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| Vol. 34 No. 8-- Monday February 27, 2006 |
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Prize Payout Increase Quickly Pays Off in Hungary BUDAPEST, Hungary (February 20, 2006) -- Hungary’s national lottery, Szerencsejáték Zrt. increased the prize payout rate of its instant tickets in 2005 from 44-46% to 60%. The prize payout increase was made possible by the decision of the Hungarian Finance Ministry to reduce the taxation level on instant tickets. The lower prize payout tickets were withdrawn from circulation by the end of April, being gradually replaced by the new, higher prize payout tickets. The shift was completed in December 2005, when the 10th instant ticket was launched.
The additional prize fund was used for two aims. The overall top prizes were raised, and the average odds of winning was raised to 1:3 from the previous 1:4. These parameters were adapted for core and new games alike. The changes were supported by a limited communication campaign in the press and by POS materials. The main message was: With our new tickets you win much more and more frequently. The results were immediate, the average monthly turnover increased by 88% within a couple of months, from 593 million HUF (€2.37 million EUR) to 1.12 billion HUF (€4.48 million EUR). As a result of the increase in sales, the overall contributions (different taxes, profit) to the state have increased by more than 20% in the 3rd quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. As the players gradually discover the added values of the new tickets, the turnover in 2006 is expected to grow further. The sales goal for 2006 is 13 billion HUF (€ 52 million), which means a 20% increase from 2005. In 2006 Hungarian instant fans will meet not only new play styles and new prize types, such as cars as top prizes, win-for-life style ticket , but also one higher price point game and one scented ticket. 2006 is likely to be a joyful year for both our players and the organizer as well! SOURCE: Szerencsejáték
Zrt. OLGC and the David Foster Foundation Announce Major Charity
Gala TORONTO, Canada (February 16, 2006) -- Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) today announced it will present David Foster and Friends, a star-studded charity gala at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort on Saturday, September 16, 2006. Internationally acclaimed singer Andrea Bocelli will headline this unique event, which is the inspiration of 14-time Grammy-award winner, David Foster. Additional performers will be announced in the coming months, and posted on http://www.davidfosterandfriendsont.com.
“This is a special event for a special cause,” said David Foster. “Money raised from this extraordinary performance will make a real and meaningful difference to so many families in Ontario and across Canada.” “The McGuinty government is pleased to support the important work of the David Foster Foundation through Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation,” said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. “Since it was established in 1975, OLGC has generated $23.1 billion in revenue that is invested in priorities like health care, physical fitness, sport, recreation and cultural activities, as well as charitable and not-for-profit organizations.” All proceeds from the event will benefit the David Foster Foundation. The foundation was established in 1986 to help pay non-medical expenses for families with children who require organ transplants, such as transportation and accommodation. Last year, the event held at River Rock Casino in British Columbia raised over $2.8 million.
In addition to raising funds for a worthwhile cause, this world-class event enables OLGC to deliver exciting and entertaining experiences for its patrons, according to Chief Executive Officer, Duncan Brown. “This promises to be an inspiring, intimate and electrifying event. Presenting David Foster and Friends is a real testament to the quality of our people and our world-class entertainment facilities.” The headlining performer, Andrea Bocelli, has sold more than 50 million records worldwide since he broke onto the musical scene a decade ago. His most recent work, called “Amore,” was produced by David Foster. Mr. Bocelli will perform songs from this CD at the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics. For more information on the event itinerary log on to http://www.davidfosterandfriendsont.com. SOURCE: Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation media release. B.C. Athletes Featured on New Sports-Funder Instant Lottery Ticket RICHMOND, British Columbia, Canada (February 20, 2006) - Today, British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) announces an exciting new addition to the SportsFunder suite of lottery products; the $10 SportsFunder Instant Win ticket. SportsFunder-branded games are the first lottery products in B.C. to directly benefit amateur sports, producing an estimated $20 million in funding over the next six years.
