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Lottomatica Group Subsidiary GTECH Corporation Signs Long-Term
Contract Extension with Grupo Empresarial En Linea S.A. ("gelsa") in Colombia
to Continue Providing Online Lottery Technology and Commercial Services
ROME, Italy and PROVIDENCE, Rhode
Island (US) (January 17, 2012) –
Lottomatica Group
S.p.A. announced that its subsidiary
GTECH Corporation has signed
a five-and-a-half year contract extension with Grupo Empresarial en Linea S.A.
(GELSA), to continue providing online lottery technology and commercial
services in Colombia. GTECH has been the lottery technology and services
provider to GELSA since 2002.
GTECH Vice President of Latin
America Erik Dyson said, "This contract extension with GELSA represents a
great partnership for GTECH in Colombia. GELSA is the largest privately-owned
"Chance? gaming company in the country, and we are pleased to continue our
successful relationship with them. Over the next several years, we will work
even more closely with GELSA to further develop the gaming market in
Colombia."
"A decade ago, GTECH and GELSA
joined together to officially launch "apuestas permanentes? (Chance), utilizing
GTECH?s technology. In addition to selling Chance, we are now taking the first
step to introduce additional products and services, not only to serve the local
market but also the larger Colombian market, and in the not too distant future,
the international market," said GELSA General Director Elkin Alonso
Castaño Ramirez.
"We believe that in this new
stage, and with the excellent relationship between the two organizations, we
will become the leading online and real-time numbers games firm, further expand
into commercial services, and have the largest privately-owned distribution
network throughout Colombia."
In November 2011, GELSA signed an
agreement to continue as concessionaire for Lotería de Bogotá for
the Chance game in Bogotá and the State of Cundinamarca through April
19, 2017.
Under the terms of the contract
extension, GTECH will continue providing lottery products and services under an
integrated services arrangement, including the operation and maintenance of the
central system; maintenance of the terminals and communications network;
hotline management; and field services in Bogota and municipalities around the
State of Cundinamarca.
Currently, GTECH operates 2,700
terminals for GELSA, which will grow to 3,500 terminals over the next several
months, and will continue to offer games including Chance Pagatodo, GELSA's
proprietary brand for Chance; Baloto, the lotto game operated by GTECH on
behalf of government entity, ETESA en liquidacion; and commercial services such
as bill payments, wire transfers, mobile phone top-ups, and social security
payments.
About Lottomatica Group
Lottomatica Group is a market leader
in the Italian gaming industry and one of the largest Lottery operators in the
world based on total wagers and, through its subsidiaries including GTECH
Corporation, is a leading provider of lottery and gaming technology solutions
worldwide. Together, the companies are the only vertically integrated full
service lottery group. Lottomatica Group is majority owned by De Agostini,
which belongs to a century-old publishing and media services group. Lottomatica
is listed on the Stock Exchange of Milan under the trading symbol "LTO." In
2010, Lottomatica Group had €2.3 billion in revenues and approximately
7,700 employees in approximately 60 countries.
For further information:
|
Robert K. Vincent
Lottomatica Group S.p.A.
Corporate Communications
T. (+1) 401 3927452 |
Simone Cantagallo
Lottomatica Group S.p.A.
Media Communications
T. (+39) 06 51899030 |
INTRALOT Extends Its Cooperation with Lotterywest in Western
Australia
ATHENS, Greece (January 15, 2012) --
INTRALOT announce that its
wholly-owned subsidiary, INTRALOT Australia Pty Ltd., has signed a 3-year
contract extension with the Lotteries Commission of Western Australia (Lotterywest).
Under the new contract, the current arrangement that would expire in 2013 will
now extend until 2016.
INTRALOT will be responsible for the
supply, ongoing maintenance and on-site support of Lotterywest’s
integrated Gaming System, which is comprised of INTRALOT’s open
architecture solution LOTOS O/S™, the CORONIS™ family of Terminals
(CORONIS™ HEE and CORONIS™ Ticket Checker) and INTRALOT’s
pioneering gaming platform B-On™ enabling Internet sales for the full
range of Lotterywest’s on-line games.
