| GTECH Completes Acquisition of Sports-Betting
Solutions Provider Finsoft Limited ROME, Italy and PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, USA (July 2, 2007)
-- Lottomatica S.p.A. announced that
its wholly-owned subsidiary, GTECH Sports Betting Solutions Limited, has
completed the acquisition of London-based Finsoft Limited, a leading provider
of real-time transaction and information management systems for the commercial
sports-betting market. GTECH entered
into an agreement to acquire the outstanding share capital of Finsoft and
substantially all of the assets of BEG Finsoft d.o.o. Belgrade, an affiliated
Finsoft company and the Serbian-based development center for Finsoft’s
sports-betting software operations. All conditions to the closing of the
acquisition have been satisfied including the spin-off of Finsoft’s non
sports-betting businesses to Finsoft Financial Systems Ltd., and the approval
of the Serbian Competition Commission for the sale of Finsoft’s Belgrade
assets to GTECH.
“The addition of
Finsoft allows us to deliver a complete, integrated sports-betting solution to
our customers and prospects, including fixed odds, pari-mutuel, betting
exchange, and soft gaming via the internet, telephone, retail, interactive TV,
and mobile channels, as well as self-service terminals,” said
W. Bruce Turner, CEO of Lottomatica
S.p.A. and GTECH. “Our goal is to become the world’s leading
provider of sports-betting technology and content to government-sponsored
lottery markets and regulated commercial sports-betting markets, offering a
full suite of support and management services.”
Finsoft currently employs approximately 145 people in its
bookmaking teams in London and Belgrade. GTECH intends to maintain
Finsoft’s operations in London and Belgrade as an autonomous unit with its
separate brand identity. Finsoft’s unique
MarginMaker™ platform runs some of the most successful and fastest-growing
companies in the betting industry, such as Singapore Pools, Chisholm
Bookmakers, and Boyle Sports. About
Lottomatica S.p.A. 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 €1.7 billion in revenues and 6,000 employees in over 50
countries when combined with GTECH. For further
information: AD HOC Communication Advisors 02/7606741, Mario Pellegatta -
Matteo Cidda 335/1415585. GTECH contact: Robert K. Vincent Public Affairs
1-401-392-7452. GTECH web site: www.gtech.com
Successful Launch
of Lottery Operation in Hamburg ATHENS, Greece (July 2, 2007) --
INTRALOT’s implementation of the
important project in Hamburg’s State Lottery “LOTTO
HAMBURG” –is concluded, as the official launch took place
and was announced during a press conference held earlier this day. LOTTO
HAMBURG is the state lottery of Hamburg and has been operating for more than 50
years in the state. LOTTO HAMBURG has developed a network of 500 POS and
generated €209.6 M. in sales in 2006. After a period of hard development work, the new live lottery
system -which is provided in a pilot context and that includes the
customization and installation of LOTOS (the base platform of INTRALOT’s
integrated gaming management system) along with the POS terminal software-, has
been successfully launched in order to provide LOTTO HAMBURG with a modern
state-of-the-art gaming system.
This investment was of
strategic importance for INTRALOT, as it is the first time that LOTOS O/S is
installed in the thriving German market and moreover it will be the
“vaulting horse” for INTRALOT’s future activity in Germany as
well as the strengthening of its presence in the E.U. Mr. Siegfried Spies, the Managing Director of LOTTO HAMBURG,
said: “Thanks to the cooperation with INTRALOT and the pilot operation of
LOTOS O/S, we raised the foundation for a technology revolution. The magic
formula is: use of standard products and standard technology. This is
cost-saving and decreases own expenses for development. Looking back to the
period of development, I can say that the cooperation with INTRALOT and ADESSO
was very good, and it was fun to work towards presenting today to the market
such good new solutions". INTRALOT’s CEO,
Mr. Constantinos Antonopoulos,
stated: “The successful completion of the project proves
INTRALOT’s strong commitment to its customers and its strong
implementation capabilities to technologically advanced countries, as Germany
is. This investment allowed us to better tailor our integrated gaming system
for the demanding German market and provide LOTTO HAMBURG with a solution that
meets its specific requirements. Finally, Ι would like to thank LOTTO
HAMBURG’s management and employees for the opportunity they gave to us to
cooperate with them, as well as ADESSO for their professionalism”.
