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Scientific Games

Vol. 29 No. 7 -- Monday November 15, 2004
MDI Entertainment Inc.
WIN PIDC
EGET
Oberthur Gaming Technologies
EssNet

Smartplay International Inc.

  • You Get MORE Prizes! MORE Games! More SPORTS! Full Story
  • ‘B-On’ the Innovative Gaming Platform from INTRALOT. Full Story.
  • INTRALOT CEO Interviewed by Lottery Insider. Full Story.
  • MDI Expands Stock Car Racing Lottery Opportunities in New Agreement With NASCAR®. Full Story.
  • EssNet to Showcase a New Agent Call Centre Solution at WLA Trade Show in Durban. Full Story.
  • New Hampshire Lottery Introduces Advance P'Ball Subscriptions. Full Story.
  • Lottery Dynamics Debuts Lotto Gold+™ Program at WLA 2004 Conference. Full Story.
  • Boss Media to Deliver Mobile Gaming System to William Hill. Full Story.
  • MDI and World Series of Poker Sign Exclusive Lottery Licensing Deal. Full Story.
  • SC Lottery Reintroduces Clean $weep Promotion. Full Story
  • Nebraska Lottery's New Game Features The Fun Zone. Full Story

Olivetti Tecnost

Schafer Systems Inc.
KEBA AG
Wincor Nixdorf
Spielo
Classifieds

Starting Dec. 3, You Get MORE Prizes! MORE Games! More SPORTS!

MONCTON New Brunswick, Canada (November 10, 2004)

MORE Prizing Options

You told us to improve OVER/UNDER’s prize structure. So we’ve changed OVER/UNDER to an odd-set prize structure, just like PRO•LINE.

Starting Dec. 3, you’ll see an "Over" odd, and an "Under" odd on the Game List. Now you can bet on long shots and win bigger prizes, choose to play it safe and win smaller prizes, or play somewhere in between.

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Let’s say you bet $10 on three games. With the old prize structure you could win $50. But with the new prize structure you choose your prize by playing the odds:

  • Bet on long shots and win $58 (1.80 x 1.80 x 1.80 x $10.00);
  • Play it safe and win $41 (1.60 x 1.60 x 1.60 x $10.00); or
  • Play somewhere in between and still win $50 (1.65 x 1.75 x 1.75 x $10.00).

MORE Games. MORE Sports

We’ve super-charged the PRO•LINE and OVER/UNDER Game List! We’re adding MORE games and MORE sports. Now you’ll be able to bet on all the games that keep you glued to the tube.

Starting Dec. 3, the PRO•LINE and OVER/UNDER Game List will offer up to 255 games a week! Which means you get:

  • Twice as many Basketball games.
  • 25% MORE Baseball games.
  • New sports: Golf, Tennis, College Football, and College Basketball.

And to make sure you have the best selection of games to bet on, we’re introducing adjustable odds. So when star basketball players call in sick or baseball managers change starting pitchers, we won’t have to close the game, just adjust the odds.

Please Note:

  • All odds will be posted at approximately 5 a.m. and will stay the same until game time or 3 a.m., whichever comes first.
  • We’ll honor the odd printed on your ticket.
  • Adjustments to the odds will be rare.

MORE on alc.ca

Now you can purchase PRO•LINE and OVER/UNDER online at www.alc.ca. Just click the PlaySphere logo and complete the registration process. Before you play online you’ll have to fund your account. You can do this by purchasing WebCash from your ALC retailer, or via electronic funds transfer.

SOURCE: Atlantic Lottery Corporation (www.alc.ca) media release.


‘B-On’ the Innovative Gaming Platform from INTRALOT

ATHENS, Greece (November 10, 2004) -- INTRALOT today announced that will feature B-On, the first gaming platform enabling multiplayer entertainment games combined with betting and next generation instant tickets, at the WLA 2004 Trade Show and Convention in Durban, that is taking place from Nov.14 to 19, 2004. INTRALOT’s B-On gaming platform features multiplayer mobile and PC gaming capabilities coupled with betting, tournaments and instant tickets. B-On gaming platform can support a wide range of game types involving skill, knowledge and chance. In addition, community features such as friends’ lists, matchmaking, presence, chat and instant messaging complement the rich gaming experience. B-On platform is the first example of how betting and entertainment convergence is realized in a virtual gaming community of connected mobile and personal computer users.