Mrs. Jan Stewart, Lotterywest CEO, commented: "We are
delighted to continue our successful and well established cooperation with
INTRALOT. During the last 5 years INTRALOT has supported our goals to continue
to operate a lottery that offer to the people of Western Australia exciting
gaming experiences with absolute security and credibility and which will
support our vision of being a leader in building our community. We are
confident that in the next years our partnership with INTRALOT will be as
successful helping us to increase our contribution and support to the many
Western Australian community organisations as well as health services, the arts
and sporting organisations".
INTRALOT Group CEO,
Mr. Constantinos
Antonopoulos, stated: “We welcome Lotterywest’s decision to
extend our cooperation, a result of our commitment to steadily offer to our
customers high quality services and cutting-edge products that assist them to
meet their business goals. Thanks to our international know how and expertise,
as well as our Australian team’s dedication and hard work, we have worked
in partnership with the executive team and staff at Lotterywest to provide
fully integrated services. We are now looking forward to continuing this
excellent cooperation and achieve even more positive results in the years to
come”.
About INTRALOT (www.intralot.com)
INTRALOT, a public listed company,
is the leading supplier of integrated gaming and transaction processing
systems, innovative game content, sports betting management and interactive
gaming services to state-licensed gaming organizations worldwide. Its broad
portfolio of products & services, its know-how of Lottery, Betting, Racing
& 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 53 countries, with
approximately 5.400 people and revenues of €1.1 billion for 2010, INTRALOT
has established its presence on 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.
SOURCE: INTRALOT.
Georgia Lottery Reaches $13 Billion Mark For
Education
ATLANTA, Georgia (January 17, 2012)
-- Georgia Lottery Corp.
officials today announced an increase in profits for the first half of fiscal
year 2012. The Georgia Lottery’s first-half transfer to the Lottery for
Education Account brings the total raised for educational programs in the state
of Georgia to more than $13 billion since the lottery’s inception in
1993.
Georgia Lottery proceeds to
education for the first half of fiscal year 2012 reached $418,534,000, more
than $7.4 million ahead of the first half of fiscal year 2011.
“Although we continue to
face tremendous challenges, including the current economic climate and soaring
gas prices, our team is completely dedicated to our mission of maximizing
revenues for education in Georgia,” said Margaret DeFrancisco,
president and CEO of the Georgia Lottery. “We continue to introduce new
games as an entertainment option for our players, and we are exploring ways to
keep our existing mix of games fresh and exciting for players.”
The first half of the Georgia
Lottery’s fiscal year spanned from July 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011.
About Georgia Lottery
Corp.
Since its first year, the Georgia
Lottery Corp. has returned more than $13.1 billion to the state of Georgia for
education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational
programs, including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s
Pre-K Program. More than 1.3 million students have received HOPE, and more than
1.1 million 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten
program.
For more information on the
Georgia Lottery Corp., please visit:
www.galottery.com and
www.lotterybenefitsgeorgians.com
CONTACT: Tandi Reddick, Media
Relations Manager, Georgia Lottery Corp., (404) 215-5062 office, (404) 323-4644
cell, Email: treddick@galottery.org.
Follow Media Relations at:
www.twitter.com/GALotteryPRpros.
SOURCE: Georgia Lottery Corp.
Jumbo Interactive Eyes US$56 billion U.S. Lottery Market with
Landmark Ruling
USA Gives Green Light To
Internet Lottery Sales
- Landmark USA ruling
gives green light for Internet lottery sales
- Jumbo appoints two
senior US-based lottery executives to assist in securing contracts with state
lottery operators.
- Issues two lots of
500,000 3-year 70c options as incentive.
TOOWONG, Queensland, Australia
(January 17, 2012) -- Leading interactive lottery business,
Jumbo Interactive (ASX: JIN),
is pleased to announce the appointment of two senior US-based lottery
executives to assist in the Company’s efforts to play an integral role in
the US$56 billion US lottery market after the US Department of Justice (DOJ)
recently gave the green light for Internet lottery sales.
“Jumbo began working with US
state lotteries in 2009 in anticipation of the US Department of Justice
eventually clarifying the Wire Act and effectively giving US state lotteries
the green light for Internet lottery sales,” said Mr. Mike Veverka,
CEO of Jumbo.
