| GTECH Corporation Chosen to Negotiate New Contract
With the Kansas Lottery to Provide Online Lottery System, Terminals, and
IP-Wireless Communications Network
ROME and PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 28, 2007) --
Lottomatica S.p.A. announced that its
wholly-owned subsidiary, GTECH Corporation,
has been chosen to negotiate a new long-term contract to provide an online
lottery system, terminals, wireless IP-communications network, and ongoing
services for the Kansas Lottery. The
proposed 10-year contract is expected to commence on July 1, 2008, and follows
a competitive procurement. With respect to its proposed 10-year contract with
the Kansas Lottery, GTECH expects to receive revenues of approximately euro 60
million beginning in the third quarter of 2008.
“We are pleased to
continue our longstanding partnership with the Kansas Lottery,” said
W. Bruce Turner, CEO of Lottomatica
S.p.A and GTECH. “Lotteries today must continue to provide
innovation and the ability to respond to changes in the industry and the
demands of the marketplace. As the Kansas Lottery’s partner, GTECH is
ready to take the Lottery into the next decade with the latest technologies,
and retailer and player-friendly products to grow sales for increased returns
to the State of Kansas.” Upon contract execution, GTECH will upgrade
the Lottery’s existing system to the Company’s Enterprise
Series™ solution, and install approximately 2,000 Altura® terminals.
In addition, GTECH will provide the Lottery with its point-of-sale signage
system Enterprise Series Multimedia (ESMM); Express Point Plus™ terminals;
and Keno and Poker monitors. The communications network will also be upgraded
to a wireless IP communications solution. The Company will provide ongoing
services such as maintenance of the central system, terminals, and
communications network; retailer training; marketing support; hotline
management; software development; and field service. GTECH will maintain its
primary data center in Topeka, Kansas, with a backup data center in Austin,
Texas. The Kansas Lottery has been a valued GTECH
customer since 1987. Since its inception in 1986, the Kansas Lottery has
generated total sales of approximately euro 2.15 billion. Proceeds from the
Lottery are allocated to the state’s economic development initiatives
fund, correctional institutions building fund, and juvenile detention
facilities fund. Lottomatica is one of the world’s largest
commercial lottery operators and a market leader in the Italian gaming
industry. GTECH is a leading gaming technology and services company, providing
innovative technology, creative content, and superior service delivery. GTECH
and Lottomatica together create a fully integrated lottery operator and gaming
technology solutions provider - a combined company with worldwide scale,
considerable financial strength, and industry-leading customer solutions.
Lottomatica is majority owned by De Agostini, which belongs to a century-old
publishing, media, and financial services group. Lottomatica is publicly traded
on the Italian Stock Exchange (LTO), and in 2006, had more than euro 1.6
billion in revenues and 6,000 employees in over 50 countries when combined with
GTECH. CONTACT: Robert K. Vincent Public Affairs
1-401-392-7452. SOURCE: GTECH Corporation.
INTRALOT Announces
Its First Quarter 2007 Strong Growth of Net Profits Combined With Bright
Perspectives ATHENS, Greece (May 29, 2007)
-- INTRALOT SA., the leading
international gaming company, today announces its financial results for the
three-month period ending March 31st 2007, prepared in accordance with IFRS.
Consolidated Revenues for
the period reached €179.8m and remained at the levels of 1Q06. EBITDA
(Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization) increased by
3.2% to €74.1m, compared to the same period last year. Earnings Before
Taxes (EBT) recorded an increase of 3% y-o-y by reaching €67.6m compared
to €65.6m in 1Q06. Earnings After Taxes and after minorities (EAT-am)
increased by 42.4% y-o-y to €34.1m from €24m in 1Q06.
Total International Revenues for the Intralot Group
amounted to €150.6m, or 83.8% of total Group sales, compared with
€137m of total Group sales in 1Q06, posting an increase of 10%.
