| Lottomatica Announces 2007 Full - Year
Results
- 2007 full-year
consolidated revenues of €1.66 billion, compared to €939 million in
2006, which included 12 months of Lottomatica Italian operations and four
months of GTECH operations
- Consolidated EBITDA at
€702 million and operating income at €395 million for the full year
2007, compared to €361 million and €219 million, respectively, in
2006
- Consolidated net income
of €106 million, compared to €0.8 million in 2006
- 2007 Earnings Per Share
of €0.49
- Proposed Dividend of
€0.825 per share
- Further proposed a Share
Buy-Back Plan and two new stock based incentive plans
ROME, Italy and PROVIDENCE,
Rhode Island (March 06, 2008) -- The Board of Directors of
Lottomatica S.p.A., chaired by Mr.
Lorenzo Pellicioli, approved today the consolidated accounts and the draft
financial statements of Lottomatica S.p.A. for fiscal year 2007. The Board of
Directors will submit the draft financial statements and a proposed €0.825
per share dividend to the Annual General Meeting scheduled for April 15, 2008
also in extraordinary session.
“Lottomatica
delivered impressive results in 2007, driven by solid contributions from
GTECH and our Italian operations. The
integration of GTECH is now complete. Key accounts were secured, new lines of
business were successfully launched, and a new senior management team took over
leadership of the Company,” said Lorenzo Pellicioli, CEO of
Lottomatica Group. "Significant actions have been taken to improve our
competitive position and targeted acquisitions have helped us enter new market
sectors. As I look to the year ahead, I am confident in our ability to produce
results in line with our commitments." “Lottomatica’s financial performance for 2007
was very good, despite a challenging international environment. We kept our
commitments and delivered results in line with our stated expectations,”
said Stefano Bortoli, CFO of Lottomatica Group. “Earnings per share were
€0.49, which substantially exceeded our guidance of €0.35 to
€0.37. In addition, the recent release of funds in Brazil more than offset
our one-time restructuring charge. We have established a high margin business
that, we believe, is sustainable over the long term.”
Lottomatica Group 2007 Full-Year Results
Revenues for the full year of 2007 totaled €1.66
billion, including approximately €839.8 million from GTECH operations and
€821.6 million from Italian operations. For the same period in 2006, total
revenues were €938.9 million, including approximately €649.6 million
from Italian operations and €289.3 million from four months of GTECH
operations. Overall, revenues grew 77.0% year-over-year, while revenues from
Italian operations grew 26.5% year-over-year. EBITDA
was €701.5 million with an EBITDA margin of 42.2%.
Operating income was €394.9 million for the full year
of 2007, with a 23.8% margin. Net income was
€106.0 million for the full year ended December 31, 2007, compared to
€0.8 million for the same period last year, of which €74.0 million
for 2007, compared to a loss of €6.6million for 2006, attributable to the
parent company. Last year net income was impacted by transaction costs related
to the GTECH acquisition. GTECH Operating Results
and Business Highlights Revenues for the full year
of 2007 were €839.8 million, with approximately €745.0 million from
the Lottery segment, €72.8 million from Gaming Solutions, and
approximately €22.0 million from Commercial Services. Commercial Services
reflect seven months of revenues from POLCARD, sold on August 1, 2007.
During the year, GTECH
maintained its leadership position in the lottery industry by winning new
contracts and retaining existing businesses, both in the U.S. and
internationally. Long-term online lottery contracts were secured with existing
customers in the United Kingdom, Oregon, Kansas, and contract extensions were
obtained with lotteries in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Finland.
As part of a joint venture in Taiwan, GTECH signed a
contract with Taipei Fubon Bank to become the sport betting solutions and
services provider for the operation of the first legalized sports lottery in
Taiwan, which is expected to begin operation in April 2008. GTECH also
announced a joint venture with China LotSynergy to provide a nationwide KENO
system for Welfare lotteries throughout China. GTECH’s Printing division received contracts to provide
a portion of the instant-ticket printing business from the Connecticut and
Rhode Island lotteries. In the Gaming Solutions
vertical, GTECH’s subsidiary Spielo was chosen to provide Svenska Spel in
Sweden with a new server-based gaming system and video lottery terminals
(VLTs). Spielo was also selected by Manitoba Lotteries to supply slot/bingo
gaming terminals for installation in two casinos operated by the lottery, while
Canada’s Atlantic Lottery Corporation received WinWave VLTs.
