• GTECH Signs Three-Year Extension With Minnesota State Lottery To Provide Additional Self-Service Products, Multimedia Technology. Full Story
• INTRALOT Announces 2008 Full Year Results. Full Story
• China Sports Lottery Officials Visit Georgia Lottery. Full Story
• EMI Music and Pollard Banknote to Launch Music Lottery Ticket Program Worldwide. Full Story
• Iowa Lottery Keeps Super Sampler, Save On Some Powerball and Hot Lotto Purchases With Super Sampler. Full Story
• Six Sigma Quality Improvement Ideology. Full Story
• Connecticut Lottery Launches Lucky-4-Life; First New Draw Game in Over a Decade. Full Story
• Lottery Teams Up with Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation on Scratchers® Ticket. Full Story
• Svenska Spel To Receive 1,440 New Winwave Vu™ Video Lottery Terminals From Spielo. Full Story
• Lottery Achieves Industry Quality Assurance Best Practices Verifications. Full Story

GTECH Signs Three-Year Extension With Minnesota State Lottery To Provide Additional Self-Service Products, Multimedia Technology

ROME (Italy), PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (US) (March 30, 2009) - GTECH Corporation announced that it has signed a three-year contract extension to continue providing online lottery technology, as well as additional self-service and multimedia products, for the Minnesota State Lottery.  GTECH has been the online lottery services provider to the Minnesota State Lottery since 2002.  With respect to this contract extension, GTECH expects to receive more than $25 million in revenues commencing in February 2013.

GTECH President and CEO Jaymin B. Patel

“GTECH is committed to supporting the growth of our customers. We are pleased that the Minnesota State Lottery has chosen to continue our partnership, allowing us to assist them in their future growth,” said GTECH President and CEO Jaymin B. Patel.  “With this extension, we will work closely with the Minnesota State Lottery in applying industry-wide best practices to increase lottery sales, and provide additional convenience for their players and retailers through new self-service products, as well as through the rollout of new electronic point-of-sale advertising displays.” “We believe that our continued success in obtaining contract extensions demonstrates the high level of customer satisfaction we provide to all of our customers,” continued Mr. Patel.

“This contract extension provides additional equipment that will help us to grow sales and offers substantial cost savings over the life of the contract,” said Minnesota State Lottery Executive Director Clint Harris. “We look forward to continuing the strong relationship that we have developed with GTECH since 2002.” 

Under the extension, GTECH will install its ES MultiMedia player messaging and transition display technology with 1,750 monitors that will allow the Minnesota State Lottery to manage, distribute, and display multimedia content such as games, advertising, and messaging through a single point of control. The Company will also install approximately 500 of GTECH’s Ticket-Scan™ self-service ticket checkers allowing players secure access when identifying winning tickets in addition to the amount won.

GTECH will continue operating from a data center in Minneapolis-St. Paul, and provide ongoing services to the Minnesota State Lottery, including the operation and maintenance of the online central system, lottery terminals, and communications network; instant ticket vending machine maintenance; field service; marketing support; hotline operations; and retailer training.

For further information:

SOURCE: Lottomatica S.p.A.

INTRALOT Announces 2008 Full Year Results

Increased Turnover Reaching €1.1 Billion

EBITDA of €218.5 Million & Dividend of €0.22 Per Share

ATHENS, Greece (March 30, 2009) -- INTRALOT S.A., the leading international gaming company, announces today its financial results for the twelve-month period ending December 31st, 2008, prepared in accordance with IFRS.

More precisely, consolidated results of FY08 are as follows:

Consolidated Revenues for the period reached €1,077.3m, posting a 28.9% increase, compared to 2007. Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization) was shaped at €218.5m. Reported EBITDA reached €192.7m. Adjusted EBT (Earnings before taxes) reached €191.7m, while reported EBT was shaped at €145.5m. Adjusted EAT-am (Earnings After Taxes and after minorities) was shaped at €90.9m, while reported EAT-am at €50.1m. The cash balance reached €305.4m in FY08, while bank dept plus the convertible bond reached €507.2m (€44.3m short-term and €462.9m long-term), shaping net dept at €201.8m.

