| Pollard Banknote Awarded Instant Ticket Extension
With The Minnesota State Lottery YPSILANTI, Michigan (January 29, 2009) --
Pollard Banknote has been awarded a
one-year contract extension to supply instant lottery tickets and related
services to the Minnesota State Lottery
(“Minnesota Lottery”). A renewal of the original contract signed
in 2007, this extension will run from February 2009 through February 2010 and
is valued at approximately $2 million (US). The
Minnesota Lottery experienced record-breaking, double-digit growth of 14.3%
over the past year, from $260.8 million in fiscal year 2007 to $298 million in
fiscal year 2008. The Lottery continues to be one of the fastest growing
lotteries in North America with sales growing an additional 25% thus far in
fiscal year 2009.
This increase has been
almost entirely due to the Lottery’s introduction of the $20 category
— exclusively provided by Pollard Banknote. Employing Pollard
Banknote’s patented Scratch FX™ process, these premium games
currently represent over 20% of the Minnesota Lottery’s instant sales,
exceeding the combined sales of the $1 and $2 categories. Even more remarkable
is the fact that sales have already surpassed the $10 category as well and have
been entirely incremental. “The Minnesota
Lottery has been a great partner,” said Gordon Pollard, Co-Chief
Executive Officer, Pollard Banknote. “It has been a truly exciting year
for the Lottery with the launch of its $20 price point and games such as
$500,000 Explosion and $500,000 Extravaganza. This contract extension allows us
to continue offering the Minnesota Lottery an array of innovative products
aimed at generating more record breaking sales results.”
“The addition of Pollard Banknote’s unique
products and services has helped us achieve record sales,” added Clint
Harris, Director, Minnesota State Lottery. “We are very happy with the
results of our $20 Scratch category and look forward to continue working with
Pollard Banknote to enhance the value of our future Scratch
offerings.” Since its founding in 1990, the
Minnesota Lottery has allocated over $1.5 billion to State programs. In fiscal
year 2008, the Lottery exceeded its proceeds goal by almost $5 million and
transferred over $116 million to subsidize projects supported by various
State-sanctioned funds, including the General Fund, the Environment &
Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Game and Fish Fund, and the Natural Resources
Fund. About Pollard Banknote Limited
Partnership 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, web site: www.pollardbanknote.com.
Rwanda Chooses
SMARTPLAY to Supply the Draw Machine for Their New
Lottery
EDGEWATER PARK, New Jersey
(January 29, 2009) – Tilia Games and Lotto Rwanda’s joint venture into
on-line gaming envisions creating a world-class, responsible gaming
experience. It gives locals an opportunity to achieve their dreams, while
supporting government programs with the proceeds.
Smartplay International has supplied a
Saturn draw machine, in the Rwandan national colors of orange and green, for
the games. The Saturn was delivered in December, prior to the scheduled first
drawing in 2009. Game tickets are sold via
handsets, over 300 of which are distributed around Rwanda for easy access.
After conducting an aggressive public awareness campaign, sales were expected
to be high.
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A January 13, 2009 article
in Rwanda’s ‘The New Times’ indicated ticket sales
estimated at about 25,000 sold per week. The lottery is conducted on a weekly
basis, and gives away a minimum of US $55,555 cash and other prizes.
Funds raised by Lotto Rwanda’s sales go to assist the
government in the development of sports, culture and entertainment
ventures. Established in 1993, Smartplay is dedicated
to the creative design, development and manufacture of lottery drawing
equipment. Over the years our product line has evolved in response to our
clients’ needs by incorporating the latest technology. We have maintained our position as the international leader
in the area of lottery drawing machines and custom game show equipment. Our products are consistently chosen above other
manufacturers due to our reputation for quality and reliability and we are
proud to be the choice of the world’s most prestigious lotteries.
