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Vol. 28 No. 2
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  • Tennessee Lottery Fiscal Year Tops $427 Million. Full Story.
  • Loterias Peruganas’ Advertising Campaign Receives Gold and Silver Prize Awards for 2003. Full Story.
  • Scientific Games Awarded Instant Lottery Contract by Massachusetts Lottery. Full Story.
  • MDI’s Licensed NBA Lottery Game to Debut This Fall in Poland. Full Story.
  • Industry Rallies to Lift the Ban on the Sale of Lottery Tickets in Tamil Nadu. Full Story.
  • United Way Rewards Nebraska Lottery. Full Story.
  • EssNet to Provide New Terminal Technology to Swedish Horse Betting Company. Full Story.
  • Folkspel Conquers the Digital Lottery and Gaming World with New Partnership. Full Story.
  • Ingenio Awards Special Prize to Video Game Design Firm. Full Story.
  • Veikkaus and Folkspel Announce Partnership in Internet Gaming Technology. Full Story.
  • Greek National Football Team Success, Sparks Betting Boost. Full Story.
  • Missouri Lottery Sales Highest Ever, Up 11.5%. Full Story.

Olivetti Tecnost

Monday
July 12, 2004
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Tennessee Lottery Fiscal Year Tops $427 Million; Sales Put State Among Top in Industry for First 163 Days

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (July 1, 2004) -- The Tennessee Education Lottery announced today ticket sales for its first 163 days were $427,686,709. This will mean approximately $120 million for education programs in the state and nearly $2 million to after-school programs, which will be confirmed when the Lottery makes its official transfer to the Tennessee Lottery for Education fund on July 15.

In addition to the funding for education, the Lottery also announced that $227,459,881 in prizes has been won and approximately $27,793,323 in sales commissions has been paid to Tennessee retailers who sell its products.

"Thanks to the work of some incredible people and the support of more than 4,300 retail partners, the future is brighter for education in Tennessee," said Rebecca Paul, CEO and president.

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"We’re looking forward to building on the current momentum in the months to come and are proud to be part of this new day."

With more than $427 million in sales, the Tennessee Lottery estimates that it ranks second in top sales for a lottery’s first 163 days.

"While ranking at the top of the industry is certainly an achievement, more significant is the kick-start we’ve achieved and the precedent it sets for our future," said Paul. "Generating more than $120 million for education programs is something that will benefit the entire state for years to come."

The sales come from the Lottery’s three games:

  • Instant tickets, which were launched Jan. 20;
  • Cash 3, which began March 1; and
  • Powerball, which launched April 19.

The Lottery was initially charged with raising at least $88 million by July 1 to fund scholarships for an estimated 65,000 students expected to attend Tennessee colleges and universities this fall. With that goal well behind, the Lottery looks ahead to continued success and excitement. On the horizon is its next online game, which will be introduced early this fall.

SOURCE: Tennessee Education Lottery.


Loterias Peruganas’ Advertising Campaign Receives Gold and Silver Prize Awards for 2003

PERU (July 2004) -- Loterias Perugana was awarded the gold and silver prize for its advertising campaign during the "Peruvian Advertising Awards", which took place in Peru last month.

The TV campaign titled " Villegas" won the Gold Award at the category of "leisure, tourism, books entertainment, sport material, games of chance and cigarettes" competing with other companies such as: El Comercio (leading newspaper in the country), Espensa (newspaper Group), Faber Castell.

Moreover, at the category of "products and services campaign" which was an overall evaluation of all the advertising campaigns, received the Silver Award competing with Coca Cola, Nestle, El Comercio etc.

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The campaign consisted of two spots. The first was focused on communicating the frequency of a daily draw something that was new in the Peruvian market. The commercial showed "Mr. Days", an employee of Gana Diario that had the mission to make the draw, every day and how this obligation affected his routine. It showed every incident that this person had to live, because minutes before the draw he had to stop what he was doing or leaving any place, in order to do his job.

When consumers were aware of this "new daily lottery", the company launched the second spot that focused on the consequences of drawing daily: "LOT OF WINNERS". In this case, the story also had a Gana Diario employee with the task to give the prizes (money) to the winners. Drama passed around "incident or problems" to rewarding all the frequent winners, because Mr. Bills also had to celebrate with them.