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B-On provides game developers with not only the fundamental network tools to create multiplayer, connected games, but also the essential infrastructure upon which game service providers can build and expand their gaming communities and game portfolio.

"We are excited about the opportunity to present to the lottery industry this unique gaming platform "B-On", which offers to the players the key perquisites of our era: mobility, knowledge & skill games and socializing. We have long ago focused our efforts in developing a platform that convergence gaming with entertainment and socializing. B-On is this innovative solution that meets the needs of the changing lottery industry," said Mr Constantinos Antonopoulos, CEO of INTRALOT.

B-On includes:

B-On Multiplayer Gaming Platform and software development kit. It is a high performance online multiplayer gaming platform based on proven technology. It offers a complete and sophisticated network solution for multiplayer on-line gaming, betting, tournaments and instant ticketing for both mobile and fixed networks – real-time action or turn-based games. It is built to provide scalability and reliability for thousands of simultaneous players. Key features:

  • Small footprint on the wireless handset.
  • High end-user quality through efficient use of access bandwidth and adaptation of data streams to varying network conditions.
  • Ability to support all internet network access technologies.

B-On Lobby System implements the gaming community features. While games are the driver, community features create the "game around the game". It is the set of features that increase game interest and promote repeat play. Gamers play, compete for rewards and recognition, but also socialize chatting with friends and meeting like-minded people. Some of the B-On Lobby System features are:

  • Peer to peer betting.
  • Tournament competitions.
  • Matchmaking & Chatting.
  • Friends list & Communities.
  • Presence.
  • Extensive rankings

About INTRALOT

INTRALOT is a leading supplier of integrated gaming and transaction processing systems, innovative game designs and value added services to state-licensed gaming organizations and financial services providers worldwide.
With 29 subsidiaries and 1,500 people in 26 countries and revenues of € 320 million, the company dominates in Europe, has secured a strong position in South America and has established a foothold in North America, while expanding its presence in S.E. Asia and Australia. Following a highly successful period of rapid growth, INTRALOT currently ranks 3rd on revenues and 2nd on profits among lottery suppliers worldwide.

SOURCE: INTRALOT (www.intralot.com).
For more information please contact: Ms. Christina Geronicola, Communications Director – Tel. +30-210-6156000 – Fax: +30-210-6106800, email: geronicola@intralot.com.


INTRALOT CEO Interviewed by Lottery Insider

Constantinos G. Antonopoulos
INTRALOT CEO Constantinos G. Antonopoulos

INTRALOT CEO Constantinos G. Antonopoulos was recently interviewed by the Editor of Lottery Insider (November 9, 2004).

LOTTERY INSIDER: INTRALOT is currently ranked 3rd, based on 2003 financials results, among lottery systems suppliers, can we start off with you telling Lottery Insider's readers about INTRALOT's beginnings, how did the company get into the lottery / gaming business?

INTRALOT: INTRALOT’s involvement in the gaming industry started back in 1988, as part of Intracom, a leading telecom and IT company in Europe, when we implemented at that time a new system for OPAP, the Greek State Lottery. Intracom, as engaged in IT projects, considered the opportunity to expand its IT business in gaming applications. In other words, INTRALOT is the first vendor that came from the technology sector. Now, we see more IT companies doing that and this is good and promising for the industry.

LOTTERY INSIDER: Can you tell our readers a little about your own background? How and when did you get into the lottery industry? You are currently INTRALOT's CEO, what other positions have you held in the company?

INTRALOT: Since the beginning of my career, I was involved in public procurements, both from the state’s side and the private sector. In 1989, when I joined Intracom, as director of the Development Programs Department, my major task was the participation of the group in the European Commission’s IT Research & Development Programs. From 1992, I was one of the founders of INTRALOT and since its establishment I am the CEO of the company. Thinking of it, I must be the old wolf CEO of the industry from the supplier’s side, but surprisingly I still feel young and motivated.

LOTTERY INSIDER: Over recent years we have seen the number of players/vendors in the lottery industry shrink through mergers, acquisitions, etc. Do you think this is healthy for the industry, and what are the advantages and disadvantages?

