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LOTTERY
INSIDER
is brought to you with the compliments
of
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| Vol. 30 No. 9 -- Monday February 28, 2005 |
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New Zealand Lotteries Commission Selects Lead Bidder for Replacement Gaming System Contract NEW ZEALAND (February 17, 2005) -- The New Zealand Lotteries Commission (NZ Lotteries) has selected GTECH Global Services Corporation (GTECH) as lead bidder for its replacement gaming system contract, Chief Executive Trevor Hall announced today. Mr Hall said the Commission's Board had approved management's recommendation that GTECH, NZ Lotteries incumbent gaming system provider, be selected as lead bidder.
Contract negotiations and the finalisation of system specifications would now commence and were expected to take several months. "The contract will cover the supply of new retailer terminals and central system software and hardware, including customisation; implementation of the new system; and on-going technical support of the new system," said Mr Hall. Mr Hall said a new gaming system was required to ensure NZ Lotteries products could continue to be sold through its retail network after the conversion of the organisation's telecommunications data links to the Internet Protocol (IP) standard. "We have a requirement to migrate our communications network to Internet Protocol and an ageing terminal population. This has led us to decide to replace our current gaming system to ensure that we are well positioned for the future. It will also give us the core functionality necessary for conducting remote interactive gaming (RIG)." As part of the tender process, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued to global gaming system providers in the middle of 2004. "The review of proposals has been carried out in a consistent manner, with each proposal being assessed by a uniform process and against the same criteria," he said. For Further information contact: Helen Morgan-Banda, Head of Communications, New Zealand Lotteries Commission. Tel: 64 4 8027020, Mob: 64 21 753 925, Email: helen.morgan-banda@nzlc.co.nz. About NZ Lotteries: About GTECH: Record $500,000 Keno Win to $2 Ticket WELLINGTON, New Zealand (February 24, 2005) -- A Keno player, who only started playing the game about two months ago, cried with delight when they found out they had won $500,000 with a $2 ticket sold in Kaitaia, New Zealand Lotteries Commission Chief Executive Trevor Hall said today. The player, a Northlander who wishes to remain anonymous, had no idea the big prize only the second time $500,000 has been won in Keno history had gone to Kaitaia until they read about it in the local paper. The lucky player said that when they read about the big win it never occurred to them that they might be the winner. "When I read about it in the local paper, I thought 'you lucky thing'. It never occurred to me that I might be the winner." The winner said they started playing Keno about two months ago after having a dry spell with Lotto after winning about $8,000 'many moons ago'.
They said they had no problems playing the simple numbers game. "When I decided to buy Keno as well as Lotto, I asked the lady at the Lotto counter what to do and she was very helpful," said the winner. Kayne Tatnell, Lotto Manager at Pak n Save Kaitaia where the winning ticket was sold, said she was delighted for the unsuspecting winner. "When I saw what the prize was, I said 'can you please come with me'. The winner said 'what have I done', so I leaned over the counter and whispered 'you've won half a million dollars'. "At that point I burst into tears as well we were both in an absolute state of disbelief." Kayne said she was pleased the prize had been claimed and especially by a Northlander. "It's absolutely wonderful it could not have gone to a more worthy person." Although Keno is one of the smaller brands in the Lotteries portfolio, more than 100,000 Keno players win $1 million in prizes every month. A $1 ticket can win $250,000. The only other time a Keno prize of $500,000 has been won was almost ten years ago to the day by a ticket sold in Palmerston North. That ticket won on 8 February 1995. Keno is a simple numbers game played twice a day, every day, at 1pm and 6pm. To play, Keno players select up to 10 numbers from a total of 80 possible numbers. In each Keno draw, 20 numbers are randomly drawn and there are prizes for correctly selecting between zero and 10 of the numbers. The winner correctly selected 10 of the 20 numbers randomly drawn on the Thursday 17 February 6pm draw. About NZ Lotteries: NZ Lotteries (New Zealand Lotteries Commission) was established in 1987 and operates in the New Zealand market as a crown entity under the Gambling Act 2003. Its purpose is to provide safe gaming that allows New Zealanders to play and win and contribute money back to New Zealand communities. SOURCE: New Zealand Lotteries Commission (www.nzlotteries.co.nz) media
release. NEW YORK (February 18, 2005) -- Scientific Games Corporation announced that its subsidiary Scientific Games Worldwide, Ltd. completed an agreement with Sports Toto Co., Ltd., a Korean company, to supply equipment, a software license and related software maintenance and support for its development of a fixed odds gaming system. The agreement is for four years and is valued at $5 million over the term of agreement. Sports Toto Co., Ltd. currently operates its gaming system for conducting a sports betting lottery for the promotion of sports in the Republic of Korea. Sports Toto intends to introduce Scientific Games’ AEGIS™ Oddset Control System (OCS) and Oddset Information System (OIS) and related software maintenance services for fixed odds games. This agreement will expand Sports Toto’s portfolio of sports betting lottery games and products in the Republic of Korea.