The CEO of Loterias Perugana, Mr. Dimitris Karagounis stated: "We received the two prizes as a recognition for our successful communication policy. We will continue our efforts to provide the players with more exciting and attractive games."

Loterias Perugana , belongs to Intralot de Peru, the sole State licensed operator of lottery games in Peru.

SOURCE: INTRALOT de Peru (www.intralot.com).
CONTACT: Maria Elena Silva, Fax : 2252777, Phone: 511- 5135596, Email: mariaelena.silva@intralot.com.pe


Scientific Games Awarded Instant Lottery Contract by Massachusetts Lottery, Estimated Value of Contract is $20-$25 Million

NEW YORK (July 6, 2004) -- Scientific Games Corporation announced that the Massachusetts Lottery has awarded it the contract to be its primary supplier of instant tickets and related marketing services. The current Scientific Games contract is due to expire in August, 2004. The new contract is for an initial term of two years with three one-year options to renew. The value of the contract is estimated between $20-25 million over the initial two-year term.

Massachusetts sells $3 billion in instant lottery tickets annually and has the highest per capita instant ticket sales in the world.

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The decision by the lottery commission of the state that sells the world’s best selling instant games confirms the position of Scientific Games as the preeminent provider of instant lottery products and services. Scientific Games provides over 65% of all instant games in the US. The vote to select Scientific Games as the primary supplier was unanimous.

"This is a very important win for Scientific Games," said Scientific Games Chairman and CEO Lorne Weil. "Having worked with the Massachusetts Lottery since they launched the first instant ticket thirty years ago, we consider them an important partner in the success of instant tickets throughout the country. We are very proud to be chosen to continue to serve this important customer."

Joseph C. Sullivan, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Lottery, added, "We value the relationship the Massachusetts Lottery has established with Scientific Games over the course of three decades. The Massachusetts Lottery is one of the most successful in the world and with this partnership; we intend to reach even greater heights."

About Scientific Games

Scientific Games Corporation is the leading integrated supplier of instant tickets, systems and services to lotteries, and the leading supplier of wagering systems and services to pari-mutuel operators. It is also a licensed pari-mutuel gaming operator in Connecticut and the Netherlands and is a leading supplier of prepaid phone cards to telephone companies. Scientific Games’ customers are in the United States and more than 60 other countries. For more information about Scientific Games, please visit our web site at www.scientificgames.com.

About the Massachusetts Lottery

The Massachusetts Lottery was established in 1971. Revenues are distributed to the 351 cities and towns of the Commonwealth according to a local aid formula established by the Legislature. Lottery funds are not earmarked for any specific programs, allowing cities and towns to choose how they would like to spend the funds. For more information go to www.masslottery.com.

SOURCE: Scientific Games Corporation.
CONTACT: Lisa D. Lettieri, Phone: 212-754-2233.


MDI’s Licensed NBA Lottery Game to Debut This Fall in Poland
Totalizator Sportowy Will be the First in Europe to Offer Games to Pro-Basketball Fans

ALPHARETTA, Georgia (July 7, 2004) – The high-flying, fun and entertainment of the NBA is coming to 10,000 retail outlets across Poland. Totalizator Sportowy (TS), a government-owned lottery organization in Warsaw, will launch Europe’s first instant scratch-off to feature the world-famous name and mark of the NBA, as announced today by Totalizator Sportowy Sp. z o.o. and MDI Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scientific Games. The game will feature one winner of 500,000 PLN, (US$134,905).

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"The international debut of this licensed game coincides with Europe’s growing fascination with the NBA, particularly among younger adults who have witnessed a marked increase in success of NBA players from European countries," said Steve Saferin, President of MDI Entertainment." As recent as mid-March, NBA team rosters included 67 international players from 33 countries and territories. Two of the 67 players, Cezary Trybanski of the New York Knicks and Maciej Lampe of the Phoenix Suns, are from Poland."

Said Jacek Mizik, Director of Lotteries, Totalizator Sportowy: "The NBA name and symbology are instantly recognizable in our country. We are confident the brand equity of this sports-entertainment property will make this game a strong seller and will help us achieve even higher sales and revenue in 2004."

