia Millionaire Raffle will offer the fewest tickets for
sale, and that could mean a new record for the fastest sell-out. Most recently,
the Michigan Lottery launched a raffle where six $20 tickets would be drawn
from 600,000 sold, each to be worth $1 million, and that raffle sold out in
only six days. Virginia Lottery spokesperson Jill
Vaughan said today that sales of the Virginia Millionaire Raffle will begin on
April 15, 2007, and end as soon as the 330,000th ticket is sold. “When
you purchase a ticket, you can see how many are left because the tickets are
printed from our computer system in decreasing order,” she said.
Vaughan said that the 1 in 110,000 chances for becoming a millionaire with just
one ticket are the best ever in the Lottery’s history.
To find a local Lottery retailer, players can visit
www.valottery.com and type in their zip
code in the “Find a Retailer” section. Players can also call
Virginia Lottery Communications at (804) 692-7778. SOURCE: Virginia Lottery.
Aristocrat Proudly
Unveils Newest Game Concept In Its Double Standalone Progressive Line: Cashman
Tonight LAS VEGAS, Nevada, USA
(April 4, 2007) – Aristocrat Technologies Inc. announces today the
approval and release of Cashman Tonight™ in all GLI jurisdictions.
Cashman Tonight is an
extension of the popular Mr. Cashman brand and combines new bonus games
featuring Mr. Cashman along with a Double Standalone progressive jackpot.
“Mr. Cashman has always been a hit with players and we’re making
game-play even more exciting by adding two standalone progressive jackpots with
Cashman Tonight.” said Sean Evans, Aristocrat Technologies’ Vice
President of Sales. As a Double
Standalone Progressive, Cashman Tonight features a two-level progressive
jackpot. With the optional 10-credit ante bet, players are eligible to
play the five second-screen features that lead to free credits, free games,
multiplier substitutes and ultimately, the progressive jackpot.
Cashman Tonight is being released on two of
Aristocrat’s top-performing base games, African Dusk and Wild Cougar and
is now available with new pricing options. About Aristocrat Technologies Inc.
Aristocrat Technologies Inc. is a subsidiary of
Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL),
a leading global provider of gaming solutions that consistently outperform the
competition. The Company is licensed by over two hundred regulators and its
products and services are available in over ninety countries around the world.
Aristocrat offers a diverse range of products and services including electronic
gaming machines, interactive video terminal systems, electronic tables, and
casino management systems. For further information visit the company’s
website at www.aristocratgaming.com
SOURCE: Aristocrat Technologies Inc. media release
distributed by Steinbeck Communications. CONTACT: Paul Speirs, P: 702-413-4278,
F: 702-233-3492, E: paulspeirs@cox.net.
Lottery
Transfers Record Amount to Education Fund
CLEVELAND, Ohio (April 05,
2007) -- The Ohio Lottery transferred a
record $72.6 million to the Lottery Profits Education Fund from March
operations. This transfer beats the previous monthly profit transfer record of
$70.4 million, set in December 1998. The Office of Budget and Management
secured the Ohio Lottery’s transfer Friday. The
Mega Millions jackpot sequence, which
ended with the record-setting $390 million jackpot hit March 6 and accompanying
record-breaking sales, played a substantial role in securing the record
transfers. Mega Millions sales contributed about $17 million of the $72.6
million in profits this period. The Ohio Lottery has
a budgeted transfer goal of $637.9 million for Fiscal Year 2007.
To learn more about the Ohio Lottery Commission, its
transfers to the Lottery Profits Education Fund, and the money received by
school districts statewide, please visit www.ohiolottery.com or click here.