The official operation of the system in Korea is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2005. 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. SOURCE: Scientific Games Corporation (http://www.scientificgames.com). COLUMBIA, South Carolina, USA (February 18, 2005) -- The first week of sales for the South Carolina Education Lottery’s (SCEL) newest online game, Palmetto Cash 5, exceeded lottery officials’ expectations – with sales expected to top $700,000 this weekend. Palmetto Cash 5 is a new $1 online game that gives players the "power" to win big. For an extra $1, the five-of-five multiplier game offers a new style of play and prizes up to $500,000 with the Power-Up option. "It’s great to know South Carolinians are embracing this game," said David Barden, SCEL’s deputy of marketing. "We had tens of thousands of winners, and many of them purchased the Power-Up feature."
Sales for Palmetto Cash 5 started February 12. SCEL’s gaming system shows that for the six days ending February 17, sales totaled $685,602. Sales for the Power-Up option accounted for 37 percent of the total sales. More than 40,000 winning tickets totaled more than $270,000 in prizes during this six-day period – but not all the tickets have been claimed. Palmetto Cash 5 drawings are held at 6:59 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Palmetto Cash 5 replaced Carolina 5 in SCEL’s online game offerings. Carolina 5, which offered prizes up to $100,000 taxes paid, averaged $400,000 a week in sales. Players still have a chance to win to $100,000 taxes paid in the new instant Carolina 5 game, which started February 1. In fiscal year 2005 to date, SCEL has transferred $160 million to the Education Lottery Account and is on track to achieve the Board of Economic Advisors’ goal of transferring $255 million. Since January 2002, SCEL has transferred more than $748 million to the account. SOURCE: South Carolina Education Lottery. For More Information Contact: Beverly Harris, Assistant Public Relations Manager, Phone: 803-737-2078. NEW YORK (February 18, 2005) -- Scientific Games Corporation announced that the New Hampshire Lottery Commission has extended the company’s online lottery contract through June 2010. The four-year extension was the maximum possible under the existing contract and is worth an estimated $24 million in revenue over its term. Under the new agreement, Scientific Games will provide the Lottery with an upgrade for 300 mid-range EXTREMA terminals to full-feature terminals, 750 instant and online self-service ticket checkers, as well as an option to obtain additional EXTREMA® terminals to increase their retailer network during the remainder of the contract.
"It is always great to be able to extend our customer relationships while at the same time upgrading the sales network to increase sales and store efficiency," said Lorne Weil, chairman and CEO of Scientific Games Corporation. "We are continuously looking for ways to help lotteries increase sales and that attention to our customers’ needs seems to be paying off." Rick Wisler, the Director of the New Hampshire Lottery added, "The Commission is very pleased with the services provided by Scientific Games. We are looking forward to building on the successful partnership we started five years ago over the next five years." During 2004 fiscal year, the New Hampshire Lottery reported lottery sales of $239.6 million and transferred $73.7 million to the Department of Education. 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. SOURCE: Scientific Games Corporation (http://www.scientificgames.com).
WEST GREENWICH, Rhode Island, USA (February 22, 2005) -- GTECH Holdings Corporation (NYSE: GTK) today announced that AB Svenska Spel amended its existing agreement with GTECH’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Spielo Manufacturing ULC, for the provision of 2,000 next-generation wide area video lottery terminals (VLTs). Spielo is a current provider of VLTs to Svenska Spel and GTECH is the video lottery central system provider.
"Spielo has 15 years of experience building reliable VLTs and creating market-driven games," said GTECH Senior Vice President of Gaming Solutions Marc A. Crisafulli. "This first installation of Spielo’s next-generation wide area VLTs will not only help Svenska Spel diversify into other segments in the restaurant market, but will also offer a variety of new concept games that will extend Spielo’s game library into new player segments." Spielo currently provides Svenska Spel with approximately 5,000 of the 7,000 VLTs already in the field. Under the amended agreement, Spielo will deploy 2,000 new wide area VLTs beginning in September 2005. The new VLTs will replace a portion of the existing machines and also be placed in new locations. With respect to its amended agreement with Svenska Spel, Spielo expects to generate approximately US$22 million for the sale of the new VLTs. SOURCE: GTECH Holdings Corporation (http://www.gtech.com). WASHINGTON, DC (February 23, 2005) -- Capture a part of history with the D.C. Lottery's Negro Leagues instant scratch ticket. This collectable ticket commemorates African American Baseball in America and features four teams: the Homestead Grays, Kansas City Monarchs, New York Black Yankees, and Indianapolis Clowns. Today, at Union Station, Jeanette A. Michael, executive director of D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board and John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil, Negro League All Star and Board Chairman of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, unveiled the tickets. "Our instant scratch ticket will help memorialize the contributions that African Americans have made to our national pastime," Michael said. "We are excited to launch this product that provides players with a collectable card, as well as a chance to win cash and baseball jerseys."