During the year, GTECH closed on the acquisitions of
Finsoft, a leading provider of real-time transaction and information management
systems for the commercial sports-betting market; and acquired substantially
all of the assets of instant-ticket printer, Creative Games International (now
known as GTECH Printing Corporation). GTECH also completed the sale of POLCARD
to First Data International in August 2007. After the
close of 2007, the West Virginia and Pennsylvania lotteries awarded GTECH new
facilities management contracts. Both of these contract awards represent new
online lottery business for GTECH. GTECH also
furthered its growth strategy by expanding in the regulated interactive gaming
and sports betting markets, as well as the global machine gaming and
instant-ticket printing markets, through acquisition-related activities.
Also after close of the year, GTECH announced it had
acquired a 50 percent controlling interest in gaming machine supplier Atronic,
and plans to acquire the remaining 50 percent of the company during 2008. In
addition, GTECH, as part of a jointly-owned company with Medstroms AB, will
have a controlling interest in Boss Media, a leading developer of innovative
software and systems for digitally-distributed gaming entertainment.
Italian Operating Results and Business
Highlights For the full year of 2007, revenues
from Italian operations grew approximately 26.5% to €821.6 million, from
€649.6 million in the full year of 2006. Lotto
and instant ticket wagers grew approximately 33.7% to €14.0 billion in
2007, from €10.5 billion for the same period last year, as strong Instants
lottery performance more than offset the slight decrease in Lotto.
Total Lotto wagers reached
€6.2 billion, down slightly against €6.6 billion in the full year of
2006, when wagers had included a record late number, Cagliari 34. Core wagers
were down slightly over last year at €5.2 billion. Lotto revenues were
€398.1 million, compared to €411.3 million in 2006.
The continued strong performance of instant tickets
resulted in sales of approximately €7.8 billion, compared to sales of
approximately €3.9 billion in 2006, an increase of 101.5% year-over-year.
Approximately 2.3 billion Scratch & Win tickets were sold in 2007, compared
to 1.6 billion in the same period last year. The average price grew from
€2.4 to €3.4, driven principally by the introduction of the €10
lottery ticket in January 2007. Revenues for the Instant Lottery business
totaled €277.8 million compared to €139.5 million during 2006, an
increase of 99.1%. Pool games and betting revenues increased by 218.9%, due to
the commencement of fixed odds sports-betting operations in August 2007, which
generated €32.5 million of revenues from €126.2 million of wagers. As
of the end of 2007, approximately 1,100 of the fixed odds sports-betting
points-of-sale were operational, out of the 1,145 contracts secured. Revenues
from fixed-odds sports-betting is equal to gross wagers net of prize
payouts. Revenues from Gaming Solutions were
€28.6 million, up 237% over last year, driven by the increased placement
of Amusement with Prizes (AWP) machines, from approximately 10,000 machines
installed at the end of 2006, to approximately 32,000 machines installed as of
the end of 2007. Revenues from Commercial Services were stable compared to last
year, despite the negative impact of regulatory changes.
Consolidated Cash Flow and Net Financial
Position At December 31, 2007, Lottomatica Group
had a Net Financial Position of €2.23 billion, with Cash and Cash
Equivalents of approximately €434.1 million at the end of period. During
the full year of 2007, the Group generated €503.8 million of net cash
flows from operating activities, compared to €208.3 million in the same
period last year. Consolidated Shareholders'
Equity Consolidated shareholders' equity totaled
€1.73 billion. Lottomatica S.p.A. 2007
Financials Lottomatica S.p.A. had total revenues
of €484.7 million in 2007, compared with €488.8 million in 2006. Net
Income was €69.0 million, compared with €2.3 million as of December
31, 2006. Additional Information
Call of Shareholders Meeting -Proposed Dividend
The 2007 draft financial statements approved by
the Board of Directors of Lottomatica S.p.A. will be submitted for approval at
the shareholders’ meeting scheduled for April 15, 2008, along with a share
buy-back plan, two new stock based incentive plans, slight amendments to the
Company’s By-laws. The Shareholders meeting shall
be also convened to resolve on the renewal of the Board of Directors and of the
Board of Statutory Auditors, both expiring upon the approval of the 2007
financial statements. At the Shareholders meeting the Board of Directors will
propose a dividend distribution of €0.825 per share to shareholders for a
total amount of approximately 125 million euros. If approved at the meeting,
the dividend will be paid on April 24th 2008, by means of the existing liquid
assets of the Company, with an ex-dividend date of April 21st, 2008.