Revenues for the parent company were increased by 12.5% to €198.1m in 2008, EBITDA was shaped at €27.7m and Earnings After Taxes (EAT) reached €18.6m.

INTRALOT’s CEO, Constantinos Antonopoulos

Commenting on FY08 results INTRALOT’s CEO, Constantinos Antonopoulos, noted:

“INTRALOT, during 2008, further enhanced its leading position in the global gaming sector by managing, among others, to win two more lotteries in the US, South Carolina and Ohio, to prevail in an international tender with both leading lotteries in the Netherlands, to win again the tender in Turkey for the management of sports betting the next 10 years, to obtain a sports betting license in Madrid, to strengthen its position in the Italian betting market through an acquisition, to acquire a stake in Melco, to acquire a company in Slovakia, to enter the Brazilian market and finally to become the new gaming leader in Central America and the Caribbean by signing contracts in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.”

“The Board of Directors will propose a total dividend of €0.22 per share to the Annual Shareholders Meeting on May 5th, which based on today’s closing prices represents a dividend yield of 6.1%. We remind you that €0.11 per share have already been distributed as interim dividend in late 2008.”

“During 2008 the world experienced and is continuing to experience a severe financial and economic crisis. At present no one can predict with accuracy the duration of this crisis and the real impact on the global economy. We are following the implications of this economic turmoil, which has led to a decrease of gaming sales in developed countries and to a slow-down in the growth rate in developing economies. In this very tough environment INTRALOT managed to grow its top-line, which was due to the investments the Company has made in the previous years and the promising prospects of the gaming industry in general. Profitability was hampered in 2008, mainly due to the devaluation of foreign currencies that took place in many of the regions the Company operates, a phenomenon that we believe does not pose concerns in the mid-term since it is temporary and, in many cases, politically driven. Our bottom line was also affected by increased start-up expenses due to the signing of numerous new contracts and the implementation of others.”

“We believe that this crisis will create new opportunities in the gaming industry as governments are looking for ways to fund their budget deficits and to contract illegal gaming. Also, opportunities are increasing in Europe, with the latest announcements coming from France, which is due to open the Internet betting market. Also, a very important market is Australia, where we will see numerous tenders taking place in the short and mid-term in order to open the market to more gaming operators. Finally, since the crisis has put pressure on valuations, numerous strategic M&A opportunities have been created that we are following closely.”

“INTRALOT’s successful business model and its strong financial position provide it with significant competitive advantages vis-à-vis its peers. The previously mentioned opportunities coupled with the Company’s competitive advantages will be the driving force for INTRALOT’s growth in the next years.”

About INTRALOT (www.intralot.com)

INTRALOT, a public listed company, is the leading supplier of integrated gaming and transaction processing systems, innovative game content and sports betting management, to state-licensed gaming organizations worldwide. It’s broad portfolio of products & services, its know-how of Lottery, Betting & Video Lottery operations and its leading-edge technology, give INTRALOT a competitive advantage which contributes directly to customers’ efficiency, profitability and growth. With presence in more than 50 countries, with approximately 5.500 people and revenues of €1.1 billion for 2008, INTRALOT has established its presence on all 5 continents.

For more information please CONTACT: Ms Persa Kartsoli, Head of Corporate Affairs, Phone: +30-210 6156000, Fax: +30-210 6106800, email: kartsoli@intralot.com.

China Sports Lottery Officials Visit Georgia Lottery

ATLANTA, Georgia (March 27, 2009)  – Officials from the China Sports Lottery (CSL) visited the Georgia Lottery Corp. on Wednesday to learn more about operating a successful lottery. Georgia Lottery President and CEO Margaret DeFrancisco made a presentation on best practices to CSL officials.

"The benchmarks we have achieved have made us one of the most successful lotteries in the world," DeFrancisco said. "We are pleased to be recognized by our colleagues around the globe and are always happy to share the story of our success."

The Georgia Lottery is No. 6 in the world in total per capita sales and No. 15 in the world in total sales, ranking alongside countries like China, Japan and Spain. No other traditional lottery in the U.S. has increased profits more consecutive years than the Georgia Lottery.

