| Lottery’s
2007 Annual Report Available, Contains a Number of Notable
Highlights LINCOLN, Nebraska, USA
(November 20, 2007) -- By November 1 of each year, the
Nebraska Lottery is required by law to
deliver its written annual report to the Governor and the Legislature. The
report is a public record.
The 2007 Annual Report and
Resource Guide (for the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2006 and ended on
June 30, 2007) contains a number of notable highlights.
Record Sales Sales of all
Nebraska Lottery games (Scratch and Lotto) for the fiscal year totaled more
than $114 million. Beneficiary Fund Contributions
Total contributions to Nebraska Lottery
beneficiary funds passed $288 million with the June quarterly transfer. During
the fiscal year, Nebraska Lottery beneficiary funds received a total of $29.2
million. Beneficiary Awareness
Research has repeatedly identified interest among players
in hearing more about the beneficiary contributions of the Nebraska Lottery.
In a multi-faceted campaign, the Nebraska Lottery
focused attention on the relationship between buying Nebraska Lottery tickets
and the proceeds the Nebraska Lottery generates for its beneficiary programs.
Research Nebraska
Lottery research has found that over half of the eligible population (age 19 or
older) has played a Nebraska Lottery game in the past year.
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Website Traffic Growth
During the fiscal year, visits to nelottery.com
grew by 7 percent to more than 2.4 million. Beyond
these highlights, the 2007 Annual Report and Resource Guide contains
information about developments in Scratch and Lotto games, special contests and
promotions, and major winners claimed at Nebraska Lottery claim centers.
The Nebraska Lottery 2007 Annual Report and Resource Guide
(35 pages, full-color) is available in PDF form here. To request a full-color, bound copy of the Nebraska Lottery
2007 Annual Report and Resource Guide, email your name and mailing address to
lottery@nelottery.com or write to: Nebraska Lottery
P.O. Box 98901 Lincoln, NE
68509 SOURCE: Nebraska Lottery. 
INTRALOT Announce Increased Earnings –
Impressive International Expansion ATHENS, Greece (November 21, 2007) --
INTRALOT SA today announces its financial
results for the nine-month period ending September 30th 2007, prepared in
accordance with IFRS. Consolidated Revenues
for the period reached €568.7m (9M06:€572.8m). EBITDA (Earnings
Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization) reached €179.9 m
(€185.6m in 9M06). Earnings Before Taxes (EBT) €152.5m, compared
(€172.5m in 9M06). Earnings after Taxes and after minorities (EAT-am)
increased by 4.2% y-o-y to €85.5m, from €82.0m in 9M06.
International Revenues for the INTRALOT Group
amounted to €492m, or 86.5% of total Group turnover compared to 73.4% in
9M06. Concerning the parent company, revenues
reached to €135.9m in 9M07, (9M06: €169.2m). EBITDA were €55.6m
from €89.1m in 9M06. Earnings Before Taxes (EBT) reached €96.9m in
9M07, posting a 8.7% y-o-y increase (9M06: 89.1m), while Earnings After Taxes
(EAT) reached €82.6m in 9M07 posting a 35% y-o-y increase (€61.2m in
9M06).
 |
| INTRALOT’s CEO, Mr. Constantinos
Antonopoulos |
Commenting on the above
results INTRALOT’s CEO, Mr.
Constantinos Antonopoulos, stated: "The results for the nine month
period of 2007 were very successful for INTRALOT since the Company managed to
grow net profits during this period, although it had a hard comparison due to
the Football Word Cup that took place in Q2 and Q3 last year and despite the
fact that the Company has encountered increased set up costs by major contracts
that are in the implementation or start-up phase. "Since our last conference call, INTRALOT further expanded
its presence in the Australian market by winning a 10-year license in Victoria
to operate lottery and instant games, opening a market after a 54-year
monopoly. The company also strengthened its position in the US market by
signing its fourth contract with the New Mexico Lottery. Moreover, INTRALOT
commenced operations in South Africa, successfully overcoming a legal dispute
caused by a competitor.
