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| Vol. 34 No. 12 -- Monday March 27, 2006 |
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NC Lottery Installs 4000th Retail Outlet RALEIGH, North Carolina, USA (March 18, 2006) -- Today, GTECH, the gaming vendor providing lottery game services to the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL), installed the 4000th retail outlet to sell lottery tickets. This benchmark retailer is Old Fort Citgo, located at Exit 73 off Interstate Highway 40 in McDowell County. “We have been looking forward to participating in the Education Lottery since the legislation passed,” said David Jarrett, the store owner. “Our customers have been asking us when the tickets would be available. We are glad to provide this service to our customers and glad to see this money stay in North Carolina rather than going to neighboring states.”
The NCEL set a conservative estimate of having 4,000 retail outlets available to sell tickets on launch day, March 30. It now looks like there will be nearly 5,000 retail outlets ready to go on the 30th. “The excitement level among retailers has been extremely high as evidenced by the number of applications received and by the phone calls retailers are making to check on their status,” said Tom Shaheen, NCEL executive director. “We expect the level of excitement shown by the retailers to be matched by players in North Carolina. March 30 should be a very busy day for these retail outlets across the state.” GTECH will continue to install retail outlets until several days before launch. In addition to getting their terminals installed, retailers must also attend training before they can “go live” to sell instant scratch-off lottery tickets. The NCEL will transfer 100% of the net proceeds from ticket sales to the state lottery fund for education. The proceeds will be used to fund pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk four year olds, class size reduction, school construction, and provide college scholarships to need-based individuals. For additional information about the N.C. Education Lottery, visit its website at www.lottery.nc.gov or call 919/715-6886 (71-LOTTO) SOURCE: NC Lottery media release.
INTRALOT Strengthens Its Presence in Moldova and Expands Its Collaboration with TURΚCELL ATHENS, Greece (March 20, 2006) -- Loteria Moldovei, INTRALOT’s subsidiary in Moldova, awarded a new contract with MOLDCELL, mobile operator in Moldova and TURΚCELL’s affiliated company with which INTRALOT since 2003 has established a collaboration regarding its activities in Turkey. The project in Moldova initially entails the operation of LOTTO game through SMS and soon it will be broaden to other gaming applications. The above mentioned contract was signed after a two years successful implementation of the same project with the leading mobile operator in the country – VOXTEL, which holds the 64% of the local market. It is worth mentioned that the mobile subscribers in Moldova are approximately 900.000, most of them young. Now, due to this agreement, all the mobile users in Moldova will have access to lotto game offered by Loteria Moldovei. INTRALOT’s advanced gaming network will allow all players to easily participate to LOTTO game.
INTRALOT S.A. CEO, Mr Constantinos Antonopoulos said: “We are very pleased to have signed this new contract with MOLDCELL. This new cooperation is a tangible corroboration of its successful presence in the Moldovian market, which is also reflected on the increase of sales of 46% in 2005 toward 2004. Last but not least, the undertaking of this new project is one more step ahead towards the expansion of our cooperation with TURKCELL in other countries too.” About INTRALOT (www.intralot.com) For more information please CONTACT: Ms Evi Ioannidou, Communications Director, Phone: +30-210-6156000, Fax: +30-210 6106800, email: ioannidou@intralot.com. SOURCE: INTRALOT media release.
LINZ, Austria (March 20, 2006) -- KEBA has achieved its first major foreign jackpot in the service automation sector: The German company Fluxx AG has chosen the Linz company after a test phase of several months with 72 KeWin mini terminals. The major order comprises 1000 sweepstake terminals with an order value of 2.5 million Euro. FLUXX AG is the first German company to enable the playing of sweepstake games at the supermarket checkout in Germany. In accordance with the new principle of "one-stop shopping", customers can put their sweepstake coupons on the conveyor with their everyday purchases and pay for them together with the other products. The sweepstake terminals on which the game slips are registered come from KEBA. The first cooperation partner of Fluxx AG is EDEKA Handelsgesellschaft Nord mbH. “FLUXX has chosen the KeWin terminal from KEBA because this provides the best ratio of high performance and low space requirement. The terminals can easily be placed at supermarket checkouts and still have the full functional capability of modern sweepstake terminals” declares Christoph Tonn, Manager of Business Development at Fluxx AG.