INTRALOT: From a business and financial point of view, it is not defined whether it’s healthy or not. However, it is a fact, which does not happen only in our industry. After the stock market’s recession in 2000, it is a common business practice globally and is happening in all business sectors. In the lottery industry, it is in process. The fact is that organic growth cannot be easily maintained. Another type of growth can be achieved through acquisitions, especially for the leading companies of the industry. I think the problem is the number of acquisitions. Sometimes there are too many and can’t be absorbed, thus not producing value or economy of scale, as should. INTRALOT is a company that is driven mostly by an organic growth and secondarily by acquisitions, which are carefully and selectively chosen. The new lottery landscape leads to less options for the customers (lotteries), but does not necessarily diminish competition.

LOTTERY INSIDER: INTRALOT is probably better known in Europe and South America, but you recently won your first US lottery contract. Will there be others?

INTRALOT: I was at NASPL's annual Conference in October, where I experienced a very positive attitude towards INTRALOT. It was not just the contract award from Nebraska Lottery, but the delivery of the project in the best possible manner that rewards INTRALOT’s efforts in the US market. INTRALOT proved to be a serious and reliable player in a market with only a very few options, considering also the recent acquisition of IGT-On line. I am confident that new awards will be coming soon.

LOTTERY INSIDER: Without giving away trade secrets, what do you think will be the key to INTRALOT winning its next U.S. lottery as a client?

INTRALOT: Besides the innovative solutions & products and the competitive pricing INTRALOT offers, I think our competitive advantage is customer service. We value our customers as partners and we commit ourselves in after sales service.

LOTTERY INSIDER: INTRALOT recently tendered to supply a new gaming system to the NZ Lottery, and has in fact made the short list to go forward to the next stage. Does this mean INTRALOT will be looking to expand into the Asia Pacific region and, can we expect to see a branch or subsidiary established in the area?

INTRALOT: INTRALOT strives for its global expansion. The Asia Pacific region is an emerging market and is top listed in our targeted markets. We have already established a business office in Beijing, so as to monitor the developments in the region and we have already undertaken a project in Philippines.

LOTTERY INSIDER: Do you think lotteries should look to a supplier that can provide a full service, i.e. online system, instant tickets, Video lottery, etc. or are they better off splitting the contract into the various segments. In your opinion what are the advantages and disadvantages?

INTRALOT: It all depends on the size of the lottery. The big and medium size lotteries have big revenues, which cannot be in risk just for better price, which actually is very small considering the revenues. Technology is not their core business and should rely on a partnership with a reliable vendor. The small lotteries care about expenses and can risk.

LOTTERY INSIDER: As more and more governments look to raise additional revenue, Video lottery is considered one of the most appealing additions to the lottery business. How does INTRALOT hope to take advantage of this opportunity?

INTRALOT: INTRALOT has already developed a sophisticated integrated VLT solution. A showcase of our VLT deployment is Romania, where the state VLT’s face a very competitive open VLT market. Moreover, since the launch of Video Lottery the Romanian State Lottery (CNLR) has experienced a sales increase of more than 150% in its numerical games. The combination of credibility, technology and efficient operation are the key factors of such a success.

LOTTERY INSIDER: Given that the majority of western lotteries are mature, and consumers are reportedly getting tied of the traditional lottery games, where do you see the lottery industry expanding in the future?

INTRALOT: The industry is at a turning point. From business to business (B2B) model, we are heading to the business to consumer (B2C) one. This is the trend not only in our industry, but also in the whole technology world. The lifestyle is changing and we have to offer products that are appealing to our new consumers, who are already familiar with the latest technological trends. Content and mobility are the key elements of our future. It is a challenging time!

LOTTERY INSIDER: Finally, where do you see INTRALOT in the next 10 years?

INTRALOT: Ranking first in the gaming industry, among the top 20 in the entertainment industry, listed in NYSE and hopefully … having another CEO.

LOTTERY INSIDER: Mr. Antonopoulos thank you very much for your time.