"The Company, taking
steps towards a more efficient capital structure, launched with major financial
institutions a €300 million syndicated revolving credit facility (RCF) for
the refinancing of existing indebtedness, potential acquisitions and
investments in different projects. The RCF is expected to be completed within
the next few weeks. "Moreover, the Company
will distribute an interim dividend of €0.15 per share (€0.30 before
the stock split), despite high start-up costs weighing on results this year and
increased capex needs for numerous projects. "Finally, the Company recently proceeded to a stock split,
which is indicative of management’s expectations regarding the future of
the Company and the significant opportunities that lie ahead in the
sector.” 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 3,800 people and revenues of €791,4 m.
for 2006, INTRALOT has established its presence in all 5 continents.
For more information CONTACT: Ms Persa Kartsoli, Head Of
Corporate Affairs, Phone: +30-210 6156000, Fax: +30-210 6106800, email:
kartsoli@intralot.com.
MDI Adds the Jeep® Brand to its
Portfolio ALPHARETTA, Georgia, USA
(November 20, 2007) -- Extending the successful line of vehicle games offered
to Lotteries, MDI Entertainment, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Scientific Games
Corporation (NASDAQ: SGMS), has now added the Jeep® brand to its
license portfolio.
Jeep® is the most
award-wining 4x4 in history. It enjoys over 90 percent brand awareness and is
sold in over 40 countries and six continents. Jeep® is a registered
trademark of Chrysler LLC. “MDI and our
customers have enjoyed many successful vehicle games over the years. Adding the
Jeep® brand to our product line-up is not only a natural extension, but it
will allow Lotteries to offer games that appeal to a new audience,”
said Steve Saferin, MDI president. The new
games give lottery players a refreshing way to live up to the Jeep brand’s
new theme line, “Have Fun Out There,” with unique play styles and
adrenaline-driven designs that intrigue Jeep® lovers looking for a new
twist on a recreational favorite. MDI is combining
creative game challenges with beautiful ticket art for these in-demand
Jeep® products: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler,
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot and
the Jeep brand’s military throwback “Willys.”
“One of the best things about vehicle games is
that the possibilities for integrated promotions are endless,” Saferin
said. “Second-chance drawings and other promotional opportunities help
keep games alive and bring additional excitement.”
About Scientific Games
Scientific Games
Corporation is the leading integrated supplier of instant tickets, systems and
services to lotteries worldwide, a leading supplier of fixed odds betting
terminals and systems, Amusement and Skill with Prize betting terminals,
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
www.scientificgames.com.
Jeep® Brand The Jeep
brand expanded to seven nameplates in the 2007 model year, the most available
to retail consumers at one time in the brand’s 66-year history. With the
introduction of the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty mid-size sport-utility vehicle
(SUV), the Jeep brand offers customers the freshest, most capable and widest
range of sport-utility vehicles under one brand in the industry.
At the start of 2004, the brand’s trio of tough,
capable, rugged SUVs included the venerable Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty
(Cherokee outside North America) and the icon of the brand, the Jeep
Wrangler. The Jeep Commander was introduced in 2005 followed in 2006 by
the all-new Jeep Wrangler. Three more all-new Jeep vehicles: Jeep
Patriot, Jeep Compass and the four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited also made their
debut in the 2006 calendar year. Jeep® is a
registered trademark of Chrysler LLC and is used under license. The Jeep Brand
is exclusively represented by The Joester Loria Group
(www.joesterloriagroup.com) for all consumer-licensed products. Jeep®
branded products are sold throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, Asia,
Australia and South America. CONTACT: Max
Montgomery, 770-664-3807.