In the last two calendar years, Totalizator Sportowy produced record lottery profits for its beneficiaries – the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Sport & Culture. In 2003, TS recorded a profit of Z117.2 million (US$29.27 million).

Scientific Games

Scientific Games Corporation (www.scientificgames.com) is the leading integrated supplier of instant tickets, systems and services to lotteries, and the leading supplier of wagering systems and services to pari-mutuel operators. It is also a licensed pari-mutuel gaming operator in Connecticut and the Netherlands, and is a leading supplier of prepaid phone cards to telephone companies. MDI Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation, is the worldwide leader in licensed lottery games and promotions.

SOURCE: MDI Entertainment.
CONTACT: Bob Kowalczyk, Phone: 678-297-5169.


Lottery Industry Rallies to Lift the Ban on the Sale of Lottery Tickets in Tamil Nadu
Mr. Uzman Fayaz, President of the All-India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries requests support from the international lottery industry media in highlighting the effects of the ban on lotteries in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI, Tamil Nadu, India (July 5, 2004) -- The lottery industry in India is large and complex. In the Southern State of Tamil Nadu, the government banned lotteries nearly 18 months ago and the effected families of lottery agents, traders, stockists (distributors), and organizers are now rallying and protesting to the government for reauthorization of the lotteries. In Chennai (formerly Madras), members of the industry recently staged demonstrations and displayed unity in appealing to the Government, and the Chief Minister (Governor) Ms. Jayalaitha who has been upholding and supporting the ban.

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On June 27th, nearly 150,000 protesters gathered in Chennai with the support and organization of the All-India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries (AIFLTAI) in a show of solidarity to appeal the government's position on lotteries. The AIFLTAI is made up of all of the parts of the industry including media, advertisers, printers along with the sellers and traders. The trade organization presented and adopted a resolution highlighting the value of employment in the lottery industry where over 6 Lakh (140,000) families are connected and benefit from lottery sales. Employment in the lottery sector had grown from less than 1000 jobs in 1968. Over 36 years lotteries were providing a source of self-employment for thousands of youth and recent graduates who have since been displaced and unemployed by the government ban.

Another resolution emphatically emphasized how families with visually-impaired, physically challenged, under-educated and poor would benefit if the ban was lifted. The revival would tackle the unemployment of members of these groups and lessen the burden upon government for assistance to the needy.

Supporters came to the protest from the States of West Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerela and Pondicherry among other states.

The lottey traders who spoke and presented their positions said they would agree to conditions the Government may lay down. The Supreme Court of India has laid conditions on the conduct of lotteries in India and the Central Government has imposed the Lottery Act. State Government has added taxes on top of the regulations. "We are ready to take more," said R.S. Gokulan, and AIFLTAI member.

SOURCE: Submitted for Martin Lotteries and AIFLTAI By Brent Pennington, Phone: +1.401.241.7744.

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United Way Rewards Nebraska Lottery

NEBRASKA, USA (June 30, 2004) - The Nebraska Lottery sponsors a variety of activities throughout the year, from sport teams to community festivals.

Beyond on-ice promotions for fans attending featured games, the relationship between the Nebraska Lottery and the Tri-City Storm Hockey club in Kearney has benefited various local charities.

Since the club's founding five years ago, the Nebraska Lottery has recognized the opportunity to combine a night of family entertainment with charitable giving. That is why the Nebraska Lottery has been involved with the Tri-City Storm in sponsoring the Jersey Auction, Coats for Kids, Chuck A Puck, among other events. All contributions are donated to charities like the YMCA, the United Way, the Salvation Army, and other organizations that support Nebraska communities. Because of the Nebraska Lottery’s commitment to sponsoring these events, on April 28, 2004, the Tri-City Storm and the United Way presented the Nebraska Lottery with a plaque recognizing their combined achievements in support of many underprivileged families.

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The Jersey Auction is an annual event started in 2001, which has brought in over $50,000 for local charities. One night every year Storm players will wear customizes jerseys, which had been paid for by the Nebraska Lottery. After the game, the jerseys are auctioned off among very competitive bidding. In 2003 alone the auction raised over $17,000 for the United Way.