SOURCE: Ohio Lottery
$1.3 Million Paid
in Prizes Over Consecutive Friday the 13ths Since Lottery
Start-Up Net Revenues
Support Legislative Lottery Scholarships ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, USA (April 5, 2007) -- While some
people stay in bed on Friday the 13th, other people are out playing lottery
games and claiming big prizes. The New Mexico Lottery announced today that it
has paid $1.3 million in top-tier prizes to 73 players on the 19 consecutive
Friday the 13ths since the lottery’s start-up in 1996. A
top-tier prize is $601 and above. Players must redeem those tickets in
person at lottery headquarters in Albuquerque. Prizes of $600 and less
can be claimed at lottery retailers.
“For quite a few
New Mexicans, Friday the 13th has turned out to be one of the luckiest days of
their lives,” said Lottery CEO Tom Romero. “We’re
looking forward to meeting the players who come in next Friday to redeem
winning tickets.” There are two Friday the
13ths on the 2007 calendar – April 13 and July 13. In 2008, there is
one – June 13. Since 1996, about eight players a
year have come to the lottery’s claim center to redeem winning tickets on
Friday the 13th. Prizes have ranged between $600 and $100,000, with an
$800,000 Powerball prize awarded on Oct. 13 last year.
“When New Mexico plays, New Mexico wins,”
Romero said. “The lottery and all the people who play lottery
games are bringing good fortune to thousands of students who attend college on
Legislative Lottery Scholarships.” All net
revenues from the sale of lottery games benefit the Legislative Lottery
Scholarship program, which provides tuition assistance for New Mexico residents
attending the state’s public colleges and universities.
Since its inception in 1996, the lottery has raised $309
million for public education and school construction in New Mexico. More
than 43,000 students have received Legislative Lottery Scholarships in the last
decade. Information about the Legislative Lottery Scholarships is
available at www.nmlottery.com.
CONTACT: Lottery Communications Office, (505) 342-7616,
(800) 642-6689, ext. 7616, Email: media@nmlottery.com.
New Zealand’s Gaming Future Vibrant and
Relevant AUCKLAND, New Zealand
(April 10, 2007) -- Despite a number of “challenges and
onslaughts”, New Zealand’s gaming industry has a vibrant and
harmonious future, according to industry leaders presenting at the New Zealand
Gaming Expo www.nzgamingexpo.com,
held March 21, 2007. In opening the event, Minister of
Internal Affairs Rick Barker MP noted that the industry “is responsible
for its own future” – a theme expounded in further detail by
Hospitality Association CEO Bruce Robertson. Acknowledging the Minister’s message, Mr Robertson
explained that increasing levels of collaboration and higher overall standards
had already signalled the gaming industry’s willingness to create a
dynamic and relevant industry for the future. The NZ
Gaming Expo Conference heard from a range of highly qualified presenters
including Professor Max Abbott and Dr Philip Townshend, who provided
up-to-the-minute summaries of the latest trends, analysis and observations on
responsible gambling. Memorable, entertaining, and thought-provoking
sessions were provided by famous New Zealanders John Anderson (the founder of
Contiki Holidays), political commentator Gary McCormick, and former Olympic
runner Dick Tayler. “The exhibition results
were very impressive and there was a really great atmosphere for networking and
doing business,” remarked one exhibitor. “A wide
range of gaming equipment was on show and there was something of interest for
everyone” said a visitor. As organiser of the
NZ Gaming Expo, AGMMA indicated that it was another successful trade display
and conference. “Visitor numbers were
up 40% over last year and the venue at SKYCITY Auckland was particularly
suitable for this type of event,” said AGMMA’s Executive Officer,
Mr Ross Ferrar.
“Exhibitors and
delegates alike gave very positive responses and are very keen to participate
again next year.” Next year’s New
Zealand Gaming Expo is tentatively scheduled for March 4-5, 2008 at SKYCITY
Auckland Convention Centre. About
AGMMA (www.agmma.com)
AGMMA is a not-for-profit industry association
representing the interests of its members, which provide technology and
equipment to hospitality venues in over 250 jurisdictions around the world.
AGMMA’s members are Ainsworth Game Technology,
Aristocrat Technologies, Aruze Gaming Australia, Global Gaming Industries, IGT
(Australia), Konami Australia, and Stargames Corporation.