Louisiana
Lottery President Rose Hudson Received 2007 Marketer of the Year
Award
 |
| Louisiana Lottery President Rose Hudson |
LOUISIANA, USA (November
19, 2007) -- Sales and Marketing Executives International's (SMEI) Baton Rouge
chapter recognized Louisiana Lottery President
Rose Hudson as a 2007 Marketer of the
Year. Hudson received the honor on Nov. 15 at
SMEI's 25th Annual Marketer of the Year Banquet held at the LSU Lod Cook
Conference Center in Baton Rouge.
Marketer of the Year award
recipients were chosen based on their leadership in providing vision and
innovative concepts that set their companies apart from competitors. In
addition, recipients must also be held in high esteem by the community and have
promoted the principles of the free enterprise system within the Greater Baton
Rouge Metropolitan area. Hudson said,
"It is an honor to be selected as SMEI's Marketer of the Year. This award is
a direct testament to the quality of work in our marketing and sales
departments and our collective ability to reflect the Lottery's strategic
vision of serving players, retailers and our state through these
efforts." Hudson first joined the Louisiana
Lottery during the year of its inception in 1991. She was confirmed as
the corporation's fourth president in June 2006. During that fiscal year, her
first as president, she led the corporation to its most successful fiscal year
since 1993 with $354.2 million in sales. SOURCE:
Louisiana Lottery. New Mexico
Lottery, INTRALOT Sign Gaming System Contract
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (November 15, 2007) --
The New Mexico Lottery today awarded
a contract for a new computerized gaming system to Georgia-based
INTRALOT, ending a competitive
bidding process that started more than two and a half years ago.
Over the life of the seven-year contract, the lottery will
pay INTRALOT a base price of 1.50 percent – or $18.2 million – on
projected total net sales of $1.15 billion. INTRALOT’s base price
includes ticket sale and validation terminals for 1,100 lottery retailers
statewide as well as related peripheral equipment and a communications
network.
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The lottery expects to save
approximately $35.4 million over existing contract rates. Its current
vendor is paid approximately 8.5 percent of annual online ticket sales and
approximately $1.4 million a year for retail terminal and communications fees
under a contract expiring in November 2008. CEO
Tom Romero said the lottery has
negotiated contract rates that are among the industry’s
lowest. “INTRALOT was the
lowest bidder and it offered the products and services best suited to help the
lottery increase sales and generate more revenue for Legislative Lottery
Scholarships,” Romero said. “The lottery and INTRALOT
are entering into a relationship that will serve the State of New Mexico very
well.” All net revenues from the sale of
lottery games benefit the Legislative Lottery Scholarship program, which
provides tuition assistance to New Mexico residents attending the state’s
public colleges and universities. “We would
like to send a message to all students in high school today and to their
parents – ‘A college education is within your reach,’”
said Reta Jones, chair of the lottery’s board of directors.
“‘Stay in school and study hard because this state wants to
invest in your future by providing Legislative Lottery
Scholarships.’” New Sales
Equipment INTRALOT’s base price
includes but is not limited to:
- Terminals and peripherals for all
existing and future retailers, including multiple terminals at select
retailers;
- 500 ticket scanners enabling
players to check their own tickets for prizes;
- 225 full-service ticket vending
machines capable of dispensing both Scratcher games and drawing games such as
Powerball (current vending machines dispense Scratcher games
only);
- Flat-panel and LED advertising
monitors at all retailers;
- Five centrally controlled digital
signs;
- Five wireless hand-held sales
terminals; and
- Software for a VIP players’
club.
Romero said small footprint
sales terminals and self-service capabilities will help the lottery in its
effort to expand distribution among retailers who have been reluctant to sell
lottery products because of space and staffing limitations.
