| Lottery Commission Elects New
Chair JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri,
USA (April 13, 2007) -- Celeste Witzel of St. Louis was elected chairperson of
the Missouri Lottery Commission during a
commission meeting on April 10. Witzel replaces Barbara Pickering of
Mexico, who served as the chair since June 2005.
Witzel has served on the
commission since April 2005, after being appointed by Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt
and being confirmed by the Senate. She is the sixth person to serve as
the chair of the Missouri Lottery Commission since it was established in June
1985. Witzel was born and raised in St. Louis City and
moved to St. Louis County in 1988, where she has been active in community
affairs and has volunteered her time on many federal, state, and local
political campaigns and committees. A graduate of
Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science degree in
Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Witzel has been employed by
Washington University School of Medicine since 1990.
Witzel and her husband, Kurt, reside in Oakville.
The Missouri Lottery Commission is a five-member
commission, appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate, to govern the
Lottery. The four other members currently serving on the Commission
are:
- Sherri Robins of Florissant,
- Charles Larry Ray of Hayti,
- Barbara Tiedt of Springfield and
- W. Dale Finke of Lake St.
Louis.
SOURCE: Missouri Lottery.
CONTACT: Susan Goedde, (573) 526-7425. Golden Casket and
Tattersalls Join Lottery Operations
In an historic
announcement, The Queensland Government has accepted an offer from Tattersall's
Limited which will bring together Golden Casket and Tattersall's lottery
operations to create Australias largest lottery operator.
Casket Jackpot For Queensland Children
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QUEENSLAND, Australia
(April 16, 2007) -- Queensland children are the big winners from a $530 million
partnership between the Golden Casket Lottery
Corporation and Tattersalls,
Premier Peter Beattie and Deputy Premier and Treasurer Anna Bligh announced
today. Mr Beattie and Ms Bligh announced that
proceeds from an agreement for Tattersalls to manage Golden Casket and to
operate lotteries will be allocated to the States new 400-bed
Childrens Hospital. The new hospital will be the nations
largest and most advanced. It will be for all Queenslanders and a lasting
legacy of what the Golden Casket has done for this State, Mr Beattie
said. It also means that money that would have been spent meeting
borrowings will be freed up for other health needs, such as employing doctors
and nurses. In addition to the $530 million, we are today announcing our
negotiations have resulted in Tattersalls making a $10 million
contribution to be shared between the Starlight, Royal Childrens Hospital
and Mater Childrens foundations. While retaining State control and keeping the Golden
Caskets head office in Brisbane, the $530 million agreement allows
Tattersalls to:
- operate Golden Caskets lottery business until
2072 (under an exclusive licence until 2016); and
- use the Golden Casket brand in Queensland. Mr
Beattie said the agreement, would see the State Government retain ownership of
the iconic Golden Casket brand and the Lottery Licence;
- creation of Australias leading lottery
provider, with annual sales of more than $2 billion across five states and
territories half of all lotteries sold across Australia; and
- Tattersalls base its new national and
international lottery headquarters in Brisbane.
A strengthening of Golden
Caskets position in Queensland while creating national and international
growth opportunities. Ms Bligh said that the State will continue to receive
lottery taxes ($185 million last year). In addition,
the new arrangement will release $140-150 million in surplus cash currently
held by Golden Casket back to Government. This will provide up to $680 million
to substantially fund the new approximately $700 million Childrens
Hospital. Today, Golden Casket begins the
next step in its 90-year history while staying true to its origins of making a
positive difference. Lottery ticket buyers will not notice
any change. Prices, draws and dividends remain unchanged. Golden Caskets
more than 200 staff will roll over all existing entitlements and have been
assured there will be no forced redundancies within the first three years of
the new operation." Agents are winners, too. Ms
Bligh said the government has delivered greater security for the states
1200 lottery agents. Under the new arrangements, all current
Five Year agency agreements will be extended out to 2012.