SOURCE: Focus Media distributed by All Africa Global Media
Services, The New Times, Smartplay International, Inc., Edgewater Park NJ,
USA CONTACT: Mariana Burachok, Marketing +1 609 880
1860, Email: mariana@smartplay.com
Lottery Sales and Profits Increase; Dividend
Transfers However Fall Below State's Expectations
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (January 23 2009) --
The Kentucky Lottery Corporation’s
(KLC’s) board of directors learned today lottery sales and profits for
the first half of the fiscal year (July – December) have increased over
the previous year, but profits are below budget and those expected by the
Commonwealth. Management indicated these trends are anticipated to continue
through the balance of the fiscal year and projected dividend transfers
expected by the Commonwealth may be less than budgeted.
VP of Finance Rick Kelley
advised the board that the first half of the fiscal year’s total sales
were $396.2 million (including $18.2 million in free tickets). This was $16.9
million more than the previous year and $4.1 million more than budgeted. Income
before transfer of dividends was $97.3 million, which was $3.4 million more
than the previous year but $4.8 million less than budgeted.
The KLC’s Sr. Vice President of Finance and
Administration Howard Kline presented the projected FY ‘09 results to the
board. These were based on the Corporation’s performance during the first
six months and adjusted expectations for the second half of the year (January
– June). Sales for FY ’09 are projected to be between $800 million
and $808 million (including $48.9 million in free tickets), surpassing last
year’s sales of $778 million by between $22-30 million.
Kline said, depending on actual results, this will allow
the KLC to transfer between $200 and $202 million in dividends to the
Commonwealth, which would be the second-largest amount ever turned over to the
state. This number is between $8 and $10 million more than the $192.1 million
in dividends paid during the last fiscal year. KLC
President and CEO Arch Gleason told
the board that, while sales and profits are projected to increase over the
previous fiscal year, dividend transfers will likely fall short of budgeted
amounts. Based on projected results, the dividend transfers could be $5.5
million to $7.5 million below what the Commonwealth expects. The proceeds
numbers represent 26.6% of sales, which is slightly less than the 28% return of
sales mandated last year by the General Assembly, but exceeds the 24.7% of
sales returned to the state last year by the KLC. Gleason pointed to several factors which are affecting the
profitability of the KLC during the fiscal year. These included:
- Online game sales are projected
to be $11.8 million less than budget, primarily attributed to a $7.5 million
decrease in expected Powerball sales. Gleason noted Powerball is the KLC’s
most profitable product.
- Pick 3 game prize expense is
projected to be $2.8 million over the budgeted amount. This result is
attributable to players having better than expected luck, Gleason said. The
game finished the first half of the year paying 64.5% of sales in prizes, while
statistically it should pay 60% in prizes. It is projected to pay 62.3% of
sales in prizes for the year.
- Instant ticket prize expense is
projected to be 66.9% of sales rather than 65.5% budgeted for an increase of
$6.3 million (1.4%).
Gleason stressed to the board
that operating expenses continue to be reduced, even in light of higher sales.
Operating expenses are expected to be $33.4 million (or 4.4% of sales), which
is $600,000 less than what was budgeted and $3.9 million less than the previous
year. “The decline in online game sales is
consistent across the U.S. industry,” said Gleason.
“We’re continuing to make changes to our scratch-off tickets to
meet the budget mandate set forth by the General Assembly, but it’s a
little like trying to change the tire on a car going 60 miles per hour. It will
take us a little bit of time to get there while continuing to provide games
that appeal to our customers.”
“A few good
Powerball runs during the rest of the fiscal year could improve the
profitability picture for us,” Gleason said. He added that recent
changes made to the game will hopefully lead to bigger jackpots which will grow
faster to spur sales. “The bottom line is
that we’re still growing sales and profits for the Commonwealth during
tough economic times, which is crucial given the young people around our state
who depend on the college scholarships and grants paid for by our
proceeds,” he said. In other action, the
board approved:
- Renewing a contract with Go
Plastics for retail play centers
- Renewing a lease with Ershig
Properties for the Madisonville regional office
- Amending the contract with Gaming
Labs International (GLI) to perform additional random number generator
testing
The next meeting of the
KLC’s board of directors will be March 20th. The meeting will begin at
9:30 AM EST, and will be held at the KLC headquarters at 1011 West Main Street
in Louisville. Committee meetings will begin at 8:30 AM EST.
