• GTECH Announces Record Revenues for Fiscal Year 2006 . Full Story
• South Australia Lotteries Receives Accolades for Excellence in Advertising. Full Story
• INTRALOT Successfully Launched the Operation of Its On-Line Gaming System in Montana. Full Story
• MDI’s New International MotoGP License Gives Lotteries Rights to the Popular Racing Craze. Full Story
• Pollard Banknote Awarded Bingo Paper Contract by Manitoba Lotteries Corporation. Full Story
• Lotto Available Soon in WA on Mondays and Wednesdays. Full Story
• Massachusetts Lottery’s New Red Sox Instant Ticket on Sale. Full Story
• Maryland Lottery and MDE Make a Big Splash. Full Story
• Red Rock Casino Resort Spa to Open Exclusively with JCM American Products. Full Story
• Svenska Spel’s Successful Start for Internet Poker. Full Story

GTECH Announces Record Revenues for Fiscal Year 2006

WEST GREENWICH, Rhode Island (April 12, 2006) -- GTECH Holdings Corporation (NYSE: GTK) today announced fourth quarter and year-end earnings for the fiscal year which ended February 25, 2006.

“GTECH delivered solid financial results in both the quarter and the full fiscal year, meeting or exceeding our previous outlook,” said GTECH President and CEO W. Bruce Turner. “In addition, we enjoyed strategic success in each of our verticals by growing our core business, aggressively developing international market opportunities, and leveraging our core competencies into related gaming solutions and transaction-processing business opportunities.”

“GTECH delivered another strong year of operating results and substantial free cash flows, resulting in significant value creation for our shareholders and positioning us well for future successes,” said GTECH Senior Vice President and CFO Jaymin B. Patel.

Operating Results
Revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 were $368.3 million, up 9% over revenues of $337.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.  Net income was $59.4 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, compared to net income of $43.8 million, or $0.34 per diluted share for the same period last year. For the quarter, service revenues were up 11.3%, reflecting continued strength in same store sales, strong jackpot activity, and higher revenues from Brazil. Product sales were $74.3 million, comparable to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. Service margins increased approximately 150 basis points, to 39.1%, driven by the strength in service revenues, partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization expenses. Product margins increased significantly, from 26.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 to 45.6% in the most recent quarter, reflecting a change in product mix. The fourth quarter results include one-time costs of $6.1 million associated with the pending transaction with Lottomatica S.p.A. Excluding transaction-related costs, the Company would have reported net income of $65.5 million and fully diluted earnings per share of $0.50.
Revenues for fiscal 2006 were $1.3 billion, up 3.8% over revenues of $1.26 billion in fiscal 2005. Net income was $211.0 million, or $1.63 per diluted share, compared to net income of $196.4 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, for the same period last year. Net income in fiscal 2005 includes a one-time, after-tax gain of $7.0 million, or approximately $0.05 per diluted share, associated with the sale of the Company’s 50% interest in Gaming Entertainment (Delaware) L.L.C. Net income in fiscal 2006 includes one-time costs of $8.0 million associated with the pending Lottomatica transaction, or $0.06 per diluted share.
Prior year earnings and dividends per share reflect the 2-for-1 common stock split declared in June 2004.

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Cash Flow and Investments
During fiscal 2006, the Company generated $429.6 million of cash from operations. This cash was principally used to fund $137.3 million of systems, equipment, and other assets relating to contracts; to purchase an additional 11.681% of POLCARD S.A. for $21.5 million; to repurchase $32.1 million, or 1,326,100 shares of the Company’s common stock; and to pay cash dividends of $41.7 million. At February 25, 2006, the Company had $495.9 million of cash balances and short-term investment securities on hand.
At the end of fiscal 2006, the Company had $494 million available under its senior revolving credit facility.

Business Highlights

During fiscal 2006, GTECH continued to successfully execute against the Company’s strategic objectives of maintaining and expanding the core lottery business, and winning new customers.

Domestically, GTECH signed a seven-year integrated services agreement with the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) for a complete end-to-end online/instant ticket lottery solution. The Company implemented the NCEL in 58 days with approximately 5,000 terminals at startup, making it the fastest instant ticket launch in lottery history.