The documentation required by current law provisions for
the matters and the proposals on the agenda will be timely made available to
the public at the registered office of the Company and of Borsa Italiana
S.p.A., as well as placed on the website
www.gruppolottomatica.it/eng/index.htm.
Share buy-back plan
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The April 15, 2008
Shareholders’ meeting will be requested to authorize the Board of
Directors to purchase and dispose, on a revolving basis, up to a maximum number
of own ordinary shares representing 10% of the from time to time paid in share
capital, keeping into account any financial covenants undertaken by the
Company. The proposed authorization includes the faculty to perform the
purchase in any ways as are permitted by applicable law, to the sole exclusion
of public tender or exchange offer. The purchase price for each single
transaction shall not be lower nor higher than 25% of the (reference) price of
the preceding market day. The proposed buyback is mainly aimed at allowing the
Board to stabilize the Lottomatica’s share price in the event of unusual
stock market conditions or lack of liquidity in the stock market. In addition,
the purchased shares will be available, among the others, in accordance with
Lottomatica’s strategic guidelines, for future transactions on its share
capital and/or other transactions which may involve exchange or sale of shares.
Authorization to make purchases will be requested for a maximum period of 18
months from the time such authorization is granted by the shareholders’
meeting. Lottomatica and its subsidiaries do not currently own own shares.
New Stock-based incentive plans
The Board of Directors also resolved to propose to the
Shareholders meeting a 2008 2016 stock option plan, and a 2008-2011 stock
granting plan, both reserved for Lottomatica’s and its subsidiaries’
employees. For further details please refer to the information memoranda on the
Company’s web-site:
www.gruppolottomatica.it/eng/index.htm.
Changes to the Company By-laws
The Board of Directors will further propose to the
Shareholders’ meeting in extraordinary session to slightly amend Articles
no. 13 and 20 of the By-laws respectively relating to the appointment of the
Board of Directors and of the Board of Statutory Auditors.
Lottomatica’s expiring bonds
In December 2003, Lottomatica issued a €360 million
bond due December 22, 2008. The Euro bond has a fixed coupon payment of 4.80%,
payable annually each December. For further
information: AD HOC Communication Advisors +39 02/7606741, Mario
Pellegatta - Matteo Cidda +39 335/1415585 GTECH
contact: Robert K. Vincent Public Affairs 1-401-392-7452.
Brisbane To Host World Lottery Association
Convention And Trade Show In 2010 WOOLLOONGABBA, Brisbane, Queensland (March 2008) -- Lottery
officials from around the world will converge on Brisbane for the
World Lottery Association (WLA) Convention and
Trade Show in 2010 after Golden Casket Lottery
Corporation (GCLC)won the bid for the prestigious event.
The WLA 2010 Convention and Trade Show will bring together
senior officials from lottery organisations around the globe to make contact
with commercial peers, share knowledge and discuss future developments of the
vibrant lottery industry.
The event will provide a
significant injection to the Brisbane economy, with around 1000 officials
spending a week in the city for the convention which will run from 31 October
to 5 November 2010. The Brisbane Convention and
Exhibition Centre (BCEC) will be the venue for the conference, with the
BCEC’s recognition as one of the leading convention centres in the world
helping Golden Casket to secure the bid. Golden
Casket’s chosen theme for the event is “A bright future”
with a butterfly fish as the logo, designed to represent the bright features of
Queensland, Golden Casket and the bright future ahead for the lottery
industry. Golden Casket Chief Executive
Bill Thorburn said the convention
would provide a number of opportunities for Golden Casket and Brisbane.
“Hosting the WLA 2010 Convention and Trade Show
will help elevate our international profile as one of the world’s best
providers of lotteries and related products,” Mr Thorburn said.
“It will also expose Golden Casket staff to the
international lottery industry and will provide unique opportunities for staff
to develop new skills in a range of areas,” he said.
