| Lottomatica Conducts Shareholders’ Meeting
and Board of Directors’ Meeting
ROME, Italy (April 15, 2008) -- The
Lottomatica S.p.A. Shareholders’
Meeting, chaired by Lorenzo Pellicioli, convened today in ordinary and
extraordinary sessions and approved the stand-alone financial statements for
the period ended December 31, 2007; presented the consolidated financial
statements; and resolved to distribute dividends of €0.825 per share as of
April 24, 2008. The Shareholders’ Meeting authorized a share buy-back plan
up to a maximum number of the Company’s ordinary shares representing 10%
of share capital; renewed the Board of Directors and the Board of Statutory
Auditors for the years 2008-2010; and adopted two new share-based plans
reserved for Lottomatica Group’s employees.
In the extraordinary
session of the Shareholders’ Meeting, articles 13 and 20 of the Company
By-Laws were changed regarding the nomination and substitution of Directors and
Statutory Auditors. At the conclusion of the
Shareholders’ Meeting, a meeting of the newly-formed Lottomatica
S.p.A.Board of Directors’ was held to vote on, among other things, the
powers and roles of the directors. Stand-alone
financial statements, consolidated financial statements and dividends
Consolidated Revenues for the full year of 2007 totaled
€1.66 billion compared to the € 0.94 billion for the same period in
2006. 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.
For the period ended December 31, 2007, the parent company
Lottomatica S.p.A. revenues totaled €484.7 million compared to the €
488.8 million of the previous year. Net income was €69.0 million compared
to €2.3 million for the period ended December 31, 2006.
For further information regarding the Lottomatica Group
2007 full-year results, please see the March 6, 2008 press release.
The Shareholders’ Meeting resolved a dividend
distribution of €0.825 per share for a total of €125,393,314 –
€68,922,391 from net income, and €56,470,923 from a portion of the
share premium reserve. The dividend will be paid
beginning on April 24, 2008, by means of existing liquid assets of the
Company. Share buy-back Plan
The Shareholders’ Meeting authorized the Board of
Directors, for a maximum of 18 months from the time of such authorization, to
purchase, up to a maximum number of ordinary shares in the Company representing
a maximum of 10% of its share capital (up to maximum no. 15.199.189 ordinary
shares as of today), in compliance with current regulations and contractual
agreements entered into by the Group. The
authorization allows the Board of Directors (or its delegates) to determine the
purchase price, and that such price shall not be lower nor higher than 25% of
the reference price registered by the Company’s stock in the last market
day preceding each relevant transaction. Today the Board has adopted the
resolutions to enact the plan.. The plan has the
purpose of stabilizing the Company’s share price and acquire shares that
may be used in the context of employees share incentive plan or aimed at
operations relating to the strategic plans of the Company.
The Shareholders’
Meeting authorized the Board of Directors to dispose of treasury shares
purchased by the Company, without time restrictions and in a manner/s deemed
appropriate, and shall not be lower than the 50% of the reference price
registered by the Company’s stock in the last market day preceding each
relevant transaction. The Company and its subsidiaries
do not currently own Lottomatica shares. Nomination
of Board of Directors and Board of Statutory Auditors
The ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting, after setting the
number of Board Members to 13 for the 2008-2010 period, nominated Pietro
Boroli, Paolo Ceretti, Robert Dewey Jr. (independent), Marco Drago, Jeremy
Hanley (independent), James McCann (independent), Jaymin Patel, Lorenzo
Pellicioli, Anthony Ruys (independent), Marco Sala, Severino Salvemini
(independent), Gianmario Tondato Da Ruos (independent, Lead Independent
Director) and W. Bruce Turner as Board Members. The
Board of Directors, meeting immediately after the Shareholders’ Meeting,
nominated Lorenzo Pellicioli as Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of
Lottomatica Group, and Marco Sala as CEO and Managing Director of Lottomatica.
