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INTRALOT Expands in U.S.A. by Winning a Seven Year Contract with the Montana Lottery ATHENS, Greece (October 12, 2005) -- INTRALOT, a leading global supplier of integrated gaming and transaction processing systems, today announced a contract with Montana Lottery for the supply of the Lottery’s new On-Line and Instant Gaming System. Commencing on March 31, 2006, the term of the contract is for seven (7) years with three 1-year extension options. The project entails a technology upgrade including new technologically advanced gaming equipment, software and related services with significant emphasis placed on increasing sales through the development and implementation of customized and innovative marketing and promotional programs.
INTRALOT will install its LOTOS™ O/S On-line and Instant Gaming Computer System on the IBM AIX platform and provide the Lottery with a minimum of 750 of its CORONIS full-function, high-end compact terminals for retailer locations across the state. In addition, INTRALOT will be installing a state-of-the-art satellite network to link retailer terminals to the central system. INTRALOT Inc. has already leased central site space in Helena and has staffed the project with highly qualified and experienced personnel who will be working closely with the Lottery. George Parisot, Director of the Montana Lottery, stated “We are pleased to have INTRALOT as our on-line and instant system vendor. We were impressed not only with the advanced technology they could offer the Montana Lottery and its retailers, but also the depth of experience and high level of commitment shown by their staff. I look forward to working with them on a long and successful partnership to implement plans and programs that will benefit the citizens of Montana.” INTRALOT S.A. CEO, Mr. Constantinos Antonopoulos said: “We are very pleased to have signed this contract with Montana Lottery, which, following the Nebraska successful operation, confirms and strengthens our position in the US market”. Tom Little, President and CEO of INTRALOT, Inc., stated that, “We are extremely pleased to implement another one of the company’s numerous combined On-Line and Instant Gaming Systems in the United States, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship with the Montana Lottery.” Working closely with the Lottery’s management team and organization, INTRALOT has initiated its commitment to deliver significant value-added services to the Montana Lottery.
About INTRALOT (www.intralot.com) INTRALOT Inc, a subsidiary of INTRALOT, has its headquarters in Georgia and a business office in Lincoln, Nebraska. SOURCE: INTRALOT media release. NZ Lotteries Launch Exciting New Game NEW ZEALAND (October 9, 2005) -- The New Zealand Lotteries Commission (NZ Lotteries) today launched Big Wednesday, an exciting new game with a top prize that combines multi-millions of dollars and luxury goods, says NZ Lotteries Chief Executive Trevor Hall. "We're launching an exciting new game that will offer all New Zealanders a chance to win the ultimate kiwi lifestyle," says Mr Hall.
"The new game has a fantastic range of First Division prizes that get bigger and better each week until the top prize is won . "We're giving players 10 days to buy tickets for the first draw. After that there will be a Big Wednesday draw every Wednesday." Tickets go on sale on Monday 17 October from all NZ Lotteries outlets. The first televised draw will be on TV One at about 8:20pm on Wednesday 26 October. "Kiwis told us their ultimate lifestyle would be to have loads of cash as well as luxury cars, boats, and overseas travel, not to mention a holiday home. And that's what we'll be giving them," says Mr Hall. "In the First Week, the First Division prize starts with $2 million cash and a Porsche 911 Carrera sports car and a luxurious Range Rover Vogue V8. "If the First Division prize isn't won, then the fun really starts. The prize will jackpot each week with further luxury prizes being added each week for the first five weeks," says Mr Hall. "If First Division isn't won in the first five weeks, then from Week Six onwards the cash on offer gets bigger and bigger until the total First Division prize hits the jackpot limit of $30 million. "And to add a bit more spice for Big Wednesday players, every week one lucky ticket holder will win a Second Chance prize. The prize they win will be either $25,000 cash or a Mercedes Benz luxury car," says Mr Hall. Mr Hall says Big Wednesday is a jackpotting game with long odds and great prizes that will appeal to a wide range of players.