Life of Business agreements will remain. Tattersalls
and Golden Casket have also committed to providing updated agency terminal
infrastructure, as part of an ongoing commitment to developing the lottery
business in Queensland. Its a good
deal for the Government, Golden Casket staff and agents and the people of
Queensland. Ms Bligh said the new
headquarters of Tattersalls national and international lotteries business
will oversee all its operations, including Golden Casket, Tattersalls
Sweeps in Victoria, Tasmania, Northern Territory and the ACT, and
Tattersalls overseas lottery operations.
Golden
Caskets existing Chief Executive, Bill Thorburn will head the lottery
operations and other senior lotteries executives will be based in
Queensland. Ms Bligh said now is the right
time for the Government to partner with the private sector to reposition Golden
Casket for expected new challenges such as increasing competition for the
entertainment dollar, licence reviews, technological innovation and possible
industry consolidation. We reviewed the
strategic options for Golden Casket with ABN AMRO and other independent
advisors and this deal was seen as clearly the best fit, she said.
Extended operating licenses are not unusual in the
gaming industry. For example, UNITAB operates under a 99-year licence and
casinos are on-going. Ms Bligh said: The
State will also continue to control game regulation through the Queensland
Office of Gaming Regulation and the company will continue its strong commitment
to responsible lottery play. Media
contacts: Premiers Office (07) 3224 4500 Deputy Premiers
Office (07) 3224 4379 SOURCE: Office of Premier
of Queensland and Minister for Trade. Scientific
Games/MDI and 12 State Lotteries Launch Major League Baseball Instant
Games Games Offer Cash,
Season Tickets, Trips And Other Prizes For 23 Teams
ALPHARETTA, Georgia, USA
(April 17, 2007) -- Lotteries countrywide are celebrating the beginning of
baseball season in a big way, with 12 state lotteries introducing Major League
Baseball (MLB) themed instant lottery games in partnership with the
MDI Entertainment division of
Scientific Games (Nasdaq: SGMS).
Collectively, the games feature 23 MLB teams. California, for example, has launched separate tickets that
feature each of its five teams. New Jersey will feature the Yankees, Mets and
Phillies on a single ticket. The Massachusetts Lottery has introduced its
second Red Sox game at the highest price point to date -- $10. The Texas
Lottery will have two games; one for the Houston Astros and one for the Texas
Rangers. The Missouri Lottery will do the same with the St. Louis Cardinals and
the Kansas City Royals. The Ohio Lottery will feature in-state rivals the
Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds on the same ticket. Some teams are
even featuring a Lottery Night, and selling lottery tickets in their stadiums
throughout the season.
"These games exemplify
two major trends in lottery marketing, the use of licensed properties and the
adoption -- and popularity -- of non-cash prizes," said
Lorne Weil, Chairman and CEO of
Scientific Games. "Major League Baseball has great fans, who will appreciate
some of the best prizes around." The Major League
Baseball instant games will feature prizes like season tickets, special team
merchandise not generally available, road trips, pre- game batting practice,
throwing out the first ball, trips to spring training and many other
fan-friendly prizes. "MLB games are a great way
for state lotteries to attract new players, rejuvenate infrequent or lapsed
players, and offer something new and exciting to regular players," added
Steve Saferin, President of MDI and SG Properties. "These games are also a
great way for lotteries to grow instant ticket profits which benefit great
causes like education, healthcare, and the environment."
The first MLB instant games
in New York and Massachusetts were very successful in 2006. The Red Sox game
was the top-selling $5 instant ticket in the history of Massachusetts, and the
Subway Series Game in New York generated great sales and a lot of buzz as both
New York teams made the playoffs. About
Scientific Games Scientific Games Corporation
is the leading integrated supplier of instant tickets, systems and services to
lotteries, a leading supplier of fixed odds betting terminals and systems,
interactive sports betting terminals and systems, and wagering systems and
services to pari-mutuel operators. It is also a licensed pari-mutuel gaming
operator in Connecticut, Maine 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. SOURCE: MDI
Entertainment. Contact: Jeff Schweig, 678-297-5212.