“With over 11 years
experience growing lottery sales in Australia via the Internet and proven
in-house technology, Jumbo is well placed to work with state lotteries and
expand into the US$56 billion lottery market,” he said.
Jumbo has appointed Mr. Brian
Roberts and Mr. John Carson to its team dedicated to working with North and
South American lotteries. Both have over 20 years experience in American
lottery markets and both believe Jumbo is well placed to sign contracts with
lottery operators. Mr. Roberts and Mr. Carson have each been issued with
500,000 3-year 70c options contingent on Jumbo signing a contract with a
lottery operator on terms acceptable to Jumbo. Mr. Roberts is specifically
focusing on North American markets while Mr. Carson is focusing on Central and
South American markets.
The US Department of Justice
gives the green light
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On 23 December 2011, the DOJ
declared that the prohibitions in the Wire Act do not apply to lotteries and
apply specifically to sports betting. The 1961 Wire Act has historically been
interpreted as prohibiting interstate transmission of bets by wire (telephone
and Internet) but has been unclear in relation to lotteries over the Internet.
The recent clarification was in response to queries raised by the New York and
Illinois state lotteries. Expanding lotteries onto the Internet is widely seen
as an effective way to help states increase revenues and reduce budget
deficits. Of the 43 US states that offer lotteries, 26 saw revenue growth with
total sales up 3% to US$56 billion according to lottery research firm,
LaFleurs.
The Jumbo Competitive
Offering
Jumbo is well placed to work with
American lotteries because of its extensive 11 years of experience in the field
as well as its proven technology on display at
www.ozlotteries.com.
In 2000, Jumbo sold its first
lottery ticket on the Internet and has accumulated vast experience in Internet
security, marketing, industrial relations and partnerships.
This is in addition to traditional
lottery sales via in-store computer terminals developed by Jumbo dating back to
1984.
The technology used to manage
Internet sales has been in constant in-house development since 2000 and
provides a very high standard of customer security, smartphone compatibility
and customer loyalty solutions. The web-based system integrates with land-based
retailers offering an internet solution to traditional retailers planning to
embrace the internet.
Jumbo has also been accumulating and
building a portfolio of Internet properties designed to attract new lottery
customers and build brand loyalty similar to traditional retailers. The most
visible of these properties is
www.lotteryresults.com, a US-focused website with
comprehensive lottery results information and ultimately, the ability to
purchase tickets online.
About Jumbo Interactive
The Company recently announced
profit guidance that predicted revenue in the range $44 to $48 million and Net
Profit After Tax in the range $2.9 to $3.4 million for the 6 month period to
December 2011. Full year results for FY2011 included revenue $76 million and
Net Profit After Tax $4.8 million. A fully franked 1.0c dividend was paid for
that year.
OzLotteries.com plays an important role in
the Australian lottery industry with over $17 million in additional State
Government revenue raised from sales in 2011 and $15 million in 2010.
Jumbo has signed Internet-based
lottery agreements with the Tatts
Group, NSW Lotteries
Corporation (now owned by the Tatts Group) and recently with
SA Lotteries.
Jumbo has proven its ability to open
up new lottery markets with its innovative technology and Internet marketing
initiatives that have brought lotteries to new demographics via the
Internet.
For further information CONTACT:
Mike Veverka, CEO and Executive Director, Ph: 07 3831 3705.
JAXX SE Planning To Sell Off Its Lottery Business
- Target price EUR 12.5
million
- Transaction to be
completed by end of February
- Consistent focus on the
myBet brand with the products sports betting, casino and poker
KIEL, Germany (January 19, 2012) --
The Kiel-based company JAXX
SE today announced ad hoc that it has entered into firm negotiations on the
disposal of its Lotteries segment. The listed company says it is planning to
sell the investment holdings and assets of its lottery business to a group of
investors for a price of EUR 12.5 million. A corresponding provisional
agreement was signed today between the Management Board of JAXX SE and the
group of investors.
The lottery operations, which
comprise the companies JAXX GmbH (Hamburg), JAXX GmbH (Lustenau, Austria),
Vendo Spielsysteme GmbH (Lustenau, Austria), fluxx.com Telewette GmbH
(Hamburg), JAXX UK Ltd. (London, GB) as well as certain assets of other group
companies, are to be sold to the group of investors with economic effect from
January 1, 2012. The transaction is to be completed by the end of February
2012.