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 -
Lottery Returns Record-Breaking Dividend
Idaho
Lottery Windfall Provides $34 Million for Idaho Schools
BOISE, Idaho, USA (June 29, 2007) -- On behalf of the
people of Idaho, Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter accepted the
18th annual dividend check from the Idaho
Lottery for a record $34 million during a ceremony this morning at Monroe
Elementary in Boise. This is the fourth consecutive year the Idaho
Lottery has returned a record-breaking dividend. Lottery dividend dollars are
equally divided, providing funding for the benefit of public education and the
improvement of Idaho’s state buildings.
“For almost two
decades now the Idaho Lottery has been proving its value to the schoolchildren
and taxpayers of Idaho,” stated Governor Otter. “I´m
pleased that Director Anderson and his team are upholding the standards of
integrity and fair play that have been the hallmark of Lottery activities
throughout its history. With that kind of professional diligence and the
public´s continued participation, everybody wins.”
“The Idaho Lottery is everyone’s game,”
added Idaho Lottery Director Jeff
Anderson. “When the Lottery is successful, so are our communities.
Everyone benefits. Ultimately dollars spent on the lottery are returned to
local communities through player prizes, retailer commissions, and dividends
that directly benefit our public schools and buildings.”
Lottery dividend dollars provide much needed paint, carpet
and general repairs for the buildings in the Boise School district, Anderson
said. In other school districts across Idaho, lottery dollars are used to
refurbish worn roofs, replace boilers for heating systems, provide safety and
security fences around playgrounds, and upgrade electrical wiring systems.
By statute, fifty-percent of the Lottery’s dividend
goes toward benefiting public schools in Idaho. Governor Otter presented an
oversized check for $17 million to Nick Smith, Deputy Superintendent for School
Support Services at the State Department of Education.
“Idaho’s
schools are grateful for the amount Idahoans contribute every year to education
through the lottery,” said Smith. “This is a great investment
in our children’s future as we continue to improve student performance in
Idaho.” Governor Otter also presented a
dividend check worth $17 million to Tim Mason, Administrator for the Division
of Public Works. Mason oversees Idaho’s state facilities where the
remaining fifty-percent of the Lottery’s dividends are earmarked.
“The majority of the Fiscal Year 2007
dividend dollars were used for needed improvements on Idaho’s college
campuses,” said Mason. “From upgrading the heating and cooling
system in Boise State’s science and nursing buildings and repairing
elevators at Idaho State to making life safety improvements at the Art and
Architecture Building at the University of Idaho, the Lottery is helping to
provide a proud foundation for building academic success.”
Since its inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has
returned more than $367 million to public education and buildings.
SOURCE: Idaho Lottery.
CONTACT: David Workman, (208)
334-2600.
Ohio Lottery Reports Increase In Sales, Funds To
Schools Lottery transfers
$669.3 million to Education, Exceeds Lottery Profits Education Fund commitment
by $31.4 million
CLEVELAND, Ohio, USA (July
2, 2007) -- The Ohio State Lottery provided
$669.3 million for the Lottery Profits Education Fund (LPEF) in Fiscal Year
2007, which ended June 30. With the June monthly transfer made by the
Office of Budget and Management, total transfers exceeded the Lottery’s
budgeted commitment by $31.4 million. The Ohio Lottery transferred $646.3
million to education in Fiscal Year 2006 “I
appreciate the support of our players and retailers, who allowed us to transfer
more than $669 million from the sale of Ohio Lottery games to the Lottery
Profits Education Fund in Fiscal Year 2007,” says Director
Michael A. Dolan. “I am
proud of the work this agency does to support our children’s
future.” The Lottery has transferred $15
billion since operations began in 1974. SOURCE:
Ohio Lottery Commission.
CONTACT: Mardele Cohen, Deputy Director, Office of
Communications, Phone: 216-787-3309.
Gaming and Wagering Provider BEToptions Announces
Expansion – Appoints European Manager
VICTORIA, Australia (June 29, 2007) -- BEToptions, a
leading developer of integrated software and wagering systems for the gaming
industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of David Grouse as Manager of
European operations. “In response to the
interest in BEToptions’ WAGERplayer and BetPOS products in the UK and
Europe, and to further strengthen our support to our customers located in
Europe, we have decided that the time is right to open an office in the
UK,” said Mr Stuart Cashen, General Manager BEToptions.