Lottery
Celebrates Minnesota Twins Scratch Game at Mall of
America® MINNESOTA, USA (April
11, 2007) -- On April 14, the Rotunda at the Mall of America will be
transformed into a baseball field to celebrate the
Minnesota State Lotterys Minnesota
Twins Scratch Game. From 10 a.m. 4 p.m. that day, adult visitors
to the Mall are invited to join the Minnesota State Lottery and former
Twins® players Gene Larkin and Tim Laudner for some baseball fun.
Larkin will emcee the event
from noon to 2 p.m., with Laudner serving as the emcee from 2 p.m. to 4
p.m. The Minnesota Twins Scratch Game
has been extremely popular with Lottery players, said Lottery
Executive Director Clint Harris.
This event will be a fun way for the Lottery to share its enthusiasm
for the 2007 season with Twins fans. For
every $10 spent on Lottery tickets at the event, guests will have a chance to
participate in a toss at the Prize Pitch booth to win specialty Twins T-shirts
and mugs. Players will also have a chance to enter the Big Ticket drawing,
where 64 people will be chosen to scratch a giant Lottery ticket to determine
their prize. Big Ticket prizes include autographed items such as a Tony Oliva
bat or Paul Molitor baseball, Twins game tickets, Twins merchandise and Lottery
tickets. The grand prize, valued at $3,000, is a suite for 12 at a future Twins
game. The Minnesota Twins Scratch Game is a $5 game
with a top cash prize of $100,000. Non-winning tickets can be mailed in for a
chance to win prizes such as 2008 Spring Training trips, season tickets
or suite nights. Lottery players must be 18 years of
age or older. Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know needs help
with a gambling problem, call (800) 333-HOPE. For
Scratch and Online games information, winning numbers, unclaimed prizes, and
lots more, you can call our Player Hotline 651-634-1111 or browse this Web
site. This document is available in alternative
formats to individuals with disabilities by calling (651) 297-7456. TTY users
should dial (651) 635-8268 or (800) 657-3833. SOURCE:
Minnesota Lottery. Aristocrat Unveils The Evolution of Hyperlink With
Jackpot Deluxe! LAS VEGAS,
Nevada, USA (April 12, 2007) -- Aristocrat Technologies Inc. announces
the release and approval of Jackpot Deluxe in Nevada.
Jackpot Deluxe is the next generation of Aristocrats
Hyperlink® technology. Aristocrats proven successful Hyperlink
technology connects entire banks of gaming machines to a progressive four-level
jackpot. Now, Jackpot Deluxe takes Hyperlink to the next level, allowing
players to win all four jackpots in a single bonus event.
Jackpot Deluxe is available
on three of Aristocrats proven top performing base games - Dolphin
Treasure, Flame of Olympus and Geisha. In the free
games bonus feature, the reels spin and players touch the WILD
symbols to reveal either a credit prize or one of four jackpot symbols. All
players need to do is capture three matching jackpot symbols and they win that
corresponding prize. While continuing to play the free games, the player earns
more jackpot symbols toward completing any or all of the other three remaining
jackpots. About Aristocrat Technologies
Inc. Aristocrat Technologies Inc. is a subsidiary of
Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL),
a leading global provider of gaming solutions that consistently outperform the
competition. The Company is licensed by over two hundred regulators and its
products and services are available in over ninety countries around the world.
Aristocrat offers a diverse range of products and services including electronic
gaming machines, interactive video terminal systems, electronic tables, and
casino management systems. For further information visit the
companys website at http://www.aristocratgaming.com.
CONTACT: Paul Speirs, Steinbeck Communications, (702)
413-4278, paulspeirs@cox.net
SOURCE: Aristocrat Technologies Inc.