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ABOUT INTRALOT
INTRALOT is an affiliate of the INTRACOM Group. INTRACOM is considered one of the largest technological companies in Europe and one of the top 100 fastest developing companies world-wide.
Based on the Group's expertise in Information Technology and Telecommunications, INTRALOT has developed a flexible and comprehensive on-line lottery environment that covers all gaming, wagering and logistical requirements of a modern lottery organization.
INTRALOT is actively involved in the management and operation of Lottery Organizations. It has been awarded exclusive licenses to implement and operate lotteries on behalf of authorities in a number of jurisdictions. The company has been successful on the basis of its flexible technological platform and the particular attention it places on gaming content.
Most importantly, being an operator has afforded INTRALOT valuable insight in the real-life concerns faced by a Lottery Organization. As the operator of a National Lottery, audited by the government and remunerated through a percentage of revenues, INTRALOT has first-hand experience of the difficulties confronting a lottery operator. INTRALOT has faced issues and derived solutions to problems beyond the usual domain of a lottery supplier.


MDI Expands Stock Car Racing Lottery Opportunities in New Agreement With NASCAR®

ALPHARETTA, Georgia (November 8, 2004) – After four years of licensing some of the sport’s most popular drivers to lotteries, MDI Entertainment has now added the NASCAR® brand itself to its portfolio of lottery licenses. Under the terms of the agreement with NASCAR® Inc., U.S. lotteries will be able to license the official NASCAR® brand name, images and logo for use on tickets and in related advertising.

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The NASCAR® brand will be a featured graphic and promotional element in MDI-licensed games that highlight the sport’s superstars. "Lotteries will also now be able to offer players NASCAR-branded scratch games that do not feature a specific NASCAR® driver on the tickets, plus they will have access to an expanded NASCAR® licensed merchandise portfolio from which to build NASCAR® -themed scratch game prize structures," said MDI President Steve Saferin.

Since July of 2000, when the Wisconsin Lottery introduced the first licensed game featuring drivers who compete in NASCAR® sanctioned events, 18 U.S. lotteries have offered games featuring the images, race car numbers and autographs of veterans and rising superstars, such as Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Burton, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott and reigning NASCAR® champion Matt Kenseth. In 2005, 32 NASCAR® Nextel Cup Series races are scheduled at 20 tracks in 17 U.S. lottery jurisdictions.

NASCAR® is the second-highest rated sport on network television. Among all major sports, NASCAR® ranks number-one in corporate involvement, fan loyalty and at-event attendance. Women comprise approximately 40 percent of NASCAR®’s fan base of 75 million Americans evenly spread across the country. This year is the inaugural season of the Chase for the NASCAR® NEXTEL Cup, a new format for choosing the sport’s champion. The Chase, which concludes on Nov. 21 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, is providing more drivers the opportunity to win the championship, more exposure for all 43 teams, and more excitement for fans.

NASCAR® becomes the newest member of MDI’s growing library of major sports properties that also includes the NBA, NHL®, Arena Football®, Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and The Breeders’ Cup®.

NASCAR Logo

Formed in 1948, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (www.nascar.com) is the sanctioning body for one of America's premier sports. NASCAR®’s three major national series are the NASCAR® NEXTEL Cup Series, the NASCAR® Busch Series and the NASCAR® Craftsman Truck Series. These events are now broadcast in more than 150 countries. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in Charlotte, Concord, N.C., Los Angeles, New York, Mexico City and Toronto, NASCAR® sanctions 1,800 races at 120 tracks in 38 states.

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About 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: Scientific Games.


EssNet to Showcase a New Agent Call Centre Solution at WLA Trade Show in Durban

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (November 5, 2004) -- EssNet today announced that it will feature AutoHelp, a new agent call centre solution, at the WLA Dream Africa 2004 Trade Show and Convention in Durban, South Africa, on November 14 – 19.

EssNet has developed a product that provides lotteries with automation of a major part of agent calls to the lottery call centre, taking care of maintenance requests and orders for new coupons, tickets etc. Lotteries can achieve substantial cost savings, yet providing an increased service level by automating routine communication with their agents. The services are based on the latest speech recognition technology and can easily be tailored to fit specific needs of any lottery.

EssNet’s AutoHelp is open for integration with existing lottery systems and it can also be installed as a stand-alone system.