"The first edition of SportsFunder Instant Win tickets offer great prizes while creating profile for some of B.C.'s amateur athletes," said Jim Lightbody, BCLC's Vice-President of Lottery Gaming. "We are also proud to introduce the Share the Dream prize as one of BCLC's most unique prizes ever offered through an Instant Win ticket." As a special prize feature, players who win the Share the Dream prize will win $1,000 and direct a further $1,000 to their favourite sports organization. Players will also have the chance to win two top prizes of $100,000 and the option to enter a Bonus Internet contest for the chance to win an Ultimate Whistler Getaway. The set of four tickets feature British Columbian athletes who are currently representing Canada at the 2006 Torino Winter Games. These athletes are Alexa Loo, a snowboarder from Richmond; Alanna Krause, a short track speed skater from Abbotsford; George Grey, a cross country skier from Rossland; and Chris Wong, a freestyle skier from Prince George. Proceeds from SportsFunder-branded lottery games will be distributed by the provincial government to directly support: 1) Sport BC's KidSport™ program providing sport registration grants to financially disadvantaged children; 2) Game Plan/Team BC, providing support for high-performance B.C. athletes; 3) financial assistance for coaching development; 4) travel assistance for B.C. athletes to attend sporting competitions.
The release of the ticket is part of the partnership BCLC announced earlier this month with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). The partnership provides BCLC with sponsorship rights for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and also includes rights to the Canadian Olympic Team for Torino 2006, Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Games. SportsFunder-branded games are available wherever lottery games are sold in British Columbia. In addition to the Instant Win ticket, games include a province-wide 50/50 game with draws every 30 minutes, a Pull Tab ticket, and SportsFunder Interactives, available only through PlayNow at bclc.com. BCLC is a provincial Crown Corporation reporting to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General through a Board of Directors. Its mission is to offer responsible gaming entertainment, generating income for the public good. SOURCE: British Columbia Lottery
Corporation. Lottery Dynamics to be Platinum Contributor to WLA IRVING, Texas, USA (February 17, 2006) -- Lottery Dynamics LLC is very pleased to announce that it has been welcomed into the World Lottery Association (WLA) as a Platinum Contributor for 2006. As such, it will participate in the planning and agenda for WLA2006, the main trade show and convention that is scheduled for Singapore, Nov. 12-17, as well as other important industry events. "This is both a tremendous honor and opportunity for Lottery Dynamics, which had its commercial launch only 18 months ago at the WLA convention in Durban," said Stephan Egli, Chairman and President of Lottery Dynamics. "We feel privileged that we will be joining the ranks of established industry leaders in helping to shape the future of this $200 billion global marketplace." "We believe that the lottery industry and Lotto, in particular, is at a key juncture in its history, facing competition from so many other gaming venues," Egli continued. "At Lottery Dynamics, we are developing innovative programs to help the industry meet the challenges of maintaining its profit margins while providing exciting new game options built on player choice and player value."
Lottery Dynamics currently offers two programs, Lotto Gold+™ and Lotto Silver+™, which are designed to help revitalize sales of the core lottery product through multiple-priced ticket offerings and higher jackpots. Since Lotto has historically maintained a 50 percent prize payout, improving Lotto sales has a very significant effect on the bottom line and the subsequent transfer to good causes. "There has been increasing pressure in recent months for lotteries to forgo those 50 percent margins and raise the percentage payouts to attract more players and greater revenue," Egli added. "We believe that there are better options, and Lottery Dynamics has the programs that can achieve the desired goals without sacrificing traditional profit margins while raising revenue anywhere from 25-100 percent." About Lottery Dynamics Lottery Dynamics LLC, based in Irving, Texas, is a company with a mission to re-energize lotto and other lottery games with proprietary programs highlighting player choice, player value and player excitement. The company’s programs work with any matrix and any currency around the world. SOURCE: Lottery Dynamics LLC media
release. Cyprus Government Lottery Chooses Oberthur Gaming Technologies MONTREAL, Quebec, Canada (February 20, 2006) -- Oberthur Gaming Technologies (“OGT”) is pleased to announce the recent decision of the Cyprus Government Lottery to award OGT a contract for the entire production of its instant lottery tickets. The two-year agreement also includes the option of two one-year additional periods. “We are confident that our business partnership with OGT will be profitable for our organization and the good causes we support,” said Stavros Michael, Director of the Cyprus Government Lottery. “I have no doubt that, with OGT’s high quality and unequaled original products, we will maximize Cyprus’ instant lottery tickets sales. Based on the integrity and the professionalism that OGT has demonstrated during the bid process, we are looking forward to working in collaboration with them.”