The Nebraska Lottery also sponsors 'Coats-For-Kids' with the Tri-City Storm and Liberty Cleaners for the past four years. This event has brought in hundreds of coats for children and their families. The Nebraska Lottery offers free coupons for free Scratch and Lotto tickets to every individual who donates a coat. The Salvation Army with the Tri-City Storm has also worked with the Nebraska Lottery to sponsor food drives at Storm hockey games. Free Nebraska Lottery tickets are handed out to fans that bring in cans of food or other nonperishable items.

Charter Communications has likewise teamed up with the Nebraska Lottery to sponsor the 'Chuck-A-Puck.' Before a Storm hockey game fans are asked to purchase a hockey puck, register it, and during intermission of the hockey game fans are encouraged to throw their pucks towards a target in the middle of the rink. Winners collect a wide variety of prizes, which had been donated, by a variety of corporate sponsors, including the Nebraska Lottery. All proceeds are spread amongst charities such as the United Way, the YMCA and other organizations.

SOURCE: Nebraska Lottery media release.


EssNet to Provide New Terminal Technology to Swedish Horse Betting Company AB Trav och Galopp

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (July 2, 2004) -- EssNet today announced that the Company was chosen as the vendor to provide hand-held terminals and software services to AB Trav och Galopp (ATG), the national horse betting company in Sweden. The decision follows an international tender and an extensive evaluation process in which ten other companies participated. The terminals will have touch-screen, wireless LAN connection, operating system, web browser and some terminal specific functions. In the pilot phase the terminals will be installed at two tracks and the plan is then to install terminals at more tracks and also at some off-track agents.

"ATG is one of the most innovative and technically advanced operators in the horse racing industry and we are proud that they have chosen EssNet as their future partner for development of technology for new point of sales," says Hans Vigmostad, EssNet President & CEO.

"Today, at the horse racing tracks in Sweden, players can only place bets at manually operated terminals accepting both verbal bets and coupons. ATG is now planning to install self-service terminals and the first step is to develop a terminal for use by the players directly at the restaurant tables," says Ronnie Ronnersjö, Manager IT System, AB Trav och Galopp.

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About EssNet

EssNet is one of the leading suppliers in the lottery industry. Based in Stockholm, the company provides a full suite of lottery and gaming products - from new games, a variety of terminals and integrated solutions for Internet and mobile telephones, to the installation of turnkey systems. The customers are state-authorised gaming and lottery companies with licence to operate Lotto, Keno, Bingo, Toto, Oddset and other sports betting and numbers games. EssNet has installations in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, South America and Australia.

The joint venture EssNet Interactive AB supplies leading-edge Interactive Video Terminal (IVT) solutions - from a variety of games and terminals, to the installation of turnkey systems. TattsNet AB, a joint venture between EssNet and Tattersall's, provides turn-key lottery solutions, including operation. A third joint venture, OE Netgame Ltd, provides solutions for mobile gaming, for instance via SMS or down-loaded games.

SOURCE: EssNet (www.essnet.se) media release. For further information please contact Carin Langemark, Director Marketing & Information, tel. +46 8 702 57 00, mobile +46 70 535 93 52, Email: carin.langemark@essnet.se.


Folkspel Conquers the Digital Lottery and Gaming World with New Partnership

GÖTEBORG, Sweden (July 5, 2004) -- The market for online lotteries and gaming is growing at a tremendous rate. And now, Folkspel is to be number-one in Sweden within Internet gaming. The new partnership with Veikkaus, the lottery and gaming company owned by the Finnish state, entails an offensive venture into a new business area.

Within the regulated gambling and lottery market in Sweden, sales over the Internet amounted to SEK 1.2 billion last year. In addition to this, foreign websites generated sales, which the industry estimates at SEK 2–3 billion. This is where growth is to be found in the lottery and gaming market, and growth for the coming years is estimated at 25–50 percent per annum! Folkspel is now entering this highly interesting and exciting digital world. Our new partnership with Veikkaus, the Finnish state-owned lottery and gaming company, will lead to new opportunities for expansion within Internet-based lotteries and online gaming.

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"This is an important part of our future strategy, to be a prominent actor in this area," says Susanne Hörmander, Head of Development at Folkspel.