"Speech recognition services have become popular because they are easily accessible and have almost full coverage everywhere," says Claes Peyron, EssNet Director Sales. "Based on our experience, we estimate that at least 80 per cent of all agent calls to call centres can be automated. The workload on the call centre staff thus decreases dramatically and they are free to serve agents with more qualified assistance."

To have a demonstration of EssNet's solution for automation of agent call centres, please visit the EssNet booth on the show floor in Durban.

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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, Odds and other sports betting and numbers games.
EssNet has installations in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, South America, Africa and Australia.

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


New Hampshire Lottery Introduces Advance Powerball Subscriptions

NEW HAMPSHIRE (November 2004) -- Just like a Tri-State Megabucks subscription, for Powerball you will choose 6 lucky numbers - 5 numbers from a field of 1 through 53 and 1 Powerball Number - from a different field of 1 through 42. You may take these lucky numbers and subscribe for 26 draws ($25), 52 draws ($50) or 104 draws ($100). You must have a New Hampshire mailing address to subscribe to any of our games.

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Purchase your own Powerball subscription and keep in mind, Powerball Subscriptions will make great gifts for the holidays. You may order a subscription and charge it to VISA/MasterCard by calling our subscription hotline - 603-271-2825 Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. Questions about purchasing a subscription(s) as a gift(s) may be asked of our hotline attendant. Subscription application forms may also be picked up at any of our 1,200 retailers statewide. Just complete the application form and send in payment (check, money order, lottery gift certificate or credit card information). You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase any type of lottery ticket.

Subscriptions purchased in November will have a start date of December 29th. Subscriptions purchased in December and beyond will have later start dates. Upon processing your subscription application, a confirmation card will be mailed to you. Please review the information on the card to make sure it is correct. Any prize money won will be mailed to you. And when you win the jackpot, we'll give you a call with the good news! Don't miss out on any jackpots, before your subscription begins, buy a Powerball ticket from your favorite lottery retailer.

SOURCE: New Hampshire Lottery media release.

Spielo

Lottery Dynamics Debuts Lotto Gold+™ Program at WLA 2004 Conference in Durban; Program Ushers in New Era of Lotto Play, Sales and Profitability

IRVING, Texas, USA (November 9, 2004) – Lotto play may never be the same following the debut of Lottery Dynamics LLC’s evolutionary Lotto Gold+™ program at the World Lottery Association’s (WLA) conference in Durban, South Africa which starts on Sunday.

For the first time in Lotto history, players will be able to choose from multiple-priced tickets to play for proportionate percentages of a single progressive Lotto prize pool. At the same time, Lotto Gold+™ addresses the key element to Lotto success and player participation - Jackpot size - by offering starting jackpot prize pools three-to-four times current levels across any game matrix or currency.

Lottery Dynamics took its cue in developing Lotto Gold+™ from the huge success achieved in instant ticket sales worldwide through higher priced tickets coupled with larger prizes.

Lottery Dynamics’ driving mission is to bring a new era of player choice, player value and player excitement to Lotto through multiple-priced tickets, bigger jackpots, and unique daily win features. The program allows lotteries to maximize participation at every draw by feeding players’ demand for enticing games and prize levels.

"Unique and proprietary program features in combination with strategic partnerships with some of the world’s leading institutions enable us to offer a program that we believe will drive any lottery organization’s Lotto sales and profits 40% -100% above current levels," said Robert Wright, chairman and CEO of Lottery Dynamics. "With the unique ‘tools’ and features our program provides, Lotto Gold+™ was designed to revitalize this mainstay of the industry and ‘level the playing field’ so Lotto can be truly competitive in this challenging gaming environment," he added.

Lotto Gold+™ is a win-win program for all lottery constituents:

  • sponsoring jurisdictions;
  • players;
  • vendors;
  • retailers; and
  • the social programs supported by lotteries worldwide.

There is no added prize cost to the lottery jurisdiction to implement Lotto Gold+™, no necessity to change existing game matrixes and all prize risk is assumed by Lottery Dynamics and its strategic partners. Significantly, there is no decrease in either the lottery organization’s percentage income or profit percentages earmarked for good causes.