Revenues for the parent company were €40.4m in 1Q07,
2.1% lower y-o-y (1Q06: €41,3m). Earnings Before Taxes (EBT) almost
doubled and reached €30.9m in 1Q07, posting a 92.6% y-o-y increase.
Earnings After Taxes (EAT) reached €27.2m in 1Q07, posting a 176.7% y-o-y
increase (1Q06: €9.8m). Commenting on 1Q07
results INTRALOT’s CEO, Mr,
Constantinos Antonopoulos, noted: “We are very satisfied with 1Q07
results, since INTRALOT managed to maintain on a year-on-year basis its revenue
levels and achieve strong growth of net profits, despite the expiration of its
domestic Fixed-Odds Betting management contract in the end of January 2007, the
situation in Turkey and the fact that we incurred significant start-up and
business development expenses in 1Q07. This was achieved due to the expanding
and diversified portfolio of the projects the Group is operating and the
continuing growth of its Global operations.
"Year 2007 will be
significant due to new major projects that have started recently or are about
to start such as Betting in Italy, Lottery in South Africa, Lottery in Taiwan,
Betting in Spain and an important acquisition in the lucrative Argentinean
gaming market. Moreover, the potential new business opportunities for INTRALOT
have increased significantly recently due to the potential lottery
privatizations in the US, gaming market liberalizations in Europe and potential
betting and lottery tenders in Asia. We believe that INTRALOT is extremely well
positioned – both in terms of operational know-how and financial
capabilities - to take advantage of these opportunities and further strengthen
its position in the global gaming market. It is proven in the best way that the
strategy followed by the company since its creation – that is to focus on
the operation of lotteries and/or fixed-odds betting – has started and
will continue to payoff for the Company’s shareholders.”
About INTRALOT (www.intralot.com) INTRALOT, a public listed company, is the leading supplier of
integrated gaming and transaction processing systems, innovative game content
and sports betting management, to state-licensed gaming organizations
worldwide. It’s broad portfolio of products & services, its know-how
of Lottery, Betting & Video Lottery operations and its leading-edge
technology, give INTRALOT a competitive advantage which contributes directly to
customers’ efficiency, profitability and growth. With presence in over
than 40 countries, with more than 3,600 people and revenues of €791,4 m.
for 2006, INTRALOT has established its presence in all 5 continents.
For more information please CONTACT: Ms Evi Ioannidou,
Communications Director, Phone: +30-210 6156000, Fax: +30-210 6106800, email:
ioannidou@intralot.com.
‘Gratta e
Vinci’ Sponsors Beach Tennis 2007
ROME, Italy (May 15, 2007) -- Interest in ‘Gratta
e Vinci’ continues to grow with millions of Italians now avid fans of
this simple yet enjoyable ‘scratch ‘n win’ instant
lottery formula. What’s more, the number of lucky winners who have managed
to change the course of their lives by simply scratching one of the various
‘Gratta e Vinci’ scratch cards is also on the increase.
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This year’s
contestants in the Beach Tennis tournament will also be on the lookout for a
little bit of luck as they seek to run out winners during the tour’s five
legs around the country. ‘Gratta e Vinci’ will be there as
sponsor to make sure everyone gets actively involved with games, entertainment
and promotional activities. ‘Gratta e
Vinci’ owes its outstanding success to a number of winning factors:
- 65% of what is spent by players
goes out as winnings;
- it is the only instant lottery to
hand out cash prizes and, last but not least,
- it is a quick, simple, and
enjoyable game that offers excellent chances to win (1 wining ticket every
4).