“We are delighted
to appoint a manager of David’s calibre. David has 25 years
experience of sales, marketing and business development in the sports,
publishing and gaming sectors, and he will no doubt lead our expansion and
future growth in the UK and Europe." Grouse was
the UK Racing Post’s first head of marketing in the 80s. More recently, he
was Victor Chandler International’s marketing director for two years,
and designed the communications strategy used to take the firm offshore.
The strategy also helped to convince the U.K. Government to change the
betting tax regime. He has also held senior
positions and consultancies with Sportingbet, Paddy Power, IMG, Virgin Media, Pinnacle Sports, Stan James and
Bet365. He has considerable experience in developing businesses in both onshore
and offshore environments, including the UK. Europe, as well as Asia and
the Americas. David Grouse commented, “I am
excited by BEToptions’ prospects and outlook. Discussions are currently underway with interested parties in
the UK and Europe to select the first sites to install the BetPOS retail
betting kiosks, which have attracted much attention and admiration from various
bookmakers and casinos internationally.” BetPOS was created in response to customer demand for an
innovative, fast and reliable retail betting interface that could be self
service, stand alone, hardware independent and reasonably priced. Self service
kiosks with attractive customer interfaces, coupled with easy to use help
screens and instructive video loops, have also been proven to attract a younger
market to the sports, racing and overall betting industry.
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For further information
contact Mr Stuart Cashen, General Manager, BEToptions Pty Ltd,
Stuart@betoptions.com, phone +61 3
9486 9770, or David Grouse, Manager Europe, BEToptions,
David@betoptions.com phone +44
7881655145 About BEToptions
BEToptions (www.betoptions.com) is a leading
developer of integrated software and wagering systems to sportsbooks and
bookmakers worldwide. Headquartered in Australia, with branch offices in the US
and Europe, the company offers race and sports technology solutions to the
gambling industry on a global scale, with systems delivered locally in
multi-lingual and multi-currency configurations. Servicing the industry since 2000, BEToptions clients include
both land-based and internet gaming operators. Its products are built for
performance and stability, with advanced risk management and best of breed
customer service. BEToption’s flagship
WAGERplayer is a fully integrated Internet wagering solution providing
comprehensive functionality and robust technology. WAGERplayer’s
flexibility enables betting across all international markets and allows the use
of odds to be displayed in US, European, Asian, Australian or South African
formats. BetPOS is the retail channel to WAGERplayer,
allowing ease of use for customers via self-serve kiosks and/or betting
terminals. Customers and operators are able to quickly access all horse
racing and sports wagering information, along with all standard wager types.
Allowing for both cash and account-based customers,
betPOS is a fully-integrated solution with the other WAGERplayer channels,
including call-centre and internet gaming options. SOURCE: BEToptions. CONTACT: Mr. Stuart Cashen, General
Manager, BEToptions Pty Ltd, Phone: +61 3 9486 9770, Email:
info@betoptions.com.
California
State Lottery Unveils 2007-08 Budget and Long Term Business Plan
SACRAMENTO, California, USA (June
27, 2007) -- Today the Lottery Commission
approved the budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year and endorsed a business plan
designed to create sustained sales growth over the long term. The budget
adopted by the Commission for 2007-08 projects sales of $3.35 billion with
education to receive $1.18 billion in supplemental funding (These items can be
found at: http://www.calottery.com/agenda).
“The time for research and review is over, it is
now time to make this plan a reality,” said
Joan Borucki, Lottery Director.
“I believe this Business Plan represents the best strategy for long
term growth and increasing contributions to education.”
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The Business Plan is the
result of a year long undertaking which included intensive evaluation of
historical data, consultation with industry experts, and an assessment of the
marketplace and industry trends. At their May 2007 meeting, the Lottery
Commission approved the Business Plan’s strategic direction in
concept. This Business Plan reflects that strategic direction and
articulates the key initiatives that will be implemented over the course of the
next three years. Lottery officials are
confident the four key strategies presented in the Plan represent the best
opportunity for growth. Initially, Lottery officials will focus their
attention in long term planning instead of the year to year planning previously
done. Another goal is to strengthen the brand image of the Lottery to
allow successful introduction of new products and attract a broader customer
base. The third strategy is to shift the focus from large jackpots to
entertaining games that produce more winners. The last strategy requires
investing resources to modernize operations, creating efficiencies, and
providing flexible business systems that can quickly adjust to changing market
trends. The return on the investment in these strategies will be
recognized throughout the course of the next three years.