WLA Durban
Durban, South Africa November 14-19, 2004

Lottery Dynamics debut at WLA Nov. 14-19 marks its official unveiling since launching informally earlier in the year. The company is presently in negotiations with several lottery jurisdictions to license its patent-pending programs both for Lotto and other game play.

"WLA is our ‘coming-out party’ and we invite everyone to stop at our booth #42 where we will demonstrate one of the key features of the Lotto Gold+™ program – multiple-priced tickets playing within a single prize pool - through a huge R1,000,000 promotion," said Wright. Guests at the booth will be given money clips with R30 and can choose to bet R10, R20 or R30 to play for prizes of R250,000, R500,000 and R1,000,000, respectively.

SOURCE: Lottery Dynamics LLC.
CONTACT: Karen Lazarovic, VP Corporate Communications, Email: klazarovic@lotterydynamics.com.


Boss Media to Deliver Mobile Gaming System to William Hill

SWEDEN (November 9, 2004) -- Boss Media AB and William Hill have signed an agreement to set up a pilot installation for a mobile gaming system. The added module will allow William Hill's customers to enjoy Black Jack, Video Poker and Slots via mobile phones. The added channel installation is set to go live in the next few weeks.

The games are developed in Java and will communicate with the gaming server. The added mobile channel will enable a player to play their favourite games on various Nokia and Sony/Ericsson phone models. William Hill is already experienced in mobile gaming, as they operate a successful WAP-betting and WAP-games proposition. With this expansion William Hill will now be able to offer its customers the same real-time casino style games that are available via PC over the Internet. Players will be able to log in and play using their existing account and funds.

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"The possibility to play when, where and what you want really comes true on a mobile handset. The new technique with GPRS and color screens offers a very attractive user interface. These two factors will allow mobile gambling to become an important part of the total online gambling business," says Peter Bertilsson, CEO of Boss Media.

"We have already enjoyed success through WAP-betting and with increased penetration of Java-enabled devices there exists great opportunities to take proven Internet-based games and migrate to mobile. We also believe that offering account integration affords further proof of William Hill providing real ubiquity of access of its product range," says Peter Nolan, Group Director at William Hill.

Founded in 1934, William Hill is once of the best-known names in the UK betting industry. It is one of the leading providers of fixed-odds bookmaking services, offering odds and taking bets on a wide range of sporting and other events, as well as offering Amusement with Prizes machines and Fixed Odds Betting Terminals in licensed betting offices and operating an online casino. It is a market leader in all major betting channels in the UK with an established international presence through its online business. William Hill has nearly 1,600 betting shops across the UK, most of which are open seven days a week. William Hill PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange (Symbol: WMH.L). For further information visit the William Hill corporate website, www.williamhill.co.uk.

Boss Media has previously provided William Hill with a range of online casinos in several languages and various currencies, and in both downloadable and web-based versions. Boss Media has also furnished William Hill with a "Super Back Office" solution.

About Boss Media AB

The Group Boss Media AB (publ) is one of the world's leading suppliers of systems for digitally distributed gaming entertainment. Boss Media develops gaming solutions for such distribution channels as personal computers, interactive video terminals, mobile phones and digital TV. Licensees are offered a customized gaming system, an integrated payment system as well as related services. The Boss Media-share is listed on the O-list (Attract 40) of Stockholmsbörsen (Stockholm Stock Exchange). More information about Boss Media is available at www.bossmedia.se.

For further information, please contact: Peter Bertilsson, President and CEO, Boss Media AB (publ), telephone: +46 (0)470 70 30 01 or +46 (0)70 993 25 54, e-mail: pbe@bossmedia.se.

SOURCE: Media release distributed by Alert Investor Relations AB (http://www.alertir.com/).


MDI and World Series of Poker Sign Exclusive Lottery Licensing Deal
World Famous Tournament Combines with MDI’s Patented Hold ‘Em Poker® Play Styles to Make a Very Hot Lottery Game Theme Even Hotter

HoldemALPHARETTA, Georgia (November 10, 2004) – MDI Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Scientific Games (NASDAQ: SGMS), announced today that it has signed an exclusive agreement with a subsidiary of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) for the rights to license the legendary WORLD SERIES OF POKER to lotteries worldwide.

