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| Vol. 33 No. 7-- Monday November 14, 2005 |
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WEST GREENWICH, Rhode Island, USA (November 10, 2005) -- GTECH Holdings Corporation (NYSE: GTK) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, GTECH Corporation, has been notified that it is the apparent successful bidder by the State of New Jersey for a new integrated online and instant ticket lottery system, terminals, and communications network, following a competitive procurement.
The proposed five-year contract is expected to commence on June 20, 2006, and provides for five one-year extension options. The contract award is also subject to compliance with New Jersey Executive Order 134 concerning procurements and political contributions, as well as the process for protesting the award as outlined in the Request for Proposals. The New Jersey Lottery, using existing lottery-revenue levels as a constant for the contract’s initial five-year term, estimated the contract will generate approximately $107 million, not including items that were requested in the proposal as potential options that the Lottery could select. GTECH will issue an updated revenue estimate upon contract signing. GTECH is a leading gaming technology and services company. With more than $1.25 billion in annual revenues and 5,300 people in over 50 countries, GTECH provides integrated technology, creative content, and business services to effectively manage and grow today’s evolving gaming markets. In targeted emerging economies, GTECH also leverages its operational presence and infrastructure to supply commercial transaction processing services. For more information about the Company, please visit GTECH’s website at http://www.gtech.com. CONTACT: Robert K. Vincent, Public
Affairs, GTECH Corporation, 401-392-7452 New Dates and Location Announced for the World Lottery
Forum
As you know from our previous announcement, reports from Cancun indicated that Hurricane Wilma had a greater impact than earlier thought, and reports from on site were pessimistic that the infrastructure would be prepared to host major events such as the World Lottery Forum in February. A site inspection completed this week by the WLA has confirmed this fact, that without a doubt, Cancun would be absolutely unable to host this event under the conditions and timeframes required. MERIDA, CAPITAL OF THE YUCATAN
A detailed site inspection of Merida, located on the north coast of the Yucatan, has shown that the city has not been damaged by the hurricane, and that this very interesting city hosts all the facilities necessary to stage the World Lottery Forum. With an international standard conference venue; highly rated hotels; a modern airport with good international connections; a wide selection of hospitality venues for Social, Contributor and Companion events; and a fine golf course where the Presidents’ Cup will be staged; there is no doubt that Merida as a host city is more than prepared to warmly welcome World Lottery Forum participants. Merida is the largest city in the Yucatan, and was recently awarded the distinction of being the safest city in Mexico. Merida is also known as the cradle of the Mayan civilization. FEBRUARY 1 – 5, 2006 The dates February 1st to 5th (Wednesday to Sunday) have been chosen to allow participants to take in all aspects of the World Lottery Forum from start to finish while minimizing the use of the normal workdays (Monday to Friday). Also, as Merida is an extremely popular Convention destination, these dates were the best choice in providing the necessary number of rooms at excellent rates, all in a location very close to the main Business Program venue. Also, the vast majority of the keynote and other speakers will be able to participate at this time, allowing us to offer a Business Program with the same high quality as previously announced. DETAILED INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED
All participants will receive detailed information early in the week that begins November 7th. This website will also be updated with detailed information early this same week. As earlier reported, all payments made for registration, Companion Program, and Presidents Cup will be valid on the new dates. Concerning any hotel payments made for accommodation in Cancun, such payments will also be applied to accommodation in Merida. The WLA and Loteria Nacional again thank you for your patience in this challenging process of rescheduling the World Lottery Forum, but have all confidence that the World Lottery Forum in Merida, Mexico from February 1st to 5th, 2006 will exceed all expectations for this global meeting of the international regulated lottery community. November 4, 2005 For more information please contact the WLA Basel Business Office, E-mail: info@wla2005.com, Phone:+41 61 284 1111, Fax: +41 61 284 1350. INTRALOT Announces Results For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 ATHENS, Greece (November 10, 2005) -- INTRALOT SA (RIC: INLr.AT, Bloomberg: INLOT GA), the leading international gaming company, today announces its financial results for the nine-month period ending September 30th, 2005, prepared in accordance with IFRS. A. REVISION OF INTRALOT GROUP GUIDANCE The Company is in the pleasant position to revise upward its FY 2005 guidance to revenues of €500m and EBT of €150m from €500 m and €120m, respectively, as it was provided during the Annual General Meeting of our shareholders in late April 2005. The reasons for this change is the robust performance of international operation, especially Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria and the stronger than expected profitability of Stihima in Greece. B. INTERIM DIVIDEND The Company’s Board of Directors has approved the distribution of a €0.23 interim dividend per share, compared to last year’s interim dividend per share of €0.20 (adjusted to share split). This is a 15.0% increase, in-line with INTRALOT’s dividend payout policy. C. OVERVIEW Consolidated results:
Consolidated Revenues for the period reached €363.1m, posting a 57.7% increase compared to 9M04. Revenues from INTRALOT’s International Subsidiaries amounted to €271.7m, a 74.8% contribution to nine-month consolidated sales, compared to €117.7m (or 51.3%) in 9M04.
EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization) increased by 38.5% to €124.2m, compared to the same period last year. Earnings Before Taxes (EBT) recorded an increase of 44.1% y-o-y by reaching €122.8m compared to €85.2m in 9M04. Finally, Earnings After Taxes and after minorities (EAT-am) increased by 15.6% y-o-y to €56.9m from €49.2m in 9M04. EAT margin settled at 15.7% due to the increased contribution of full operation projects, which carry lower margins than management projects. The cash balance reached €113.2m in 9M05, while total bank debt was €47.1m (€19.6m short-term and €27.5m long-term), shaping the net cash position at €66.1m. Commenting on 9-month 2005 results Intralot’s CEO, Constantinos Antonopoulos, noted: “Once again we continue to deliver improved results, by improving both revenues and Earnings. This continued growth of INTRALOT has again validated our corporate vision and model Our 9-months revenue growth rate was healthy worldwide. We were particularly encouraged by the improvement in the growth rate of our international business, which grew approximately 96,8% percent versus last year's 9-months period. Particularly, revenues from full operation projects, the fastest growing sector of our business, contributed 44,3% to INTRALOT’s consolidated revenues. We continue to see strong results from our operations in Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania, with sales exceeding our expectations. Finally, winning the contract with the Montana Lottery confirmed and strengthened our position in the US market The combination of aggressive business strategies, new product development and global expansion allow INTRALOT to deliver significant enhancements in shareholder value, and the interim dividend represents our commitment to them.” New contracts
In the US, INTRALOT signed a contract with the 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 contract with Montana Lottery, following the Nebraska successful operation, confirms and strengthens our position in the U.S market. About INTRALOT (www.intralot.com) INTRALOT, a public company listed on the ASE, is a leading supplier of integrated gaming and transaction processing systems, innovative game content and value added services to state-licensed gaming organizations worldwide. It’s broad portfolio of products & services, its know-how of Lottery, Betting & Video Lottery operations, its experience in sports games and its leading-edge technology, give INTRALOT a competitive advantage, which contributes directly to customers’ efficiency, profitability and growth. With 33 subsidiaries, 8 business offices and more than 1,900 people in 32 countries and revenues of €500 million for 2005(E), INTRALOT’s footprint straddles five continents. SOURCE: INTRALOT SA media release. For
more information Massachusetts Lottery Wins Award for Instant Ticket Recycling Program BRAINTREE, Massachusetts, USA (November 3, 2005) - The Massachusetts State Lottery was presented with the ''Best Institutional Recycling'' award at MassRecycle’s 2005 Annual Event & Recycling Awards held last night at the DCU Center in Worcester. The Lottery received the award, which honors the municipality, manufacturer, or institution with the most comprehensive recycling plan, for the development of its successful instant ticket recycling program “Instant Replay”. Since the program’s inception in August 2004, the Lottery has held 10 regional recycling events that have resulted in the collection of over 100 tons of instant tickets.