The sale also includes the JAXX
domains, JAXX brands and rights relating to the name JAXX, though the change in
the name of the disposing parent company JAXX SE is subject to the approval of
its Shareholders' Meeting. Spanish lottery business, which is operated by the
70 percent owned subsidiary DIGIDIS S.L., Madrid, is not part of the
transaction.
To ensure the smooth handover of
business operations, various services such as payments, customer service and IT
support will continue to be provided by companies that are part of the group.
JAXX SE will thus still share in the future business development of lottery
products.
The decision to sell off lottery
agency business is based on the group's desire to focus on the business areas
of sports betting, casino and poker, which are largely carried by the myBet
brand.
'The disposal of lottery business is
the logical consequence of our decision to focus on betting business and the
myBet brand, which we took at the end of 2010,' explained Mathias Dahms,
Management Board spokesman of JAXX SE. 'The opening up of markets throughout
Europe offers us excellent growth opportunities - above all for sports betting
in Germany. On the other hand the lottery market will continue to struggle for
as long as the state maintains its monopoly.'
About JAXX:
JAXX SE, listed in the Prime
Standard of Deutsche Börse, is a financial holding company with holdings
in international companies in the gaming industry. JAXX currently holds
interests in companies in Germany, the UK, Spain, Austria, Malta and Belgium.
JAXX SE has its headquarters in Kiel. The holding companies cover the entire
spectrum of the games and gambling industry. Depending on national regulatory
structures, they broker or market sports and horse betting, lotteries, and
casino and poker games. The shares of JAXX SE have been traded at Deutsche
Börse since 1999 under ISIN DE000A0JRU67.
CONTACT: JAXX SE, Investor Relations
& Corporate Communications, Stefan Zenker, Tel. +49 (40) 85 37 88 47, Fax
+49 (40) 85 37 88 30. Mail: stefan.zenker@jaxx.com
SOURCE: JAXX SE.
State Department of Veteran Affairs receives Initial Contribution
from Washington’s Lottery for the Hometown Heroes
Raffle
OLYMPIA, Washington (January 13,
2012) --Today, Washington’s
Lottery announced that it will give the Washington State Department of
Veterans Affairs (WDVA) $150,000 from sales amassed by the inaugural Hometown
Heroes Raffle.
Last September, Washington’s
Lottery and the WDVA partnered to launch the first annual Hometown Heroes
Raffle supporting veterans across the state.
The $10 raffle tickets benefited the
WDVA’s Veterans Innovations Program, which provides crisis and emergency
relief, as well as education, training, and employment assistance for
Washington veterans returning from post-9/11 conflicts.
The Lottery successfully sold 98
percent of the 300,000 Hometown Heroes Raffle tickets, a big success for a
first-time game. “The Hometown Heroes Raffle created a way for the
Veterans Innovations Program to continue to assist Washington’s veterans
where previously there was no future funding available,” said WDVA
Director John Lee. “We’re very thankful to have the Lottery as a
partner. With their help we can continue to serve the men and women in our
state who have served us so bravely,” he continued.
While the Lottery presented the WDVA
with a check for $150,000 for the Veterans Innovations Program today,
there’s more to come as it plans to make a second contribution to the
program later this year once unclaimed prizes and final costs are calculated.
With any Washington’s Lottery prize, prizes expire after 180 days of the
game’s drawing.
This gives players until May 8, 2012
to claim their Hometown Heroes Raffle prize, otherwise it will be considered
unclaimed and added into the final Veterans Innovations Program contribution in
June.
“These brave men and women
have selflessly served here at home and abroad, we’re doing everything we
can do ensure they receive the most funding as possible from the game’s
ticket sales.” said Bill Hanson, director of Washington’s
Lottery.
To learn more about the Veterans
Innovations Program, visit
www.dva.wa.gov/Vet_Inn_Pro.html.
To learn more about the Hometown
Heroes Raffle, visit www.walottery.com/heroes.