Georgia Lottery officials and vendors shared information on sales and marketing with: Ms. Di Jing, CSL marketing and sales department; Mr. Meng Jian-guo, president of China Sports Lottery Printing Co. (CSLP); Mr. Fang Peng, CSLP design department; and Mr. Zhu Hong-xu, CSLP marketing manager.

Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corporation has returned more than $10.5 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs including Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia's Pre-K Program. More than 1.1 million students have received HOPE, and more than 940,000 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.

For more information, please visit the Media Center on the Georgia Lottery Web site at:

www.galottery.com

SOURCE: Georgia Lottery. CONTACT: Media Relations Department.

EMI Music and Pollard Banknote to Launch Music Lottery Ticket Program Worldwide

EMI is First Recorded Music Company To Strike Exclusive Deal for Global Lottery Program That Will Feature Prizes Including Music Downloads, Ring Tunes, Merchandise And One-Of-A-Kind Experiences

WINNIPEG, Canada and Los Angeles, USA (April 1, 2009) -- Pollard Banknote, a global leader in the production and merchandising of instant lottery tickets, and EMI Music, one of the world’s leading music companies, have teamed up to launch a global, music-themed lottery ticket program. This is the first deal of its kind between a recorded music company and an instant lottery ticket manufacturer.  

Pollard Banknote, based in Winnipeg, Canada, manufactures instant tickets for 45 lotteries worldwide, including some of the largest and most respected lotteries in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America. Pollard Banknote’s Licensed Games Division brings lotteries expertise in ticket design and manufacturing, prize structure consultation, and post-game analysis.

Under the new agreement, Pollard Banknote will offer lotteries a unique, branded program that features content and prizes exclusively from EMI Music artists.

Pollard Banknote and EMI Music will back the music-based instant ticket program with completely integrated marketing services, including merchandise selection and fulfillment, publicity and promotional opportunities, and second chance draw process management (including all customer service and Internet marketing).

Players who purchase the jurisdiction-specific, music-themed instant lottery tickets created by Pollard Banknote will have the chance to win music downloads, ring tunes, merchandise, and “one-of-a-kind” experiences from EMI Music’s chart-topping artists and music legends. Winning ticket holders will be able to redeem EMI-specific prizes using a unique download code from their winning ticket at secure websites created for each lottery by EMI Music. 

“Lotteries all over the world will now have the ability to work with EMI Music’s entire digital roster of music from today’s stars and legendary artists as a marketing tool to create an emotional connection with fans in the coveted 18- to 35-year-old demographic,” says Sina Aiello, Director, Licensed Products, Pollard Banknote. “We are pleased to offer our customers a vast, new array of compelling instant prize and second chance draw options that will really resonate with music fans.” 

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“Adding music as a prize element to a lottery program is an entirely new and exciting enterprise,” said Ronn Werre, President, EMI Music Services. “This was the result of a great collaboration between Pollard Banknote—a very creative and innovative partner—and EMI’s Brand Partnership team, which is all about developing new ways to help brands connect with consumers through music. These exciting new music-oriented prizes will introduce a whole new group of fans to the digital music experience and help them discover EMI Music’s artists.”

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.

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.

About EMI Music

EMI Music is one of the world's leading music companies. EMI Music represents artists spanning all musical tastes and genres. Its record labels include Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol, Capitol Nashville, EMI Classics, EMI CMG, EMI Records, EMI Televisa Music, Manhattan, Mute, Parlophone and Virgin.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Iowa Lottery Keeps Super Sampler

Save On Some Powerball and Hot Lotto Purchases With Super Sampler

Lottery Promotion Begins Sunday, Runs Through May 2

DES MOINES, Iowa (March 27, 2009) – The Iowa Lottery is bringing back its "Super Sampler" promotion, a popular offering that debuted last summer and offered lottery players a discount on some Powerball and Hot Lotto purchases.

The lottery's Super Sampler promotion begins Sunday and runs through May 2. During the promotion, when you purchase $3 in Powerball plays with $3 in Power Play and $3 in Hot Lotto plays with the $3 Sizzler option, you'll receive the $12 value for just $10.