‘Gratta e
Vinci’ scratch cards are available from more than 40 thousand points
of sale – tobacconists, bars and cafés, newsagents and motorway
service stations - in sixteen different formats: Stella Stellina (Star &
Little Star), Sette e mezzo (Seven & a Half), Batti il Banco (Break the
Bank), Un Due Tris (One, Two, Three), Porta Fortuna (Lucky Charm), Dado Matto
(Crazy Dice), Fai Scopa (Sweep the Board), Superpoker, Miliardario
(Billionaire), Megamiliardario (Multi-billionaire), the new 10-euro card
Medaglia D’oro (Gold Medal), Montagna d’oro (Gold Mountain), Tutti Al
Mare (Off to the Beach), Tuffati nell’oro (Gold-rush), La Gallina dalle
Uova d’Oro (the Goose with the Golden Egg) and the latest 3-euro card
Spiderman III, with winnings – to the delight of the 11 million lovers of
the game – of up to € 200,000. The
Independent Administration for State Monopolies entrusted the National
Lotteries Consortium (comprising Lottomatica with a 63% shareholding,
Scientific Games with 20%, Arianna 2001,
16% and Olivetti, 1%) with operational management of ‘Gratta e
Vinci’ as well as the deferred lotteries. The latest of the deferred
lotteries is the ‘Lotteria FIABA’, which is active as of April
this year. The prize-winning draw will be held on June 21, 2007, with part of
overall lottery revenue allocated to the fund-raising association responsible
for actions targeted at reducing architectural obstructions and making
buildings accessible to the disabled. SOURCE:
Lottomatica S.p.A. press release. 
Lottery Company Announce Directorate Changes
LONDON, UK (May 25, 2007) --
Betex Group plc (AIM:BTX), the specialist
China Lottery business, announces the resignations of Peter Greenhill and
Stuart Barker as chief executive and finance director, respectively, and as
directors of Betex Group plc. The Group also announces the resignation of
Philip Goodmaker as a non-executive director of Betex Group plc.
The Group is pleased to
announce the appointment of Jeremy Longley as Chief Operating Officer and as a
director of Betex Group plc. Jeremy, 41, who has considerable experience in the
betting and gaming sector, joined the Company in August 2005 on a consultancy
basis. He was subsequently appointed as full-time Head of UK Operations in May
2006. He will be supported by Johnny Hon, current Chairman of Betex, and Simon
Spector, the Company Secretary who for the time being will assume the
additional responsibilities of Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer
respectively. The Group also announces the appointment
of Alexander von Franckenstein, 40, Deputy Managing Director of Sal. Oppenheim
jr. & Cie KGaA, as a non-executive director replacing Philip Goodmaker.
Johnny Hon, Chairman of Betex Group plc, said:
“The Company has not yet been able to secure
absolute written assurances that as individuals, Peter and Stuart may travel
unhindered to China. Therefore they feel that they are unable to perform their
roles as they would like to, and to the best effect for the Company.
“The Board would like to take this opportunity of
thanking Peter and Stuart for their efforts and wishes them every success in
the future. I personally regret that they have had to resign and respect their
integrity and devotion to the best interests of the Company shown by this
decision.” Following this announcement, the
Betex Board comprises two executive and four non executive directors. All
directorate changes are with immediate effect. For
further information please contact: Jeremy Longley, Betex Group plc.,Tel: 020
7448 7600. About Betex Group PLC
- Betex Group plc is the AIM
listed, specialist China Lottery business.
- In 2005 the Company became
the first foreign company to secure an involvement in the Chinese State Sports
Lottery after signing partnership deals with the Provincial Sports Lottery
Authorities of Hebei and Guizhou. These deals have secured the Betex Group the
right to 1.3% and 2% of the total lottery sales of the respective provinces,
who had a combined annual turnover of around £100 million in 2006.
- Betex also operates a number of
retailing outlets in Gunagzhou and Chong Qing, both designated as trial cities
for the landmark decision to allow single match football betting in China
through the Sports Lottery.
- Betex recently acquired an 80%
interest in a company with rights to sell lottery products via mobile phones in
3 provinces in China.
The Chinese Lottery
Market
- The Chinese Lottery market was
worth US$8.8 billion in 2005, making it the worlds seventh largest by sales (La
Fleur's 2006 World Lottery Almanac). It has grown at a compound annual growth
rate of 32 per cent over the last 5 years despite currently having only the
35th ranked per capita spend on lottery products. A recent Citigroup study has
forecast the market will grow to US$35.5bn by 2010, second only to the United
States.