Intralot also abided by the lottery’s requirement for
an investment of materials and services that could help the organization
increase product awareness and grow sales. Under the contract, Intralot
will provide $50,000 a year to be used for marketing promotions and research,
one full-time research position, one full-time promotions position, an events
vehicle, and a disaster and business recovery facility. The new gaming
system is scheduled to become operational on Nov. 21, 2008. At the end of
seven years, the lottery and Intralot can sign three one-year contract
extensions. Legislative Lottery Scholarships
Since its inception in 1996, the lottery has raised more
than $331 million for college tuition and school construction and repairs in
New Mexico. In the last decade, more than 48,000 students have attended
college on Legislative Lottery Scholarships. More information about Legislative Lottery Scholarships is
available at: www.nmlottery.com.
CONTACT: Lottery Communications Office, (505) 342-7616,
(800) 642-6689, ext. 7616, Email: media@nmlottery.com.
Camelot Unveils New Management
Appointments New Team to
Oversee Transition to the Third National Lottery Licence
WATFORD, UK (October 31, 2007) --
Camelot Group Chief Executive,
Dianne Thompson, today announced
several new senior appointments and changes to the company’s management
team, designed to prepare the business for the transition to the Third National
Lottery Licence which starts in February 2009.
Nigel Railton, previously
Finance Director, becomes Finance and Operations Director, assuming overall
responsibility for implementing Camelot’s transition plans and IT
operations. Martin Pugh, Camelot’s Marketing Director, joins Nigel and
Dianne on the Camelot Board, assuming an expanded remit including
responsibility for new game development and Scratchcards alongside his existing
responsibilities In addition, Dianne, Nigel and Martin
will also sit on an Operating Board, responsible for driving corporate strategy
and the company’s business as usual activity, alongside the implementation
of its transition plans. The Operating Board will also
include Steve Lucas, previously Sales Director, who becomes Sales and Customer
Director, with expanded responsibility for the company’s player services
– including contact centres – and for overseeing the retail
transition programme. HR Director Steve Thompson becomes HR and Facilities
Director, taking on additional responsibility for company premises.
Camelot’s experienced IT Director, Neil Kellar, completes the six-person
Operating Board. In the coming months Camelot will be
working closely with its key suppliers and retail partners to implement its
transition plans – introducing state-of-the-art technology and networks to
allow new games to be launched more quickly, together with the rollout of a new
terminal and digital screen network across more than 27,000 lottery retailers.
Camelot is also committed to undertaking further discussions with DCMS, the
Treasury and the NLC to discuss migrating the lottery to a Gross Profits Tax
regime – one of a number of important policy initiatives designed to
benefit players and help the lottery to maximise returns to the Good
Causes.
Dianne Thompson CBE,
Camelot Chief Executive said: “These appointments are designed to
strengthen the management team after a rigorous two-and-a-half year licence
contest, preparing Camelot for new challenges in the transition to the next
licence – and beyond.” “We have
some very exciting plans for the Third Licence – including proposals for a
new World Lottery Draw, lottery lifestyle games and a Player Card – to
help maximise returns to the Good Causes and create lots more winners. But we
have some major challenges and hard work over the next 16 months to ensure that
the lottery is in the best possible shape for the start of the new
licence.” Sir Peter Middleton, Chairman,
Camelot Group said: “I’d like to congratulate Martin on his
appointment to the Camelot Board. This management team gives us continued
strength in depth – and the experience and talent required to implement
our plans for the next licence. My thanks go to the wider team at Camelot for
their continuing hard work and dedication to ensuring the long term health of a
national institution.” For further
information, please contact: Ben Rosier, Head of Media Relations, Camelot Press
Office: 020 7632 5711. Pollard Banknote
Awarded Two-Year Contract Extension by the Arizona Lottery
YPSILANTI, MI (November 19, 2007) --
Pollard Banknote has been awarded a
two-year extension to its instant ticket contract with the
Arizona Lottery in a deal worth an
estimated $3.5 million (US). Expiring in January 2010, this renewal executes
both remaining one-year extensions to the original agreement initiated in
2003.
“The Arizona
Lottery is pleased to extend our contract with Pollard Banknote,” said
Art Macias, Executive Director, Arizona
Lottery. “The foundation of our success is partnerships with vendors
like Pollard, who support our strategic initiatives as if they were their own.
