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Vol. 47 No.10
Monday June 8, 2009


Schafer Systems Inc.

  • Camelot Unveils Latest Ad In “Think Lotto” Campaign. Full Story
  • INTRALOT Announce Its 1st Quarter 2009 Results. Full Story
  • The Jack Offers New Ways To Win With Club Keno!. Full Story
  • World-Leading Software Launched to Protect Nova Scotia Youth. Full Story
  • ACE Interactive’s TruServ™ wins GLI Approval And Additional Orders From Norsk Tipping. Full Story
  • Virginia Lottery Introduces Two New Fast-Play Games. Full Story
  • Kentucky Lottery Board Learns FY 2009 Projected Operating Results and Approves FY 2010 Budget. Full Story
  • Advertising Agency Cactus Reconfigures Powerball Billboards. Full Story
  • Multimedia Games Awarded Seven Year Contract Extension from New York Lottery. Full Story
  • Vietnam Sees SMARTPLAY Product at Pacific Lottery Game Show Launch. Full Story
  • PLC Announce 1Q - Results Show Increasing Revenue Growth. Full Story
  • New Lotto Soul Ticket Featuring Motown Soul Legends Selling Like a Hit Record. Full Story

Smartplay International Inc.


QLot

Wincor Nixdorf

 

Life’s too short to wonder what if…

Camelot Unveils Latest Ad In “Think Lotto” Campaign To Celebrate Lotto Players And Their Positive Outlook On Life

WATFORD, UK (June 1, 2009) -- National Lottery operator Camelot has unveiled the latest TV ad in its popular “Think Lotto” campaign. In keeping with the previous uplifting creatives, the ad uses a light-hearted ‘feel-good’ situation to capture the positive, ‘give-it-a-go’ attitude of Lotto players.

Camelot Think Lotto Ad

The new 30-second ad opens outside a football ground late one evening. We see three older-looking men standing on the pavement as a car drives past. As one of the men looks hesitantly up the road to make sure the car has gone, one of his friends asks: “Shall we?” The other man says “yes” – and all three run into a darkened alleyway at the side of the ground.

The ad cuts to one of the men groaning as he struggles to climb over a wall. His friend is giving him a leg-up, while the third man keeps watch. He finally succeeds in scrambling over – but lands with an unceremonious thud on the other side.

The action now cuts to the three men laughing as they run along the concourse inside the stadium, before dashing excitedly down the steps towards the pitch. One of the men kicks a football in a plastic bag onto the grass.

As they make their way onto the pitch, we cut to two security guards in their office. One of them looks up from his newspaper, his attention caught by movement on the monitor in front of him. With a hint of a smile, he says to his colleague: “Here, have a look at this” – as he watches the three men clambering over an advertising hoarding.

One of the men has taken off his top to reveal a football shirt. He is standing in goal and urging his friends to “hit it.” One of them, egged on by the other, shoots and scores – and promptly holds his back in agony. Just as his friend takes his turn to shoot, a voiceover says: “Here’s to the ones who think life’s too short to wonder what if...

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While the man wheels away in delight, we see the security guard on the touchline as he calls out: “Hey, you lot!” Looking round like naughty schoolboys, the men grab the ball and, as the camera pulls out, we see them running across the pitch as fast as their legs will carry them. A final voiceover says: “Think Lotto” as the ‘Think Lotto’ tagline appears on screen. The ad ends with the three friends being ushered out of the ground. As they laugh and joke about their little adventure, the guard smiles and shakes his head.

The new ad – the third execution in the “Think Lotto” series, which first aired in November last year – will run until 12 July 2009. To ensure maximum impact, the campaign will receive full in-store and digital media support throughout its duration, including “give-it-a-go” messaging on in-store Point of Sale material and digital media screens. An additional campaign execution to reinforce the benefits of not missing out by playing online launches on 15 June.

Richard Bateson, Marketing Director at Camelot, says: “With around 70% of UK adults playing on a regular basis, Lotto is, without doubt, the nation’s favourite millionaire-making game. We want to celebrate this amazing achievement and give our players something to feel good about.