Both Messrs. Pellicioli and Sala were appointed and granted the same powers in
accordance with the previous mandate. According to the December 31, 2007
financial statements approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting, certain Board
Members are in possession of Lottomatica shares. In
addition , the following committee members were nominated:
- Executive Committee:
Lorenzo Pellicioli, as Chairman, Pietro Boroli, Paolo Ceretti, Marco Drago,
Jaymin Patel and Marco Sala;
- Remuneration Committee:
Gianmario Tondato da Ruos, as Chairman, Robert Dewey Jr. and James McCann;
- Audit Committee: Severino
Salvemini, as Chairman, Jeremy Hanley and Anthony Ruys.
The newly-nominated Board of
Statutory Auditors consists of Sergio Duca, as Chariman, Angelo Gaviani and
Francesco Martinelli as Regular Members, and Gian Piero Balducci, Giulio
Gasloli, Umile Sebastiano Iacovino, Guido Martinelli and Marco Sguazzini
Viscontini as Substitutes. All Board members and Statutory Auditors, whose
resumes are also available on the Group web site www.gruppolottomatica.it, were
selected from the only list presented by the majority Shareholder De Agostini
S.p.A. New Stock-based incentive plans
The Shareholders’ Meeting approved two new
stock-based incentive plans reserved to Lottomatica S.p.A.’s and/or to its
subsidiaries’ managers: the 2008-2016 stock option plan with a maximum of
2,500,000 shares equal to 1.6% of current share capital, and the 2008-2011
share attribution plan with a maximum of 325,000 ordinary shares equal to 0.2%
of current share capital. The plans involve approximately 200 managers within
the Lottomatica Group. Changes to Company
By-Laws The Shareholder’s Meeting, in
extraordinary session, approved certain changes to articles 13 (Board of
Directors: nomination) and 20 (Nomination, composition and requirements of the
Board of Statutory Auditors) of the Company By-Laws. Other Information The Company
notes that in December 2003, Lottomatica issued a €360 million bond due
December, 2008. The Euro bond has a fixed coupon payment of 4.80%, payable
annually each December. SOURCE: Lottomatica S.p.A.
Signature of
Protocol for the Protection of Ethical Values in the Turkish
Football ATHENS, Greece (April 14,
2008) -- The Turkish Football Federation (TFF), Spor Toto Organization, and
INTELTEK, a subsidiary of INTRALOT in
Turkey, signed a protocol for information sharing platform enabling to identify
what is not ethical in football and let TFF take necessary measures. More
precisely, the protocol was signed in a meeting held in Istanbul, by the
Chairman of the Football Federation, Mr. Hasan Dogan, the Manager of Spor Toto
Organization, Mr. Bekir Yunus Uηar, and Mr. Kerem Ertan, Deputy General
Manager for Corporate Communication of INTELTEK. The
protocol foresees sharing with TFF of the statistical information that are
provided by INTELTEK regarding all Turkish football matches listed in the Match
Program of Iddaa, the only official sports betting game, as well as other Spor
Toto Games, in order to identify abnormal and suspicious looking games. Hence,
with the stated protocol, it is aimed to expose unethical and illegal acts
proactively and take preventive actions towards such illegal attempts.
INTELTEK, being the
official Iddaa operator, monitors games online through its cutting-edge
computerized system and risk management center and informs Spor Toto and TFF
about suspicious looking games immediately. TFF has the right to take all the
necessary legal preventive actions or investigate the suspicious case before or
after the match. Responsible gaming practices are
guaranteed, since in Turkey not only it is forbidden to play Iddaa under 18
years old, but it is not allowed to play using credit card, safeguarding
ethical values and protecting the vulnerable groups. Kerem Ertan, the Deputy General Manager for Corporate
Communication of INTELTEK stated that football is a very important industry in
the world having a market value that reaches €10 billion in Europe. This
share is also significant in Turkey, so it is very important to have a
transparent football industry. INTELTEK is strongly supporting every movement
that contributes to this end and is determined to safeguard the values of this
exciting and very popular sport. 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 more
than 40 countries, with approximately 4.200 people and revenues of €835,5
m. for 2007, INTRALOT has established its presence on all 5 continents.