CONTACT: Brittany Gidican, (Edelman
PR on behalf of Washington's Lottery), Office: (206) 268-2290, Email:
Brittany.Gidican@edelman.com
SOURCE: Washington Lottery.
Florida Lottery Studio to Host National Powerball®
Drawings
Larger Starting Jackpots,
Better Odds and More Millionaires
TALLAHASSEE, Florida (January 18,
2012) -- National POWERBALL® drawings are now broadcast live, in
high-definition, at 10:59 p.m., Eastern Time on Wednesdays and Saturdays from
The Florida Lottery’s
state of the art draw studio in Tallahassee.
The drawings were moved from
Universal Studios in Orlando to Tallahassee earlier this month. The
change coincides with the launch of exciting improvements to the popular
multi-state lottery game, which includes larger starting jackpots, better odds
and more millionaires.
POWERBALL players in 42 states, the
District of Columbia and U.S. Virgin Islands who watch on more than 160
televisions stations across the country will have their eyes on the Sunshine
State to catch the twice-a-week drawings.
“The Florida Lottery is
honored to host the national POWERBALL drawings from our very own draw studio
in Tallahassee,” said Secretary
Cynthia
O’Connell. “Hosting the drawings in Florida gives us some
incredible opportunities. First, Florida is mentioned twice a week from
coast-to-coast as millions of people tune-in to get their POWERBALL numbers.
Also, the recent improvements to the game help advance the Florida
Lottery’s commitment to furthering educational opportunities for all of
Florida’s students. This is a very exciting time for the Florida Lottery
and POWERBALL.”
Since the Florida Lottery began
selling POWERBALL in January 2009, $505 million has gone to fund education
programs across the state
POWERBALL is a product of the
Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). Just this week, a new and improved
POWERBALL launched with increased starting jackpots of $40 million, up from $20
million, and an increased second prize of $1 million for players who match
5-of-5 winning numbers – offering more chances to become a POWERBALL
millionaire. In addition, the revised game will shrink the pool of numbers from
39 to 35 – creating better overall odds of winning a prize. The
game’s overall odds will improve from one in 35 to one in 31.8.
About the Florida Lottery (www.flalottery.com)
Florida voters, by a two-to-one
margin, approved a constitutional amendment in 1986 authorizing the state to
operate a lottery for the purpose of generating significant additional moneys
for education. To date, the Florida Lottery has funded Bright Futures
scholarships for more than 500,000 Florida students to attend college in our
state. Floridians continue to show their support by purchasing billions of
dollars in Lottery products per year, resulting in contributions of more than
$23 billion to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund since 1988. For more
information regarding the Florida Lottery, its games and its contributions to
education, visit www.flalottery.com.
CONTACT: Florida Lottery
Communications, (850) 487-7727.
GLI Test Labs Canada Becomes WLA SCS Certification Service
Entity
VANCOUVER, British Columbia and
MONCTON, New Brunswick, Canada (January 17, 2012) –
Gaming Laboratories International
(GLI), the world’s leading gaming testing laboratory and technical
consultancy, recently announced the formation of GLI Test Labs Canada’s
new dedicated global lottery consulting group. Now GLI is pleased to announce
the lottery group has obtained WLA SCS Certification Service Entity status to
provide WLA Security Control Standard certification audits for Lotteries.
GLI Test Labs Canada’s
status as a “Certification Service Entity” means it is now the
only specialized lottery industry organization headquartered in North America
to carry the distinction.
Additionally, the company now
has one of only 24 Accredited WLA Lead Auditors in the world. With GLI having
both WLA SCS and ISO 27001 Lead Auditors, it means GLI can conduct a
single-source complete certification audit. GLI has already completed two North
American lottery certifications.
GLI Test Labs Canada Director
of Lottery Services Gregory Doucette said, “We are very pleased to
provide a North American-based, cost-effective WLA SCS certification audit
solution that will permit lotteries to pursue the lottery sector’s only
internationally recognized security standard. This, combined with our extensive
experience, gives GLI yet another distinct competitive advantage that sets us
apart from all other test labs globally.”