By portraying situations where people ‘give it a go’, the campaign is all about involving the audience. The new ad is carefree and uplifting, and should really resonate with players. It’s everybody’s dream – and that includes 32-year-old Marketing Directors – to score a goal on their own club’s hallowed turf!

More than 10,000 players have now won a share of the Lotto jackpot. We hope that the new campaign will inspire even more people to ‘give it a go’ for themselves and be in with a chance of joining this special club.”

The campaign was created by Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO°, with media planning handled by MPG and media buying by OMD.

For further information, please CONTACT: Rob Dwight, Media Relations Manager: 020 7632 5748 or Lisa Hancox, Corporate PR Manager: 020 7632 5716, Camelot Press Office: 020 7632 5711.

 

 

INTRALOT Announce Its 1st Quarter 2009 Results

  • Robust Sales
  • Penetration to new markets and new Internet strategy

ATHENS, Greece (May 29, 2009) -- INTRALOT S.A., the leading international gaming company, today announces its financial results for the three-month period ending March 31st 2009, prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Consolidated Revenues for the period remained at the levels of 1Q08, by reaching €256.0m. EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization) decreased by 36.4% to €46.1m compared to €72.5m in 1Q08. Earnings Before Taxes (EBT), were €44.2m, 35.2% lower than 1Q08, while Earnings After Taxes and after minorities (EAT-am) decreased by 38.5% to €22.1m from €35.9m in 1Q08.

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Revenues for the parent company were €27.3m in 1Q09, 2.5% lower than 1Q08. EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization) for the period stood at €5.1m, and Earnings After Taxes (EAT) were €2.9m.

Commenting on 1Q09 results INTRALOT CEO, Mr. Constantinos Antonopoulos, stated: “INTRALOT in the first quarter of the year managed to deliver satisfactory results, amidst a global economy recession and a negative influence by unfavorable FX movements in countries that the Company operates. Specifically, operations in Turkey, Romania, Poland and South Africa were affected by percentage rates that ranged between high single-digit to the mid-twenties.  Moreover, the Group incurred start-up costs in several countries, including the Netherlands, some US states (including Ohio), the Caribbean and Brazil.

INTRALOT has won three new tenders in the US (Louisiana, Ohio and New Hampshire) where the company has established a strong presence with nine contracts. A very important strategic development is the launch of INTRALOT Interactive, which aims to exploit the great potential of the licensed interactive market, focusing on both B2B and B2C opportunities. This move is ahead of the controlled market liberalization wave that started in Italy and Spain and is expected to continue in France, Denmark, Switzerland and other countries. In this direction INTRALOT signed a significant cooperation agreement regarding the Italian market with PartyGaming, the world’s leading online gaming company, for online poker tournaments. Also, INTRALOT entered the Croatian market with a contract for interactive gaming services.

The targets of the Group for 2009 include the improvement of the profitability of existing contracts, the preservation of its leading position in new contract wins and the continuous development of new technologies. Moreover, INTRALOT, through strategic alliances, will explore the upcoming significant privatization projects and will focus on market liberalizations and the new Internet market opportunities. Finally, the Group’s strong financial position and the attractive valuations, as a result of the crisis, create very interesting acquisition opportunities that the Company is evaluating very carefully.”  

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. Its 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 5,000 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.

SOURCE: INTRALOT S.A.

 

 

The Jack Offers New Ways To Win With Club Keno!

LANSING, Michigan (May 29, 2009) - Starting June 1, The Jack, an add-on game to Club Keno, will give players a whole new way to win when they play Club Keno.

The Jack is a progressive jackpot that starts at $2,000 and increases after each draw until it is won. The more money players wager on the game, the faster the jackpot grows. Players can expect the jackpot to reach $20,000 and higher daily! The jackpot will continue to grow until someone matches all seven numbers and wins, at which point, the jackpot reverts back to $2,000°.

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For just $1 extra per wager, Club Keno players will mark the "YES" box in Section 1 of the Club Keno play slip and will then fill in the remaining sections to complete their wager. Seven Easy Pick numbers from 1-80 will be printed on the bottom of their ticket. Players win if they match all seven of their Jack numbers to the Club Keno winning numbers drawn. Should multiple players win The Jack on a single draw, the prize will be split evenly among the winners.