“At OGT, we are proud of being awarded this contract with the Cyprus Government Lottery and of their confidence towards our company,” declared Patrick Larocque, Vice-President, Sales and marketing, OGT-Europe. “Cyprus is one-of-a-kind specific market to which we will give all the required attention in order to implement a strategy that will suit perfectly their needs and help grow their profits.” 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 products and services to 100 clients in some 50 countries. The company has production units or offices in Montreal, Canada; San Antonio, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the U.S.; Paris, France; Vienna, Austria; and Sydney, Australia. SOURCE: Lyse Trudel, Communications
Officer, Oberthur Gaming Technologies, (+1-514) 254-3600, ext. 101, Email;
lyse.trudel@mtl.oberthurgt.com.
Scientific Games Acquires Assets of TeleCom Game Factory ALPHARETTA, Georgia, USA (February 22, 2006) -- Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ: SGMS) announced today it has acquired certain assets of TeleCom Game Factory (TGF), a full-service content and technical/delivery provider to lotteries worldwide. "This transaction is the result of our conviction to offer lotteries and their players the ultimate in entertainment," said Steve Saferin, president of Scientific Games Ventures. "TGF is a leader in the future of gaming, especially in the lottery category. This agreement will result in new, fun, advanced and interactive play styles for lottery players, which is the ultimate goal."
Included in the acquisition is TGF's patented Random Animated Digital Draw System (RADDS) currently operational in five states. RADDS produces visually stimulating, high- impact, flexible animation and video games that change expensive passive live lottery drawings into a proactive, cost efficient, powerful brand-building marketing tool. "RADDS can bring any lottery game to life," Saferin said. "We intend to take this innovation to the next level and market it to even more lotteries globally.” Also included is the TGF-created, computer-animated Daily Race Game™. In this online/TV broadcast game, players pick three horses from a 12-horse field and the patented game generator randomly broadcasts a fast-paced, 60-second race each night. The high-energy game can be customized for individual lotteries to best fit their players’ interests. In April 2005, Scientific Games was chosen to provide “The Daily Race Game/Run for the Money” to the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission as a second monitor game.
Budd Libby, TGF president who was instrumental in the new agreement between TGF and Scientific Games, will remain as a consultant to Scientific Games. "Like TeleCom, Scientific Games understands the need for lottery-industry companies to constantly look for, and eventually offer, the next generation of game play," Libby said. "We believe this merger will do just that, and will benefit lotteries, players, and good causes.” 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 Corporation media
release. New Lottery Makes Hockey Team a Winner Kamloops, February 16, 2006 — Today, British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) congratulates the On The Rocks Pub and the Kamloops Blackjacks Ball Hockey Team for winning the first-ever SportsFunder 50/50 Retailer Award. The Blackjacks received $2,010 as the recipients of the newly created award.