They know our players almost as well as we do, and they continue to offer
products designed to grow our sales and increase our return to the State. We
look forward to working together for another two years.”
The partnership between Pollard Banknote and the Arizona
Lottery began in 1998. Today, this partnership has grown such that Pollard
Banknote’s products contribute approximately 28% of the Lottery’s
instant ticket sales. “In exercising both one-year options at
this time, the Lottery is confirming Pollard Banknote’s key role in
presenting Arizona’s players with exciting, consistently popular
offerings,” said Don Sawatzky, Vice President, Sales & Marketing,
Pollard Banknote. “We’re delighted that our products and services
form an important part of the Lottery’s product mix.” Since its
inception in 1981, the Arizona Lottery has transferred over $2 billion to fund
an array of beneficiaries. Last year alone, the Lottery allocated nearly $140
million in net profits to support State-sanctioned initiatives in such areas as
education, public health, transportation, and economic development.
About Pollard Banknote Limited Partnership
Pollard Banknote Limited Partnership (“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. For further information: Gordon Pollard
(gpollard@pbl.ca) or John
Pollard (jpollard@pbl.ca), Co-Chief Executive
Officers, Phone: (204) 474-2323, www.pollardbanknote.com
Singapore Pools Announce Service Improvements; IVR
System For PoolzConnect Members and New Sales Terminals
SINGAPORE (November 12, 2007) -- Singapore Pools (Private)
Limited (Pools) has introduced two service improvements as of 12 November 2007.
1) Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System For
PoolzConnect Members. From 12 November 2007,
PoolzConnect account holders will be able to place 4D and TOTO bets by phone
with the new Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System. The following 4D and TOTO bet types are available through
IVR:
| 4D |
TOTO
|
| Quick
Pick
Ordinary Bets, System Entry Bets, and 4D Roll
Self Pick
Ordinary Bets, System
Entry Bets, and 4D Roll |
Quick Pick
Ordinary Bets, System
Bets and System Roll Self
Pick
System Bets and System Roll |
The PoolzConnect and Goal! Accounts were introduced in
2005 and 2007 to enable customers to place football bets by phone. The IVR
service was introduced in response to PoolzConnect account holders' requests
for a convenient channel to place lottery bets. This service is expected to
advance the national effort to counter illegal betting operations even more
effectively.
With the extension of the
PoolzConnect account service to lottery products, the "PoolzConnect" Account
and the "Goal!" Account will be subsumed under the PoolzConnect label and
renamed "PoolzConnect Platinum" Account and "PoolzConnect Gold" Account
respectively. The name changes do not affect the features of the service.
As a responsible betting operator, Pools is committed to
act in our customers' best interest. PoolzConnect account holders have to be at
least 21 years old. The PoolzConnect Account Service also has a self-exclusion
option where a customer's PoolzConnect Account will be suspended, when
instructed by the customer, and kept suspended for a minimum period of 12
months. After 12 months, the suspension will remain in place until the customer
instructs Pools in writing to deactivate the self-exclusion and lift the
suspension. New Sales Terminals
Starting with Pools' main branch at Paradiz Centre on 12
November 2007, Singapore Pools will also roll out new sales terminals in stages
to its entire sales network of more than 300 outlets around Singapore.
The new terminals come with larger screens that will
enable customers to view their transactions more clearly.
During the rollout period, there will be two types of
sales terminals in use. Pools wishes to assure customers that tickets issued
from both sales terminals can be validated interchangeably at all Singapore
Pools outlets when presented for prize payment. SOURCE: Singapore Pools.
Reidar Nordby
Jr. Will Resign as President and Chief Executive Officer of Norsk
Tipping
 |
| Reidar
Nordby Jr. President and CEO of Norsk Tipping AS. |
HAMAR, Norway (November 20,
2007) -- Reidar Nordby Jr. will
resign as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
Norsk Tipping AS. He will continue
as a special advisor with particular responsibilities within the area of
international relations.