The Power Play and Hot Lotto Sizzler are options that both cost an extra $1 per play and give players the opportunity to multiply their prizes (except the jackpot). The Power Play can multiply a Powerball prize from two to five times, while the Hot Lotto Sizzler option triples non-jackpot prizes in that game.

Any $6 Powerball with Power Play purchase made along with a $6 Hot Lotto Sizzler purchase is eligible for the $2 Super Sampler discount during the promotion period. Plays may be for a single drawing or multiple drawings. Players can choose their own numbers or ask for an easy pick.

The lottery also is bringing back the Super Sampler commercial it produced last year, which features a local chicken appearing to talk about the game. The White Orpington hen named Maddie was supplied by Fox Hollow Farms from Elkhart, Iowa.

Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich said that featuring a hen in the Super Sampler commercial gave the lottery a unique way to emphasize that during the promotion, Hot Lotto Sizzler and Powerball Power Play tickets will be cheaper by the dozen.

"People told us last year that our commercial made them smile," Rich said. "It's not every day that you get to see a talking chicken, so we decided to bring back this special local talent."

The lottery's first Super Sampler promotion ran from August-September 2008.

Since the Iowa Lottery's start in 1985, its players have won more than $2.2 billion in prizes while the lottery has raised more than $1.1 billion for state programs.

SOURCE: Iowa Lottery.

Six Sigma Quality Improvement Ideology

Article By: Cheryl Sullivan, Sr. Marketing Specialist, Marketing Communications GTECH

GREENWICH, Rhode Island (March 30, 2009) -- A contract with the GTECH Corporation comes with many benefits- and some highly trained Black Belts. And while they won’t be using karate skills to fight off your nemeses, they will be using the “Six Sigma” quality improvement ideology to ensure that the customer is the recipient of the most efficient technology solutions the gaming world has to offer.

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Originated in 1986 by Motorola, Six Sigma was formulated as a set of practices designed to improve manufacturing on the “shop” floor and eliminate defects. Its application was eventually extended to other types of business processes to achieve a higher level of quality to reduce waste and enhance work flow.  The term Six Sigma stems from the idea that if one has six standard deviations between the mean of a process and the nearest specification limit, there will be practically no items that fail to meet the specifications. Borrowing ranking terminology used by the martial arts, the hierarchy bestows labels such as Black or Green Belt.

At GTECH, utilizing Six Sigma practices as it pertains to gaming is an industry first and only. The endeavor, led by GTECH’s Vice President of Global Technology Solutions Matthew Whalen, has successfully trained over 100 GTECH employees in the venture to eliminate wasteful resources for the end-customer in an effort to operate at peak performance using the methodology of “Six Sigma Lean.”  The practice of Lean is one which attempts to add value to form or function to create an immediate improvement, generally with results in less than 90 days.

The results are proven.  For example, during business meetings between GTECH and Veikkaus Oy, operator of the Finnish National Lottery, our customer was so impressed by GTECH’s commitment to the Six Sigma Lean practices that they asked GTECH Black Belt’s to come aboard to help them improve efficiency of software deliveries. Lead by local GTECH Finland leaders and supported by GTECH’s Process Engineer and Black Belt, James Bois, the outcome resulted in increased velocity of current improvement initiatives and solid action plans for future improvement areas.

Ensuring that the customer receives the most successful product in all venues of gaming is why GTECH leads the industry, and as for the future of Six Sigma practices, Whalen says, “By focusing on continual measurable and quantifiable goals, we are able to deliver software and services to our customers in a more standardized way while ensuring superior quality.”

SOURCE: Cheryl Sullivan, Sr. Marketing Specialist, Marketing Communications GTECH.

Are You Ready 4 Some Fun? 

Connecticut Lottery Launches Lucky-4-Life; First New Draw Game in Over a Decade

ROCKY HILL, Connecticut (March 30, 2009) - For the first time in more than a decade, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation is launching a new draw game.  Lucky-4-Life, which began Sunday, March 29, offers eight prize levels including an exciting top prize of up to $2,000 a week for life.  The game concept is modeled after the CT Lottery’s highly successful lottery scratch games Win for Life and Set for Life. Lucky top prize winners will receive a weekly prize payment of up to $2,000 for the rest of their life.