In addition, GTECH was awarded multi-year online lottery contracts in Washington State and Arizona, and signed an agreement for additional lottery products in California. The Company was also selected as the preferred vendor for new gaming central control systems in Pennsylvania and Louisiana.

In New Jersey, GTECH was selected for a new integrated online/instant lottery system, terminals, and communications network. The award of the New Jersey contract to GTECH is currently being contested by another vendor.

Internationally, GTECH signed a number of contracts including an agreement to provide a new gaming system and terminals for New Zealand Lotteries Commission, and a five-year agreement to provide equipment and services for the national online lottery in Thailand, through its joint venture LOXLEY GTECH Technology Co. Ltd. The Company also began deploying 2,000 WinWave™ video lottery terminals (VLTs) to Svenska Spel in Sweden.  In conjunction with the VLTs, Svenska Spel is also utilizing GTECH’s Enterprise Series™ Video central system, which includes functionality designed to allow lotteries unprecedented flexibility to change denomination and download games remotely.

“All told, GTECH secured new contracts and extensions with 22 customers in fiscal 2006, representing approximately $1 billion in revenues to GTECH over the life of the contracts,” continued Mr. Turner. “These wins are a clear validation of GTECH’s business strategy, our technology, and above all, our understanding of what lotteries, retailers, and players are looking for today and in the future.”

Also during the fiscal year, California joined the Mega Millions multi-state game in an effort to boost lottery ticket sales. California expects Mega Millions to generate approximately $200 million to $300 million in net annual incremental total sales for the Lottery, equating to $2.5 million to $4.0 million in annual incremental revenue to GTECH.

Overseas, the multi-jurisdictional game EuroMillions continues to perform well. For calendar year 2005, per capita sales averaged $0.40 per week. On a year-to-date basis, calendar year 2006 weekly per capita sales more than doubled, due in part to a record-breaking jackpot in February.

“EuroMillions has become a solid contributor for GTECH. It continues to grow, with 10 jurisdictions now participating in the game, three of which are GTECH facilities management customers,” said Mr. Turner. “In fact, EuroMillions now has the largest player base of any multi-jurisdictional game in the world, with more than 200 million players.”

GTECH also deployed 35 new/modified games in more than 20 jurisdictions worldwide. Pick ‘n Play™, the Company’s new game concept designed to combine the appeal of instant gratification and multiple chances to win with the security and integrity of an online game, was recently launched in Illinois. Several other lotteries around the world are currently considering Pick ‘n Play as a new revenue source and complementary product line to add to their existing game portfolios.

“We’re excited about the evolution of our game content, and Pick ‘n Play is just one example of how fresh games can keep lottery play fun and exciting and stimulate incremental sales,” concluded Mr. Turner.

Other Business Developments
On January 10, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with Lottomatica S.p.A, an Italian corporation and the exclusive license holder and operator of Italy’s Lotto, and De Agostini S.p.A., a privately held Italian diversified industrial and financial holding group that is Lottomatica’s majority shareholder, pursuant to which Lottomatica will acquire GTECH for $35.00 in cash per outstanding GTECH share.
The all cash transaction, which is subject to financing as well as regulatory, customer, and shareholder approvals, is expected to close in mid- 2006. The total enterprise value of the transaction is approximately $4.8 billion.
For additional information on GTECH’s fourth quarter and year-end results, please visit the Investors section of http://www.gtech.com.

About GTECH
GTECH is a leading gaming technology and services company. With more than $1.3 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, +1-401-392-7452

SOURCE: GTECH Holdings Corporation, Web Site: http://www.gtech.com.

South Australia Lotteries Receives Accolades for Excellence in Advertising

ADELAIDE, South Australia (April 7, 2006) -- SA Lotteries celebrated a win of a different kind this week, having received accolades for excellence in advertising at the recent Adelaide Advertising and Design Club (AADC) Awards.

Judged interstate on national and international advertising standards, the AADC Awards were presented at a function at Adelaide Oval earlier this week.

SA Lotteries’ latest television commercials for Lotto ‘Born Free’ and Lotto Megadraw ‘Fridge Magnets’ received Silver awards in a category where no Gold awards were presented.