The idea behind the partnership with Finnish Veikkaus is simple but important: game development is a costly and time-consuming process employing complicated technology. Entering a partnership with Veikkaus, which has spent ten years developing the OnNet digital gaming platform, is therefore a natural step. The OnNet system is designed to handle transactions over the Internet, as well as digital games and lotteries.

"We can use the same technical platform, we can share investment costs and collaborate on the development of future systems and products," says Susanne Hörmander.

Veikkaus has been working closely with the Dutch State owned DeLotto for over a year, and Folkspel now joins them as a third, strong actor. "Competition from overseas actors is stiff. But together we stand strong, as PRESSINFORMATION 5 JULI 2004 we share the same technology and platform," says Risto Rautee, Director of Veikkaus Research and Development.

Veikkaus is a good example of the growing Internet-based gaming market. The Internet games offered currently represent more than 10% of Veikkaus’ total sales, and the company has more than 310,000 registered OnNet players. Folkspel will of course benefit from their Finnish colleagues’ experience. "There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. We were the first to launch an Internet lottery back in 1996, and we’ve been developing the platform since the early 1990s, so Folkspel will now benefit from this experience," says Risto Rautee. The Finnish IT company Softplan, which is a part of the HiQ Group and, in practice, acts as systems developer for Veikkaus, has adapted the system to Swedish conditions for Folkspel.

About Folkspel

Folkspel is a lottery and gaming company owned by Swedish non-profit social and sport organisations. We are owned by more than 70 Swedish national nonprofit organisations, which together administrate 35,000 associations and have a total of 5 million members. Profits from our operations go in their entirety to the members. In 2003, we had sales of SEK 2.3 billion, of which SEK 800 million went to the work and activities of the associations. Our task is to secure and develop the different organisations’ opportunities to apply their own efforts in order to increase their earning capacity.

Our core business is Lotteries and Games. Our main product, BingoLotto, has brought in almost 12 billion Swedish crowns to our organisations over the years.

SOURCE: Folkspel i Sverige AB (www.folkspel.se).
CONTACT: Susanne Hörmander, Head of development, Folkspel, Phone int +46 708 870 105 Joni Sihvola, Director of Veikkaus International Partnerships, Phone int +35 84 00 77 59 55.

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Ingenio Awards Special Prize to Video Game Design Firm

MONTREAL, Quebec (July 5, 2004) -- Humagade Ltd., a young firm based in the Québec City area, is the happy recipient of the $5,000 Ingenio Special Prize. The prize was awarded during the National Grand Prize presentations at the Concours québécois en entrepreneurship, held this past June 22 at the Capitole in Québec City with Québec Premier Jean Charest in attendance.

Loto-Québec's research and development subsidiary, Ingenio has been awarding this prize for the past four years in recognition of the best business plan presented at this national competition for the creation of a new enterprise in the interactive multimedia entertainment field, or prepared by a newly created firm active in this sector.

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Founded by Hugo Morin and Martin Verville, Humagade specializes in the design and development of electronic entertainment solutions for mobile, PC and console platforms. "Over the short period of one year, Humagade has already concluded agreements with a number of major players in the video game industry," underlined Nathalie Rajotte, Director General of Ingenio and presenter of the award to the founders of the young company. "And thanks to the Concours québécois en entrepreneurship, the outstanding efforts of young entrepreneurs like these are obtaining well-deserved visibility."

Profitable after only six months of operation, employing a team of 16, and with facilities occupying 2,500 square feet in Pont-Rouge, Humagade most definitely has the wind in its sails. According to company co-founder, Hugo Morin, the National Grand Prize presentation was an inspiring time to pause and reflect. "To be part of this special evening and to receive the Ingenio Special Prize offers us the opportunity to really appreciate all the work we've accomplished and the progress we've made this past year," explained Mr. Morin. "But, most of all, it helps confirm that Martin (Verville) and I are actually realizing our dream."

Marking its sixth edition, the Concours québécois en entrepreneurship received no fewer than 909 submissions in its "New Enterprise Creation" category this year, with a total of 6,500 projects entered by student entrepreneurs. In all, this year's competition attracted more than 148,000 participants.