- Despite strict laws against
gambling in any form other than the government approved lottery, Peking
University has estimated illegal gaming activity in China to be US$75 billion
per annum, indicating the Lottery currently captures around 10% of the
potential pool. The Company believes that the majority of illegal activity is
attracted to single match football betting, and that the forthcoming changes to
the sports lottery will mean that anamount of the illegal activity can be lured
back into the regulated market.
SOURCE: This information is
provided by RNS. The company news service from the London Stock Exchange.
Fluxx Offers to
Buy Lottery Company Lotto Rheinland-Pfalz
ALTENHOLZ, Germany (May 25, 2007) -- The gaming specialist
FLUXX intends to acquire a majority interest
in Lotto Rheinland-Pfalz GmbH. An offer of purchase has been submitted to the
shareholders of the only one of Germany's 16 lottery companies to be in private
ownership.
The current shareholders of
Lotto Rheinland-Pfalz GmbH – the three sports federations of the
Rhineland, Rhine-Hesse and the Palatinate – have agreed in principle with
the state's Ministry of Finance to sell the lottery company. The original
proposal was for the state to take control of the company, with the state of
the Rhineland-Palatinate acquiring a majority interest. The EU Commission had
previously criticised the fact that the state lottery licence had been awarded
to a private company without a public tendering process.
"As conscientious entrepreneurs, none of the
representatives of the three shareholders can afford to ignore our offer,"
declared Rainer Jacken, Management Board spokesman of FLUXX AG. "We are
convinced that we will reach an agreement with the proprietors, because our
offer is financially much more attractive than the one made by the state. And
as an innovative, flexible company in the gaming industry we are much better
placed to reverse the downward trend in the lottery company's revenue through
our new sales and marketing ideas. This is the only way to safeguard or even
increase the financing of sport in the Rhineland-Palatinate in the long
term." Lotto Rheinland-Pfalz GmbH, based in
Koblenz, generated revenue of EUR 461 million in the 2006 financial year and
employs some 220 people. Lottery and betting products are sold mainly via a
network of around 1,300 outlets in the Rhineland-Palatinate.
FLUXX is at present unable to disclose any further details
of the offer of purchase, in order not to endanger the prospects of the further
negotiations.
About FLUXX
AG FLUXX is Germany's leading specialist in
the lucrative gaming market. Whether as a service provider for lottery
companies and racecourses, as an expertise partner for major Internet players
such as AOL, Lycos and freenet or as a supplier of its own lottery and betting
platforms such as JAXX and Telewette, FLUXX is participating in the
multi-billion gaming market in many different ways. The necessary rights and licences and the technical and
market-relevant expertise place FLUXX in a position to be able to arrange any
form of gaming and gambling, along a variety of sales channels, between the
consumer and the state licence holders. In addition to self-marketed services,
FLUXX makes its products and services available to other companies and
organisations with extensive customer contacts. The shares of FLUXX AG have
been traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since September 1999.
The operative functions of the subsidiaries JAXX, ANYBET
and DSM are based in Hamburg. The management holding company with the
Management Board and the employees of the Legal, Personnel, Finance and
Business Development Departments have their base in Altenholz, near Kiel.
SOURCE: FLUXX AG IR Release.
Lottery Welcomes
Summer Ambassadors
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri
(May 18, 2007) -- The Missouri Lottery
will welcome 11 Summer Ambassadors this year. The Ambassadors are college
students from various Missouri colleges and universities. They will be
showcasing the Missouri Lottery booth at fairs and festivals throughout the
state. "We’re excited about this year’s
group of students," said Kristin Heidbrink, events coordinator for the
Missouri Lottery. "They are enthusiastic and full of energy. I think our
players are really going to enjoy visiting our Lottery booth."