Sweepstakes in the supermarket: Innovation in the German sweepstake market Playing sweepstake games in the supermarket works quite easily: The sweepstake coupons are available to customer at stations positioned just in front of the checkout. Information on how to play the game, the current jackpot and news are also available there. The completed sweepstake coupons are placed on the conveyor along with other purchases. The employee at the checkout acknowledges the game slip by feeding it into the KeWin mini terminal where it is scanned and the collected image data are evaluated (recognition of the coupon type, determination of the marked fields). The information goes to the Fluxx AG server via a secure Internet connection and is forwarded from there to the corresponding sweepstake company. The data required for printing the receipt are sent back to the KEBA mini terminal. The game receipt is printed out, swiped over the checkout scanner by the checkout staff and the price is printed on the sales slip. The customer pays in cash or by check card as usual. The customer receives the game receipt as a slip with a copy of the game entries, the participation date and the selected playing stake. Wins of up to 100 Euro are paid out at the supermarket checkout. Higher winning totals are transferred to the checking account of the player.
Sole supplier of the Austrian Sweepstake
Company About Fluxx AG
KEBA AG: An Upper Austrian showcase
company along the road to success Innovation as the factor for
success SOURCE: KEBA AG (www.keba.com). New Jersey Lottery to Launch Industry’s First MDI-licensed Pro
Golfers Instant Ticket ALPHARETTA, Georgia, USA (March 22, 2006) -- New Jersey Lottery players will be hitting the links this spring with a new “Go for the Green” series of instant tickets, featuring some of today's hottest pro golfers and legends. Pro Golfers is a license offered to lotteries by MDI Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ: SGMS). The new series of $2 instant tickets offers players 10 chances to win, with a top prize of $30,000. Professional golfers featured on the tickets include Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia, John Daly, Raymond Floyd and Annika Sorenstam.
“Golf is one of the most watched sports on television today, with an absolutely loyal fan base and an increasing audience, especially among women,” said Steve Saferin, MDI president. “The players featured on the New Jersey tickets are among the best the PGA and LPGA have to offer. Their names are instantly recognizable.” The new game launches in New Jersey on April 17. “Licensed games continue to be an important part of New Jersey's Instant Game line-up. With its recognizable names and likenesses, ‘Go for the Green’ provides for another opportunity to market to a niche segment,” said Foster Krupa, New Jersey Lottery instant and online product manager. “As well, ‘Go for the Green’ provides for unique and entertaining prize opportunities to support the fun of playing the lottery.” In addition to cash prizes, players will be able to enter the Lottery Bonus Zone for a 2nd chance to win an unbelievable weekend golf getaway at either Pebble Beach Golf Resort in California, the Phoenician Golf Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona or the TPC Sawgrass Resort in Ponte Verde, Florida. These trips include roundtrip air fare for two, resort accommodations for three nights, round of golf plus cart for two people each day and spending money. And players can also enter the Bonus Zone for a chance to win their choice of a merchandise prize pack that includes different combinations of high-quality men’s and ladies’ classic golf bags or wheeling duffel bag, umbrellas, small duffel bags, golf towels, polo shirts, visors and wind shirts. 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. March Lottery Proceeds Set New Record; Jansen Credits Staff, Retailers JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, USA (March 20, 2006) -- The Missouri Lottery transferred a record $26.7 million to the Lottery Proceeds Fund for public education on March 17. The transfer surpasses the prior monthly proceeds record of $26.5 million set on Nov. 18, 2005. The March transfer of $26,735,519 is based on record February ticket sales, and it brings the total Lottery proceeds for fiscal year 2006 to more than $190.3 million.
"February’s record sales can be attributed to the record $365 million Powerball jackpot and record Scratchers sales," said Larry Jansen, executive director for the Missouri Lottery. In addition to proceeds setting a record, February was also a record month for sales which totaled $94,198,347. The previous sales record was $88.5 million set in October 2005. "I am very proud of the effort of the entire Lottery staff, who, through their professionalism, hard work and prudent use of our limited resources, are doing their very best to maximize revenue for public education," Jansen said. "Our more than 5,000 retailers also play an important role in this success by carrying and selling our products to the public," Jansen said. "For their efforts, they earned more than $5.6 million in commissions and benefited from increased traffic through their stores." To date, the Missouri Lottery has generated more than $2.6 billion in proceeds for the state, including education, since ticket sales began in January 1986. SOURCE: Missouri Lottery media release. North Carolina Lottery Launch Two Weeks Away and Counting
RALEIGH, North Carolina, USA (March 16, 2006) -- In just two weeks, the first ever North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) tickets will be sold in North Carolina. The NCEL expects that approximately 5,000 retailers will start selling the instant scratch-off tickets on the morning of March 30.