AGMMA hosts and operates the Australasian Gaming Expo and
the New Zealand Gaming Expo. For further information contact AGMMA’s
Executive Office at info@agmma.com
CONTACT: Ross Ferrar, Executive Officer, AGMMA, Phone: +61
2 9960 0125, Fax: +61 2 9960 0124, Email: info@agmma.com SOURCE: AGMMA
Lottery Teams Up With Milwaukee
Brewers™ New scratch
game, special events are your “ticket to fun!”
MADISON, Wisconsin, USA (April 10, 2007) -- GET UP! GET
OUT! (and go buy one before they’re) GONE!!
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Baseball season is
officially underway and the Wisconsin
Lottery’s new Milwaukee Brewers™ instant scratch game is in full
swing. The new $5 game hits all the bases: 16 different chances to win on each
ticket; a top cash prize of $16,000; great Brewers™ merchandise prize
packs; and special “dream” prizes, like four opening day seats for
life, and expenses-paid trips. “Our players
tell us they love games with Wisconsin themes and unique prizes, and our
venture with the Brewers™ certainly delivers,” said
Mike Edmonds, Wisconsin Lottery
Director. “We’ve got a fun scratch game out there now and a season
full of fun just ahead.” The Milwaukee
Brewers™ scratch game is easy to play. A simple number match earns a piece
of the game’s $2.7 million in cash prizes. Scratch and reveal a
“cap” symbol and instantly win a Brewers™ merchandise
prize pack that includes authentic Brewers™ apparel, a Brewers™
Cooperstown Collection™ Vintage Logo T-shirt and cap, and a rolling cooler
bag. Get a “HOME RUN” symbol and instantly win one of four dream
prizes:
- A Spring Training™ trip for
two to Arizona;
- Four Opening Day tickets for
life;
- A trip for two to the
Brewers™ Fantasy Camp in Phoenix; or
- A trip for two to the 2008
MLB™ All-Star Game®.
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“We’re
thrilled to be able to offer our players a game featuring such great prizes and
one of the nation’s great sports franchises,” Edmonds said.
“To be involved with the Milwaukee Brewers™ organization--this
season in particular--is exciting.” As the
Brewers™ celebrate the 25th anniversary of the team’s last World
Series™ appearance, the Lottery will be involved every step of the way.
The Milwaukee Brewers™ scratch game is on sale now. Once the season begins
Brewers™ fans will play “guess the attendance” with the Lottery
at every home game, while outside Miller Park™ on every “Retro
Friday” the Lottery will be selling scratch games and holding prize
drawings. Throughout the summer there will be drawings
and contests at a variety of other venues for Brewers™ game tickets and
merchandise, entrée into a special Lottery Tailgate Party, a night of
baseball, food, and soda for twelve in a Miller Park™ luxury suite, and
more. This summer the Wisconsin Lottery and the
Brewers™ truly are your ticket to fun. Licensing
rights obtained from Scientific Games International, Inc.
Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used
with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. .MLB.com MDI/MLBP
2007 SOURCE: Wisconsin Lottery.
Lottery Revamps
Web Site MONTRÉAL, Quebec,
Canada (April 10, 2007) -- Totally revamped and full of enhancements, the new
site design makes it easier for users to browse for information and get the
answers to the questions most frequently asked about
Loto-Québec and its subsidiaries.
Sporting a new format, the home page includes a headline entitled "Where do
Loto-Québec's earnings go?" plus another reporting on the company's
responsible gaming initiatives. There's also a section highlighting
Loto-Québec's social, financial and environmental contributions.
The "Draw Results" and subsidiaries' links remain in their usual
position in the title bar. There's more: the
newsletter.