The program was launched under the direction of State Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill as part of a continuing effort to reduce instant ticket litter across the Commonwealth. “Instant Replay” gives everyone over the age of 18 the opportunity to collect 25 non-winning instant tickets and redeem them for a free $1.00 instant ticket. The collected tickets are sent to E.L. Harvey and Sons, a Westboro-based recycling entity, which shreds and bails the paper for re-pulping at no cost. The Massachusetts Lottery is the only lottery in the country that redeems instant tickets for the sole purpose of recycling. MassRecycle is a non-profit coalition dedicated to promoting environmental, social and economic benefits of managing waste responsibly. The Awards Ceremony is an annual event honoring individuals and groups throughout the state who have made outstanding contributions to recycling in the Commonwealth. To learn more about the “Instant Replay” program, visit: www.masslottery.com. For more information on MassRecycle, visit: http://www.massrecycle.org. CONTACT: Beth Bresnahan, Director of Communications. Phone: 781-849-5600 Scientific Games Named Winner of Vermont Lottery Instant Ticket Contract NEW YORK, USA (November 9, 2005) -- Scientific Games Corporation announced that it has been named the apparent successful bidder for the Vermont Lottery's instant ticket contract. The contract is set to begin in December of 2005 for an initial term of two years, with two one-year options to renew. It is valued at approximately $800,000 per year. Scientific Games already holds the contract for Vermont's online lottery system, and Vermont will now be one of 12 states where Scientific Games is the primary supplier of instant and online lottery tickets.
"We will be building on the strength of an already solid operation by introducing a suite of games that, we believe, will be especially popular with the Vermont public" said Lorne Weil, Chairman and CEO of Scientific Games Corporation. "Thanks to the efforts of staff and management, Vermont's Lottery has benefited from great sales." "Scientific Games has a very good instant lottery track record and brings strong game design and management capabilities to the table," said Alan R. Yandow, Executive Director of the Vermont Lottery. "That strength, combined with our experience in working with Scientific Games in our online operations, as well as their strong proposal, made the company our first choice." In fiscal 2005, Vermont Lottery generated over $71 million in retail sales of instant tickets. Since its inception in 1978, the Vermont Lottery has transferred more than $339 million to the state's General and Education Funds. "We think Vermonters will enjoy the many new ways they will have to play and win," said Yandow. "But the real winner, of course, is the state's Education Fund." 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. SOURCE: Scientific Games Corporation media
release. Article By: Peer J. Svenkerud, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Norsk Tipping AS HAMAR, Norway (November 4, 2005) -- It’s the dream of winning the big prize that encourages most Lotto players all over the world to participate. However, with the ever-increasing level of competition and wide range of gaming opportunities available to the general public, it has become more and more usual for the majority of countries to tempt players with ever-higher first prizes in an attempt to maintain interest and turnover in Lotto games.
The largest Lotto prize paid out to date in Norway is NOK 20 millions. A prize of this size is a so-called “giant jackpot” where NOK 10 millions is transferred from the fund for unclaimed prizes. However, during the past few years such giant jackpots of NOK 20 millions have not been sufficient to create any noticeable interest in Lotto. Lotto, which has traditionally always been the game with the highest prizes in Norway, has recently been under the shadow of Norsk Rikstoto (betting on horse racing), a gaming system that has drawn players with jackpots of up to NOK 50 millions for single winning tickets. The Norwegian Government, which lays down the framework conditions for Norsk Tipping’s activities, does not wish to see a trend towards larger and larger prizes being employed as a tool to maintain turnover and financial results. Norsk Tipping shall under no circumstances be a driving force for a development of this type. Norsk Tipping will therefore introduce a completely new game through a trial in November. Instead of increasing the first prize with a jackpot, all places will have the chance to become Lotto millionaires. The idea has grown out of internal creative processes in Norsk Tipping, where the objective was to maintain public interest in Lotto, which since 1986 has been the largest game and thus the prime motor behind Norsk Tipping’s activities.
There will be a new and unique Lotto draw on Saturday November 19th. On this special Saturday evening, a single number – not seven – may be sufficient to secure a major prize. Yes, you read it correctly – just one correct number can turn some lucky winners into Lotto millionaires. After the ordinary draw, a single number will be drawn from amongst the 34 numbers on the coupon. All players who have crossed off this number on their coupons will be entered in a new draw with five prizes – each of one million kroner! These prizes are paid out in addition to the ordinary draw prizes. Norsk Tipping is extremely interested to see how the new draw will be accepted by our players, and whether or not this may be the way forward for future activities in connection with Lotto. The idea behind the draw where a single number may be enough is to give players the hope that a major prize may well be theirs even if they are unlucky in the main draw. SOURCE: Peer J. Svenkerud, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Norsk Tipping AS. Sales Rise Again As National Lottery Experiences Longest Period Of
Growth In Its History WATFORD, United Kingdom (November 6, 2005) -- Camelot today announced interim results showing that National Lottery ticket sales rose by more than £55 million in the first six months of this financial year – a year-on-year increase of 2.3 per cent. This means The National Lottery® is now experiencing the longest period of growth in its 11-year history. Total sales for the half year to 24 September grew to £2,409.8 million – an increase of £55.2m on the figure of £2,354.6m for the same period last year.