“There are many different pieces of this giant puzzle that need to come together,” said Tom Shaheen, executive director. He added, “The pieces that must come together include installation of ticket terminals, training retailers, testing software applications and so much more. There are many people working very hard behind the scenes in such areas as administration, finance, sales and computers to help raise money for education and make this historical event happen. In addition, numerous state agencies are providing assistance to us, as necessary.” To date, contractors for the NCEL have installed more than 3,700 ticket terminals in businesses across the state. Installations will continue down to the last minute. Meantime, approximately 300 retailers are going through training every day. Retailers that do not complete training will not be able to sell tickets until they have done so. Truck drivers have delivered the first series of tickets to a warehouse in Raleigh to prepare for delivery to retail locations statewide. The NCEL also has been working with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on plans for the state’s responsible gambling program. To coincide with the launch of ticket sales, information about the program will be published on posters and brochures. The gambling help line toll free number will also be available on the back of all Education Lottery tickets.
“We will be focused on prevention, education and outreach,” said Flo Stein, chief of community policy management, Department of Health & Human Services. “In other states, which we expect will be the case here, the lottery is considered low risk for gambling problems. Those that have started lotteries in recent years have seen a very low impact from the lottery on existing gambling issues.” For additional information about the N.C. Education Lottery, visit its website at www.lottery.nc.gov, or call 919/715-6886 (71-LOTTO). SOURCE: N. C. Education Lottery media
release. Scientific Games Completes EssNet Acquisition NEW YORK, USA (March 22, 2004) -- Scientific Games (Nasdaq: SGMS) announced today that it has completed the purchase of the online lottery assets of Swedish firm EssNet AB for 460 MSEK or approximately $60 million. The acquisition adds seven states in Germany, the national lotteries of Hungary and Norway, Golden Casket and Tattersall's Lottery in Australia, and other national lotteries, to its portfolio of customers. Essnet's 2005 online lottery revenues were approximately 314 MSEK or $40 million. According to Scientific Games Chairman and CEO Lorne Weil, "The EssNet acquisition not only gives us some strong operations in Europe, especially Germany, but also an important foothold in Australia, one of the major gaming markets in the world."
EssNet operations will be integrated into the larger Scientific Games business over the next few months in a process expected to be completed in the second half of 2006. 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 http://www.scientificgames.com. Company Contact: Investor Relations, Scientific Games Corporation, Phone: 212-754-2233 SOURCE: Scientific Games media release. Lottery Sales Exceed $2 Billion NASHVILLE, Tennessee, USA (March 22, 2006) -- Exactly two years and two months since the launch of the Tennessee Lottery, ticket sales surpassed the $2 billion sales mark. “This milestone is a clear indication that Tennessee continues to embrace the games,” said Rebecca Paul, President and CEO of the Tennessee Lottery. “While players and retailers have benefited significantly, it’s education in Tennessee that remains the biggest winner of all.”
As of midnight, March 20, the Lottery reports gross ticket sales of $2,000,324,642. Instant tickets are the most popular games, making up more than 70 percent of overall sales. The multi-state lotto game, Powerball, is the next biggest seller, with Cash 3, Lotto 5 and Cash 4 following. “Our success continues to rely on innovative marketing, superior customer service and operating the games with the utmost integrity,” said Paul. Recent developments include the popular new instant game, “World Series of Poker $100,000 Hold ‘em Poker,” and a special Powerball Power Play promotion that gives players the opportunity to win up to $2 million! The Tennessee Lottery began selling tickets on January 20, 2004. As of Dec. 31, 2005, the Lottery has raised more than $487 million to fund specific education programs, including college scholarships, pre-kindergarten and after-school programs. For more information, please visit www.tnlottery.com. SOURCE: Tennessee Lottery media
release.
Personnel Changes in KEBA AG Board LINZ, Austria (March 20, 2006) -- In 1970, Karl Kletzmaier and Gunther Krippner laid the foundation stone for today’s KEBA AG. After 36 years of successful company growth, the majority shareholder and Chairman of the Board of KEBA AG, Karl Kletzmaier, will hand over the operative business as of 1st July 2006. As majority shareholder and through his future capacity in the Supervisory Board, Mr. Kletzmaier’s services will continue to be available to KEBA.
“After more than 35 years, the time has come for me to withdraw from the operative business of KEBA and I can do so with a clear conscience because I’m leaving the company in experienced hands. Through my capacity in the Supervisory Board, I will continue to ensure the continuing successful development of the company” said Karl Kletzmaier, Chairman of the Board of KEBA AG, during today’s interview with the press in Linz about his upcoming move to the Supervisory Board.