Reidar Nordby Jr. has made
a considerable contribution to the development of Norsk Tipping in the nearly
20 years he has functioned as CEO, and in particular on the international
arena. He has turned Norsk Tipping into one of the most advanced and
innovative companies within the lottery sector and he has contributed to a
significant increase in profits for Norsk Tipping. The company wants to
utilize the unique qualities and competencies of Mr. Nordby, and the Board of
Directors and Nordby have therefore agreed that Nordby will continue on in the
company as a special advisor, in particular on international relations.
Nordby’s departure-date as CEO will be
determined shortly. For further information: Peer
Jacob Svenkerud, Senior vice president, communication and external affairs, +47
915 54 368. Veikkaus Awarded
for Excellent Quality Article by: Ilkka Juva, Communications Director,
Veikkaus Oy VEIKKAUS, Finland (November 14,
2007) -- Veikkaus prides in high quality
in all of its activities, and we are constantly working hard to improve our
performance in this area. Our hard work was recently rewarded when we were
granted a recognition in the Finnish Excellence Award competition on 8
November.
This was the first
time Veikkaus participated in the annual excellence competition. During the
evaluation process around fifty Veikkaus’ employees were interviewed by a
team of six evaluation experts. As a newcomer, Veikkaus attained a good result
in the large corporation series, and was granted the "Recognised for Excellence
in Europe" recognition. This year, the first prize, i.e. the Finnish Excellence
Award, was not awarded at all in the large corporation category.
The evaluation team considered Veikkaus’ strategy,
values, and objectives against how we really operate, i.e. whether we are doing
as we should. Further, the group paid attention to our performance: whether the
chosen strategy is working and how we are implementing it. Veikkaus was praised
for, e.g., its way of paying attention to and analysing customer-related data.
We recognize and understand our customers throughout our organization. We have
also managed to implement different changes well. The outcome of the evaluation
confirms that the direction and focus we have chosen are right.
Of course, there is always room for
improvement. We should focus especially on making the most of our retailer
network, innovation, and long-term parameters. We will keep up the good work to
maintain excellent quality. SOURCE: Veikkaus eNews.
CONTACT: Veikkaus Oy Communications, Tel: +35820 750 750, Fax: +35820 750
7145.
Ladbrokes Goes
3D with Launch of Virtual Reality Poker
HARROW, United Kingdom (November 15, 2007) --
Ladbrokespoker.com will become the first leading poker site to offer 3-D
virtual reality poker this week when it launches a new service that integrates
the very latest video gaming software with its existing poker service.
The launch means that all
Ladbrokes poker customers will have the option of creating a 3-D 'Avatar' with
physical characteristics chosen by the player. In the poker game the 3-D player
will display the same human-like movements that have been developed for state
of the art video games. MD of Ladbrokes eGaming John
O'Reilly commented: "This is a major step in the convergence of video gaming
technology and online gaming and we're pleased to be the first leading poker
site to go 'virtual'" The move means that all
Ladbrokes customers can still play on any Ladbrokes table, but have the option
of playing in 3-D should they choose to. The service further enhances the
online poker experience and by enabling players to talk to each other using
VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) as well as existing text chat.
The new exclusive Ladbrokes site has been developed in
conjunction with Playwize plc. Playwize is a leading UK developer of video
games for consoles such as XBOX, PS2 and Nintendo GameCube.
Players have the opportunity to develop their skills by
using interactive tutorials and by playing in practice mode with advice and
tips from a poker experts. O'Reilly continued: "The
key development has been to ensure the 3-D virtual software integrates
effectively with our existing site to ensure we deliver new 3D players the
Ladbrokes game liquidity. This means 3-D players will have access to all the
same tournaments and cash games as existing players". SOURCE: Ladbrokes plc. 
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