For more information please CONTACT: Ms Persa Kartsoli,
Head of Corporate Affairs, Phone: +30-210 6156000, Fax: +30-210 6106800, email:
kartsoli@intralot.com
Lottery Accounting Division
Honoured LANSING, Michigan, USA
(April 10, 2008) -- For the third year in a row, the
Michigan Lottery has received a
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its
2007 comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).
"The CAFR is a vital
publication to the disclosure of the Lottery's financial information. We are
proud to be honored for such an important document. This award demonstrates the
Lottery's commitment to integrity and accountability." Lottery Commissioner
M. Scott Bowen said.
The Lottery's CAFR was judged by an impartial panel as
demonstrating "a spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate the
Lottery's financial story, as well as to motivate potential users and user
groups to read the CAFR. The 2007 CAFR, as well as the
Lottery's fiscal year 2007 annual report, are available on the Lottery's Web
site at www.michigan.gov/lottery.
Over 95 cents of every dollar spent on Lottery tickets is
returned to the state in the form of contributions to the state School Aid
Fund, prizes to players and commissions to retailers. In fiscal year 2007, the
contribution to schools was $748.9 million. Since its inception in 1972, the
Lottery has contributed more than $14.3 billion to education in Michigan.
For additional information, please visit the Lottery's Web
site at www.michigan.gov/lottery
SOURCE: Michigan Lottery.
CONTACT: Andi
Brancato, Phone: 517-335-5648.
New Study by
ILR Finds a Vibrant Hispanic Market for Lotteries
CHICAGO, Illinois, USA (March 28, 2008) – A new study
from Independent Lottery Research finds that Hispanic players of lottery
products are better educated and have higher income levels than
non-players.
A study completed by
Independent Lottery Research and Leo J. Shapiro & Associates among the
Englishspeaking Hispanic population in the 42 states with lotteries sheds light
on Hispanic lottery play and players. The national study, done over an 18-month
period between June 2006 and February 2008, is based on personal telephone
interviews with 463 households that identified themselves as being
Hispanic. The study’s findings will help
lotteries and lottery vendors to understand this vital growing market.
Hispanics who are regular players find the fun and
excitement of lottery products affordable. Their median income is $54,000,
compared with a median income of $33,000 among Hispanics who never have played
their state lottery. Furthermore, Hispanic lottery players are optimistic about
their economic mobility expecting increasing incomes and a better standard of
living in the future. The higher level of
socio-economic positioning of Hispanic players of the lottery is also seen in
education levels. Lottery players have attained higher levels of education
compared to adult Hispanics who have never played their state’s lottery.
For most Hispanics, the lottery is a responsible activity, an acceptable social
activity in higher income, better educated Hispanic households. The survey also
indicated that the same group includes enthusiastic stock owners as well.
Somewhat more Hispanic men than women play the lottery.
Among men, 64% have played the lottery in their state, compared to 57% of
Hispanic women. Among women players, 21% are regular players, compared to 19%
among men. One in five who has played the lottery in
their state is a regular player. Based on ILR’s
survey, Hispanic participation in lottery play will profoundly affect future
lottery sales and profits throughout the United States.
CONTACT: Margaret Mueller, Independent Lottery Research
(http://www.ilresearch.com), phone:
312.546.5925, fax: 312.321.0607.