“The event will also give Brisbane the opportunity to
showcase the exceptional facilities, lifestyle and natural attractions on offer
to international visitors.” Mr Thorburn said he
was looking forward to Golden Casket working closely with BCEC and Brisbane
Marketing to provide a professional and seamless event.
“We are certain our hosting this event will
provide a positive and lasting impact on a diverse range of industries and the
Queensland economy as a whole,” he said. Golden Casket is a long standing member of the WLA and has
hosted a number of international WLA events. The corporation has been operating
in Queensland for over 90 years and is one of Australia's oldest lotteries.
SOURCE: Golden Casket Lottery Corporation.
Scientific Games Enters Licensing Arrangement with
Hasbro for Games Media Content in the U.K.
NEW YORK, USA (March 10,
2008) -- Scientific Games (Nasdaq: SGMS)
announced its wholly owned subsidiary Games Media, has entered into a
three-year exclusive licensing arrangement with Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) for
amusement with prize (AWP) and skill with prize (SWP) gaming machines in the UK
and Ireland. The agreement allows Games Media the exclusive rights to create
games for Hasbro properties including MONOPOLY, CLUEDO, YAHTZEE, CONNECT 4,
TRIVIAL PURSUIT and BATTLESHIP. Michael Fuller, Head
of Digital Media and Gaming Europe for Hasbro, commented, "We are pleased to
expand our relationship with Scientific Games in Europe through Games Media.
Games Media is the leader for digital development in their sector and has
repeatedly demonstrated its ability to showcase Hasbro's premium brands in new
ways that resonate with the players." Steve
Murray, Development Director of Games Media, added, "Working together,
Hasbro and Games Media can maximize Hasbro's brand values, creativity and
future ideas in conjunction with Games Media's game development and marketing
skills in the 'pay per play' sectors. We are excited about this relationship,
especially as the pub sector begins its transformation from stand-alone
analogue games to digital and downloadable. Content will become even more
important, and we look forward to bringing to market the numerous Hasbro
licensed games that we now have in the pipeline."
About Scientific
Games Scientific Games Corporation is the
leading integrated supplier of instant tickets, systems and services to
lotteries worldwide, a leading supplier of server based gaming machines 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.
About Hasbro Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and
family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design,
manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to
high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON
BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products
provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the
world. SOURCE: Scientific Games.
CONTACT:
Investor Relations 212-754-2233.
Lottery
Dynamics Announces Contract for Lotto Silver+™ in
Florida DALLAS, Texas (March 7,
2008) -- A licensee of Lottery
Dynamics has entered into an agreement with the
Florida Lottery for a customized version
of Lotto Silver+™ -- an “add-on” game within the Lottery
Dynamics family of patent-protected products. With that agreement, the Florida Lottery began selling
tickets for the enhanced version of its flagship Florida Lotto™ game on
March 2, 2008, and completed its first drawing on March 5, 2008. The enhanced
Florida Lotto™ game now offers players the ability to win significantly
higher jackpots by combining a $1 regular Florida Lotto™ wager with an
optional $1 or $2 “add-on” wager. Accordingly, Florida Lotto™ players now have the
following choices every draw:
- $1 play for the regular Florida
Lotto™ jackpot, with no changes, just as always;
- $2 play for the regular Florida
Lotto™ jackpot plus $10 Million*; or
- $3 play for the regular Florida
Lotto™ jackpot plus $25 Million*.
So now Florida Lotto™
players will have the option either to play for the regular $1 Florida
Lotto™ jackpot, just as always; or to play for the combined $1 Florida
Lotto™ jackpot plus an “add-on” jackpot that, with a $2
“add-on,” will be over nine (9) times greater than the $1
starting Florida Lotto™ jackpot, and over three (3) times greater than the
$1 average Florida Lotto™ jackpot. * Estimated
prize to a single winner, paid over 30 years. SOURCE:
Lottery Dynamics. About Lottery Dynamics:
Lottery Dynamics Corp. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Integrated Group Assets Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, a company which
offers, through its network of exclusive and independent licensees, proprietary
and patent-protected programs to enhance lottery revenues and good cause
contributions. The company’s programs are fully customizable, and
work with any matrix or currency around the world. Lottery Dynamics currently offers three proprietary and
patent-protected programs -- Lotto Gold+™, Lotto Silver+™, and Lotto
Platinum+™ -- which are all designed to optimize lottery sales every
single draw, with multiple-priced games that offer players higher jackpots and
better prize choices, and offer lotteries a viable method for increasing both
revenues and net good cause contributions without increasing the
lotteries’ cost basis. For more information contact Lottery Dynamics
at info@lotterydynamics.com
CONTACT: Michael Frick (North America), at (850) 926-8762;
or Tim Green (International), in London at +44 1483 212 629.