Specialized in the research, development, marketing and export of innovative multimedia-based interactive lottery products, Loto-Québec's Ingenio subsidiary's primary focus is on improving the entertainment value of games of chance.

SOURCE Loto Quebec.
Information: Jean-Pierre Roy, Director of Media Relations, Telephone: (514) 499-5151.


Veikkaus and Folkspel Announce Partnership in Internet Gaming Technology

FINLAND (July 5, 2004) -- Folkspel, the Swedish lottery and gaming company, and Veikkaus, the Finnish national lottery, announced a partnership agreement under which Folkspel has licensed Veikkaus’ OnNet Internet gaming technology which has been adapted for Folkspel.

Folkspel and Veikkaus have also agreed to cooperate in developing their Internet gaming business and technology based on Veikkaus’ successful OnNet gaming platform. Other regulated national lotteries are invited to join the partnership. De Lotto, the Dutch Lottery company, joined the partnership two years ago.

The Finnish software company HiQ Softplan has adapted and integrated OnNet into the Swedish environment. HiQ Softplan is Veikkaus’ partner in the OnNet system development.

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About Folkspel:

Folkspel is a lottery and gaming company owned by 70 Swedish national organisations and associations with a combined total of about five million members. BingoLotto is company’s main product. Turnover within the Lotteries business area for 2003 was 2.3 billion Swedish crowns, and the entire profits went straight back to non-profit social and sport organisations. Folkspel has been running lotteries for thirteen years.

About Veikkaus:

Veikkaus is the Finnish National Lottery. In 2003, Veikkaus' turnover was EUR 1,599 million. The proceeds are used to support the Finnish culture – arts, sports, youth work and science. Veikkaus employs 370 lottery professionals. Veikkaus was the first national lottery to launch Internet gaming (OnNet) in 1996. Since then, Internet gaming has increased rapidly. OnNet's record weekly sales have been EUR 2.5 million. Currently, there are 320,000 registered players. Veikkaus invests strongly on the future technological projects, including mobile and digital TV applications.

About HiQ Softplan:

HiQ Softplan is a Finnish IT company founded 1987. HiQ Softplan’s mission is to provide its customers with high quality consultancy and project services in the development of their business critical IT systems. HiQ Softplan’s customers include Veikkaus, TeliaSonera Finland and Nokia. HiQ Softplan is part of the Nordic IT consultancy HiQ group. The group employs currently over 400 IT professionals in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway and had 400 million Swedish crown turnover in 2003. The parent company of the group, HiQ International AB, is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.

About OnNet Internet gaming system:

Veikkaus successfully launched a new Internet gaming system in February 2002. The new generation gaming platform OnNet2 replaced the previous Internet gaming system used since 1996. OnNet2 opened, among others, the possibilities for the development of real-time betting games which can be played while the sporting events are going on.

The new OnNet2 system facilitated also the development of games which are played only through Internet and mobile channels. It is also possible to develop instant lottery games on the OnNet2 platform.

The entire offering of Veikkaus’ coupon games – both sports betting and games of chance – is currently available for registered Finnish players through the Internet and mobile self-service channels, as the system is connected to GTECH’s online system.

Thanks to its scalable three-tier architecture, the system capacity can be easily increased in the pace of the continuously growing numbers of registered players. The new architecture also facilitates the gaming usage of multi-channel user interfaces – such as digital interactive television.

SOURCE: Veikkaus.
For more information, please contact: Folkspel: Head of Development Susanne Hörmander, tel. +46 708 870 105, e-mail: susanne.hormander@folkspel.se or Veikkaus: Manager, International Partnerships Joni Sihvola, tel. +358 400 775 955, e-mail: joni.sihvola@veikkaus.fi.


Greek National Football Team Success, Sparks Betting Boost

ATHENS, Greece (June 6, 2004) -- During the twenty-two breathtaking days of Euro 2004, betting in Greece was boosted significantly. A large percentage of the turnover was due to the escalated interest of players becoming more and more impressed by the national football team’s unprecedented performance started with their victory over the host team of Portugal in EURO’s 2004 opening game.