SOURCE: Kentucky Lottery Corp.
Lotto
Celebrates 20th Birthday DENVER,
Colorado (January 23, 2009) – The
Colorado Lottery’s first jackpot game is turning 20. Launched on
January 24, 1989, Lotto has turned more than 368 people into millionaires and
returned more than $572.3 million to the state of Colorado.
“We consider it quite an achievement that after
two decades, Lotto continues to have a loyal following who consider it
‘Colorado’s game,’” said Lottery Director
Jack Boehm. “We’re proud
that it has lasted so long and contributed so much to Colorado.”
To thank loyal Lotto
players, the Lottery will be holding a drawing to give 20 players $100 worth of
Lotto tickets. Details on the drawing can be found at
www.coloradolottery.com.
Lotto made its debut with a five-city celebration in
Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Fort Collins and Grand Junction. First day
sales totaled $218,199, while sales for the first week were $913,390. The game
proved so popular, a second drawing was added in July 1990. And, after 20
years, Lotto sales still remain strong. Today, Lotto sales average more than
$800,000 per week. And sales for the game are currently tracking $1.2 million
ahead of last fiscal year, when Lotto posted sales of $41.1 million – the
best performance since fiscal year 2003. Through the
years, Lotto has grown and evolved to meet the needs of its players. A Quick
Pick option – which most players opt for today – was introduced in
March 1989. In July 1994, the Cash Value option was launched, giving players
the choice of taking the jackpot prize as a 25-year progressive annuity, or in
a lump sum equal to 40 percent of the estimated annuitized jackpot.
Proceeds from Lotto and the Colorado Lottery’s other
games – Powerball, Cash 5 and Scratch – stay in Colorado to improve
the quality of life in the state. Through Great Outdoors Colorado, the
Conservation Trust Fund and Colorado State Parks, the Lottery has provided
funding for building new trails, preserving open space, building recreation
CONTACT: Kristen Shew, Phone 303.759.6846, Cell 720-280-2456, Email:
kristen.shew@lottery.state.co.us LOTTO
TRIVIA
- Lotto sales began January 24,
1989.
- The first drawing was held
January 28, 1989.
- The first jackpot was won on
April 22, 1989.
- A second weekly drawing was
introduced July 18, 1990.
- On September 18, 1991, the
Lottery conducted its 200th Lotto drawing.
- On March 25, 1992, the Lottery
awarded the largest Lotto jackpot in Colorado history to Kim Walker of Boulder.
Walker won $27 million and became the 100th Lotto millionaire.
- The average jackpot for 2008 was
$4.6 million.
- The highest tickets-per-minute
figure was in excess of 10,000 a minute, registered during the evening of
Wednesday, March 25, 1992. The Lottery’s system can sell up to 40,000
tickets per minute.
- Denver has the largest number of
Lotto winner at 63. Colorado Springs ranks second with 25.
- Three Lotto winners were Wyoming
residents.
SOURCE: Colorado Lottery.
Aristocrat Wins Contract to Install Its Oasis
360™ System at Seven Choctaw Casinos in Oklahoma
Contract Signifies Strategic Alliance With The
Choctaw Nation Covering More Than 6,700 Devices; Players To Benefit From One
Linked System LAS VEGAS, Nevada (January 26,
2009) -- In a move that will greatly benefit its casino customers, the Choctaw
Nation of Oklahoma has chosen Aristocrat Technologies' Oasis 360™ system
for seven of its casino properties in Oklahoma. The contract represents a
strategic partnership for Aristocrat within the state of Oklahoma. When
completed, Oasis 360 will be installed on more than 6,700 gaming devices across
the Choctaw Nation enterprises, which are a mix of Class II and Class III
devices.