Aristocrat’s New Game
Feature Double
Happiness™ -- An Aristocrat Class III Game
NEVADA (March 7, 2008) --
Aristocrat Technologies’ is proud
to present the newest, exciting game Double Happiness™, one of the first
two Gen7™ game titles launched in Aristocrat’s new Viridian™
cabinet. With spectacular high-resolution graphics and dynamic scorecard,
Double Happiness will surely bring good luck and success to your casino
floor!
Players will love the
bonus features, where 10, 15 or 25 free games are won with any 3, 4 or 5
scattered DOUBLE HAPPINESS symbol respectively. Players can also add to the
excitement with Power Pay™. On a regular game play, players can enter the
Wild Free Games feature, where a roaming wild appears and substitutes for all
symbols except scatters. With Power Pay, players can enter the exciting
world of the Double Roaming Wild Free Games feature, where two roaming wild
appear and substitute for all symbols except scatters, and the chance to win is
multiplied x10! Double Happiness is an average
volatility penny slot game with a bonus feature that hits with average
frequency. The top score award on Double
Happiness is 2,500 credits; the top award with feature is 25,000 credits; and
the top single spin award is 46,410 credits. Double Happiness™ is available on
Aristocrat’s new award-winning Gen 7™ platform and in the new
Viridian cabinet. CONTACT: Paul Speirs,
Steinbeck Communications, P (702) 413-4278, F (702) 233-3492, Email:
paulspeirs@cox.net
OPAP Announce
Plan of Intended Corporate Actions for 2008
ATHENS, Greece (March 4, 2008) --
OPAP S.A. according to its obligations, as
stated in article 292 of the Regulatory Decisions of the Athens Stock Exchange
S.A. announces its corporate actions plan for 2008 as follows:
- Wednesday 26/03/2008:
Announcement of the Annual Financial Results Fiscal Year 2007 Results
- Thursday 27/03/2008: Conference
Call (Analyst and Investors update) for the FY 2007 Results
- Monday 26/05/2008: Announcement
of the Q1 2008 Financial Results
- Wednesday 11/06/2008: Ordinary
General Shareholder Meeting
- Tuesday 17/06/2008: Ex-dividend
Date (eligible to the shareholders closing the ATHEX trading session on
13/06/2008)
- Wednesday 25/06/2008: FY 2007
Dividend Payment
- Monday 25/08/2008: Announcement
of the H1 2008 Financial Results
- Monday 24/11/2008: Announcement
of the 9M 2008 Financial Results
OPAP S.A. notes that the
financial results will be announced on the company’s website (www.opap.gr) and the ATHEX website following the
end of the trading session of the Athens Stock Exchange. The following working
day the financial results will be published to the press.
Dividend will be paid according to ATHEX regulation
through a credit institution (bank) and details of the dividend payment
procedure will be announced by the company in the near future.
SOURCE: OPAP.
NZ Gaming Expo
Highlights AUCKLAND, New Zealand
(March 7, 2008) -- Gaming machine manufacturers this week saw a series of
highlights during the New Zealand Gaming Expo, held at SKYCITY Auckland
Convention Centre. "This year's Expo saw highlight
after highlight, with both the Exhibition and the Conference providing real
impact and highly relevant content" said Ross Ferrar, Executive Officer of
the Australasian Gaming Machine Manufacturers Association (AGMMA).