Sales Begin Sunday
in Iowa Lottery's First Cash Raffle Game
$1 Million Top Prize In "Iowa's Million Dollar
Raffle"; Only 120,000 Tickets To Be Sold DES
MOINES, Iowa (April 11, 2008) -- - Sales begin Sunday in the
Iowa Lottery's first cash raffle game, which
will offer 112 prizes, including a top prize of $1 million. Only 120,000
tickets will be sold for “Iowa's Million Dollar Raffle” and
each will cost $20. The Iowa Lottery has offered
raffle-type games in the past with merchandise including vehicles as prizes,
but this is the first cash raffle game that will be sold by the lottery.
Ken Brickman, the lottery's acting CEO, said that several
states have offered raffle games in the past few years with much success.
“In many instances,
tickets have sold out quickly,” Brickman said. “Word has
already begun to spread about our upcoming game here in Iowa, and based upon
the number of calls we've received from folks wondering when they can buy
tickets, we anticipate similar success in this state."
Sales begin Sunday in Iowa's Million Dollar Raffle game,
with tickets available from the lottery's sales and validations terminals in
retail locations across the state. Each ticket will bear a unique number from
10000001 to 10120000. Prizes in the game range from
$500 to $1 million. The prizes and odds are:
- One top prize of $1 million
(1:120,000 odds of winning).
- One prize of $100,000 (1:120,000
odds).
- 10 prizes of $5,000 (1:12,000
odds).
- 100 prizes of $500 (1:1,200
odds).
The sales period for the
lottery's raffle tickets will end June 14 with the game's drawing scheduled for
June 17. However, if tickets sell out early, the drawing date will be moved up
to approximately three working days after all tickets have been sold. Raffle
players must keep their tickets to check them against the winning raffle
numbers and to claim a prize. After the drawing, the
winning raffle numbers will be posted on the lottery Web site at
www.ialottery.com and will be available
via reports printed from lottery terminals. In addition, the lottery will print
the winning numbers in newspaper ads across the state and on posters that will
be put up in retail locations. The winning numbers also will be available at
the lottery's regional offices in Council Bluffs, Storm Lake, Des Moines, Mason
City and Cedar Rapids. Prizes must be claimed within
90 days of the drawing date. “We're pleased to
offer this new twist on both raffles and the lottery,” Brickman
said. 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 Brett Paton Appointed to Tabcorp
Board SYDNEY, NSW, Australia
(April 7, 2008) -- Tabcorp recently
announced that leading equity markets executive Brett Paton had been appointed
as a Director of Tabcorp Holdings Limited, subject to regulatory approval.
Brett Paton, 53, the former
Chairman of Capital Markets at investment bank UBS, has extensive senior
executive experience in capital markets. Tabcorp
Chairman, John Story, welcomed Mr. Paton to the Board, adding that he would
bring additional strategic and financial market experience to the company.
At UBS, Mr. Paton was Managing Director and Vice Chairman
of Global Investment Banking. He was a Member of its Australian Executive
Committee, Chairman of the Equity Markets Committee and Chairman of the Capital
Commitment Committee, its underwriting committee. During his 23 years at UBS and in the finance industry, he
worked closely with company boards and management on various Initial Public
Offerings, Major Raisings and Merger and Acquisition transactions.
Mr. Paton, a Chartered Accountant, holds a Bachelor of
Economics Degree from Monash University and is a Fellow of the Financial
Services Institute of Australasia. He is Councillor with the Australia Business
Arts Foundation. Mr. Paton will join the Tabcorp
Board when all regulatory approvals have been obtained.
SOURCE: Tabcorp Holdings. SAZKA Launches New Fast Games Including a World
Novelty PRAGUE, Czech Republic
(April 10, 2008) -- SAZKA, a.s., is
launching two new fast games, Kostky (Dice) and Lucky Lines.
The betting on-line game Kostky (Dice) is absolutely new,
developed by SAZKA's Gaming and Betting Division. It is based on well-known
party game Dice, complemented with a roulette principle to add more
variability. Players can try to match the total of the six dice thrown, and can
also wager on the patterns, i.e. the distribution of values on the specified
six dice. The outcome of the game is determined by a random number generator,
with draws to be held every ten minutes; the prize depends on matching the
numbers on the dice thrown and on the stake amount. Stakes can vary from CZK 5
to CZK 100, with the maximum prize of CZK 2,500,000.