WLA, or World Lottery
Association, is a global professional association of state lottery and gaming
organizations from more than 80 countries on six continents. The ISO 27001
standard describes requirements for Information Security Management Systems
(ISMS). The WLA SCS, or World Lottery Association Security Control Standard,
adds lottery-specific security controls to the ISMS, and specifies requirements
for establishing, implementing and documenting security management systems.
About Gaming Laboratories
International
For more than 20 years, Gaming
Laboratories International has been the world leader in providing independent
testing, inspection and certification services to the gaming, wagering and
lottery industry. GLI also offers independent network and information
security assessments to its regulatory, lottery and supplier clients.
With 19 laboratory locations located across Africa, Asia, Australia, the
Caribbean, Europe, North America and South America, GLI is the only global
organization of its kind to hold U.S. and international accreditations for
compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, 17020 and guide 65 standards for technical
competence in the gaming, wagering and lottery industries. For more
information, visit www.gaminglabs.com.
CONTACT: Christie Eickelman, Sr.
Director of Worldwide Marketing, Gaming Laboratories International, +1 (702)
914-2220 or Email: c.eickelman@gaminglabs.com
SOURCE: Press release distributed by
Paul Speirs-Hernandez, Steinbeck Communications, +1 (702) 413-4278.
Bally Technologies Names Stelios Tsapatos as New Director of Game
Sales for Europe and Northern Africa
Stelios Tsapatos, Bally
Technologies Director of Game Sales for Europe and Northern
Africa
LAS VEGAS (January 12, 2012) --
Bally Technologies, Inc.
(NYSE: BYI), a leader in slots, video machines, casino-management, interactive
applications, and networked systems for the global gaming industry, today
announced that Stelios Tsapatos has been named Director of Game Sales for the
European and Northern Africa regions. Stelios will be based in Bally’s
European headquarters located in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
He will manage the regional sales
force and oversee all gaming equipment sales throughout Europe and northern
Africa. Among Stelios’ objectives will be to lead Bally’s product
proliferation in both western and eastern Europe and further establish
Bally’s presence and leadership in these important gaming markets.
Most recently, Stelios served as
Sales Manager of Europe for International Game Technology (IGT). In this capacity, he
was responsible for developing and executing the sales strategy in several
European countries and maintaining relationships with key accounts. While at
IGT, Stelios was vital in the achievement of exponential market growth in
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) over a period of six years. He also
exceeded sales targets consistently year after year, meeting both personal and
business goals.
“We are extremely fortunate
to have Stelios leading our European sales team,” said Marco Herrera,
Bally’s Vice President and Managing Director of the EMEA region.
“His sound grasp of commercial aspects, good business sense, and his
energetic management style, combined with a successful track record in sales
within the gaming industry, make Stelios a valuable member of Bally’s
global sales team and will surely help us strengthen our customer
relationships.”
"I am truly excited about joining
Bally at this exciting time in the Company’s 80-year history,”
Stelios said. “Through its unique mix of trailblazing games and systems
products, Bally is ideally positioned to bring new and exciting value
propositions to our European customers. I look forward to contributing to the
Company’s success and our customers’ growth in the years to
come."
SOURCE: Bally Technologies,
Inc.
The International Sports Movement Commits To Defending The Integrity
Of Competitions Globally
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (January 11,
2012)-- Today, SportAccord kicks off its Global Programme to Stop Match-fixing
in Sport at http://integrity.sportaccord.com.
The Programme aims to raise
awareness about what is responsible sports betting behaviour and to help
athletes and officials from having match-fixing destroy their careers and
sports.
The manipulation of sports results
or ‘match-fixing’ refers to the irregular influencing of the
course or the result of a sports event in order to obtain advantage for oneself
or for others and to remove all or part of the uncertainty normally associated
with the results of a competition.
SportAccord, the umbrella
organisation for 105 Olympic and non-Olympic sports federations created a
special unit dedicated to Sports Integrity in 2010.
The international sports movement
has recognised that the fight against the manipulation of results is an
absolute priority and therefore, with the support and expertise of the WLA (World Lottery Association) and the
EL (The European Lotteries), the
Global Programme has been developed.