The week of June 28, coupons will be distributed in state-wide home-delivered newspapers. The coupon will allow customers to play The Jack for free when they purchase one Club Keno draw.

Club Keno offers 37 different ways to play and win. Players can wager $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $10 or $20 per drawing and tickets can be purchased for up to 60 drawings at a time. Players win Club Keno by matching some or all of the numbers they have selected to the numbers drawn. The more numbers matched, the more the player wins. The Kicker option allows players to multiply their winnings by up to 10 times!

Started in October of 2003, Club Keno is offered to players at bars and restaurants. Drawings are every four minutes, seven days a week, from 6:05 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. and are broadcast live on closed-circuit television monitors in each Club Keno location.

Over 95 cents of every dollar spent on Lottery tickets is returned to the state in the form of contributions to the state School Aid Fund, prizes to players and commissions to retailers. In fiscal year 2008, the contribution to schools was $740.7 million. Since its inception in 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $15 billion to education in Michigan.

For additional information, please visit the Lottery's Web site at: www.michigan.gov/lottery.

CONTACT:  Andi Brancato 517-335-5648.

 

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World-Leading Software Launched to Protect Nova Scotia Youth

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Canada (May 29, 2009) -- As of today, fewer children in Nova Scotia will be able to gamble online. The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation (NSGC) launched a world-first prevention program designed to help keep kids off gambling websites.

NSGC invented and developed BetStopper, blocking software designed to help parents protect their children from visiting gambling websites. Online casino-style gambling is illegal and unregulated in Canada, yet, it is estimated that there are more than 2,500 internet gambling sites. Research shows that Nova Scotia’s youth are gambling online three times more than adults. Youth online gambling is a serious issue and NSGC is tackling it head-on with this prevention initiative.

Marie Mullally, President and CEO of the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation and Lauren Grant, 11, prepare to download the BetStopper software.

Youth online gambling is a real problem and BetStopper is a real solution,” says Marie Mullally, President° and CEO of NSGC. “The fact is, youth are gambling online in increasing numbers, a reality that should not be ignored. That’s why we proactively developed this effective prevention tool. This world-first is another example of NSGC’s commitment to social responsibility. These are unregulated gambling sites where there are no guarantees of safeguards or controls to prevent access by kids. As the steward of the industry in our Province, we couldn’t sit by and let this continue.”

The program was launched at the We Love Our Children Expo, where parents had the opportunity to see how the BetStopper software works and receive their own free copy for downloading on their home computers.

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NSGC is sponsoring the keynote speaker, Parry Aftab, security, privacy and cyberspace lawyer as well as author and child advocate, at the Expo on Friday night.

I’m happy to be in Nova Scotia speaking on Internet Safety,” said Ms. Aftab. “It is critical that parents have an open line of communication with their children and are aware of the online dangers and the tools available to keep their kids safe in the cyber world.”

It is eye-opening to learn that children are accessing illegal online gambling sites,” said parent Donna Pierrynowski MacDougall. “I am pleased that the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation is helping to protect our children by offering BetStopper. I know that I will be downloading it on my home computers.”

NSGC developed the software in response to high rates of youth online gambling and because existing filtering software was ineffective at blocking gambling websites.

Prior to the launch of BetStopper, NSGC pilot-tested the software with 250 families in Nova Scotia to help determine the product’s effectiveness, as well as attitudes and behaviours associated with its use. Results were extremely positive, with 92 per cent of parents finding BetStopper a valuable prevention tool. Parents also found that using the software motivated them to speak to their children about the risks associated with gambling, a conversation that the majority of participants did not have with their children before.

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When the BetStopper pilot software was developed, it was 94 to 99 per cent effective at blocking gambling websites, while other existing products were only 56 to 79 per cent effective. While content blocking software like BetStopper is not intended to replace the supervisory role of parents, it provides an effective safeguard on their home computer, allowing them to control access to potentially harmful sites.

NSGC partnered with a software developer called InternetSafety.com to create BetStopper. They customized their flagship software, Safe Eyes, which was chosen as the No. 1 filtering product by Consumer Reports, the leading consumer testing agency in the United States. Additionally, Safe Eyes has received the Editor’s Choice designation twice from PC Magazine as well as from LAPTOP Magazine.