The Lucky Lines betting
game is based on similar games particularly popular in Kentucky and Oregon, the
United States. The playslip includes a total of 40 numbers divided into 8
boards, with the player picking 1 number of 5 in each board. The random number
generator draws 8 winning numbers every ten minutes, with the amount of the
prize depending on the quantity of matched number lines in individual boards
and on the stake amount. The stake may vary from CZK 5 to CZK 100, with the
maximum prize of CZK 2,000,000. If the player chooses the
Stupňování výher (Prize Boost) option, the winning
can be up to five times higher, i.e. up to CZK 10,000,000.
The new products, Kostky and Lucky Lines, complement the
popular fast game Keno, which SAZKA has run since 2002. Keno players pick 1 to
7 numbers of 56, with the drawing of the 12 winning numbers held in five-minute
increments on a daily basis. Stakes vary from CZK 5 to CZK 100, and the prize
depends on the quantity of numbers matched and on the stake amount; the
possible prize is up to CZK 1,000,000 every five minutes.
Playing the Keno, Kostky and Lucky Lines betting games
will be possible in all SAZKA's on-line terminals, with a draw taking place
every 2.5 minutes; thus one hour includes 12 Keno draws, 6 Kostky draws and 6
Lucky Lines draws. Players prefer special gaming points equipped not only with
a terminal but also with a screen, displaying the drawing process and the
numbers drawn. SOURCE: PhDr. Zdeněk
Zikmund, SAZKA, a.s. Press Spokesperson, Tel.: 266 12 92 22, Fax: 266 12 26 67,
E-mail: zikmund@sazka.cz.
OLG to Expand Responsible Gambling Services
New Resource Centres to be
Extended to All Gaming Sites OTTAWA, Ontario,
Canada (April 14, 2008) -- To enhance the Ontario Lottery and Gaming's (OLG) efforts to
promote responsible gambling practices, to support those who seek help, and to
prevent problem gambling through public education, OLG will launch new
Responsible Gambling Resource Centres (RGRC’s) across its network of 27
gaming sites.
The announcement was made
today by OLG CEO Kelly McDougald at the Responsible Gambling Council’s
“Discovery 2008” responsible gambling conference currently
underway in Ottawa. “These Centres will provide patrons with a
welcoming, comfortable environment where they can talk to independent
professionals to learn more about how gaming works, about risks and behaviours,
and where to go for assistance and treatment,” Ms. McDougald
said. “OLG is committed to fulfilling its role as a responsible
gambling operator, focusing on providing information, and this expanded program
is a key component of our overall effort.” The Resource Centres will be developed and operated by the
Responsible Gambling Council which currently operates two pilot projects,
fully-staffed resource centres at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino
Windsor. The expanded program includes:
- The two pilot project sites at
Niagara and Windsor will become permanent operations;
- Similar, fully-staffed centres
will be added to other large sites in phases, starting with the facilities who
see highest patron traffic;
- Information kiosks, or self-serve
resource centres, will be built at all other OLG gaming sites, each sized and
equipped appropriately for the facility; and
- Services to include interactive
learning technology and printed materials
“Delivering the RGRC
pilot project in Windsor and Niagara has been a very positive
experience,” says Jon Kelly, CEO, Responsible Gambling Council.
“The Centres have provided information, assistance and referrals for
thousands of casino visitors. We are delighted that OLG is expanding this
valuable service to make it available throughout Ontario.”