However, Lucky-4-Life is different in that it is a draw game in which numbered balls are selected at random during televised live drawing events held on Monday and Thursday nights.  Players will seek to match the numbers on their tickets to those chosen at random during the twice weekly game drawings.  Lucky-4-Life launches on Sunday, March 29, 2009.  Its first drawing is scheduled for Thursday, April 2.  Tickets cost $2 each.

“Connecticut’s Lottery players enjoy the ‘for life’ concept of our scratch games,” said Anne M. Noble, President and CEO of the CT Lottery.  “With Lucky-4-Life, we have been able to create a game for people who like drawing games, and, who like the ‘for life’ prize style.”

“Lucky-4-Life holds great promise for our state, players, and lottery retailers.  Lucky-4-Life is custom-designed for Connecticut and offers attractive overall odds,” Noble stated.  “In addition to a meaningful top prize of up to $2,000 a week for life, the lowest prize level has been set at $4, making it twice the purchase price of the ticket.  A significant number of winners are expected at each prize level.” 

The game is expected to return $4 million annually to the state’s General Fund, which distributes all Lottery revenues to the funding of services and programs statewide.  Last year, the CT Lottery provided $283 million to the General Fund.  According to Noble, “We expect the addition of Lucky-4-Life to the Lottery’s games portfolio will demonstrate how the Lottery can do what it was intended to do - that is, to raise much needed revenue for our state, and in turn, serve to continue important programs and initiatives on which our state relies.” 

To play Lucky-4-Life, players pick four unique numbers ranging from 1 to 39.  Next, a LUCKY BALL number from 1 to 39 is chosen.  Top prize winners must match all five numbers to claim the Top Prize - up to $2,000 a week for life, depending on the number of winning tickets sold for that level.  The minimum top prize payment period is 20 years.  The top prize is governed by “split-prize” liability, which means the top prize is divided equally among all top prize tickets.  There are eight prize levels in all, with the minimum prize being $4 - twice the purchase price.

Lucky-4-Life’s numbers can be chosen by the player, or by a “Quick Pick” ticket, on which the numbers are randomly generated by the Lottery terminal.  Players can also use the “Advance Action” function, and purchase up to 26 draws in advance.

Beginning Thursday, April 2, 2009, drawings will be held every Monday and Thursday nights at 10:35 p.m., and will be broadcast live on Fox 61- WTIC and WTXX.  Overall odds are 1 in 14.4.  Odds of winning the “for life” top prize are approximately 1 in 3.2 million.  Top prize values are subject to split-prize liability and may be less than advertised.  For more information, please visit ctlottery.org/lucky4life.htm.

Since the Lottery began in 1972, its contributions to the General Fund have exceeded $6.4 billion, and players have won more than $10.5 billion. Thanks to the support of residents all across the state, everyone in Connecticut wins.  For more information about the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, call 860-713-2000, or visit the CT Lottery web site at ctlottery.org.

SOURCE: Amanda L. Mueller, Public Relations Manager for CT Lottery, Cashman + Katz Integrated Communications, P:  (860) 652-0300 ext. 511, F:  (860) 652-0308, Email: amandam@cashman-katz.com.

Lottery Teams Up with Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation on Scratchers® Ticket

SACRAMENTO, California (March 30, 2009) – The California Lottery and the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation have joined forces to create a new Scratchers ticket. The ticket, named “In the Line of Duty,” pays tribute to peace officers and assists the families of their fallen colleagues.

“We are pleased to team up with the foundation to support the families left behind by peace officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our state,” Lottery Director Joan Borucki said. “Customers can help support the work of the foundation by buying the ticket.”

Part of the proceeds from the Scratchers ticket, up to $300,000, will go to support the foundation. That payment is a licensing fee that will not interfere with the amount of money that the Lottery pays out to education.

“This partnership is a win-win situation for both our organizations,” said Don Novey, Executive Director of the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation.” We are honored to team up with the California Lottery for two great causes. We hope the “In the Line of Duty” Scratchers ticket reminds Californians of the commitment peace officers make day in and day out.”

The ticket will cost $2 and begin to appear at more than 20,000 retail locations statewide on April 1st.

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.