The California State Lottery contributes at least 34 cents
of every dollar that players spend on Lottery products to public education and
returns more than 50 percent of sales to players in the form of prizes. Since
its inception in 1985, the Lottery has contributed more than $19 billion to
California schools out of total sales of more than $52 billion. Retailers win
too, earning $3.3 billion in compensation since 1985. SOURCE: California Lottery.
Record Number of
Lotto Winners for Financial Year End
PERTH, Western Australia (July 2, 2007) --
Lotterywest has recorded its biggest ever
number of Division One Lotto winners for the 2006/07 financial year.
A record 98 Western Australians won Division One prizes in
Lotto from July last year through to the close of business 30 June 2007.
WA’s 98 Lotto winners
have shared in prize money worth a staggering $139.5 million.
This figure is well above last year’s figures where
84 Western Australians won Division One, sharing in prize money worth $84
million. And the year previously recorded 71 WA Lotto
players taking home Division One prize money worth $74 million.
There have been a few notable Lotto winners in Western
Australia over the past year, with the biggest prize of $25 million being won
by a couple from the State’s Goldfields region last July.
Last October, a married couple from Perth’s Swan
Valley won $15 million in a Powerball jackpot, followed a month later by a
syndicate of 10 players from Geraldton who shared in a massive $9 million.
Then in March this year, a woman and her husband from
Bunbury scooped $11.75 million in a Powerball jackpot draw – the very
first time she ever bought a ticket in Powerball! “Western Australian Lotto players have once again
enjoyed a fair amount of Lotto luck over the past 12 months, and we’re
optimistic that trend will continue for the rest of the year,” said
Lotterywest spokesperson Angelika Fawcett. SOURCE:
Lotterywest.
CONTACT: Angelika Fawcett, 9340 5227 / 0438 996 884.
Georgia Lottery Extends the Fun with 7/7/07 Millionaire Raffle
Drawing ATLANTA, Georgia, USA
(June 29, 2007) -- 7/7/07 just got luckier with the
Georgia Lottery Corporation extending the
fun and the opportunity to become a millionaire with Millionaire Raffle. The
game has been extended for one more week with the drawing now scheduled for
July 7, 2007 – the luckiest day of the century.
Millionaire Raffle is an
exciting, limited-time game that gives Georgia Lottery players their best
chance ever to win $1 million. Four tickets will win $1 million each, paid in a
lump sum; five tickets will win $100,000 each; and 500 tickets will win $1,000
each. A total of 500,000 tickets will be printed and
sold in numeric order. A computerized drawing on July 7, 2007, will randomly
select Millionaire Raffle winners. The odds of winning
any prize in the Millionaire Raffle game are 1 in 982. The odds of winning one
of the four $1 million top prizes are 1 in 125,000. The odds of winning one of
the five $100,000 prizes are 1 in 100,000. The odds of winning one of the 500
$1,000 prizes are 1 in 1,000. Each Millionaire Raffle ticket costs $20.
Draw results for the $1 million and $100,000 prize levels
will be announced during the 6:59 p.m. CASH 3 Evening drawing on July 7, 2007.
Complete results of the 509 winning raffle numbers will be available on the
Georgia Lottery Web site and at Georgia Lottery retailers.
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: Media Relations Department, Voice: 404-215-5062,
Fax: 404-215-8983, Email: media@galottery.org
SOURCE: Georgia Lottery.
Table Games Bring
In Big Bucks For Lottery
Senior Citizens Receive $3 Million From First Table
Games Licenses WEST VIRGINIA, USA
(July 3, 2007) -- Lottery Director John
Musgrave today presented a $3 million check to Gov. Joe Manchin and
Commissioner of WV Bureau of Senior Services Sandra Vanin for in-home health
care for West Virginia seniors.
“I said from the
very beginning that if table games were going to be allowed, then I wanted the
people in those counties to have approved them, and I also wanted significant
funds to be devoted to West Virginia seniors,” Gov. Joe Manchin said.