Beginning this week, BCLC provides its retail partners across the province, such as Lottery Ticket Centres and bars and pubs selling lottery products, with an opportunity to support amateur sport in their community in the spirit of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The lottery retailer who sells the winning ticket for the week’s highest SportsFunder 50/50 jackpot wins $2,010 to give to an amateur sport team or sport organization on behalf of BCLC. “I’m thrilled to be able to contribute to the success of the Kamloops Blackjacks Ball Hockey team,” said Tarn Ollek, owner and operator of the On The Rocks Pub. “We’re finding that the added bonus of supporting local teams is exciting and fun for SportsFunder 50/50 lottery players.” The Retailer Award program is part of the Corporation’s celebration of launching SportsFunder, a new suite of lottery products that will produce an estimated $20 million for amateur sport in B.C. over the next six years. “We couldn’t believe it when we found out we would receive $2,010,” said Shawn Jeannotte, Team Captain of the Kamloops Blackjacks Ball Hockey Team. “We have been raising funds to attend the National Ball Hockey Tournament in Montreal. This money will ensure we get there.” SportsFunder 50/50 is the $1 lottery that gives players a chance to win 50 per cent of the game’s net sales for each draw every half-hour. The more people who play, the bigger the jackpot. Tickets can be purchased from any lottery retailer and bars and pubs offering lottery products. BCLC is a provincial Crown Corporation reporting to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General through a Board of Directors. Its mission is to offer responsible gaming entertainment, generating income for the public good. SOURCE: BCLC. Tattersall's Supports Regional Sports Carnival VICTORIA, Australia (February 2006) -- Tattersall's is delighted to be the naming rights sponsor of the Ballarat Gift, for the 13th year. Our sponsorship of the Ballarat Gift is part of the company's century-old tradition of supporting the communities in which we trade, whether through sport, the arts or community activities.
Tattersall's Managing Director/ CEO, Mr Duncan Fischer, said that over the years, the Ballarat Gift had developed a reputation as one of Victoria's foremost foot running carnivals. "The Ballarat Gift is the second richest in terms of prize money in Professional Men's racing in Australia and the richest for Professional Women's racing. It's great to see the event continues to attract up and coming athletes and large crowds of spectators." "The Tattersall's Gift complimented other local initiatives supported by Tattersall's, including the emergency centre at Ballarat Base Hospital, Mc Callum Disability Services and the National War Memorial for Ex POW's in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens", Mr Fischer added. SOURCE: Tattersalls. Tennessee Lottery Goes "All In" With New Hold 'Em Poker Instant Ticket
ALPHARETTA, Georgia, USA (February 23, 2006) -- Tennessee Lottery CEO and President Rebecca Paul was joined last week by poker pro Chris Moneymaker on a "poker run" across the state to launch the Lottery's new World Series of Poker, "$100,000 Hold 'Em Poker" instant ticket. The Tennessee Lottery launched the instant game last week at more than 4,400 retail locations across the state. The game offers over $17 million in prizes and a chance to enter a second chance drawing for other prizes, including a seat in a World Series of Poker tournament. The tour, accompanied by a full advertising campaign titled "Deal Yourself In," was part of an Integrated Marketing campaign designed by the Lottery; Gish, Sherwood and Friends; and MDI Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ: SGMS). MDI Entertainment's Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) division offers customers a full-service, comprehensive strategy to help lotteries take their sales to the next level. By coordinating all pieces of a marketing campaign including broadcast, out-of-home, POS, promotions, special events and grass-roots efforts, MDI’s IMC team works one-on-one with lotteries to build product awareness and increase sales. "This collaboration between the Tennessee Education Lottery, our ad agency, Gish, Sherwood and Friends, and MDI Entertainment has been a win-win effort for everyone,” Paul said. "When we first entered into this agreement, we knew the '$100,000 Hold 'Em Poker' game would be a success, and an enormous benefit to the education programs we fund.” Moneymaker, a native of Tennessee, shared the details of the game during a media tour, in which he also described his transformation from working as an accountant in Tennessee to becoming a poker superstar after winning the $2.5 million first-place prize at the World Series of Poker tournament in 2003.
Steve Saferin, president of MDI Entertainment, said lotteries are continually looking at ways to increase their bottom line while enhancing the play experience and fun for their players. He said MDI’s IMC services are designed to achieve those goals. “Sometimes, just launching a game and letting it ride on its own simply isn’t enough to achieve sales goals or ticket awareness,” Saferin said. “But with our IMC efforts, sales will remain strong throughout the life of the game and awareness will remain heightened. In doing so, lotteries will discover not just strong sales for a particular game, but a noticeable boost throughout their entire product lines.” 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. 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.
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