For more information regarding BetStopper, or to download a free copy of the software, please visit www.nsgc.ca.

CONTACT: Krista Grant, Communications Manager, Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, Tel: 902.424.6853, Cell: 902.401.5949.

 

 

ACE Interactive’s TruServ™ wins GLI Approval And Additional Orders From Norsk Tipping

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (June 3, 2009) – Aristocrat Leisure Limited has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, ACE Interactive, has received an order for new games and 1,000 additional Indago™ interactive Video Terminals (iVT) from Norsk Tipping, Norway’s National Lottery.

Indago iVT
Indago iVT

The supply of the Indago terminals is part of the rollout of the Server Based Gaming (SBG) joint project of ACE Interactive and Norsk Tipping in Norway°. This order now brings a total of 4,000 Indago terminals ordered by Norsk Tipping to date. Currently over 1,300 of the Indago terminals have been installed throughout Norway as part of an anticipated network of over 6,500 Indagos throughout the country.

Arishinko Screenshot
Arishinko screenshot

The rollout of the project is accelerating and currently traditional Lotto games and new VLT games, including Aristocrat’s Ball Power™ and Arishinko™, are in the approval process.

ACE Interactive CEO, Michael Koch said: “The introduction of new games into the Norwegian market is a natural next step in the project and important for Norsk Tipping to provide players with an extended choice of games.”

The Indago terminals will be placed in locations throughout Norway and operated and managed using the TruServ™ SBG central system, which is located and operated by Norsk Tipping in Hamar, Norway.

The new order coincides with ACE gaining approval for its TruServ platform under the amended GLI 21 regulations.

Ball Power
Ball Power screenshot

Aristocrat’s Doug Bertinshaw, Vice President Marketing, Server Based Gaming Technologies, said: “GLI 21 approval represents a major milestone for ACE and Aristocrat, as TruServ is the first ever GLI approved true server based gaming platform. This is a validation of our technologically advanced approach and allows us to commercially pursue opportunities for TruServ in casinos across the world.”

Media enquiries to Camilla Eklund; Tel: +46 (0)739415821, Fax: +46 (0)8642 4714, Email: Camilla.Eklund@aceinteractive.net.

 

ABOUT Norsk Tipping AS

Norsk Tipping is Norway's leading games company, wholly owned by the Norwegian state. The company's main objectives are to provide the Norwegian people with responsible games and entertainment within social acceptable conditions, and at the same time ensure a secure and long term surplus for the beneficiary organisations. The surplus is divided equally between the sports and culture sectors. The company operates games of chance, Lotto, Viking Lotto and Joker; games of skill, Tipping and Oddsen; and the scratch game Flax. In addition, the company operates the TV game, Extra, on behalf of the Norwegian Foundation for Health and Rehabilitation.

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ABOUT ACE Interactive

ACE Interactive was founded in 2003 to develop and market the next generation of video gaming systems. Located in Stockholm, Sweden, London, UK and Las Vegas, USA. ACE Interactive’s TruServ™ solution provides for true server based gaming for operators who demand flexibility, content, security and social responsibility. In May 2006 ACE Interactive was acquired by Aristocrat. For further information, visit the company’s website at www.aceinteractive.net.

 

ABOUT Aristocrat

Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) is a leading global provider of gaming solutions that consistently outperforms 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.

 

Virginia Lottery Introduces Two New Fast-Play Games

RICHMOND, Virginia (June 1, 2009) - Looking for new lottery excitement to kick off the summer? The Virginia Lottery has just the answer. Two new games kicked off on May 31: Fast Play Find the 9’s and Fast Play Bonus Bingo.

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Fast Play games are computerized, which means tickets are generated at the terminal. No scratching – no play slips – no waiting for a drawing. A single ticket in each game costs $2.

We are excited about these games because our players have shown that they enjoy the fast-play experience,” said Virginia Lottery Executive Director° Paula I. Otto.Both of these games will help us raise money for Virginia’s K-12 public schools.

Players use simple adding skills in Find the 9’s. When sets of numbers across, up-and-down or diagonally total 9, the ticket is a winner. There are 21 ways to win. The amount of the win depends on how many of those sets of numbers add up to 9. Find the 9’s has a top prize of $9,999.