Aristocrat will be
installing Oasis 360 casino-by-casino beginning in March and expect to be
completed with the last installation prior to the end of 2009. The first
installation will take place at the new Choctaw Casino Stringtown in
Stringtown, Okla. After all Oasis 360 installations are completed, Aristocrat
will install its OneCard™ system, which will allow players to play for
points and redeem across the entire Choctaw enterprise.
In addition, Aristocrat will also assist Choctaw Casinos
in the development and launching of individual players clubs at each Choctaw
location. Speaking for Choctaw Casinos, Executive
Director Janie Dillard said, "Our old system had several obstacles that kept us
from providing the level of customer services that we envisioned and planned
for. After reviewing all of the systems options available to us, we believe we
have found the answers we were looking for and a great partner for our
properties in the Oasis 360 solution." Aristocrat
President Nick Khin said, "We are thrilled that Aristocrat and Oasis 360
were chosen as the new systems partner by the Choctaw Nation. We are confident
that the new Oasis 360 solution from Aristocrat is the perfect fit for the
Choctaw Nation. Oasis 360 will provide each property within the Choctaw
enterprise the freedom to create multiple customer programs, the flexibility to
customize promotions for individual property needs, and the strength to
incorporate enterprise wide marketing campaigns in the future. We are excited
and honored that the Choctaw Nation has chosen to 'Step into the Circle' of
Oasis 360 operator partners."
The new Choctaw Oasis 360
system will be powered by Aristocrat's Sentinel™ III hardware, and will
give the enterprise myriad marketing and promotional tools, enabling them to
maintain a competitive edge. Oasis 360 tools include SpeedMedia™,
SuperPlaymate™, Personal Banker™, Marketing Manager™, Bonus
Points™, Total Promo™, Games Direct™ for Kiosk and
OneCard™. Beyond marketing, Oasis 360 will
benefit Choctaw Casinos with exclusive features for reliable accounting and
reporting through the BlackBart® module along with business intelligence,
customer relationship management and operations, including WAGER™,
HostVIP™, PitBoss™, Quickets™, OmniView™, Diagnostic
Monitor™ and Surveillance Monitor™. About Aristocrat Technologies Inc.
Aristocrat Technologies Inc. is a subsidiary of
Aristocrat Leisure Limited, 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.
CONTACT: Paul Speirs, Steinbeck Communications, (702)
413-4278, Email: paulspeirs@cox.net
SOURCE: Aristocrat Technologies Inc. Web site:
http://www.aristocratgaming.com/
California Lottery Hits Jackpot With Lighthouse
Technologies New Version
of the California Lottery's Popular "The Big Spin" Game Show Features a
Lighthouse LED Video Display IRVINE,
California (January 27, 2009) -- The
California Lottery's newest TV game show, "Make Me a Millionaire," includes
a brand new state-of-the-art production that prominently features a 33 feet
wide by 12 feet high LED video display from Lighthouse Technologies Limited.
The leading LED technology provider partnered with Background Images, Inc. to
install the display, which opens and closes and provides onstage graphics and
entertainment for the game show - an updated version of the CA Lottery's
popular show "The Big Spin."
"Officials at the
California Lottery made it clear they wanted a large display that could open
and close and change the look of the set with a variety of graphics," said
Alan Barber, vice president of Background Images, Inc. "Lighthouse
Technologies' R6-B 6mm LED video panel was the clear choice due to its
durability, the clarity of the display and how well it functioned on set."