Design and development of the new centres is underway,
with testing in key sites beginning in late 2008. Following testing and
evaluation, centres will be added to most gaming sites during 2009 and 2010
with final completion in 2011.
| Advertisement |
 |
Every year, the Government
of Ontario allocates two per cent of gross revenue from slot machines at OLG
Casinos and OLG Slots-at-racetrack facilities to the province’s problem
gambling program for research, treatment and prevention programs. The amount
for fiscal 2008/2009 is estimated at $39 million. Information on OLG’s Responsible Gaming Program is
available at www.OLG.ca
OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide
lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries, Casinos, Slots,
and Resort Casinos have generated more than $23 billion for the benefit of the
Province of Ontario. Gaming proceeds support Ontario’s hospitals, amateur
sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority
programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities
and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. For
further information: Media Contact: OLG Public Relations, (705)
946-6716. SOURCE:
Ontario Lottery and Gaming (Media
Relations). Press Release:
Government Announce New Structure For Gaming In Victoria Beyond
2012 MELBOURNE, Victoria,
Australia (April 10, 2008) -- The Premier, John Brumby, today announced
approved hotels and clubs would bid directly for gaming machine entitlements
under the new structure for Victoria’s gambling industry beyond 2012.
Mr. Brumby said the
Victorian Government had decided to move to a new structure for the industry,
which removes the need for separate gaming machine operators –
Tattersall’s and
Tabcorp – with venues set to own,
operate and maintain electronic gaming machines. “Today’s announcement fundamentally reshapes the
gaming industry in Victoria,” Mr. Brumby said.
“Under the post-2012 structure, venues will bid
directly for 10-year gaming machine entitlements. “The Government will enforce a cap on ownership,
ensuring that no one venue operator can own more than 35 per cent of machines
available to hotels. “The gaming machine
industry has matured in Victoria, and the time is right to empower local venue
operators to make local decisions about their gaming operations – giving
them more responsibility and accountability within their local
communities.” Reform of the gaming industry
structure is part of a broader reform of all gaming and wagering in Victoria
post 2012. Other reforms include:
- Keno operations will be offered as a single,
specific licence; and
- A single, stand-alone licence
will be offered for wagering, currently run by Tabcorp.
“This is the first
time in Victoria’s history that licences to operate keno and wagering will
be opened up for competition,” Mr. Brumby said.
The Victorian Racing Industry currently receives 25 per
cent of Tabcorp’s gaming machine profits and will no longer do so under
the new arrangements post 2012. The Government will put in place funding
arrangements no less favourable to the Victorian Racing Industry.
The Victorian Racing Industry will play a significant role
providing advice to Government about the wagering licence awarding process, and
the Government has decided it would not be appropriate for Victorian Racing
Industry to bid for the wagering licence. The
Victorian Government will this week begin a formal consultation with the
Victorian Racing Industry about funding arrangements beyond 2012.
Mr. Brumby said that as part of the post-2012 reforms, the
Victorian Government had also moved to implement new problem gambling measures
including:
- Banning ATMs from gaming venues;
and
- Mandating that gaming machines
contain new pre-commitment mechanisms.
Mr. Brumby said the
Community Support Fund would continue under the new licence arrangements at
least at current levels, to assist in distributing some proceeds of gaming back
into the community. The Minister for Gaming, Tony
Robinson said the Government would introduce a progressive tax system covering
electronic gaming machines to help create a level playing field between small
and large venues. “The Government expects its
share of gaming machine revenue to remain broadly similar under the post-2012
arrangements,” Mr. Robinson said. Details of
the new tax arrangements will be developed in consultation with stakeholders
and finalised in advance of the bidding process. Mr.
Robinson said the new structure had been determined after a rigorous review
process, which commenced in 2004. This process has been overseen by the
Independent Review Panel, chaired by retired Federal Court Judge, Ron Merkel,
QC. He said the Government chose the venue-operator
system to deliver a gaming industry which will:
- Be more connected to local
communities;
- Have more diversity of ownership;
and
- Deliver greater competition.