Advanced Gaming
Concepts, Llc Prepares For Launch Of Next Generation Of Lottery Style
Gaming FARMINGTON HILLS, MI, USA (April 16, 2007) --
With over forty years of experience in the lottery industry at the retail
level, the Founders of Advanced Gaming
Concepts,LLC (AGC), have gained a high acumen for developing promotional
methods to increase lottery revenues. While primarily in Michigan, the
promotions introduced by AGC have lead to increases of up to one hundred
percent and have revitalized areas in sales that were previously considered to
be at a plateau. In fact, the success of AGC's promotions has become so clear,
that retailers throughout the State have often sought to implement similar, if
not the same type of promotions, to rejuvenate sagging sales.
In July 2005, the founders
of AGC decided to take the next step, and made the transition from retailers to
game developers. Seeking to develop a broad variety of games to span the
lottery spectrum, AGC developed both a high frequency game and a lotto-style
game. These games were developed to cater to both the "Joe" and
"Jack" type player, the games offer players a variety of ways to play,
for multiple dollar amounts, and odds and prizes ranging from low to high.
After much anticipation, AGC's first game, Lucky Streak,
is set to launch in limited test market areas in
Michigan. Lucky Streak will be offered in
the test market locations for at least six months. Lucky Streak creators expect
the game's launch to foster an atmosphere of excitement and enjoyment for the
players at these test market locations and usher in a new era of lottery
gaming. For more information regarding games and promotions, contact Kevin
Yaldoo, Chief Operating Officer, Advanced Gaming Concepts, LLC at:
http://www.agchome.com/kevin.htm SOURCE:
Advanced Gaming Concepts, LLC Georgia Lottery Corporation Announce the Largest
Quarterly Sales and Transfer to Education in Lottery
History Georgia Lottery
Reaches $9 Billion Mark For Education ATLANTA, Georgia, USA (April 16, 2007) --
The Georgia Lottery Corporation announced
today the largest quarterly sales and transfer to education in Georgia Lottery
history. The Georgia Lottery's third quarter transfer
to the Lottery for Education Account brings the total raised for educational
programs in the state of Georgia to more than $9 BILLION since the lottery's
inception in 1993.
"We are marking a
significant milestone for Georgia's students and families with the transfer of
our $9 billionth dollar to education," said Georgia Lottery President and
CEO Margaret DeFrancisco.
"Earlier this year we recognized the 1 millionth HOPE recipient, and today's
announcement is yet another achievement that all Georgians can
celebrate." Georgia Lottery proceeds to education
for the third quarter of fiscal year 2007 reached a record $242,922,000.
Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corporation has
returned over $9 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia
Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs including Georgia's
HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia's Prekindergarten Program. More than 1
million students have received HOPE, and more than 790,000 4-year-olds have
attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.
For more information, please visit the Media Center on the
GLC Web site at: www.galottery.com CONTACT: Georgia Lottery Corporation, Media Relations
Department, Voice: 404-215-5062, Fax: 404-215-8983 media@galottery.org
SOURCE: Georgia Lottery. $842.6 Million
Generated For Education -- Latest Lottery Transfer Second-Highest Since
Inception NASHVILLE, Tennessee,
USA (April 16, 2007) -- The Tennessee
Lotterys transfer of $78.7 million to the states Lottery for
Education Account today is the second-highest on record, pushing the amount
raised for education to over $842.6 million. (The
highest transfer was for the same time period last year, when the Lottery
transferred $79.5 million into the Lottery for Education Account.)
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The Lotterys
games remain popular throughout the state, making it a strong source of funding
for the valuable programs it was created to fund, said
Rebecca Hargrove, President and CEO.
Weve also created a new way to have fun and win prizes, which
thousands of people enjoy each day. According to the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
(TSAC), the organization that oversees the Lottery-funded scholarship programs,
more than 60,000 students received awards during the 2006-2007 school year. In
addition, thousands of students have benefited from pre-kindergarten and
after-school services provided with Lottery funds. There continues to be interest in expanding the
scholarship programs due to the Lotterys success, said Dr.