Bonus Bingo builds on the Virginia Lottery’s popular Fast Play Bingo game, but with more ways to win, more favorable odds and larger prizes. It is played much like the familiar bingo game, with a bingo card printed for the player at the terminal. Bonus Bingo has a top prize of $12,000.

Fast Play Find the 9’s and Fast Play Bonus Bingo will both be available at Virginia Lottery retailers across the Commonwealth.

Nearly 95 cents of each dollar spent on the Virginia Lottery by players goes back to the Commonwealth in the form of contributions to education, prizes and retailer commissions. Since 1999, all Virginia Lottery profits have been designated solely to K-12 public school education in the Commonwealth. In that time, the Lottery has turned over more than $4 billion for Virginia’s public schools. The latest annual profits of $455 million currently represent about 6 percent of state funding for public education in Virginia. In 20 years, the Lottery has sold more than $20 billion in tickets, awarded more than $1 billion in retailer commissions and paid more than $10.9 billion in prizes to players.

SOURCE: Virginia Lottery

 

 

Kentucky Lottery Board Learns FY 2009 Projected Operating Results and Approves FY 2010 Budget

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (June 1, 2009) -- At Friday’s (5/29) meeting of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation’s (KLC) board of directors, an operating budget for fiscal year 2010 was approved and operating results for the year-to-date were announced.

As for the current fiscal year, the KLC’s Vice President of Finance Rick Kelley said sales from July 2008 through April 2009 were $674.6 million, which is $26.1 million more than last year and $8.6 million more than budget.

Operating expenses were $27.1 million, which is $3.5 million less than last year and $1.5 million less than budgeted. Prize expenses have been higher than budgeted, with $394.3 million returned to players during the fiscal year. This is 1.7% more than budgeted.

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According to the KLC’s Sr. VP of Finance and Administration Howard Kline, the corporation should be able to close FY09 with $813.8 million in sales and income before transfer of dividends of $202.3 million (which includes $10.4 million in unclaimed prizes to the KEES reserve fund). This dividend amount will be $5 million less than what was called for in the current state budget. However, the State’s April 2009 Interim Forecast has been accordingly adjusted for the KLC’s expected results.

The FY10 budget projects sales of $829 million, which is $15.2 million (or 1.9%) more than what is projected to be the final FY09 sales figure ($813.8 million). Sales for on-line games (such as Pick 3 and Powerball) are projected to be $299.5 million, which would be a 3.2% increase from FY09. Kline said scratch-off tickets will continue to be the KLC’s most dominant product with $515.5 million in sales projected in FY10 (up 1.2% from FY09). Pull-tab ticket sales are projected to be $14 million, which would be a 1.6% decrease from FY09.

As a result of these projected sales, Kline said the KLC should be able to realize income before transfer of dividends that will meet the goal of $211 million ($202 million called for in the state budget plus $9 million in unclaimed prizes). This will bring the KLC in line with the General Assembly’s mandate of returning 28% of sales to the Commonwealth, and is an approximate 5% increase from what is projected in FY09.

The challenges are no doubt significant,” said Kline. “If unemployment numbers in Kentucky stay as they are now or continue to increase, and one in ten Kentuckians who want a job can’t find work, discretionary income will be severely impacted. While we’re up to the challenge, our work is cut out for us.”

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It’s good to be in a budget meeting where the numbers are trending upwards,” said KLC Board Chairman Keith Griffee°. “We’ve learned as a corporation to do more with less this year, and this budget shows we’ll be continuing this trend in FY10.”

Some of our state’s best, brightest and most deserving students depend on our proceeds to help them attend college. I have every confidence we’ll be able to produce these results, because students are counting on us,” said KLC President and CEO Arch Gleason.