"We know our players love to win money and the other prizes we'll have on offer, and we also believe they'll enjoy having another chance to play during the week. "Most overseas lotteries offer players games throughout the week and we're delighted that we can do the same for Kiwis," says Mr Hall. How to play Big Wednesday
SOURCE: Table NZ Herald. About NZ Lotteries:
For more information: Helen Morgan-Banda, Head of Communications, Phone: +64 4 802 7020, Mobile: +64 21 753 925 or Angus Barclay, Corporate Communications Manager, Phone: +64 4 802 7046, Mobile: +64 21 716 522 SOURCE: New Zealand Lotteries Commission media release.
NEW YORK, USA (October 10, 2005) – Scientific Games [Nasdaq: SGMS] announced today that its German subsidiary Scientific Games Honsel GmbH was awarded two contracts with Toto-Lotto Niedersachsen GmbH, the state lottery of Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) based in Hanover - one to supply instant lottery tickets, and the other for distribution and consulting services. The two contracts begin March 1, 2006 and will run for five years, with options to extend for additional two-year increments. Scientific Games Honsel will handle the supply and distribution of instant tickets throughout Lower Saxony for Toto-Lotto Niedersachsen, including shipping, warehousing, communications, and will advise on game design and marketing issues. Revenues to Scientific Games Honsel will be based on a percentage of sales. Lower Saxony has a population of 8 million, about the same as the U.S. State of Georgia and approximately 10 percent of the population of Germany. “We believe there is enormous potential throughout Lower Saxony for instant ticket sales,” said Scientific Games CEO and Chairman Lorne Weil. “In fact, considering how well the German lotteries have functioned in the past few years, and how much money they have returned to the states, we’re expecting the games to have an immediate impact on the performance of the lottery.” According to Weil, instant tickets account for only 3% of German lottery sales in an 8.5 billion Euros lottery market. This is a sharp contrast to the American market, where instants provide more than half of total sales. Nonetheless, he said, in the past few years since Scientific Games won the contracts in the UK, France and Italy, sales of instant tickets began to grow at a substantially faster rate.
“Partnering with Scientific Games Honsel gives us access to the industry’s most sophisticated lottery management tools and a deep pool of lottery experience, especially in the European market,” said Rolf Stypmann, Managing Director of Toto-Lotto Niedersachsen GmbH. “The potential sales growth here in Hanover could be enormous.” “This bodes well not just for the lottery, but for the public we serve,” added Stypmann, “Without a successful lottery, we would not be able to support the public programs that we currently fund in Lower Saxony, programs that reach thousands of our people every day.” “We’ve worked well with Toto-Lotto Niedersachsen for many years and these new contracts take that close relationship to a new level, one that will help realize the potential of instants in Lower Saxony,” said Klaus Honsel, Managing Director of Scientific Games Honsel. About Scientific
Games Company Contact: Investor Relations, Scientific Games Corporation, 212-754-2233. SOURCE: Scientific Games Corporation media release. Orange County Choppers™ “Takes Off” Around the World!
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, USA (October 6, 2005) -- Oberthur Gaming Technologies (“OGT”) announces that stars from its exclusive licensed brand Orange County Choppers™ (“OCC™”), have recently returned from a hugely successful European tour reinforcing their growing popularity worldwide. OCC™ continues to be the Discovery Channel’s top rated show in the USA and Canada; and with this strong recognition of the OCC™ brand, the show is producing great ratings in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe as well. OGT has already launched OCC instant lottery games in the USA and Canada, where Lotteries have given away the brand’s sought after merchandise and custom Choppers. “We are confident, with the ratings the show is getting in the USA, it will be just as popular outside North America,” claimed Carla Schaefer, VP of New Business Development for OGT. “Given that OCC™ only builds 150 bikes a year, the frenzy Lotteries create giving away one of these masterpieces and the OCC™ merchandise is enormous!”