For $5, players can win up to $50,000 instantly and up to $10,000 with the Negro Leagues Second Chance Drawing. Players can also win Negro League Baseball jerseys with the logo of one of the four teams featured on the instant scratch ticket. Along with launching the ticket, the D.C. Lottery officially inaugurated "Discover Greatness: An Illustrated History of the Negro Baseball Leagues," a touring exhibit organized by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and sponsored by D.C. Lottery's new Negro Leagues instant scratch ticket. "The D.C. Lottery is honored to play a role in bringing the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's 'Discover Greatness' exhibit to Washington," Michael said. "This exhibit is especially exciting given the return of major league baseball to Washington." The "Discover Greatness" exhibit features six chronological sections and 90 framed photographs that document the history of African American baseball from the late 1800s through the 1960s. The exhibit will be on display from Feb. 21 through March 13 in Union Station's West Hall. For more information about the Negro League Instant Scratch Ticket, visit the D.C. Lottery at http://www.dclottery.com. For more information about the "Discover Greatness" exhibit, visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum at http://www.nlbm.com. Contact: Bob Hainey of D.C. Lottery, +1-202-645-8075, cell: +1-202-262-3419; or Cory Porter, +1-202-835-0776, for D.C. Lottery SOURCE: D.C. Lottery Media Release. Boss Media Signs IVT Contract with Synot Lotto to Expand Operations in Czech Republic SWEDEN (February 23, 2005) -- After successfully conducting a pilot project with gaming machines distributed throughout the Czech Republic, Synot has decided to expand the operations in the next step towards a full-scale implementation of several thousand machines. The expansion of the system will include introduction of a new state-of-the-art gaming machine combined with new features customized for the Czech market, such as new games with linked progressive jackpots presented on large plasma screens. This new technology is being made available to the Czech players through the centrally controlled gaming machines that are loaded with slot and casino games to replace older technology at the gaming arcades. "Synot Lotto and Boss Media started up the first pilot program in November 2004 and, based on what we have accomplished in this very short time, I am excited about the following months when we grow our player base and target the Czech players," says Petr Mikoska, CEO of Synot Lotto. "Through our well-established distribution network and our local know-how, combined with the gaming system from Boss Media, we have already established a strong competitive position on the market." "The IVT system is well suited for the Czech market with competition demanding extremely short time to market, high-quality games and advanced jackpot functionality. Boss Media is delighted to be travelling towards success in cooperation with Synot," says Peter Bertilsson, CEO of Boss Media. 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: Boss Media Press Release distributed by Alert Investor Relations AB http://www.alertir.com/ GLI Expands
Development Team LAKEWOOD, New Jersey (February 23, 2005) – Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), the world’s first private gaming device and systems testing laboratory, has hired two top gaming industry veterans for its rapidly expanding development team.
Alan G. Boyd is a new Development Representative and is based out of Washington, D.C. Boyd will pursue GLI’s development efforts in the areas of Tribal, charitable gaming, racing and lottery. Boyd brings an extensive background to GLI, having most recently served as the Charitable Games Program Manager for the DC Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board in Washington D.C. Erin McGranahan is a new Development Representative and is based out of the Las Vegas Service Center. McGranahan’s aim will be to develop the areas of Tribes, state gaming, lotteries and charitable gaming, primarily focusing on the Midwest. McGranahan brings an extensive background in gaming to GLI, with her most recent accomplishments being as Project Manager/Compliance Administrator for Caesars Entertainment. SOURCE: Gaming Laboratories International, Inc. media
release distributed by Steinbeck Communications. South Australian Lotteries Moving the Balls from Rundle Mall! ADELAIDE, South Australia (February 21, 2005) -- After 38 years in Rundle Mall, SA Lotteries Head Office is packing up – lotteries balls and all – and relocating to new premises at 24-25 Greenhill Road, Wayville from Monday, 28 February 2005. The sales outlet in SA Lotteries’ existing Rundle Mall Head Office will close permanently at 5pm on Tuesday 22 February, with major prizes (greater than $500) still able to be claimed until Friday 25 February.
City shoppers can continue to purchase SA Lotteries products from more than 20 agencies located in the CBD area. SA Lotteries commenced operating in Rundle Mall in 1966, located for 11 years in the Walsh Building at the south-eastern corner of Gawler Place before the organisation moved to its current premises in May 1977. As the current Rundle Mall office required extensive and costly renovations to meet SA Lotteries’ contemporary demands, the process to locate and secure new Head Office premises commenced several years ago. Having undergone a custom fit-out in preparation for SA Lotteries’ relocation, the new Greenhill Road building will provide an advantageous working environment for staff, as well as consolidating SA Lotteries’ corporate, administrative, operational and technical divisions. Whilst a prize payment facility will be available at the new Greenhill Road premises, the needs of players throughout metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia will continue to be met via SA Lotteries’ statewide network of 531 agents. SOURCE: SA Lotteries.
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