The Government’s decision
represents an entirely new regulatory model for the operation of wagering,
gaming and keno in Victoria after the expiration of the current licences in
2012, and the Government has formed the view that neither Tattersall’s nor
Tabcorp are entitled to compensation. Mr. Robinson
said that under the new arrangements, approved hotels and clubs would bid
directly for 10-year gaming machine entitlements in early 2010.
“These reforms will deliver greater transparency
and accountability to local communities,” he said.
“Over the past 15 years the gambling industry has
matured – what was right for the industry 15 years ago, will not be right
for Victoria post-2012.” Legislation giving
effect to today’s announcement will be introduced in Parliament in two
stages, commencing next week. The Registration of
Interest for keno and wagering is expected to occur during 2008.
The Government will immediately begin working with the
gaming industry’s peak bodies and other stakeholders on transitional
matters and also to assist and educate all venue operators and other interested
parties on the implementation and transition phases of these new
arrangements. Under the new structure, the numbers of
machines outside Crown Casino will remain fixed at 27,500, split evenly between
clubs and hotels and with at least 20 per cent in country Victoria. The venue
limit will be maintained at 105 gaming machines and regional caps will also
remain.
|
|
Gaming machines |
Keno |
Wagering |
|
Description |
An Electronic Gaming
Machine is a machine with a video screen displaying a game. A result is
determined by a random number generator. |
Keno is a rapid draw
game in which 20 numbers are drawn every four minutes, via a random number
generator, from a pool of numbers one to 80. |
Victorians can bet on
horse, harness or greyhound racing, as well as sports and other events.
The
wagering licence authorises pari-mutuel and fixed odds betting. |
| What are
the arrangements now? |
Two gaming operators
licensed to possess and operate gaming machines – Tatts Group and Tabcorp
– until 2012.
Approved gaming venues managed by licensed venue
operators. Gaming operators not permitted to be venue operators.
Gaming
machines outside the casino fixed at 27,500, split evenly between clubs and
hotels. Minimum 20% required outside metro Melbourne. Venue limit of 105
machines.
Regional caps apply to 19 defined regions. |
There is no separate
licence for keno. An authorisation to operate keno was allocated to the holders
of the gaming operators licences.
Tatts Group and Tabcorp formed a joint
venture to oversee the conduct of Keno and Tatts Group operates the gaming on
behalf of the joint venture.
Keno can be operated in gaming venues. |
A single exclusive
pari-mutuel and fixed odds wagering and betting licence is held by Tabcorp. The
wagering licence is linked to the gaming licence.
The licence requires the
holder to enter into arrangements to provide financial support to
Victoria’s racing industry. |
| What
will the arrangements be post 2012? |
Licensed venue
operators will be permitted to possess and operate gaming machines.
The
State will not issue any further gaming operator licences.
Individual
gaming machine entitlements, will be allocated for 10 years via a
competitive bidding process.
Ownership cap – no one venue operator
can own more than 35 per cent of machines available to hotels.
Gaming
machines outside the casino fixed at 27,500, split evenly between clubs and
hotels. Minimum 20% required outside metro Melbourne. Venue limit of 105
machines.
Regional caps apply to 19 defined regions. |
A separate licence
category will be created for keno under the Gambling Regulation Act
2003.
A single keno licence will be issued for 10 years.
Distribution of keno will be extended to hotels, liquor licensed clubs and
wagering outlets in addition to gaming venues. |
A single, exclusive
pari-mutuel and fixed odds wagering and betting licence will be issued for 12
years.
The licence will be allocated via a competitive bidding process.
The licence holder will be required to enter into arrangements to ensure
Victoria’s racing industry is no less favourably treated than currently.
|
SOURCE: From The Office Of The Premier.
California Could Increase Lottery Sales by 10
Percent, or Up to $324 Million, by Making Tickets Available Online, According
to eLottery Additional
Funds Could Be Injected Into Education and Public Safety Budgets
STAMFORD, Conn. (April 16, 2008) --
California state lottery sales could be
increased as much as 10 percent -- or $324 million based on 2007 sales of $3.24
billion -- by making their lottery tickets available online, according to
research conducted by eLottery Inc., the
web-based retailer of governmental lottery tickets.