In other business, the board also approved:

  • Contract negotiations with Delehanty Consulting, LLC for consulting services for upcoming on-line lottery gaming systems and equipment, instant ticket printing and related services;
  • Contract negotiations with Bandy Carroll Hellige for advertising and related services. The term of the contract will be for three years with renewal options;
  • A contract amendment and extension through June 27 th, 2011 with Scientific Games International for pull-tab games and related services;
  • Renewal of the current contract with Goldberg and Simpson, PSC, for legal services through June 30, 2010;
  • A 5 year lease agreement with Fortune Realty for Lexington regional office and warehouse space;
  • Renewal of contracts for computer hardware, software maintenance and licensing, and quality assurance testing and evaluation of scratch-off tickets, and;
  • New or revised rules and regulations for 15 scratch-off tickets and seven pull-tab tickets.

The next meeting of the KLC’s board of directors will be July 17. 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.

 

 

Advertising Agency Cactus Reconfigures Powerball Billboards

DENVER, Colorado (May 29, 2009) -- Charged by the Colorado Lottery with announcing Powerball’s faster-rising jackpots, and with no revisions to the exisiting outdoor media buy planned, advertising agency Cactus, Denver, keyed its creative strategy on the idea that a change to the familiar can be more noteworthy than the completely new.

Colorado Powerball’s Skylink-controlled, outdoor digital boards had been unaltered in years, always at the same locations, always displaying the current jackpot, in millions, and always with Powerball’s trademark six red balls strung along neatly after, signifying zeroes. Cactus shook the visual order, rearranging the familiar balls and adding 3-D and 2-D background designs, such as gears or circuitry, to indicate that the balls had been either “re-engineered,” “re-formulated,” “re-tooled,” “re-wired” or “re-programmed,” in order “to grow faster,” which is the campaign’s new tag.

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The goal was to retain the billboards’ visual equity and at the same time, to prompt a fresh glance.

Observers will see the jackpots rising more quickly than before, to an average of $114 million, instead of the previous $95 million, due to increased player numbers since the state of Florida enrolled in Powerball. Powerball is centrally run, and individually marketed by each of 30 participating states, plus D.C. and the U.S.V.I. The Colorado Lottery° is headquartered in Pueblo.

Colorado Powerball’s 21 electronic billboards, mainly 14’ x 48’, are seen in all major markets, especially the Front Range cities of Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Grand Junction. The boards are supplied by five outdoor companies: Lamar, CBS, Elevation Outdoor, Mile High, and Good Signs, and the jackpot signal is sent via satellite by Sunshine Electronic Display Corp., St. Joseph, Mo.   

Creative credits go to Cactus creative director Norm Shearer, art director Allie Edwards, and copywriter Jim Glynn. 3-D fabrication is by Bill Kinsey, of Eye Candy Sculptures, Denver.

Cactus is a full-service advertising agency with billings approaching $20 million from clients including Colorado Lottery, Colo. AIDS Project, Colo. Dept. of Public Health and Environment, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, University of Colorado Hospital, Westwood College and Winter Park Resort. www.sharpideas.com

CONTACT: Ashley Boyden, Cactus, public relations director, 303/455-7545, Email: ashleyboyden@sharpideas.com.

 

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Multimedia Games Awarded Seven Year Contract Extension from New York Lottery

AUSTIN, Texas (June 2, 2009) -- Multimedia Games, Inc. MGAM (“Multimedia” or the “Company”) announced today that the New York Lottery° (the “Lottery”) has awarded the Company a seven year contract extension (through December 31, 2017) for the operation of the central determinant system for video lottery terminals (“VLTs”) throughout the state.

Anthony Sanfilippo, Multimedia President and CEO, commented, “With annual revenue of approximately $1 billion, VLT operations in New York have proven to be a major success with funds benefiting education and racing purses. We are delighted to extend our agreement for this growing video lottery market and believe this extension is an endorsement of our proven ability to provide the Lottery with leading technology and support services. New York VLT revenue has grown consistently since we began operations in the state in 2004. We believe this contract extension will result in improved cash flow from our operation of the central determinant system in New York based on growth initiatives under consideration by the state and the future opening of a facility at Aqueduct.

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The development of VLT operations at Aqueduct, within the New York City market, is attracting marquee companies in the gaming industry, including national and international operators, who are interested in operating this facility. When the facility ultimately opens, Aqueduct is expected to increase the total number of installed units in the State by approximately 35%.

Finally, as the Company further extends the functionality of our central determinant system, we believe that Multimedia clearly provides the best of breed solution to address potential future video lottery operations similar to the model established in New York.”