The agreement, which runs through 2007, will enable lotteries to use the World Series of Poker name and imagery in association with their Hold ‘Em Poker®/Texas Hold ‘Em™ theme games, along with opportunities for lotteries to award seats at actual World Series of Poker tournaments as player prizes.

"The poker popularity that has swept the world over the last couple of years owes everything to the World Series of Poker and its long-standing coverage on ESPN," said MDI President Steve Saferin. "That first spark created a wildfire of consumer appeal for watching and playing Texas Hold ‘Em Poker® games that has grown to phenomenal proportions and shows no signs of letting up."

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"Industry estimates are that 50 million to 80 million Americans play poker," according to a recent story in the Washington Post. MDI-licensed Hold ‘Em Poker® instant lottery games have been hot sellers since their recent introductions in Ohio and Kentucky, and several other state lotteries plan to launch similar games in the near future.

The roots of the World Series of Poker go back to 1970, when the first tournament at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in downtown Las Vegas took place. And while the Horseshoe remains the focal point for the World Series, Harrah’s recently announced it is expanding the tournament beyond its traditional Las Vegas home with the World Series of Poker Tournament Circuit, a nationwide series of poker events culminating in the 2005 World Series of Poker next summer.

Jack Binion, whose father Benny created the original tournament, will host the 2005 events. The inaugural Tournament Circuit event will kick off January 7, 2005 at Harrah’s Atlantic City with other events scheduled through May at Harrah’s casino properties in Rincon/San Diego, Vegas, Lake Tahoe and New Orleans. The tournaments are expected to be taped and aired on ESPN, according to Harrah’s.

In addition to signing the new licensing deal with the World Series of Poker, MDI recently entered into a similar agreement with the World Poker Tour™.

About 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.


SC Lottery Reintroduces Clean $weep Promotion

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, USA (November 8, 2004) -- South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) players have been asking the lottery to return the Clean $weep promotion, and it’s here! Plus the values of the prizes are BIGGER and BETTER!

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Clean $weep is a great opportunity to encourage South Carolinians to be environmentally responsible while having fun! This anti-litter initiative was developed by SCEL along with Palmetto Pride. It gives lottery players the ability to help reduce lottery litter, while earning them a chance to win.

Since Clean $weep is all about being environmentally responsible, Lennox Industries is partnering with this promotion and has donated some of their top environmentally friendly products.

To participate in the Clean $weep promotion, players must collect 10 non-winning instant game "scratch" tickets. Players must also completely fill out the back of at least one ticket and mail it to the lottery.

Twelve entrants (three selected from each drawing) will win their choice of one of the sponsor's prizes. The draw dates are:

  • December 29, 2004
  • February 23, 2005
  • April 27, 2005
  • June 29, 2005.

Entries must be received by SCEL no later than 5:00 PM on the day before each draw. Each envelope is considered one entry. An entry is good for only one drawing. Tickets not meeting the qualifications mentioned, will be disqualified.

For complete details and rules, visit our website at www.sceducationlottery.com and click on Clean $weep.

SOURCE: SCEL media release.


Nebraska Lottery's New Game Features The Fun Zone

NEBRASKA, USA (November 1, 2004) -- As the holidays approach, the Nebraska Lottery is introducing a group of seasonal Scratch games. The latest game, $2 Crazy Kringle Cash shows three stylized scenes of Santa on a motorcycle, riding a surfboard, or driving a van.

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In addition to 10 chances to win on each ticket, Crazy Kringle Cash features The Fun Zone, which gives players the chance to win extra prizes through the Nebraska Lottery website.

The Fun Zone

By visiting www.nelottery.com accessing 'The Fun Zone' and entering the serial number on the back of each Crazy Kringle Cash ticket, players who have joined the MVP Club can either win an instant prize or be entered in a grand prize drawing scheduled for December 31. The Fun Zone prizes range from free tickets to cash or merchandise.

There are more than 130,000 prizes ranging from $2 to $10,000 in Crazy Kringle Cash. The odds of winning one the two top prizes in the game are 1 in 240,000, and the overall odds of winning something are 1 in 3.63. The Fun Zone does not affect the odds of winning a prize instantly in the game.

SOURCE: Nebraska Lottery media release.

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