A major development for The National Lottery over the last six months has been the success of London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. National Lottery funding will contribute up to £1.5 billion towards the costs of the London 2012 Games, of which £750 million of funding will come from a series of dedicated lottery games. Since launch on 28 July, the Go For Gold scratchcard has achieved sales of over £1 million a week, with £2.7 million already raised towards the 2012 Games. The first edition of Go For Gold was the fastest-selling of all the 60 new £1 scratchcards launched by Camelot since November 2002. A second edition of the game featuring 20 million more scratchcards is now on sale with plans for other dedicated games currently in development. Ticket sales were boosted by the continued double-digit growth of the non-Lotto portfolio, driven in particular by EuroMillions, Thunderball, National Lottery Scratchcards, and online Instant Win Games. Retail sales continue to be the largest lottery channel but interactive services are making a growing contribution to the portfolio. Average weekly sales across The National Lottery’s interactive platforms (www.national-lottery.co.uk, Sky Active, and Play by Text) are now running at over £3.3 million a week, up over 150 per cent on the figure of £1.3 million a week for the same period last year. Overall, National Lottery players raised a further £622.1 million for Good Causes in the first half of the 2005/6 financial year. More than £17 billion has now been raised for Good Causes, and over 200,000 individual awards have been made since the launch of The National Lottery in 1994 – that is an average of 74 lottery grants for every postcode district in the UK, and amounts to the biggest programme of civic regeneration since the 19th Century. The continued rise in National Lottery ticket sales is further evidence of the ongoing success of Camelot’s strategy for growth which is based on two key elements – diversifying the games portfolio, and improving access to lottery games through new channels of distribution, including internet, interactive television and mobile phones. Other recent innovations include:
Customer research suggests the service has high approval ratings and is well-understood – of those questioned, 95 per cent thought it was a ‘good idea’ and 93 per cent found the process ‘quite easy’ or ‘very easy’. Dianne Thompson, Camelot Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce that The National Lottery is now experiencing its longest ever period of growth, with sales up by a further £55 million in the first six months of the year alone. “Crucially, the first half of this financial year saw the launch of Go For Gold – the first dedicated lottery game to help raise the funding required to stage the 2012 Games. We’ve already raised more than £2.7 million towards funding the London Games – so it’s certainly off to a flying start. “It is a great pleasure to announce these results so close to National Lottery Day – a time when both winners and Good Causes beneficiaries come together to mark the dramatic difference the lottery has made to the quality of life in the UK.” SOURCE: Camelot Press Office media release. For further information, please contact Ben Rosier, Head of Media Relations: 020 7632 5711. Lottery Sales Up In First Quarter MADISON, Wisconsin, USA (November 2005) -- Wisconsin Lottery sales were up during the last quarter, despite volatile gas prices that impacted $1 ticket sales. From July 1 through September 30, the Lottery posted sales of just over $109.2 million as compared to $108.2 in the same period last year. Sales for the recent record Powerball jackpot, hit in October, will show up on the second quarter report.
“The $109.2 million in sales has produced so far this fiscal year an estimated $34 million for tax relief,” said Lottery Director Michael Edmonds. “The increase in revenue for property tax relief is significant considering rising gas prices have impacted sales of lower-priced lottery tickets. Fortunately, our higher-priced tickets are able to make up the difference.” All games over the $1 price point posted solid sales; especially the new $20 “Big Money Extravaganza” ticket introduced at the end of September. This $20 ticket is contributing over $685,000 a week in scratch sales and is out selling the top $10 tickets and the most popular $2 ticket. Sales for on-line tickets fell slightly, but will show considerable growth for the next quarter when the sales for the recent $340 million record-breaking Powerball jackpot are reported. Pull-tab tickets have seen significant growth since mid-October of last year when a scannable validation code was added to the ticket. This addition has made it easier for the player to quickly redeem their prize at any retailer location. SOURCE: Wisconsin Lottery media release.
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