Gordon Medenica, Director of the New York Lottery, said, “We are pleased to extend our relationship with Multimedia Games. Since this relationship began in 2004, they have proven to be an excellent partner and their operation of the central determinant system has been an important part of the success of VLT operations in New York State.”

There are currently approximately 13,000 VLTs installed at 8 facilities in the state from which the Company generated approximately $7 million in revenue in fiscal 2008.

About the Company

Gaming technology developer and distributor, Multimedia Games, is a creator and supplier of comprehensive systems, content and electronic gaming units for Class III and Class II Native American gaming markets, as well as for commercial casinos and charity and international bingo markets. Multimedia Games has approximately 17,000 gaming units in operation domestically and internationally installed on revenue-sharing arrangements. The Company also supplies the central determinant system for approximately 13,000 VLTs installed at racetracks in the State of New York. Multimedia is focused on the further development of new gaming systems and products for the markets it currently serves as well as for new domestic and international market opportunities. Additional information may be found at www.multimediagames.com.

SOURCE: Multimedia Games, Inc. CONTACT: Ginny Shanks, 512-334-7500, Chief Marketing Officer.

 

 

Vietnam Sees SMARTPLAY Product at Pacific Lottery Game Show Launch

EDGEWATER PARK, New Jersey (June 3, 2009) -- Vietnamese television viewers will see Smartplay drawing equipment select the winning lottery numbers for them in July at the launch of their new, state-run lottery TV draw show. Pacific Lottery Corporation°, Vietnam's only online lottery provider, announced the planned launch of a televised version of the Hanoi Lottery Draw in May and is looking forward to receiving the new equipment shortly.

The Calgary, Canada -based Pacific Lottery Corporation (PLC) contracted Smartplay to produce a customized Mercury 10 drawing machine for this important launch. PLC is assisting in developing, marketing, and producing a daily 30-minute prime-time live TV draw show at the request of the Vietnamese Lottery authorities.  Players will be able to view the show on the state-run television station. This arrangement is significant for PLC, the exclusive Vietnamese online lottery technology provider because this is the first time the government has granted permission to broadcast the daily lottery drawings live.

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 According to Pacific Lottery Corporation, they purchased the new drawing machines from Smartplay International because they wanted equipment from the world’s leading supplier. The new draw equipment is expected to début at the launch of the new Vietnamese TV Lottery show in July.

Smartplay’s latest models, Mercury 4 and Magnum II, will be exhibited at the European Lotteries Congress in Istanbul, Turkey June 8-11th.  To see these two innovative draw machines, visit booth # 1 – Smartplay International.

About Smartplay International, Inc.

Established in 1993, Smartplay is dedicated to the creative design, development and manufacture of lottery drawing equipment.  Over the years their product line has evolved in response to their clients’ needs by incorporating the latest technology.  Thus, they have maintained their position as the international leader in the area of lottery drawing machines and specialized game show equipment.  Smartplay is consistently chosen above other manufacturers due to their reputation for quality and reliability.  Because of this, they are proud to be the choice of the world’s most prestigious lotteries.

SOURCE: Smartplay International, Inc., Edgewater Park, NJ, USA, CONTACT: Mariana Burachok, Marketing +1 609 880 1860, Email: mariana@smartplay.com.

 

Pacific Lottery Corporation Announce 1Q Results Show Increasing Revenue Growth Achieved With Lower Costs

CALGARY, Alberta, Canada (June 1, 2009) -- Pacific Lottery Corporation° announces the release of its March 31st, 2009 Consolidated Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis report (MD&A). Among the highlights of these statements is the continued quarter over quarter growth in revenues from the Corporation's exclusive Vietnamese on-line lottery technology supply and services contract.

Gross lottery turnover for the 1st Quarter totalled US$462,146, an increase of 6 % from the previous 4th Quarter total. This quarterly growth was accomplished with almost a week of less operational days than the previous Quarter due to statutory closures of businesses during a traditional February holiday festival period in Vietnam.