The Lotto Megadraw ‘Lost Car’ radio advertisement was awarded Bronze, along with SA Lotteries’ ‘We’re moving’ postcard, which was distributed in the weeks prior to the organisation’s relocation to Wayville in February last year.

The AADC also awarded Finalist status to the following SA Lotteries’ advertisements:

• Easiplay Club 'Happiness in a Cupboard' - Newspaper Advert
• SA Lotteires’ Corporate 'We've Moved' - Newspaper Advert
• Lotto Megadraw 'Demolition' - Radio commercial

All SA Lotteries’ award-winning and finalist entries were submitted by advertising agency Clemenger BBDO Adelaide.

SA Lotteries congratulates Clemenger BBDO Adelaide for their efforts in continuing the winning theme of luck and lotteries throughout these fabulous advertising campaigns.

SOURCE: SA Lotteries media release.
CONTACT: Bernadette Tieste, Manager – Corporate Communications, Ph: 08 8208 4390, Mobile: 0401 125 223.

INTRALOT Successfully Launched the Operation of Its On-Line Gaming System in Montana, USA

ATHENS, Greece (April 10, 2006) -- INTRALOT USA has successfully launched the operation of its second gaming system in the United States for the Montana State Lottery and is now fully operational. The new on-line and instant gaming system was activated on March 31st.

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In just three months, INTRALOT installed the CORONIS terminals at all of the retail locations, the LOTOS™ O/S central system, a new, state-of-the-art satellite communications network and provided all of the necessary training to the Lottery.  The carefully planned and professionally executed implementation and conversion project led to a smooth transition for the Lottery and their retailers.

The new integrated system represents the first IBM-based system that INTRALOT has installed in the US market.  It is built on INTRALOT’s LOTOS™ O/S core system and operates on a IBM AIX platform.  This new configuration ensures speed, reliability and security for Lottery’s transactions.

George Parisot, Director of the Montana Lottery, said: “While we still have a lot of post-conversion work to do, I want to take a moment to reflect on the outstanding work and long hours everyone at the Lottery and INTRALOT put in to make this conversion a success.  This conversion to the new system was completed on-time in a short three months, from start to finish.  I’m extremely pleased with the smooth transition to INTRALOT’s on-line gaming system.”

INTRALOT S.A. CEO, Mr. Constantinos Antonopoulos stated: “With the successful upgrade and launch of the Montana Lottery’s on-line gaming system, which consists of the second system designed and implemented by our company in the U.S., INTRALOT once more demonstrates its capacity to provide an advanced gaming solution to our clients.  We are sure that our partnership with the Montana Lottery will be mutually rewarding and as gratifying as it is with our other U.S. customer, the Nebraska Lottery.”

INTRALOT USA President and CEO, Tom Little added: “We are very proud of this accomplishment and I wish to thank the dedicated and hard working professionals of our staff who made this happen.  In addition, George Parisot and his staff deserve special thanks. The conversion was a success because of their efforts and cooperation.  We have established a true partnership with the Montana Lottery that will enable both of us to meet and conquer the challenging marketplace of the future.”

INTRALOT signed the contract with the Montana’s State Lottery late last year.  The contract is for seven (7) years with three one-year extension options.  The new contract brings Montana technology upgrades through INTRALOT’s LOTOS™ O/S On-line and Instant Gaming Computer System on the IBM AIX platform, 750 of its CORONIS full-function, high-end compact terminals for retailer locations across the state and a state-of-the-art satellite network to link retailer terminals to the central system.  All equipment, software and related services will support the increase of sales through the development and implementation of customized and innovative marketing and promotional programs.

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.
Its 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, 3.000 people and revenues of € 523 million for 2005, INTRALOT’s footprint straddles five continents.

SOURCE: INTRALOT.
For more information please CONTACT: Ms. Evi Ioannidou, Communications Director, Phone: +30-210-6156000 – Fax: +30-210 6106800, email: ioannidou@intralot.com.