“I join with Director Musgrave and Commissioner Vanin to accept each
track’s $1.5 million partial-year license fee, because these funds
presented today will assist our state’s most experienced citizens with
in-home care, so they can continue to live independently as long as
possible.” Lottery Director John Musgrave
said the $3 million payment includes each track’s $1.5 million
partial-year license fee. “When the tracks renew their licenses next
July, this check for seniors will jump to $5 million, as each license will cost
$2.5 million.” Accompanied by
representatives from Kanawha Valley Senior Services, Vanin said, “On
behalf of the senior citizens of West Virginia, the Bureau of Senior Services
is thrilled to accept an additional $3 million in licensing fees, which will go
to support in-home services for the frail elderly, as part of Gov.
Manchin’s continuing effort to provide the best possible in-home care to
our seniors.” Receiving licenses to operate
table games were Mike Maestle, Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center vice
president of gaming operations, and Ted Arneault, Mountaineer Race Track and
Gaming Resort president and CEO. Both praised voter decisions in their
respective counties. Arneault said the measure goes
far beyond the ability to draw tourists. “As important as allowing us
to operate table games, these licenses open the door to increased jobs and
economic vitality for our cities, counties and the state of West
Virginia.” Maestle called it, “a long-awaited economic breath
of fresh air for the Northern Panhandle.”
Musgrave said it is
estimated that Wheeling Island will generate nearly $8.9 million additional
dollars in FY 2008 from table games; the estimate for Mountaineer is more than
$17 million. In FY 2009, the first full year of operation, Wheeling is expected
to generate $17.7 million, while Mountaineer is expected to generate more than
$34 million. A provision under the table games bill
stipulates that if it does not have one, a racetrack must build a 150-room
hotel within three years of the county referendum; the penalty would be a $5
million license fee, instead of the $2.5 million annual assessment. Both
Wheeling Island and Mountaineer have hotels meeting the requirement, but are
planning expansions. Ohio County voters gave their
nod to Wheeling Island table games on June 9; voters in Hancock County approved
the games for Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort on
June 30. Kanawha County voters
will decide Aug. 11 on whether to allow table games at Tri-State Racetrack and
Gaming Center. Jefferson County defeated the measure for Charles Town Races on
June 9; voters there will not be able to address the issue again until June
2009. SOURCE: West
Virginia Lottery.
Finns Consider Veikkaus Funds
Important
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VEIKKAUS, Finland (June 26,
2007) -- The independent research company TNS Gallup conducted a survey on how
Finns feel about Veikkaus’
theme ”A Finn to Win” at the beginning of 2006.
According to the survey, a total of 94% of Finns considered it important that
Veikkaus funds are used to benefit society. According
to the survey, the most positive attitudes towards the use of Veikkaus funds
were found in the group of respondents of over 35 years. As for respondents
between 18 and 29 years, they had very neutral views about the contribution of
the funds to society. The most positive views were found in Southern and
Western Finland. In 2006 the Ministry of Education
allocated over EUR 401 million to Finnish arts, sports, science, and youth
work. SOURCE: Veikkaus eNews.
CONTACT: Veikkaus Oy
Communications, Tel: +35820 750 750, Fax: +35820 750 7145, Email:
tiedotus@veikkaus.fi
Atlantic
Lottery Corporation Wins People’s Choice Award for Responsible
Gambling MONCTON, New Brunswick,
Canada (July 3, 2007) – The Atlantic
Lottery Corporation (ALC) has won a prestigious 2007 People's Choice
Award. The award is given annually to the most popular
public awareness message as voted on by the attendees at the National
Conference on Problem Gambling Prevention, Treatment, Research and
Recovery. The conference, held this year in Kansas City, Mo., is the
oldest and largest problem gambling conference in the world.
ALC’s winning entry
was an outdoor poster called “Throw it Away.” ALC’s
poster was one of two top prize winners and was chosen from a total of 11
entries from around North America. The other top prize was entered by the
Manitoba Gaming Control Commission. “ALC is continuously looking
to strengthen and evolve its responsible gambling strategy to ensure that we
are using messaging and tools that reach our customers. This award is positive
acknowledgement of our efforts in the area of responsible gambling,”
said Michelle Carinci, ALC’s
President and CEO. Carinci sits on the executive of
both national and international gaming industry organizations. As the founding
chair and current vice-chair of the World Lottery Association’s (WLA)
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee, Carinci has been a driving
force behind the association’s recent adoption of its Responsible Gaming
Principles and Framework. The WLA represents more
than 100 government-controlled lottery operators around the world.