Robert Ruble, Executive Director of TSAC. Were thrilled to
receive the news about this quarters transfer and look forward to the
Lotterys continued role in a brighter future for education for
Tennessee. Additional details about the
funds generated by the Lottery since inception include:
For the period of January 20, 2004 through March 31, 2007:
More than $3 billion in gross ticket sales
Over $1.7 billion in prizes won by players
$200.1 million paid in retailer commissions
$826.3 million transferred to the Lottery for
Education Account $16.3 million raised for
after-school programs TOTAL RAISED FOR
EDUCATION: $842.6 MILLION! The Tennessee Lottery
began selling its first tickets on January 20, 2004. Funds are used for
specific education programs, including college scholarships, pre-kindergarten
and after-school programs. For more information, please visit
www.tnlottery.com. For information about Lottery-funded scholarships, visit
www.collegepaystn.com.
SOURCE: Tennessee Lottery. CONTACT: Kym Gerlock,
615-324-6556 Office, 615-604-2827 Mobile. Lottery's
Accounting Division Wins International Honour
LANSING, Michigan, USA (April 17, 2007) -- For the second
consecutive year, the Bureau of Michigan
State Lottery has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in
Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the
United States and Canada for its 2006 comprehensive annual financial report
(CAFR).
"When the Lottery
received this award for the 2005 CAFR, we were extremely pleased. To have
met the strict criteria of the GFOA for a second year is outstanding,"
Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters
said. The Lottery's CAFR was judged to demonstrate
"a spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story
and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.
"This award, the highest form of recognition in the
area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, demonstrates the
Lottery's commitment to integrity and accountability," Peters said.
The 2006 CAFR, as well as the Lottery's fiscal year 2006
annual report, are available on the Lottery's Web site at
www.michigan.gov/lottery.
SOURCE: Michigan Lottery. CONTACT: Andi Brancato,
(517) 335-5648. Solid Result for Norsk Tipping AS -- 2.7 billion to Social
Causes HAMAR, Norway (April 17,
2007) -- Norsk Tipping AS achieved an
excellent result for the year 2006. Sports & athletics and cultural
activities each receive a massive 155 million, while the profits
generated by the game Extra, 25 million goes to health and
reconvalescence activities.
On Tuesday 17th April the
General Assembly in Norsk Tipping adopted and approved the Annual Accounts and
Annual Report for 2006. The accounts show a result of 353 million, of
which 335 million is distributed to the supported activities. 16
million is transferred to the companys investment fund, while 1.5
million is transferred to measures and initiatives to combat habitual and
addictive gambling. We have seen a moderate but
gratifying growth in turnover, and are pleased that sports & athletics and
culture will receive an additional 12 million from Norsk Tippings
profits that in the previous year, says President and CEO of Norsk Tipping AS,
Reidar Nordby Jr.
The increase in turnover is first and foremost a result of
the increase of the stake per row for Lotto, the introduction of Millionsjansen
and a small number of product changes introduced in connection with Oddsen.
We have achieved careful growth in 2006 with these
product changes in a market under ever-increasing pressure and competition. The
result is a pleasing increase of 12 million in contributions to
Norwegian sports & athletics, culture and humanitarian causes. Norsk
Tipping will continue to operate gaming activities with maximum focus on social
responsibility. We shall offer attractive games to the majority of the
population, that to the smallest possible degree inflict damage on society. We
have enjoyed success in achieving this aim to date, and we shall continue this
success in the future, says Nordby. Key figures in million
Euro:
| |
2006
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
| Revenues |
1,195 |
1,143 |
1,195 |
1,210 |
1,209 |
| Result |
353 |
339 |
342 |
382 |
385 |
| Margin |
29.5% |
29.7% |
28.6% |
31.5% |
31.8% |
For further information please contact Senior Vice
President Information and External Relations Peer Jacob Svenkerud, tel. +47 625
14000, cell: +47 915 54368 or Press Spokesman Roar Jødahl, tel. +47 625
14000, cell. +47 970 71404. SOURCE: Norsk Tipping
AS. Winning For Dummies Oberthur Signs A Licensing Deal With
The Worlds Most Popular How to Brand
For
Dummies®!