The Ambassadors will kick off the "Happy Tour
’07" in early June to help educate players about the "Happy Days of
Summer" promotion. Events the Ambassadors will be attending include the
Springfield Firefall, the O’Fallon Heritage and Freedom Festival, the
Warren County Fair and the Missouri State Fair, along with 15 other fairs and
festivals. "The purpose of the Ambassador Program
is to provide awareness to the general public about the Missouri Lottery’s
games and also the benefits we provide to the state," Heidbrink said.
"The Ambassadors are also going to create a fun and educational environment,
so everyone who enters the Missouri Lottery booth will leave with a positive
image of the Lottery." SOURCE: Missouri Lottery
(www.molottery.com).
eWorld Steps Into
Largest Chinese Lottery Segment With Launch of Online Welfare Lottery
SHANGHAI, CHINA (May 29, 2007) -
Shanghai eWorldChina Information Technologies Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of eWorld
Interactive, Inc. (OTCBB:EWIN) and Shanghai
Welfare Lottery Center announced the formal signing of an agreement to
operate China's official online Welfare Lottery. The
agreement makes eWorld the online sales agent for the Shanghai Welfare Lottery
Center, which administers the largest segment of the Chinese lottery system.
eWorld's rapidly growing user base will be able to select lottery numbers via
the Company's portal www.17dian.cn and
complete the transaction through its online banking service.
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"This is an exciting
development for the Company as it will give us access to China's enormous and
growing lottery market as well as provide another avenue for entertainment for
our users," remarked eWorld CEO Guy Peckham. eWorld has been working with the
Shanghai Lottery Center to open the online lottery market in China, a move that
will allow the country to catch up with global trends. China's lottery market surpassed US$10B in 2006 and is
expected to continue growing at double digit CAGR in the coming years according
to the Chinese Ministry of Finance, which oversees all of China's lottery
sales. Of the US$10B spent on lotteries in China over US$6B was generated via
the Welfare Lottery system, representing a 20% increase over 2005. The Chinese
government is actively promoting China's welfare lottery system through
traditional over-the-counter sales as well as online applications. Proceeds
from all lottery sales are split 3 ways with 50% going to the winners, 35%
going to fund social welfare program and the remaining 15% going towards
lottery administration. eWorldChina launched an
Instant Lottery program as the first online Welfare Lottery product where a
winning number will be drawn every 30 minutes. The Company will then launch an
additional 6 online Welfare Lottery games for the second quarter of 2007.
According to Mr. Peckham, the Company is to receive 6.5%
of all lottery sales conducted through the Company's website and expects this
to result in a significant increase in projected revenues.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: Guy Peckham, CEO, eWorld
Interactive, Inc. About eWorld (www.eworldchina.cn)
eWorld Interactive is a second-generation media and
entertainment portal in Mainland China and other Asian markets. The company has
assembled a portfolio of multi-media content and applications that provide
advertising access to a large customer base in the region. eWorld is a
compelling place for individuals to interact with top media franchises as well
as create and share their videos, photos, music, and online experiences.
Offline products and video production capabilities allow the company to create
higher value offerings to content providers and sponsors.
CONTACT INFORMATION: eWorld Interactive, Inc., Guy
Peckham, CEO, +86 (138) 1613 5001.
$3 Million Record Breaking Ca$hola Jackpot
Continues to Climb in First Ever Multi-State Video Lottery!
DES MOINES, Iowa, USA (May 30, 2007)
-- Ca$hola, the first ever multi-state progressive video lottery game to be
offered among U.S. states, continues setting new records with a jackpot
currently estimated at over $3 million and climbing. This current jackpot has
been growing since last won on January 1, 2007. The
previous highest jackpot payout was $2,143,008 won last October 2006 at
Mountaineer Park in West Virginia. Ca$hola’s jackpot is based on a
thirty-year annuity and can also be taken as a cash option equivalency.