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The more successful the originally "outsider" Greek football team was, the more bets were placed on them by exited Greek players. On the following game of Greece vs Spain the turnover rose by 218%! An increase of 66% marked the game with Russia, with more moderate increases after the team had made it to the semi finals, beating the title holder France (+33%), making it to the finals by winning over Czech Republic (+42%), and finally becoming the new European Champion winning for the second time the favourite team of Portugal (+18%).

Ante-post bets on EURO 2004 opened in September of 2002, at a time when the team had failed to win a single game at major finals and the chance of Greece winning the title was offered by odds of 100! Even though, some of the players placed bets back then and the winnings of these bets today are about €1,3 million.

In its fifth year of operation, Greek fixed odds betting enjoy a market share of 50% with Betting Company offering its operational support services and risk management for the game, handling the largest book in the world with annual sales of €1.6 billion (2003 figures).

Betting Company S.A., a member of the INTRALOT group, offers ISO 9001:2000 certified operational fixed odds betting games services to state licensed lotteries around the globe. The company’s customers include O.P.A.P. (Greek Organisation of Football Prognostics), Narodna Lutrija and Belgrade Lottery (Serbia), Eurofootball (Bulgaria), Loteria Moldovei (Moldova), Polla Chilena de Beneficencia (Chile), CNLR (Romania) and Royal Highgate (Cyprus).

SOURCE: Betting Company S.A.
CONTACT: Panos Pournaras, Corporate Communications Manager, Betting Company, Tel +30 210 2880100, pournaras@betting.gr


Missouri Lottery Sales Highest Ever, Up 11.5%

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (July 7, 2004) -- The Missouri Lottery had another record sales year with fiscal year 2004 sales totaling more than $791.5* million, 11.5 percent higher than the previous fiscal year. Fiscal year 2004 ended on June 30.

Jim Scroggins, executive director for the Missouri Lottery, said the sales increase can be attributed to several high Powerball jackpots, a larger variety of Scratchers games and sales increases in the Club Keno game.

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More than $484* million in prizes were awarded to Missouri Lottery players during fiscal year 2004, increasing the total prizes awarded since the Lottery began in 1986 to more than $4.1 billion. Six Missouri Lottery players became millionaires, winning jackpots ranging from $1.5 million to $130.6 million. In all, $143.9 million in jackpot prizes were awarded during the past fiscal year.

Fifty Missouri Lottery Powerball tickets worth $100,000 were sold in Missouri, and 20 SHOW ME 5 Paydown tickets worth $50,000 tax paid were sold during fiscal year 2004.

Retailers who sell Missouri Lottery products earned more than $48.5* million in commissions, incentives and bonuses for selling Missouri Lottery tickets during fiscal year 2004.

In addition, record sales in fiscal year 2004 translated into record proceeds to Missouri's public education programs with more than $230* million transferred to the Lottery Proceeds Fund to benefit various public education programs. Total proceeds to the state, including education, since the Missouri Lottery began are more than $2.2 billion.

SALES BY PRODUCT

Product

FY04

FY03

Lotto

$35,106,863*

$28,736,839

Pick 3

$54,043,157*

$53,569,248

Pick 4

$18,470,558*

$16,157,969

SHOW ME 5 PD

$24,379,229*

$22,665,639

Powerball

$147,378,054*

$125,324,451

Club Keno

$51,584,850*

$42,570,878

Scratchers

$434,696,508*

$393,981,254

Pull Tabs

$21,846,920*

$25,041,234

Xtra

$4,016,106*

N/A

Total

$791,522,245*

$708,047,512

FISCAL YEAR SALES HISTORY

FY04

*$791,522,245

FY03

$708,047,512

FY02

$585,189,254

FY01

$508,301,104

FY00

$507,845,586

FY99

$513,251,456

FY98

$494,298,761

FY97

$439,592,300

FY96

$422,530,945

FY95

$411,664,824

FY94

$350,518,546

FY93

$256,675,345

FY92

$220,359,753

FY91

$216,240,866

FY90

$223,367,147

FY89

$199,202,382

FY88

$147,761,618

FY87

$174,081,815

FY86

$206,990,610

Total

*$7,377,442,069

* unaudited (estimated) figures

SOURCE: The Missouri Lottery www.molottery.com
CONTACT: Susan Goedde Phone: (573) 751-4050, Fax: (573) 751-5188.

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