OCC™ was established in 1999 and instantly garnered worldwide recognition for their custom motorcycles, which are billed more as works of art than bikes by the long list of celebrities and companies who engage the talents of OCC™. Paul Teutul Sr. and his sons Paul Jr. and Mikey are the stars of the top rated television show, American Chopper, which airs on The Discovery Channel. “One thing that really excited us about working with OGT is that each Lottery benefits great causes,” stated Paul Teutul Sr. of Orange County Choppers™. “Our bikes are going to help raise money for schools, senior citizens, parks and recreations, and other beneficiaries around the world”. About Oberthur Gaming Technologies (www.oberthurgt.com) With more than 35 years of lottery-specific expertise and over a century's experience in the security printing industry, Oberthur Gaming Technologies is the world’s leader in the printing of innovative instant lottery tickets. Comprehensive services include strategic game planning and innovative conceptual design with OGT’s Dream Team™, mobile gaming, Cyber Games™ as well as state-of-the-art Global Operations and Lottery Distribution System (GOLDS). OGT currently supplies a full range of high quality and innovative products and services to 100 clients in some 50 countries. The company has production units and offices in Montreal, Canada; San Antonio, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the U.S.; Paris, France; Vienna, Austria; and Sydney, Australia. About Orange County
Choppers™ SOURCE: Lyse Trudel, Public Relations
Officer, Oberthur Gaming Technologies, (+1-514) 254-3600, ext. 101. National Lottery Commission Announce Appointments LONDON, United Kingdom (October 11, 2005) -- Dr Anne Wright CBE becomes Chair of the National Lottery Commission on October 16, 2005, taking over from Timothy Hornsby.
Sarah Thane CBE has been appointed a Commissioner succeeding Jo Valentine whose term finished in September. Dr Anne Wright CBE said: “I am delighted to have been elected to chair the Commission at this very exciting time. An extremely high standard of day-to-day regulation has been developed over the years and it is crucial that we maintain this. Preparations for the competition for the third licence to run the UK National Lottery are well under way.” Dr Anne Wright CBE holds a number of non-executive roles including Member of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body and Board Member, English Partnerships. Former posts include Chief Executive of the University for Industry and Vice-chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland. Since 2001 she has been an e-learning consultant. Sarah Thane CBE is an independent consultant on broadcasting regulation, currently advising the BBC Governors on regulatory and compliance matters. She is a non-executive director of Films of Record, an independent film production company, and has recently been appointed a Justice of the Peace in West Suffolk. She was formerly Advisor, Content and Standards at Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, and was a member of the set-up team for Ofcom during 2003.
She left Ofcom in April 2005. She was the Director of Programmes and Advertising of the ITC in the final two years of its statutory life, having been Director of Programmes from 1996 and its first Director of Public Affairs from 1991-6. She is a Fellow of the Royal Television Society and was its Chairman from May 2000 – June 2002. Under the National Lottery Act 1998, the Chairman post rotates every year. The Commission recommended that the system under which the Chairman’s term of office is limited to one year should be replaced by the Secretary of State appointing a Chairman for a period of years. This is proposed in legislation before Parliament. SOURCE: National Lottery Commission Press
Statement (Ref: 10/05). MDI’s World Series of Poker® and World Poker Tour™ Brands Are at the Top of Their Game ALPHARETTA, Georgia, USA (October 12, 2005) -- MDI Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ: SGMS), has cornered the market in Casino-style/poker game play, with their unequalled World Series of Poker® and World Poker Tour™ games, two of the most popular sporting events in the world.
While copycat play styles have surfaced within the Lottery industry, most states have adopted the true grand champions of poker tournaments – World Series of Poker (WSOP) and World Poker Tour (WPT) – based on their incredible brand equity and unparalleled performance. According to Steve Saferin, president of MDI, “Lotteries told us that they want to reach a younger adult demo but all poker games are not created equal. Both the WPT and WSOP dominate poker TV ratings and the best way to attract 18 – 40 year old viewers is by giving them the brands that are most familiar to them.” “Lottery players are very savvy and they want to experience what they see in the media, maybe dream a little right along with the tournament contestants. That is what MDI’s poker licensed games can provide,” Saferin said.