MDI’s New International MotoGP License Gives Lotteries Rights to the Popular Racing Craze
Agreement Includes Action Images of High-Profile Racers

MDI Agreement Includes Action Images of High-Profile Racers

ALPHARETTA, Georgia, USA (April 7, 2006) -- Lotteries worldwide can tap into one of the top forms of motorcycle racing – MotoGP – now that MDI Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ: SGMS), has acquired the exclusive rights to the high-octane, thrilling sport.

“From stock cars to track bikes, the world of racing is now more than ever making a huge impact in the sports arena, attracting new fans and loyalists every season,” said Steve Saferin, MDI president. “The popularity of MotoGP is soaring, especially in the international market, and games featuring the sport and its celebrated racers will attract an entire new generation of lottery players.”

MDI’s agreement with Dorna Sports S.L., the holder of all commercial and television rights to MotoGP, gives dedicated enthusiasts and lottery players exclusive games that feature action shots of all the hottest racers and opportunities to win cash prizes plus hard-to-get MotoGP merchandise including technical accessories, watches, phone and cellular accessories and apparel. Dorna is an international sports management company founded in 1988. Its headquarters are in Madrid with branch offices in Barcelona, Tokyo and London.

“This agreement is a result of our efforts to expand our offerings available to international clients while keeping in mind our domestic customers,” Saferin said.

MotoGP consists of nine months of racing, with 17 Grands Prix in 14 countries across five continents every year. More than 2 million spectators attend the circuits over the season and more than 311 million fans world-wide watch each individual Grand Prix on television. Of those viewers, MDI research shows over 80 percent of those viewers would choose a brand they associate with MotoGP.

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta added, “As MotoGP’s appeal expands throughout the world, our agreement with MDI Entertainment is an excellent way for the brand to receive global exposure. Additionally the exposure will happen in an exciting medium which ties in perfectly with the thrill of the sport itself.”

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.
CONTACT: Jeff Schweig, Phone: 678-297-5212.

Pollard Banknote Awarded Bingo Paper Contract by Manitoba Lotteries Corporation

WINNIPEG, Canada (April 10, 2006) -- Pollard Banknote Limited Partnership (“Pollard Banknote”) is pleased to announce that the company has entered into a new contract with Manitoba Lotteries Corporation (MLC) for the supply and delivery of bingo paper.

The contract, valued in excess of one million dollars (CDN) annually, is to start in April 2006. The contract has an initial term of 36 months and includes an option for MLC to extend the contract for two additional one-year periods.

“MLC is a new customer for Pollard Banknote’s bingo paper, and we are thrilled the Lottery has chosen to work with us,” said Jennifer Westbury, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Pollard Banknote. “While we sell bingo paper to many private charitable gaming distributors in North America, this contract brings us our first lottery customer for bingo paper.”

The bingo paper will be played at the Casinos of Winnipeg (Club Regent and McPhillips Street Station) and also at licensed bingo events across Manitoba. Pollard Banknote will supply approximately 900 million individual bingo cards each year.

About Pollard Banknote
Pollard Banknote is one of the world’s leading full-service lottery vendors and is a major supplier to North America’s charitable gaming industry.  The firm manufactures instant tickets and provides related programming, design, and marketing support. As well, Pollard Banknote manufactures ticket vending machines, pull tab tickets and bingo paper, and supplies lottery management services (including warehousing and distribution). Established in 1907, the firm is owned by the Pollard family and the Pollard Banknote Income Fund and currently serves more than 45 lotteries worldwide, including some of the largest and most respected lotteries in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America.

About Pollard Banknote Income Fund
Pollard Banknote Income Fund (TSX: PBL.UN) is an unincorporated, open-end trust which owns 26.7% of Pollard Holdings Limited Partnership, which in turn owns Pollard Banknote Limited Partnership.

SOURCE: Pollard Banknote Limited Partnership.
For further information please CONTACT: Gordon Pollard (gpollard@pbl.ca) or John Pollard (jpollard@pbl.ca), Co-Chief Executive Officers, Phone: (204) 474-2323, www.pollardbanknote.com.

Lotto Available Soon in WA on Mondays and Wednesdays

PERTH, Western Australia (April 10, 2006) -- Lotterywest today announced that it will soon have a new Lotto game to offer to West Australian players.