"From the opening
address by Minister of Internal Affairs the Hon. Rick Barker MP through 2 full
days of thought provoking conference sessions and the spectacle of new products
on display, the Expo confirmed its place as a focal event for Hospitality
professionals interested in gaming" Ferrar said. "The Minister strongly stated that the future of the
industry is largely in its own hands." Ferrar said. "Mr Barker's call for
gambling operators to be responsible corporate citizens who willingly comply
with the letter and spirit of the law, was followed up perfectly by SKYCITY
Chairman Rod McGeoch, who gave practical, real world examples of what must be
done to accomplish the Minister's brief." The
theme of responsible citizenship was repeatedly discussed during the event,
with Hospitality Association CEO Bruce Robertson and Charity Gaming Association
CEO Francis Wevers providing the audience with chilling statistics on current
public perceptions and what must be done to address them. Gambling operators
enjoy a "social licence to operate" according to Mr. Wevers and the statistics
reveal a "clearer picture than ever before" which requires the industry
to make positive constructive change. Along with the
theme of responsible corporate and community citizenship, memorable
presentations were provided by Sir Richard Hadlee, legendary fast bowler and
million-selling author Allan Pease, whose observations on communication, the
sexes and life experiences are being talked about well after the event. "Add
the gaming machine manufacturers panel session, which provided an honest and
open assessment of likely conditions over the next few years and all up it was
an entertaining program memorable for all the right reasons" said Ferrar.
"We will refer to these sessions in future years."
A novel new innovation was deployed during the conference,
where each audience members was provided with a handheld device enabling them
to vote in real time on questions presented. For example, 62% of the audience
found the conference content "excellent" or "better than average"
while 76% thought that the conference organisation was "excellent" or
"better than average". The trade exhibition
was also memorable for a wide array of the latest in products and services for
gaming operations. "This year's range of exhibitors and products was broader
than previous years, which added quite a lot of colour and variety" said
Ferrar. "Exhibitors indicated that the show went well for them, which means
that the event was worthwhile for all concerned." CONTACT: Ross Ferrar, Executive Officer, AGMMA, Telephone:
+61 2 9960 0125 or +61 418 686 075, Fax: +61 2 9960 0124, Email:
rferrar@agmma.com.
SOURCE: Australasian Gaming Manufacturers Assocn.
(AGMMA). New Lottery Ticket Security
Announced Iowa Lottery
Enhances Player Security with “Sign It. It's
Yours” DES MOINES, Iowa (March 10,
2008) -- The Iowa Lottery is enhancing player
security procedures with new initiatives taking effect this spring.
The first change will be implemented Saturday. As of that
day, players presenting Iowa Lottery tickets to retailers will have to sign the
backs of their tickets before they can be checked or cashed.
As part of its commitment to player security, the Iowa
Lottery also is implementing a new public awareness campaign called
“Sign it. It's yours.” The campaign will inform the public
about the new procedures. Radio, television and print advertising will address
players' rights and responsibilities when it comes to checking and cashing
lottery tickets.
Signing the ticket is
designed to protect against the possibility of fraud and ensure that players
are paid the prizes they rightfully have won, said Ken Brickman, the lottery's
chief operating officer and acting CEO. “Iowa has had a very strong record regarding
lottery security, and the changes we are implementing are designed to protect
against even the possibility of fraud,” Brickman said. “The
new procedures are part of the lottery's commitment to integrity.”
The new signature rule applies to all Iowa Lottery tickets
- lotto, instant-scratch and pull-tab. Players must sign the back of any ticket
before it can be checked or redeemed. For any pull-tab ticket that does not
have a signature line, players will be asked to sign at the bottom of the back
of the ticket. Individuals who refuse to sign the back of their lottery tickets
will not be allowed to have them checked or cashed at any Iowa Lottery retail
location. In May, another initiative will begin.
Receipts will be available for every instant-scratch or lotto ticket that is
checked or cashed. Two receipts will be printed - one for the retailer and one
for the lottery player - that will show the results of a particular ticket and
whether it has won a prize. Receipts will not be involved for pull-tab tickets,
as the amount of any pull-tab prize won is already printed on the front of the
ticket. The Iowa Lottery also reminds the public that
there are a variety of ways to learn about the lottery and its products:
- Watch the televised drawings in
lotto games.
- Check information on the lottery
Web site at www.ialottery.com.
- Ask a retailer to print winning
numbers reports from the lottery terminal.
- Call one of the lottery's five
regional offices around the state for information.
- Listen to lottery results on
local radio stations.
- Check lottery results in local
newspapers.
- Call the lottery's winning
numbers hot line at 515-323-4633.
- Sign up for the lottery's VIP
Club and receive e-mails of winning numbers and drawing results.
- Sign up for the lottery's
text-messaging service that sends winning numbers and other information
directly to a player's text-enabled mobile device.