The current Director, Gerhard Luftensteiner, will succeed Karl Kletzmaier as Chairman of the Board. Kletzmaier: “Gerhard Luftensteiner has been in the company for 20 years and 7 years of those have been spent on the Board. He has played a decisive role in the success of KEBA during this period. But this is not the only reason why I know the company is in the best hands - the many years of mutual trust have also marked out Mr. Luftensteiner as the future Chairman of the Board.” Furthermore, Franz Höller, current Manager of Development, will join the Board as of April 1st 2006 where he will assume the function of Technical Director. Promotion to the Board after 20 years with KEBA
Franz Höller (46) has been with KEBA since 1984. He graduated in communications engineering from the HTL in Braunau/Inn. After working as a service technician and technical sales engineer for 5 years at SAT in Vienna (then a Schrack subsidiary), he started as a product engineer at the electronics company of Krippner and Kletzmaier in the field of lumber mill automation. He became the hardware development manager in 1992. Through the consolidation of industrial automation software development with the hardware development, Höller became the manager of the development department that includes around 160 employees today. As the manager of this development department, Höller and his team were involved in international, exemplary standards with regard to research, design, development methodology, component development, continuous improvement processes and technical documentation. “Franz Höller has been in the company for more than two decades and has already made a significant contribution to the successful development of KEBA in his roles during this period. As the new technical director, Franz Höller possesses in-depth know-how, a passion for innovation and the necessary drive plus exceptional leadership qualities and company thinking” says Gerhard Luftensteiner, Director of KEBA AG, of his new Board colleague. Franz Höller, new technical director of KEBA AG, on his promotion: “I have not only experienced the success path of KEBA; from product engineer when we had a total of 100 employees to development manager now with more than 600 employees, I have always supported and advanced it to the utmost. As a director, my goal is to continue the success of KEBA into the future. As the person responsible for technology and production, my task is to realize our ideas quickly and professionally into sellable products and solutions in order to generate value-added for our customers, while increasing our competitiveness at the same time. This also includes consistently paying the greatest attention to our claim of world class in quality and reliability." About KEBA AG:
An Upper Austrian showcase company along the road to success KEBA is one of the top electronic companies in Austria. The foundation stone for the KEBA AG of today was laid in 1968. Currently, 650 members of staff are employed in the AG and its subsidiaries. KEBA AG, the automation specialist from Linz, increased its turnover from 77 to 90 million Euro in the last fiscal year (as of March 31st 2005). This corresponds to an increase in turnover of 16 % as well as signifying the highest turnover ever in the company’s history. KEBA has been active in the international arena for many years and generates about 75 % of its revenue from abroad. Innovation as the factor for success In accordance with the maxim “Automation by innovation”, KEBA annually invests 20 % of its turnover in research and development. The high level of R&D is the basis for a great many successful new products. These include KePlast, the industry solution for plastic injection molding machines, the Rondo 4cashcycle+ combined pay-in and pay-out cash terminals that is successfully in use at the Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank as well as the KePol automatic parcel system developed in collaboration with the Deutsche Post for which KEBA and the Deutsche Post received the World Mail Award in 2004 SOURCE: KEBA AG (www.keba.com). PA Lottery's Second-Chance Drawing Offering Five Trips to World Series of Poker Tournament MIDDLETOWN, Pennsylvania, USA (March 22, 2006) -- The Pennsylvania Lottery will award five separate trips to the World Series of Poker Tournament in a $100,000 Hold 'Em Poker second-chance drawing Monday, April 10. The five contestants selected will each receive a seat at a World Series of Poker tournament event (maximum of $10,000 buy-in), round-trip airfare for two, six night/seven-day hotel accommodations at a first-class hotel selected by the Lottery, paid federal withholding taxes and $1,000 in spending money.
Winners may also elect to take the $20,000 cash value of the prize package. Winners under age 21 will automatically receive the cash prize. Pennsylvania Lottery players must be 18 or older. To enter the second-chance contest for an opportunity to win one of the five prize packages, players should complete all the information on the backs of three non-winning Pennsylvania Lottery $100,000 Hold 'Em Poker instant tickets. The Pennsylvania Lottery's $100,000 Hold 'Em Poker instant ticket game remains on sale. There still are five $100,000 top prizes, four $50,000 prizes, and 13 World Series of Poker tournament prize packages remaining in the game. For more information on the Pennsylvania Lottery, visit http://www.palottery.com/. SOURCE: Pennsylvania Lottery.
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