To date, 14 lotteries have offered the games with Texas Hold ’Em style play in their instant ticket line up, with three states reprinting a new version of the game. The price points ranged from $2 to $10. Five more states will be launching similar games within the next four months. Virginia was the first state to sell the WSOP instant ticket. John Shiffer, the Virginia Lottery’s product development manager, said the game had a very strong launch. Sales indexed 70 percent above average for the first 12 weeks of the game and remained well above average during the life of the game. “It is one of the best games we have ever launched,” Shiffer said. In March and again in June, the Michigan Lottery launched WPT to great success and will launch WSOP in December. Glenn Strong, instant games product manager of the Michigan Lottery, said, “Both of our first two games sold extremely well, selling out in less than six weeks. We’re frequently asked by our players, retailers and sales reps when we’re going to run the game again!” With its debut in 1970, the World Series of Poker has exploded recently and is now considered the largest, most prestigious and most media-hyped gaming competition in the world, with no end in sight. According to recent ratings, WSOP on ESPN averages 1.4 million viewers while WPT on the Travel Channel, with 76 million subscribers, averages 1 million viewers. This season, the World Poker Tour is featuring some of the hottest new up-and-comers with loyal fans following their every move.
“These events are ever-evolving, keeping the interest levels at all-time highs,” Saferin said. “2003 saw major names resurrected from years past, like Johnny Chan and Chris Ferguson. And, with the rise of Thomas ‘Thunder’ Keller and Gavin Griffin, 2004 became known as the ‘Year of the Young Guns’. We may not know what the future holds, but we know the WSOP and WPT lottery games aren’t going away any time soon!” About Scientific Games (www.scientificgames.com) 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. MDI Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation, is the worldwide leader in licensed lottery games and promotions. SOURCE: MDI Entertainment media
release. The Oregon Lottery Extends Its Contract with Oberthur Gaming Technologies SAN ANTONIO, Texas, USA (October 6, 2005) - Oberthur Gaming Technologies (“OGT”) is pleased to announce the recent decision of the Oregon State Lottery Commission (“Oregon Lottery”) to extend the term of their agreement with OGT for an additional three years until July 2008. The original contract, executed as of July 28, 2004, named OGT the Lottery’s Primary Instant Ticket Contractor and included the option to extend for five additional years.
“We had the option of signing one extension year at a time. Our decision to extend for three years is based on the solid service and product quality we receive from OGT,” said Carole Hardy, Assistant Director of Marketing. “In addition, working with OGT gave us the opportunity to be one of the first Lotteries to jump into the digital world, with our first Click&Play (Cyber) Slingo®, which became in only a few weeks one of our highest performing games!” “At OGT, we are all thrilled about our contract extension with the Oregon Lottery,” added Jim Nulph, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing of OGT-USA. “Our team really enjoys working with such a professional team, and together they did a great job in establishing marketing strategies and launching sales-generating games. We are extremely proud of being instrumental in the Oregon Lottery’s success, and are looking forward to three prosperous years.” SOURCE: Lyse Trudel, Communications Officer, Oberthur Gaming Technologies, Phone: (+1-514) 254-3600, ext. 101.
Pick 3, Take 5 Promotion Brings Sales To Record Levels JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, USA (October 13, 2005) - Pick 3, Take 5 Promotion Brings Sales To Record Levels The Missouri Lottery’s new "Pick 3, Take 5" promotion has boosted SHOW ME 5 Paydown sales to record levels. Scott White, on-line product manager for the Missouri Lottery, said SHOW ME 5 Paydown sales for the past week were the highest ever - $627,852 - which means approximately $171,000 will go to public education from that game’s sales from just one week.