The 128 Lighthouse R6-B 6mm black LED indoor panels
that comprise the display utilize the revolutionary black LED technology and
are Gen-Lock and built flicker free for broadcast - providing a crisp, clear
picture that transmits across the airwaves without losing clarity. The panels
also feature a resolution of 22,500 pixel/m2, a contrast ratio of 3800:1 and a
brightness of 2,000 nits. "The California Lottery
follows CBS Sports, CBS News and BET Networks installations as the latest
high-profile television show to utilize Lighthouse's LED video displays -
reinforcing that when it comes to displays built to broadcast standards,
Lighthouse Technologies is second to none," said Joe Lapchick, senior sales
manager, Eastern region, Lighthouse Technologies. "We are very happy to add
another win with our partners at Background Images, who have helped Lighthouse
establish a strong presence for itself in the U.S."
Lighthouse Technologies Limited is a global leader in LED
display technology that develops, manufactures, and markets LED video display
solutions for multiple indoor & outdoor applications, media and
entertainment events, and sports arenas across the globe. With numerous
technological breakthroughs to its name, Lighthouse has established itself as a
multi award-winning leader in the LED display industry that holds itself to the
highest standards of quality.
Founded in 1998 as a member
of the Gold Peak Group, Hong Kong-based Lighthouse has a strong global presence
with regional offices in Europe, North and South America, the Asia Pacific and
China. Employing the most advanced technology, the highest quality
manufacturing facilities, and world-class, round-the-clock technical support,
Lighthouse satisfies customers on every major continent, captivating the
imagination of millions. For more information about Lighthouse, please visit
http://www.lighthouse-tech.com.
Background Images is the premier rental company for all
video display needs, from micro projectors for dashboard displays to gigantic
backgrounds for outdoor stage events - and everything in between. Background
Images is the only company to have union operators for both LED and Video Wall
displays whether for Projection, LED, Video Wall, or Plasma Screens. Give
Background Images a call and let the friendly, experienced staff help make your
project shine. SOURCE: Lighthouse Technologies
Limited. Education Lottery Rolling Out New Monopoly
Game Three New Instant
Scratch-off Games Headed to Stores RALEIGH,
North Carolina (January 26, 2009) -- Do not pass go. Go directly to your local
North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL)
retailer if you want a chance to play the new instant scratch-off game Monopoly
or the other two new instant games being introduced this week by the NCEL.
Monopoly, Pot of Gold and Wild Money Slots will be in stores starting Tuesday,
Jan. 27.
In Monopoly, players
scratch each roll, reveal one of the well-known Monopoly properties and get a
chance to win a prize on the new $3 instant scratch-off game. Not only will
many adults experience some nostalgia with this game, but there are over $9.5
million total prizes in the game including 10 top prizes of $50,000. There are
also over 300,000 prizes between $10 and $5,000. Pot
of Gold is a $2 game with over $4.5 million in prizes including eight top
prizes of $25,000. It also has tens of thousands of prizes between $10 and
$1,000. Players who scratch and reveal a horseshoe symbol win all ten prizes
shown on the ticket! Wild Money Slots is a $1 game
with ten top prizes of $3,000. It also features more than 109,000 prizes
between $10 and $500. Players who reveal two matching prize amounts along with
a “wild” symbol win triple the prize shown.
SOURCE: NCEL. CONTACT: Pamela Walker, Phone: (919)
301-3308.
Education Lottery Fund Tally Grows to Over $918
Million!
RALEIGH, North Carolina
(January 27, 2009) -- Today, the North
Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) made its second quarter transfer for
Fiscal Year 2008-09 to the State Education Lottery Fund. More than
$93.5 million was transferred
for sales in October through December. This transfer brings
the tally to date to more than
$918.7 million since the NCEL was started in March 2006.
“We are thrilled that
we are able to make another substantial transfer to the State
Education Lottery Fund,” said
Tom Shaheen, NCEL executive director.
“Our daily mission at the lottery is to maximize sales and raise as
much money for education as we possibly can. We appreciate the support of
players and lottery retailers throughout North Carolina who help us with that
mission.” The NCEL
made the electronic transfer to the Office of State Budget and Management
(OSBM) to be disbursed to these
beneficiary programs: More at Four; class size reduction; school construction;
and need-based college scholarships. The Department of Public Instruction will
manage the distribution of the funds for all the beneficiary programs except
the college scholarships, which will be handled by the North Carolina State
Education Assistance Authority.