“ALC is currently adopting the WLA Responsible
Gaming Framework, which will help further strengthen our responsible gambling
strategy and demonstrate our commitment to social responsibility as we continue
to make our program an integral part of our day-to-day operations,”
Carinci said. CONTACT: Kim Wilson, Atlantic Lottery
Corporation, 1-800-561-2102 or 1-506-867-5010, Email:
kim.wilson@alc.ca.
SOURCE: Atlantic Lottery.
California Lottery
Celebrates Lucky 7/7/07; Launches Buy 7 get 1 Free SuperLOTTO® Plus
Promotion SACRAMENTO, California,
USA (July 5, 2007) --The California
Lottery is celebrating that luckiest of days, July 7, 2007 (7/7/07) with a
new SuperLOTTO Plus promotion. Starting today and running through 7/7/07,
players purchasing 7 SuperLOTTO Plus plays will receive an additional one for
free!
“In honor of this
auspicious day, the California Lottery is offering players a fantastic way to
test their luck with the number ‘7’,” said California
Lottery Director Joan Borucki.
“With 7/7/07 only coming around once every 100 years, don’t miss this
unique opportunity!” The SuperLOTTO Plus jackpot
for Saturday, July 7, is currently valued at $24 million.
The number 7 has a long history with the California
Lottery:
- In one particular week, more than
1 million SuperLOTTO Plus players chose the number ‘7’ as one of
their numbers; 606,731 MEGA Millions players did the same.
- Since SuperLOTTO Plus began, the
number ‘7’ has been chosen as a winning number 260 times and 39 of
those times there was a jackpot winner. Since MEGA Millions began, the number
‘7’ has been chosen as a winning number 33 times and 2 of those times
there was an actual jackpot winner.
- The Lottery's seventh game was a
$1 Scratchers® ticket called “The Good Life.” It had a $100,000
top prize and ran from 4/1/1986 through 8/21/1986. There were 260 $100,000 top
prize winners for Game 7.
- There have been three groups of 7
players who have won a SuperLOTTO Plus jackpot and one group of 7, known as the
“Lucky 7” who won the largest prize ever in California Lottery
history, a $315 million MEGA Millions jackpot in November of 2005.
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- In 2006, 967,142 players bought
$7 worth of SuperLOTTO Plus tickets at a time and 613,185 players bought $7
worth of MEGA Millions tickets.
- The Lottery’s 7th jackpot
winners were Thelma Shuman, who purchased her lucky ticket in Santa Cruz, and
Vojislav Kokeza, who bought his ticket in Santa Clara. They split a $12 million
jackpot on March 21, 1987.
- The seventh highest Super LOTTO
Plus jackpot won was on August 28, 2004 and worth $100 million. That jackpot
was shared by four lucky winners.
- The highest SuperLOTTO Plus
jackpot that had 7 as a winning number was a $91 million jackpot won on August
9, 2003, by Patricia Frierson of Rancho Palos Verdes.
- 7’s are a very popular theme
for Lottery games. There have been 24 Scratchers games with a 7 related theme
over the Lottery’s history. Currently, the Lottery has 9 games with a 7
theme. Some examples of Scratchers the Lottery currently offers with the number
7 are Cool 7’s, Power 7’s, and appropriately enough for this time of
year, Red, White & Blue 7’s.
- In 2006, Ping Yuen Drug Store in
San Francisco was the 7th highest grossing retailer in the state.
The California State Lottery
contributes at least 34 cents of every dollar that players spend on Lottery
products to public education and returns more than 50 percent of sales to
players in the form of prizes. Since its inception in 1985, the Lottery has
contributed more than $19 billion to California schools out of total sales of
more than $52 billion. Retailers win too, earning $3.3 billion in compensation
since 1985. CONTACTS: Rob McAndrews or Catherine
Doyle Johnston, 916-324-9639 SOURCE: California State
Lottery. 
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