The California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation is a non-profit charitable foundation whose mission is to recognize and honor California’s peace officers who gave their lives ‘In the Line of Duty’ serving the citizens of this great state, and provide support to the family members left behind.

SOURCE: California Lottery.

Svenska Spel To Receive 1,440 New Winwave Vu™ Video Lottery Terminals From Spielo

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (March 31, 2009) - GTECH Corporation subsidiary, SPIELO Manufacturing ULC, announced that it has signed an agreement to sell 1,440 new WinWave Vu™ video lottery terminals (VLTs) to AB Svenska Spel in Sweden. Since 1996, SPIELO has been providing top-performing gaming solutions to Svenska Spel, one of the world’s most innovative government-owned lottery and gaming operators.

Under the agreement, SPIELO will begin delivering the WinWave Vu VLTs in May 2009, which Svenska Spel will use to replace certain SPIELO interactive video terminals deployed by Svenska Spel. Svenska Spel has purchased the majority of the 6,700 interactive video terminals deployed by Svenska Spel from SPIELO. Once this latest replacement is complete, more than 5,500 of Svenska Spel’s interactive video terminals will be state-of-the-art WinWave™ and WinWave Vu video lottery terminals.

“Svenska Spel has demonstrated confidence in SPIELO by exceeding the minimum interactive video terminal purchase commitment made by Svenska Spel to SPIELO in 2007,” said SPIELO CEO Victor Duarte. “We look forward to building upon an already successful, long-standing relationship with Svenska Spel, and providing our newest VLTs, which will allow Svenska Spel to operate more efficiently and generate higher net revenues.”

“With the deployment of SPIELO’s most advanced network gaming ready cabinet, Svenska Spel will be better prepared for the evolution of the distributed gaming space from both a content and network perspective,” said Svenska Spel Vice President of VLTs Marie Avander.

Designed for the distributed environment, the WinWave Vu VLT offers value-driven features such as a unique ergonomic design, dual wide-screen LCDs, and digital and remote buttons. WinWave Vu is a complete downloadable solution, and has been built to support technologies such as open networks, advanced game design, and SPIELO’s INTELLIGEN™ video central monitoring system.

About SPIELO Manufacturing ULC

SPIELO Manufacturing ULC is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of high performance and innovative gaming machines, game software and central system solutions for government sponsored and commercial casino operators worldwide. Based in Canada, SPIELO holds 115 gaming licenses in jurisdictions throughout North America and Europe. SPIELO is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GTECH Corporation, a leading gaming technology and services company. For more information on SPIELO and its products, please visit www.gtech.com

SOURCE: GTECH Corporation> CONTACT: Robert K. Vincent, GTECH Corporation
Public Affairs, T. (+1) 401 3927452.

Lottery Achieves Industry Quality Assurance Best Practices Verifications

LOUISIANA, USA (March 30, 2009) --  The Louisiana Lottery Corporation (LLC) achieved verification for two distinct lottery industry Quality Assurance (QA) best practices under the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) Standards Initiative (NSI) Verification Program. The Louisiana Lottery becomes the first lottery to renew the industry's Quality Assurance Best Practice.

"In 2006 the Louisiana Lottery Corporation demonstrated its commitment to efficiency through an investment in Quality Assurance," said NASPL Executive Director David Gale.  "The LLC continues a leadership role it defined by becoming the first lottery in North America to renew its Q/A Verification."

The Quality Assurance best practices are intended to provide lotteries and vendors with simple, documented and approved methods for building quality into the product development and testing processes. The two verifications provide an acknowledged set of quality assurance processes and procedures that will permit the Louisiana Lottery and its gaming system vendor(s) to follow an approved and repeatable method when defining, developing and accepting software products for installation at the lottery. 

"In fulfilling our mission of maximizing revenue for the state while upholding the highest level of public trust, the Lottery has not wavered from its core philosophies that have made it successful," said Louisiana Lottery President Rose Hudson.  "I'm extremely proud of our organization, this achievement is a testament to the people that work for it," she added.

For more information on the Louisiana Lottery Corporation, visit,  www.louisianalottery.com

For More information on NSI, visit www.opengroup.org/naspl