When players make a $3 single-ticket purchase for a drawing during the three-week promotion, which runs from Oct. 2 through Oct. 22, they will receive a free $1 SHOW ME 5 Paydown ticket. "SHOW ME 5 Paydown sales increased nearly 49 % during the first week of this promotion, and Pick 3 sales have increased nearly 11 %," said White. "The promotion has been very successful, and we are hopeful that it will continue." Missouri Lottery Pick 3 players have until Oct. 22 to receive a free SHOW ME 5 Paydown play through the promotion. Pick 3 is a twice-daily cash game that offers players a chance to win up to $600. SHOW ME 5 Paydown is a twice daily cash Numbers Game that offers players a chance to win $50,000 tax paid. For more information about the promotion, see the Lottery’s Web site. SOURCE: Missouri Lottery Press Release Stream in Exclusive Global Mobile Gaming Alliance LONDON, United Kingdom (October 13, 2005) -- Stream Group plc, the mobile content and applications provider, has signed a five year worldwide exclusive deal as part of its strategy to become one of the world’s leading mobile gaming operators. The agreement with (“EGET”) European Game & Entertainment Technology Ltd Ab of Finland makes Stream EGET’s exclusive partner for mobile gaming. EGET is one of the world’s leading developers of digital gaming applications, with in excess of 70 developers focused on providing robust gaming systems. EGET has, for six years, been providing gaming solutions to government licensed and regulated lottery and gaming organisations. EGET will provide Stream with a sophisticated gaming system which will enable players worldwide to enjoy a substantial portfolio of products, ranging from bingo to casino games. Players will now be able to move seamlessly between mobile, internet and interactive digital television and enjoy the benefits of community based gaming. Stream plans to launch its own mobile gaming brand before the end of this year and will be able to offer a fully branded and managed gaming operation for partners in territories worldwide from next Spring. Outside of the UK, Stream will initially be targeting gaming partners in Asia; one of the fastest growing gambling industries in the world. Mobile gaming is set to explode over the next few years and is expected to generate revenues of more than £12bn by 2009 (Juniper Research).
Gordon Robson, Executive Chairman of Stream, commented: “We are rapidly moving toward a world where mobile telephony is “internet to go”, where people will use their mobiles for internet activities and gaming will be one of the biggest winners. This partnership with one of the world’s leading gaming experts will enable Stream to leapfrog competitors and offer a truly robust, resilient product.” Martin Prantner, CEO of EGET, said: “We are delighted to join forces with a market leader such as Stream. Players around the world look for responsible gaming solutions, excitement and security. EGET is able to offer all of this and uniquely, across mobile, internet and television.” About Stream: About EGET: SOURCE: Stream media release. Enquiries: Flagship Group, Susie Pagan / Toby Mitchenall, Tel: 020 7886 8440. SAZKA, a.s., Adopts Ten Principles of Responsible Gaming CZECH REPUBLIC (October 12, 2005) -- The joint-stock company SAZKA, the largest lottery operator in the Czech Republic, has adopted a document entitled the Ten Principles of Responsible Gaming, which is addressed to the non-gaming public as well as to the trouble free, hazardous and troubled groups of players. The document views betting and games as socially responsible entertainment, which offers excitement and interesting winnings to players and raises funds for public welfare purposes.
SAZKA’s Ten Principles of Responsible Gaming are as follows:
SAZKA, a.s., (http://www.sazka.cz) operates number and instant lotteries, odds and sports bets and a central lottery system with interactive video lottery terminals, a StarPort product. SAZKA, a.s. is the most important non-state donor of funds for public welfare purposes in the Czech Republic, and all its shareholders are civic societies active in the sphere of physical education and sports. In May 2005, SAZKA, a.s. adopted a long-term Strategy for Responsible Gaming and Ethic Principles in the Betting and Lottery Industry, which is based upon the recommendations approved by international lottery organisations, the World Lottery Association and the European Lotteries. The Strategy covers promotional, marketing and other activities as well as public information and communication with various target groups. It links legislative regulations with the principles of ethic self-regulation and responsibility of the entities active in the betting, gaming and lottery industry. SAZKA, a.s. endeavours to promote the Strategy as well as the Ten Principles of Responsible Gaming both in the media and in its communication with players and betters, gaming facility operators, trading partners and employees of the company. SOURCE: SAZKA, a.s. media release.
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