- Since the Iowa Lottery's
inception in 1985, more than $2.1 billion has been awarded in prizes and more
than $1.1 billion has been raised for state programs.
SOURCE: Iowa Lottery.
Big Shoes to be Filled by New Lotto
Presenter NEW ZEALAND (March 10,
2008) -- Following the departure of Lotto draw favourite Hilary Timmins, the
new presenter has big shoes to fill but is putting his best foot forward, says
NZ Lotteries' Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.
Matt Lawrey, a 38-year-old Nelson based journalist, lives
with his wife of three years Tania Norfolk, their two year old son, Darcy, and
is expecting their second child in April and Matt is over the moon about
everything.
"Getting the Lotto
presenter role is like winning Lotto itself, and is so exciting on several
levels. I don't have to stop doing the other things I do now, I still get to
spend a lot of time with my family, and I get live TV experience too."
The former Wellingtonian has lived in Nelson for 10 years,
working as a journalist and photographer for The Leader community newspaper, is
an award winning radio presenter on Fresh FM, a film critic, and co-hosted
TV1's 'Business is Booming' programme and is thrilled he can add Lotto
presenter to his CV. "The thing I love about my
jobs is I can go to people's homes and have a chat, a cup of tea, and listen to
their stories because Nelson is full of great people," says Matt.
"And now with Lotto I get a blind date with a random
Kiwi every few weeks when the Winning Wheel participant comes to town and we
have lunch, then do the show together live." According to Lotto draw producer Steph Reid, Matt has exactly
the right qualities they look for in a presenter. "We want someone who shows integrity, is warm, accessible
to the public, enthusiastic, genuine and watchable and Matt ticks all those
boxes." So what would Matt do if he won Lotto?
"I bought a ticket for one of the big Powerball
draws over summer and was thinking about what we'd do if we won, and realised I
wouldn't really want to change anything in my life or work, or even the house,
which we love except do it up a bit." Matt's first
live Lotto draw is Saturday 15 March on TV2 at 8pm. SOURCE: Press Release - New Zealand Lotteries Commission.
RSF Signs Exclusive Agreement with Swiss Gaming
Corporation Companies Aim
to Import HyperSonic Sound® Technology (HSS®) Into the Gaming
Industry LUXEMBOURG, Switzerland (March 3,
2008) -- RSF and SGC officials announced today that the company has signed an
exclusive agreement with Swiss Gaming Corporation
(SGC) to bring the HyperSonic Sound® technology into the Gaming
Industry. Imagine broadcasting your audio messages
straight to your target audience and nowhere else! ... That’s the SpotDAP,
a revolutionary sound-generation technology designed to target specific areas.
The SpotDAP is based on HyperSonic Sound® technology (HSS®). The
directionality of the SpotDAPs is unsurpassed (3°), which significantly
reduces the noise pollution levels anywhere ambient noise is an issue. Another
advantageous SpotDAP feature is its long projection distance of intelligible
sound (up to 20 meters). Applications have included digital signage, points of
sale, kiosks, grocery stores, lobbies, parks, banks, and museums, but now also
casinos and slot manufacturers.
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“We are excited to
collaborate with RSF to bring this innovative product into the Gaming
Industry,” said René Lindsen, chief executive officer of Swiss
Gaming Corporation. “There’s a constant barrage of noises in
casinos. Slot machines spin, games ding and dong, coins hit metal, there’s
the pitter patter of the people running the games, etc. Many of these sounds,
like the ringing of the slots, is there to give you sense of hope. (“If
all of those bells are ringing, somebody must be winning!”). On the other
hand people like to hear what they want to hear. The SpotDAP simply stops sound
pollution." Swiss Gaming Corporation will seek to
expand RSF’s presence inside of the gaming industry.
“Based on the RSF’s strong performance in
Museum and Amusement Industry, we believe it is time to expand our reach into
these new markets, and we are very pleased to have Swiss Gaming Corporation
represent our interests,” said Bechara Yared, President & CEO from
RSF, “Our specialisation in the museum and exhibition fields means that
we greatly appreciate the chance to expand our horizons by working closely with
SGC to get the SpotDAP out to new markets. SGC’s expertise in the gaming
industry will be a real advantage as we seek to continue and increase our
current growth.” René Lindsen has more
than 20 years of experience in the international leisure and gaming industry,
through the ranks over the years from a dealer to general manager. He opened
and ran several Switzerland casinos. His reputation, relationships and
expertise will serve RSF well as we embark on our expansion plans.