Sales of the popular game
began in July 2006 at venues located in the video lottery states of Delaware,
Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Ca$hola features a shared prize pool that
creates the progressive jackpot game that can be won by players in all three
states. Ca$hola is the first and only game to tie
together video lottery terminals (VLT’s) from different manufacturers and
different central computer systems located in different jurisdictions. While
each of the three participating states have operated progressive jackpot games
at a single location and also at multiple locations within their respective
jurisdictions, the $3 million jackpot (thirty-year annuity payout) is the
largest ever offered in these jurisdictions. “Everyone is very excited
about having broken the $3 million jackpot mark,” says
Gerry Aubin,
Rhode Island Lottery Director and Chairman
of the three state group known as the Multi-State Wide Area Progressive (MWAP).
“Our players continue demonstrating their appreciation for these large
progressive jackpots.” Ca$hola’s
jackpots start at $165,000 and will grow to an expected average jackpot of
nearly $1 million won about once a month, and reaching $2 million or more at
times. The game can be played in nickel, or quarter denominations, to be
determined by each jurisdiction. There are currently 221 machines throughout
the three states that can be played for winning the jackpot.
To comply with local laws and rules, each participating
machine offers two components of the game, the base game with odds and payouts
unique to each jurisdiction, and the common progressive jackpot game available
to all players. To qualify for a progressive jackpot win, players must use the
max bet option — a $2.25 play. The odds of winning the jackpot are one in
seven million. Ca$hola can be played in Delaware at
Dover Downs, Dover; Midway Slots & Simulcast, Harrington; and Delaware Park
Race Track & Slots, Wilmington. In Rhode Island the game is available at
Twin River, Lincoln; and at Newport Grand, Newport. West Virginia offers
Ca$hola at Charles Town Gaming, Charles Town; Tri-State Race Track & Gaming
Center, Charleston; Wheeling Island Race Track & Gaming Center, Wheeling
Island; and at Mountaineer Park Race Track, Chester. For information about the Ca$hola game visit
http://www.casholagame.com
SOURCE: Multi-State Lottery
Association (MUSL) press release.
Lottomatica Subsidiary GTECH Chosen to Provide New
Server-Based Gaming System and Interactive Video Terminals (IVTs) to Svenska
Spel in Sweden Company
Expects to Receive Total Revenues of Approximately €37
Million Over the Contract Term,
Beginning in 2008 ROME and PROVIDENCE, Rhode
Island (May 30, 2007) -- Lottomatica
S.p.A. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary,
GTECH Corporation, will provide a new
server-based gaming system, up to 2,650 interactive video terminals (IVTs), and
game content to Svenska Spel in Sweden
under a five-year contract. GTECH’s video lottery subsidiary,
Spielo, will develop and deliver the
central system and terminals, and provide ongoing support and game development
to Svenska Spel. This announcement follows a competitive procurement
process.
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“Svenska Spel, one
of the most innovative lotteries in the world, will be the first of our lottery
customers to take delivery of our next-generation video central
system,” said W. Bruce Turner,
Lottomatica S.p.A. and GTECH CEO. “The new system gives Svenska Spel
the flexibility of traditional game configurations as well as server-based
gaming. It also enables expanded functionality beyond the delivery of video
game content, to include a browser to play the lottery’s online offerings,
and the ability to deploy third-party content on the IVTs.”
Server-based applications operate by connecting all IVTs
in a gaming operation to one central server. Svenska Spel will have the ability
to download new games automatically to the IVTs or operate the terminals in a
true server-based configuration. Through enhanced reporting and analytics,
Svenska Spel will also receive real-time data regarding game popularity to
enable optimized revenue and game life cycle management. In addition,
server-based gaming eliminates the need for players to switch terminals for new
games by offering a diverse game package on each terminal.