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, USA
(April 16, 2007) -- Oberthur Gaming
Technologies (OGT) has teamed up with the worlds most
widely recognized black and yellow brand, the best selling For Dummies. OGT and
Wiley Publishing, Inc. have signed an exclusive agreement which will allow
scratch lottery players to see a new side of the For Dummies® brand through
integrated branding on tickets and prizes worldwide.
 |
With over
150 million For Dummies books in print, and nearly 64 million Dummies book
readers in the United States alone, it is an excellent opportunity to take the
mystery out of games with this popular brand, said Carla
Schaefer, OGTs Vice-President, New Business Development.
Lotteries can even order their own customized For Dummies
mini-guide, to outline where the money goes, how the games are played and how
many winners there are. OGT predicts endless possibilities in the
branding of For Dummies lottery tickets. Consumers have been winning
with the Dummies books and products for over 15 years. Now, with the scratch
ticket expertise of OGT, we can bring the fun and ease of Dummies to the
excitement of the lottery, says Marc Mikulich, VP. Brand Management
of Wiley Publishing, Inc. Poker For Dummies and Texas Holdem For Dummies
are two popular titles in the over 1,000 titles currently available in the For
Dummies series. For Dummies lottery tickets will appeal to people familiar with
the For Dummies brand, as well as encourage new players to check out the newest
scratch-off game.
 |
For Dummies has over 15
years of experience in the how-to industry. Not only are the
distinctive yellow and black books widely popular, but the software and website
offer customers a variety of ways to master any craft. With over 1,000
different titles currently available, readers can become experts on topics,
such as Las Vegas For Dummies, Poker For Dummies, Card Games For Dummies, Texas
Holdem For Dummies, Casino Gambling For Dummies, and Winning at Internet
Poker For Dummies. For Dummies is currently distributed to 40 countries in 39
different languages. 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 worlds leader in
the printing of innovative instant lottery tickets. Comprehensive services
include strategic game planning and innovative conceptual design with
OGTs Dream Team®, Cyber Games (interactive) 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 sales offices
in Montreal, Canada; San Antonio, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania in the U.S.; Paris, France; Madrid, Spain; and Sydney,
Australia. About For Dummies®
With near universal name recognition, more than 150
million books in print, and over 1,000 topics, For Dummies is the world's
bestselling reference series. With loyal customers around the globe, For
Dummies enriches peoples lives by making knowledge accessible in a fun
and easy way. Described by the N.Y. Times as "more than a publishing
phenomenon, but a sign of the times," For Dummies span every section of the
bookstore, covering everything from health to history, music to math, sports to
self-help, technology to travel, and more. The Dummies brand franchise has
expanded with an extensive licensed product line, including DVDs, software,
consumer electronics, cooking, cleaning and automotive products, craft and
hobby kits, games and more. For information, visit Dummies.com. For
Dummies is a branded imprint of Wiley.
About
Wiley Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons,
Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for 200 years,
helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations.
Wiley's core businesses include scientific, technical, and medical journals;
encyclopedias, books, and online products and services; professional and
consumer books and subscription services; and educational materials for
undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global
headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey with operations in the U.S.,
Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company's Web site is www.wiley.com.
Wiley is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and
JWb. SOURCE: Lyse Trudel, Communications Officer,
Oberthur Gaming Technologies, (+1-514) 254-3600, ext. 101, Email:
lyse.trudel@mtl.oberthurgt.com
For information: Amber Weaver, Sales and Marketing Support
Specialist, Oberthur Gaming Technologies USA, (+1-210) 509-9999, ext.
236 or Liz Johnson, New Business Coordinator, Oberthur Gaming Technologies
USA, (+1-210) 509-9999, ext. 119  |