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Furthermore, the Corporation is pleased to advise that interim results for gross lottery turnover for April and May have continued this growth trend and expanded almost 20% more so far in the 2nd Quarter of 2009 than compared to the 1st Quarter of 2009. The Corporation expects with the impeding launch of the live, daily, nationally televised lottery draw show beginning July 1st along with the addition of the new Pick 2 / Pair game that gross lottery turnover and the Corporations associated net revenues is expected to continue to increase significantly in the coming months.

The Corporation is also advises that it has been able to achieve this continuing revenue growth during this challenging global economic environment while simultaneously cutting its cost's. The Corporations G & A costs have been substantially reduced by almost 24 % over the same period compared to last year. This has resulted in the 1st Quarter loss of $587,837 being reduced 18% from the previous 2008 1st Quarter loss of $714,609.

Additionally, pursuant to the Corporation's news release of April 23, 2009, through the use of new proprietary technology, the potential paradigm shift in the distribution channels in the near future is expected to produce another exponential lift in the Corporation's revenue earning performance, making these first quarter results just the first order of magnitude. Therefore coupled with its singular focus of increasing revenue growth while achieving ongoing efficiencies in its operational costs, the Corporation continues looking forward to achieving breakthrough results in the coming year.

About Pacific Lottery Corporation (www.pacificlottery.ca)

Pacific Lottery Corporation is engaged in the provision of comprehensive computerize on-line and mobile phone lottery technology and related professional services for delivery to a growing audience of international customers. Today, the Corporation exclusively leads the technical support activities for the only authorised State run on-line lottery program in Vietnam.

SOURCE: Pacific Lottery Corporation. CONTACT: Pacific Lottery Corporation, Jill L.E. Johnson, (403) 266-8900, (403) 266-8909 (FAX), Email: info@pacificlottery.ca.

 

New Lotto Soul Ticket Featuring Motown Soul Legends Selling Like a Hit Record

DETROIT, Michigan (June 3, 2009) - Sales of the first Hitsville Venture° Lotto Soul tickets are off the charts and breaking records.

Launched this month in Washington, D.C., Lotto Soul takes center stage as the top selling $2 game at the D.C. Lottery. Within the last two weeks, the instant scratcher game has reached record sales of $233,200 according to the D.C. Lottery.

The initial roll-out of tickets features four legendary artists from Motown: The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, The Dramatics and Freda Payne. The $2 special limited edition instant scratch tickets offer a cash prize of up to $4,500.

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To help promote the successful launch, the Dramatics will give a free concert beginning at noon Thursday, June 18 in Washington's Woodrow Wilson Plaza. The vocal group will also visit Capitol Hill that morning to meet with Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) who has sponsored a Congressional Resolution honoring the Motown artists. The Dramatics are known for their iconic hit recording of "Whatcha See, Is Whatcha Get."

"The D.C. Lottery is honored to bring the joy, vitality, and history associated with the music of Motown to our players in the form of this exciting scratcher with soul," says Billy Parson, director of sales for the D.C. Lottery. "Lotto Soul gives our players a ride down memory lane and an opportunity to win cash prizes; it's a win for everyone."

According to lottery industry rankings compiled by LaFleur's, the D.C. Lottery's per capita instant sales ranks 29th out of the 140 lotteries worldwide that sell instant tickets.

The Lotto Soul series was launched by Hitsville Venture, L.L.C., an entertainment and gaming company based in Detroit, to commemorate 50 years of the world-renowned Motown Sound.

Lotto Soul is in negotiations to offer the unique concept to lotteries across the globe where interest in the former Motown artists remains at a fever pitch.

For additional information on Lotto Soul, please visit their website at: http://lottosoul.com.

You can also contact their offices at 313.446.6900 Ext. 122 or at info@lottosoul.com.

About the D.C. Lottery

The D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board contributes to the quality of life of District of Columbia residents, is a responsible and committed community partner, and provides its players with great games and customer service.

Since its inception in 1982, D.C. Lottery players have won more than $2.3 billion in prizes and the agency has contributed more than $1.5 billion to the District of Columbia's General Fund, supporting services such as education, recreation and parks, public safety, housing, and senior and child services.

For more information about the D.C. Lottery, visit www.dclottery.com.

SOURCE: Hitsville Venture. CONTACT: Al Abrams, 567.208.7225.

 


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