Lindsen believes the RSF products will appeal to casino
operators and slot manufacturers as the system can be installed and become
operational without the need for continual monitoring, and because of the great
reputation RSF have built up for reliability. “The Hyper Sonic Sound Technology allows casinos or
slot rooms to offer their customers targeted sound and messages,”
Lindsen said. “A casino doesn’t need to be uncomfortably loud with
this system. All that’s required is a few feet of space for the SpotDAP.
RSF handles the installation, training and operation. It’s a turn-key
product with patented technology, safe and secure.”
The announcement follows the successful launch of the
SpotDAP in hundreds of museum and amusements parks. In 2003, RSF received the
Award "Label de l'innovation muséographique" at the SITEM
exhibition. “This is a unique opportunity for
casinos, advertisers as well as guests,” Yared said.
“Advertisers and casinos can convey their tailored message directly to
players in the casino, reception area, betting parlor, slot or slot
room.” ABOUT SWISS GAMING
CORPORATION Founded in 2006, Swiss Gaming
Corporation manages and advises casinos on strategic development, realizing
concepts, capital projects and reorganizations plans. With more than 20
years of international experience in all aspects and departments of the casino
industry, Swiss Gaming executives have vast experience in a wide range of
disciplines, including hospitality and casino management, financial
structuring, urban and strategic planning, demographic analysis, geography,
economics and transportation planning. Swiss Gaming Corporation employees
operate in modern casinos and have helped establish the quality standards of
casinos in Holland, Switzerland and Suriname. Swiss Gaming produces a popular
monthly newsletter that reaches subscribers across the globe. For more
information, please visit www.swissgamingcorporation.com.
ABOUT RSF Founded in
1974, and originally specialising in audio synthesisers, RSF is now a producer
and international distributor of audioguide, AV, and show control technology
solutions to museums and exhibitions all over the world, including the British
Museum, London, The Ronald Regan Library and Museum, California, and the City
of Sciences, Paris. Famous rock musicians like Peter
Gabriel, Genesis, Jean-Michel Jarre, and the group Yes have all used the KOBOL,
which, at present, is a cherished collectors’ item. For more information,
please visit http://www.rsf-int.com
SOURCE: Swiss Gaming Corporation. Governor Culver Signs Legislation Creating Lottery
Games To Strengthen Iowa Veterans Trust Fund
DES MOINES, Iowa, USA (March 12, 2008) -- Governor Chet
Culver has signed into law a proposal authorizing new lottery games to
strengthen the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund. The governor was joined by state
legislators, government officials, and veterans from around the state on
Tuesday as he signed House File 2359 during a ceremony at the State
Capitol.
“Iowa's veterans
have served with dignity and with excellence, and all veterans have the
gratitude of every citizen,” Governor Culver said. “Throughout
my administration, I have been proud to stand up for these brave Iowans who
have fought so hard for our state and nation. Now, we will stand up for them
once more, and use Iowa Lottery profits to support our hometown
heroes.” House File 2359 authorizes the Iowa
Lottery to create two new instant-scratch and two additional pull-tab games
each year. Profits generated from those games will be used to support veterans
and their families through the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund.
Ken Brickman, the Iowa
Lottery's chief operating officer and acting CEO, said the lottery is
humbled by the opportunity to provide revenues for such a noble and worthy
cause. “We're looking forward to our first
games to benefit the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund,” Brickman said.
“Everyone can have fun playing the games and know that the money
generated from the sale of tickets will be going to help those who have given
so much for our country.” The lottery's first
games to benefit the Trust Fund will be available starting in July.
“Stars & Stripes,” a $1 game, will be the first
instant-scratch game dedicated to veterans' causes. It will have a red, white
and blue theme and will begin sales on July 14. “All American”
will be the first pull-tab game dedicated to the cause. The $1 tickets will
begin sales July 21 and will feature artwork of several patriotic symbols
including the liberty bell, Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam and the U.S. flag.
To learn more about the Veterans Trust Fund, visit
www.iowava.org. SOURCE: Iowa Lottery.
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