“These additional
funds could be directly injected into the state's budget for education and
public safety, providing a cushion at a time when economic uncertainties abound
throughout the nation,'' according to eLottery president Michael
Yacenda. “The availability of lottery tickets
online could attract up to 80 percent of the 18-to-24 and 25-to-34 demographic,
an audience not currently purchasing tickets through traditional channels --
grocery stores, gas stations and cigarette stores,'' Yacenda said.
The research also indicates that these traditional outlets
would lose little if any business, as most of the new sales would come from an
audience that wasn't in the market before. “These new participants indicate the key reason
they'd play was the convenience of making the purchase at home or in the
office, and not having to stand in a waiting line,'' Yacenda said.
A total of 17 states were included in the survey.
Combined, all 17 states could increase lottery sales by as much as $3.964
billion if participants could purchase tickets via the Internet, according to
eLottery. eLottery, Inc. is a subsidiary of eLOT, Inc.
http://www.elottery.com. Both are
leading providers of web-based retailing and Internet marketing services to
governmental lotteries. Elottery has positioned itself as the proven Internet
partner to lead the government lottery into the e-commerce market. The company
offers the only patented online transaction and information system to
authorized state and government lottery operators. (States surveyed include: CA, FL, GA, IL, MA, MI, NJ, OH, PA,
TX, VA, TN, SC, MO, IN, MD, CT.) CONTACT: eLottery
Inc., Michael Yacenda, 203-388-1808 or VJE Consultants, Vic Emmanuel,
914-305-5198 SOURCE: eLOT, Inc.
Atronic to Create and Distribute 'Stargate SG-1'
and 'Stargate Atlantis' Branded Slot Machines
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (April 9, 2008) -- Atronic unveiled
plans today to manufacture and distribute slot machines utilizing content from
the successful "Stargate SG-1" and "Stargate Atlantis" television series. The
Company has signed a three-year licensing agreement with MGM Consumer Products
and the first placement of the slot machines will be unveiled in the fall of
2008. "Stargate SG-1," the longest running Sci-Fi
series in American television history aired for a remarkable 10 seasons. The
show enjoyed a milestone 200th episode and "Stargate Atlantis," its spin-off
series and currently in production on season 5, won The People's Choice Award
for Favorite Sci-Fi program in 2007, and will also celebrate its 100th episode
this year.
| Advertisement |
 |
"Atronic is thrilled to
add "Stargate SG-1" and "Stargate Atlantis" to our library of licensed
products. We are going to build on the popularity of the TV series by
bringing the excitement and intrigue of the shows to the casino floor,"
said Ken Bossingham, COO, Atronic Americas. Travis
Rutherford, Executive Vice President, MGM Consumer Products stated: "MGM
Consumer Products is pleased to partner with worldwide market leader Atronic to
further expand the record-breaking Stargate franchise."
A series of machines is planned for development, including
video linked, video stand-alone, and reel slots. About Atronic The ATRONIC
Group of companies, a leading global provider of casino games and services is
headquartered in Germany. The group companies Atronic International, Atronic
Americas and Atronic Systems maintain offices in the USA, Europe, Russia, Latin
America, South Africa and Australia. ATRONIC is dedicated to producing only the
highest quality of entertainment games and products, including dynamic casino
management and linked gaming solutions which are being operated in 91 countries
worldwide. Atronic holds a total of 225 worldwide gaming licenses including the
United States of America, where it is licensed to sell machines in 26 states
and to 163 tribes. Atronic is a member of the Gaming
Standards Association and supports open industry standards such as Game to
System (G2S) and System to System (S2S). To find out more information about
ATRONIC please visit the website at http://www.atronic.com/.
SOURCE: Atronic Americas. 
|