Under the terms of the five-year contract with Svenska
Spel, Spielo will replace the existing system with its new Integrated Game
Management System. In addition, during the term of the contract, Svenska Spel
expects to replace approximately 5,300 of the 7,300 video lottery terminals (VLTs) already in
operation. Spielo has the right to provide no less than 50 percent of the
replacement terminals, or a minimum of 2,650 WinWave™ terminals, and a
minimum of 50 percent of the game content. Spielo expects the new system to be
operational by July 2008. With respect to its
participation arrangement with Svenska Spel, GTECH, through its subsidiary,
Spielo, expects to receive revenues of approximately euro 16 million over a
five-year period. In addition, GTECH, through its subsidiary, Spielo, expects
to receive approximately euro 21 million from the sale of the IVTs, associated
hardware, and game content. Lottomatica is one of the
world’s largest commercial lottery operators and a market leader in the
Italian gaming industry. GTECH is a leading gaming technology and services
company, providing innovative technology, creative content, and superior
service delivery. GTECH and Lottomatica together create a fully integrated
lottery operator and gaming technology solutions provider - a combined company
with worldwide scale, considerable financial strength, and industry-leading
customer solutions. Lottomatica is majority owned by De Agostini, which belongs
to a century-old publishing, media, and financial services group. Lottomatica
is publicly traded on the Italian Stock Exchange (LTO), and in 2006, had
approximately euro 1.7 billion in revenues and 6,000 employees in over 50
countries when combined with GTECH. Lottomatica web
site: http://www.gruppolottomatica.it
GTECH contact: Robert K. Vincent Public Affairs
1-401-392-7452 GTECH web site:
http://www.gtech.com
SOURCE: Lottomatica S.p.A.; GTECH Corporation press
release.
Report -- European Lotteries General Assembly in
Budapest
 |
| From left to
right : Mr. Risto Nieminen, Chairman and CEO Veikkaus OY, Finland , Mr.
Christophe Blanchard-Dignac, Chairman and CEO , La Française des Jeux,
France, Both drafters of the Sports Betting Code of Conduct, Mrs. Dianne
Thompson, CEO, The National Lottery Camelot, UK Chairman of the Responsible
Gaming Working Group |
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (May
29, 2007) -- During its bi-annual Congress held in Budapest from May 21 to May
24, the European Lotteries Association’s
(EL) General Assembly unanimously reconfirmed the outgoing President,
Doctor Winfried Wortmann, Managing
Director of Westdeutsche Lotterie in Münster/Germany as President of the
European Lotteries for a new mandate of 2 years. Also,
the first Vice President, Mr. Christophe
Blanchard-Dignac, Chairman and Managing Director of La Française des
Jeux/France, and the second Vice President, Mr. Sotiris Koulossoussas, Member
of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the “Sports Business
Partnership”, Greek Organization of
Football Prognostics OPAP/Greece were reconfirmed in their function for the
same period. 8 other Members of the Executive Committee have also been elected
during this meeting.
The European Lotteries
adopt the Responsible Gaming Standards and the Sports Betting Code of Conduct
The General Assembly recommended its members to sign the Responsible Gaming
Standards as well as the Sports Betting Code of Conduct.
The Responsible Gaming Standards developed by EL
Responsible Gaming Working Group as well as the Sports Betting Code of Conduct
developed by the Sports Betting Working Group represent an important step ahead
for the European Lotteries Association and its Members.
Through the Responsible Gaming Standards and Sports
Betting Code of Conduct, the European State Lotteries and Sports betting
operators want above all to ensure a secured gaming environment without any
risks for the society, offering protection for vulnerable players.
The same day, more than 23 Members signed the Sports
Betting Code of Conduct and 18 Members signed the Responsible Gaming
Standards. Other Members will join the signatories shortly.
Today, EL counts 72 Member Lotteries (from 41 European
States). The Association’s Headquarter is located in Lausanne, where
Mrs. Bernadette Lobjois is the General
Secretary. Mr. Rupert Hornig represents EL as General Delegate in the Brussels
office. CONTACTS: Mrs. Bernadette Lobjois, Email :
info@european-lotteries.org
Mr. Rupert Hornig: eu.representation@european-lotteries.org 
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