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Making its own debut is the
What's New at Loto-Québec newsletter. Published eight to ten times a
year, it will inform subscribers about company issues relating to
Loto-Québec's operations. Subscribe for free! The site boasts many new features, including a multimedia
gallery, a calendar of events sponsored by Loto-Québec and a section
called: "Setting the Record Straight," in which inaccurate, incomplete
or out-of-context information published in the media and on the Web is exposed
and explained. A number of technological
improvements have also been made to the site. For instance, RSS feeds are now
available for high-traffic pages, allowing subscribers to receive
Loto-Québec news and content updates automatically. The symbol ,
located at the top of the page, will provide a list of available RSS feeds. A
more powerful search tool and text size options are among the many other new
functions users will be able to enjoy. Comments? Suggestions? Write to us at
service_clientele@loto-quebec.com.
With over 1.2 million hits a month, lotoquebec.com is one
of the busiest Web sites in Québec. Check it
out today! For Information CONTACT: Jacques Picard,
Communications and Public Relations, 514 499-5171. SOURCE: Loto Quebec.
Pollard Banknote
Adds It’s A Wonderful Life To Licensed Properties
Portfolio WINNIPEG, Canada (April
11, 2007) -- Lotteries looking to inspire their players and retailers can turn
to Pollard Banknote and one of the most
beloved films of all time. The firm can now offer
instant games in the United States and Canada based on It’s A Wonderful
Life, a generation-spanning, gather-round-the-television tradition for millions
every holiday season. “It’s A Wonderful
Life has been a sentimental favorite for decades, a film we all watch over the
holidays,” said Sina Aiello, Director, Licensed Products, Pollard
Banknote. “Enduring charm, a broad audience, and life-affirming
messages make it the perfect property for a holiday-season launch.”
Pollard Banknote has acquired from Paramount
Licensing the rights to use elements from the film and associated trademarks.
The firm has separately acquired from the Estates of Jimmy Stewart and Donna
Reed the rights to use the likenesses of the film’s two memorable
leads. “With so many classic moments and
unforgettable characters, the film inspires a lot of creative options for
instant ticket designs, such as a multi-scene game,” said Aiello.
Along with its place in popular culture, It’s A
Wonderful Life occupies a lofty position in the canon of American cinema. The
film garnered five Academy Award® nominations, including Best Picture and
Best Actor (Jimmy Stewart). It ranks #11 on the American Film Institute’s
list of Greatest American Movies of All Time and is also on TIME
Magazine’s list of the 100 best films. The United States National Film
Preservation Board has selected the film for preservation.
Pollard Banknote offers a turnkey solution for licensed
games, including ticket design and manufacturing, prize structure consultation,
merchandise selection and fulfillment, publicity and promotional opportunities,
and second chance draw process management (including all customer service,
Internet marketing, and post-game analysis).
About Pollard
Banknote Limited Partnership (www.pollardbanknote.com)
Pollard Banknote Limited Partnership (“Pollard
Banknote”) is one of the world’s leading full-service lottery vendors
and is a major supplier to North America’s charitable gaming industry. The
firm manufactures instant tickets and provides related programming, design, and
marketing support. As well, Pollard Banknote manufactures ticket vending
machines, pull tab tickets and bingo paper, and supplies lottery management
services (including warehousing and distribution). Established in 1907, the
firm is owned by the Pollard family and the Pollard Banknote Income Fund and
currently serves more than 45 lotteries worldwide, including some of the
largest and most respected lotteries in the United States, Canada, Europe,
Asia, and Central and South America. About
Pollard Banknote Income Fund Pollard Banknote
Income Fund (TSX: PBL.UN) is an unincorporated, open-end trust which owns 26.7%
of Pollard Holdings Limited Partnership, which in turn owns Pollard Banknote
Limited Partnership. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gordon Pollard (gpollard@pbl.ca) or John
Pollard (jpollard@pbl.ca) Co-Chief
Executive Officers, Phone: (204) 474-2323. FOR MORE
INFORMATION REGARDING PARAMOUNT LICENSING: Please contact Larry McCallister
(323) 956-5184 or larry_mccallister@paramount.com
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