As well as playing Lotto on Saturday, WA players will soon have the chance to play their favourite game on both Monday and Wednesday.

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Players will be able to buy tickets in the new game from 27 April, and the first draw will take place on Monday, 1 May 2006.

Lotterywest is able to offer this new game to WA Lotto players after being invited by NSW Lotteries to join an existing game that New South Wales players have been playing for years.  SA Lotteries is also joining this game.

Lotterywest is confident that this new game will be a welcome addition to the other three Lotto games available in WA, and is hopeful that the new game will also attract some new players.

“West Australians love Lotto and our market research tells us that our players would welcome the chance to play more often,” said Lotterywest CEO Jan Stewart.

Players will need to choose 6 winning numbers from 45, just as for Saturday Lotto, however the game will have a lower ticket price than the weekend game, costing players just 30 cents a game plus retailer commission.  A minimum entry of 4 games will cost just $1.30.

Monday’s Lotto draw will offer a Division One prize pool of $1 million, and Wednesday’s Lotto draw will offer $750,000 as its top prize.

Lotterywest’s Chairman Clyde Bevan said he was pleased that Lotterywest’s initiative would further champion support for the WA community, through its grants program.

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“The extra $10 million that Lotterywest hopes to raise from the proceeds of this new game will be extremely beneficial to so many community groups and non profit organisations within our State.”

“Ultimately, it will be the people of WA, through our health services, our sports and the Arts, and charitable organisations who will be the real winners of this new game.”

Information on the new Lotto game can be obtained from Lotterywest retail outlets around the State.

SOURCE: Lotterywest media release.
CONTACT: Angelika Fawcett, Corporate Communications Coordinator, Tel:  08 9340 5227, Mobile: 0438 996 884.

Massachusetts Lottery’s New Red Sox Instant Ticket on Sale Tomorrow
Game’s Grand Prize Winner to Receive Pair of Red Sox Season Tickets for Life!

BRAINTREE, Massachusetts, USA (April 10, 2006) – The Massachusetts Lottery’s new Red Sox Instant Ticket – the nation’s first instant game to feature a Major League Baseball team logo – will go on sale tomorrow at the Lottery’s 7,600 licensed retailers throughout the Commonwealth, including Fenway Park.

This exciting new $5 instant game offers over $150 million in cash and Fenway Fantasy Prizes.

In addition to traditional cash prizes, including 10 $1 million prizes, the Red Sox Instant Ticket features a second chance drawing in which one lucky player will win a Grand Prize of a pair of Red Sox season tickets for life. The game will also award other attractive prizes such as Red Sox tickets, merchandise, trips, and game-related experiences.

Players can learn more about the game by reading the back of the Red Sox Instant Ticket, by picking up a brochure at any Lottery sales agent location, or by logging on to the Lottery’s website at www.masslottery.com

SOURCE: Massachusetts State Lottery Commission.
CONTACT: Beth A. Bresnahan, Director of Communications, (781) 849-5600 (office), (781) 858-4277 (cell).

Maryland Lottery and MDE Make a Big Splash
New Liquid Treasures Scratch-off Ticket Promotes Water Conservation

BALTIMORE, Maryland, USA (April 10, 2006) – The Maryland Lottery and the Maryland Department of the Environment are really pouring it on this Spring. To encourage water conservation in Maryland, the Lottery has partnered with MDE to launch a new scratch-off ticket, Liquid Treasures. With a waterfall backdrop, each ticket offers one of 16 different water conservation tips, such as, “For every minute you shorten your shower, you save up to 3 gallons of water.”  Players have the chance to win up to $10,000 by scratching the symbols on the ticket, featuring a series of images that relate to water-usage.

"This ticket presents a wonderful opportunity to help MDE create public awareness of the importance of water conservation," said Maryland Lottery Director Buddy Roogow. "It's an issue that affects all Marylanders."

MDE hopes the unique appearance and conservation messages found on each ticket will help to influence players to think twice before keeping that water tap on too long.  “The Maryland Lottery has provided us with a fun, unique opportunity to share important conservation messages with Maryland citizens,” said MDE Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick. “In order to ensure adequate water resources for our future needs, we must put conservation measures into effect now.”