For detailed information on
where the money goes, the NCEL’s 2007-08 beneficiary brochure is available
online at nc-educationlottery.org. The brochure includes county-by county
totals for each of the four programs. The data is through June 30, 2008 and
does not include
today’s transfer. Since inception (March 30, 2006) through Dec. 31,
2008, the NCEL has surpassed
$2.7 billion total gross sales.
Over 95 cents of every dollar is returned to North Carolina in the form of
beneficiary programs, prizes and retailer commissions.
SOURCE: North Carolina
Education Lottery (NCEL).
“Make Me a
Millionaire” is California Lottery’s New TV Show
SACRAMENTO, California (January
24, 2009) -- Last week the California
Lottery rolled out the newest big-money game show to hit the airwaves
– “Make Me a Millionaire.” On
this week’s episode, more than $136,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to
12 contestants. It’s estimated that the cash and awards given away on the
California Lottery’s new TV show will surpass any other game show on the
planet.
With new games and more
prizes, “Make Me a Millionaire” is just one of the exciting
changes at the Lottery. The Lottery has a new logo and CVS stores are now part
of the expanded network of more than 20,500 retailers. Contestants came from across the state and from all walks of
life to be part of the new show. “I’ve been on TV many
times,” contestant Paul VanCantfort said. “But this is quite
something.” Other contestants included
nursing student Steven Michaels from Glendale and Jose Hernandez from Oxnard.
Michaels walked away with $50,000. Hernandez said he can use his new car at
school. With the progressive jackpot increasing $200,000 each week, next
week’s contestants will have a chance to win $1.4 million.
For more information about the new show, visit
www.calottery.com. For high resolution photos, please contact (916) 324-9639 or
e-mail newsroom@calottery.com.
More than 95 cents of every Lottery dollar is returned to
the community in the form of contributions to education, prizes and retail
commissions. The California Lottery contributes at least 34 cents of every
dollar that players spend on Lottery products to public education and returns
more than 50 percent of sales to players in the form of prizes. Since its
inception in 1985, the Lottery has contributed nearly $21 billion to California
schools out of total sales of more than $56 billion. Retailers benefit too,
earning $3.6 billion in compensation since 1985. SOURCE: California Lottery. 
Montana Lottery and RocketBux Use Mobile Phone
Technology to Send Winning Numbers to Players
BEND, Oregon (January 27, 2009) -- Until recently, lottery
players have had to resort to the morning paper, websites or a newscast to
check the winning Powerball and other "draw game" numbers. Now, using a
free and innovative approach, players can have the winning numbers
automatically sent via text message to their mobile phone after each
drawing.
Using text message
technology from RocketBux, Montana Lottery
has brought this new element to playing. Players can sign up by texting the
word "win" to the number 20123. "Every player
obviously wants to know the results of the draw as soon as possible," says
Fred Boos, President of RocketBux. "We provide a fast and easy way to get
the lottery numbers." "We continually strive to
provide more fun and excitement to our games while giving our players the
information they need," says Jeri Duran, Montana Lottery's Director of
Sales and Marketing. Terms of the agreement were not
announced. In addition to the Montana Lottery, RocketBux provides mobile
solutions for many retailers, resorts, technology companies, mileage programs
and card issuers. About Montana Lottery
The Montana Lottery was created by referendum in 1986. In
the past 22 years it has paid out over $332 million to players in prizes and
returned more than $152 million to the State of Montana.
About RocketBux RocketBux,
Inc. provides technology that enables merchants and customers to interact. The
company's mobile technology is used in more than a dozen diverse industries.
The company is based in Bend, Oregon with offices in Palo Alto, CA, Richmond,
VA and Eugene, OR. For more information, go to
www.rocketbux.com or call
541-408-0203. SOURCE: RocketBux. 
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