The $2 ticket launches today, April 10th and will continue to be on sale throughout the summer months, when warmer weather coincides with higher water use.

For more information on water conservation, visit the MDE website at www.mde.state.md.us.

For more information on Liquid Treasures, see your local Lottery Retailer or visit www.mdlottery.com

SOURCE: Maryland Lottery.

Red Rock Casino Resort Spa to Open Exclusively with JCM American Products

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, USA (April 10, 2006) – When the world’s newest casino, the Red Rock Casino Resort Spa, opens in Las Vegas this month, the casino floor will be protected by the most secure technology available, thanks to JCM American’s Universal Bill Acceptor (UBA™). The casino will be exclusively equipped with the UBA and JCM’s Intelligent Cash Box (ICB®).

The Red Rock contract is the latest in a continuing wave of success for the UBA and ICB since making their premiere at Wynn Las Vegas last year. Since then, the award-winning products have been selected by top operators around the world.

 “Being at Red Rock is very exciting news for JCM. The property will set a new standard in ‘locals’ casinos. Clearly, Station Casinos has carefully selected only the very best for this new property, and we are honored to be a part of that exclusive group of suppliers,” said JCM VP of Gaming Solutions, Tom Nieman.

The UBA is the next generation bill validator, utilizing the latest sensing technology, including magnetic and optical sensors. The UBA is completed by its forward/backward-compatible, high-impact Plastic Cash Box. The ICB system links the slot floor and the backend, increasing efficiency by reducing common human errors in casino drop and count processes.

About JCM American Corporation
JCM American Corporation is the industry leader in currency handling systems and provides products, software and services to the gaming, vending, banking, amusement, and petroleum industries. Since 1995, its products have validated an estimated $2.2 trillion in currency for the gaming industry alone. From its international headquarters in Osaka, Japan, and affiliates in Düsseldorf, Hong Kong, London, Sydney and its U.S. headquarters in Las Vegas, JCM’s progressive spirit continually sets worldwide industry standards with innovative products such as the World Bill Acceptor (WBA®), Universal Bill Acceptor (UBA™), Trident™ Table Safe System and Intelligent Cash Box (ICB®). For more information, visit www.jcm-american.com.

SOURCE: JCM American Corporation media release distributed by Steinbeck Communications, CONTACT: Paul Speirs, P: 702-413-4278, F: 702-233-3492, E: paulspeirs@cox.net.

Svenska Spel’s Successful Start for Internet Poker

Article By: Göran Wessberg

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (March, 2006) -- March 30 is to become an historic day in the history of Svenska Spel, the Swedish National Lottery. That was the day when the company was the first state lottery in the world to offer Internet Poker to the players in its own jurisdiction.

Within hours more than 20 000 players had registered themselves to be able to take part at Texas Hold´em, Omaha, Dark Poker and Omaha high/low. You can choose your own stake level and the rake for taking part in the game is 2.5%.

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“We will offer a wide range of tournaments and events,” said Ira Gladnikoff, the sales manager for poker at svenskaspel.se at a press conference at Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm last week.

“We will also let our players be able to compete and play with famous poker stars and athletes. There will be a ranking list for our players on the website as well - and much more to follow.”

It is estimated that there are more than 200 000 Swedes playing Internet poker. Until now foreign bookmakers located mostly in Malta, the UK and the Caribbean have taken the lion’s share of the interactive gaming market in Sweden. It is  to be hoped that many of these players now will go for the Svenska Spel option instead. To minimize risks for gaming addiction each player at www.svenskaspel.se has to set up individual limits how much to spend at each occasion and the duration of the play.

Svenska Spel has offered Internet gaming since May 1999 - sports betting, Lotto, Keno, scratch tickets and bingo. Some games are also offered on mobile phones. Total sales for 2005 exceeded 1 billion SEK (€110 million Euro).

Svenska Spel has a monopoly to organize and operate sports betting (except horse betting), draw games, VLTs and casinos in Sweden.

For more information contact Jan Stocklassa, VP Svenska Spel International, Email: jan.stocklassa@svenskaspel.se.

SOURCE: Göran Wessberg.

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