Generic tools are available free of
charge for use by international sports federations their athletes and officials
including:
- E-Learning Programme ‘How
to Prevent Match-Fixing from Destroying your Career’;
- SportAccord Guide to
‘Integrity in Sport: Understanding and Preventing
Match-Fixing’;
- Code of Conduct on Sports Betting
Integrity for Athletes and Officials;
- Model Rules on Sports Integrity
in Relation to Sports Betting.
World experts have contributed to
the Programme, including Dr. Declan Hill, author, journalist, academic and
recognised integrity expert and Mr. Christian Kalb of CK Consulting, a
strategic consultancy company specialised in sport and gambling. The technical
expertise for the e-learning Programme and Integrity Guide have been provided
by SportBusiness.
Sports federations and organisations
who choose to make it mandatory for athletes and officials to complete the
e-learning Programme ‘How to Prevent Match-Fixing from Destroying your
Career’, will require a Tailored Programme that will enable assessment and
certification of athletes/officials in order for them to be able to compete in
official sports competitions.
Upon the launch of the programme,
Hein Verbruggen, President of SportAccord:
“Sports integrity is without
a doubt sport’s main asset. Those who trust the athletes and teams, the
fans, should never have the slightest doubt about the veracity of the result of
a competition; for it is this incertitude that creates the beauty and richness
of sport.”
For further information, please
CONTACT: Sports Integrity Unit, SportAccord, Maison du Sport International,
Avenue de Rhodanie 54, CH-1007 Lausanne, Switzerland, Email:
integrity@sportaccord.com.
About SportAccord
SportAccord is the umbrella
organisation for 105 international sports federations and organisations. Its
mission is to support and to protect the common interests of the sports
movement. Activities include the online video portal The Sports Hub, the
organisation of multi-sports games, doping-free sport, as well as sports’
social responsibility and sports’ integrity.
http://www.sportaccord.com,
http://www.youtube.com/thesportshubchannel,
http://www.facebook.com,
SportAccord http://twitter.com/sportaccord
SOURCE: SportAccord (http://integrity.sportaccord.com).
International Game Technology To Acquire Social Gaming Company Double
Down Interactive
Transaction Propels IGT
Into A Leadership Position Within Social Gaming - Double Down Is Anticipated To
Contribute Rapid User And Revenue Growth - Combination Allows IGT To Leverage
Facebook Distribution Channel - Acquisition Estimated To Be Accretive To IGT's
Fiscal Year 2012 Adjusted Earnings
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (January 12, 2012)
-- International Game
Technology, the global leader in the design, development and manufacture of
gaming machines and systems products, as well as online and mobile gaming
solutions for regulated markets, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire
Double Down Interactive LLC - a leading online social gaming company and
developer of the popular DoubleDown(TM) Casino found on Facebook.
Launched in April 2010, the
DoubleDown(TM) Casino is the world's largest virtual casino and one of the top
4 social media games in 2011 as rated by Facebook. According to AppData.com,
DoubleDown(TM) Casino currently has 4.7 million monthly active users, up from
3.3 million in October 2011. With a broad and expanding portfolio, Double Down
offers blackjack, slots, slot tournaments, video poker, and roulette to social
gamers all around the world.
The total consideration includes
$250 million in cash, $85 million in retention payments over the next two years
and up to $165 million in cash payable over the next three years subject to
Double Down meeting certain financial performance targets. IGT expects to fund
the transaction from cash on hand.
The addition of Double Down provides
IGT instant size and scale in the fast growing world of casino-style social
gaming and is expected to broaden IGT's popular gaming titles beyond the
physical casino to Facebook, the world's largest social network with over 800
million global users. This powerful distribution model is anticipated to
provide IGT an opportunity to entertain players with consistent, ubiquitous,
thrilling gaming experiences across multiple platforms.
"Double Down and IGT share
complementary cultures focused on innovation and creativity. Both companies are
committed to providing unrivaled quality, service and entertainment to millions
of players," said Greg Enell, CEO of Double Down. "Leveraging IGT's
Research and Development, global reach, and best-in-class content will provide
our loyal player base with an even more robust experience and is expected to
augment Double Down's growth trajectory."
"As technological innovations
increasingly influence consumer behavior, social dynamics are quickly
transforming entertainment and gaming experiences everywhere," said Patti
Hart, CEO of IGT. "The addition of Double Down launches IGT into a
leadership position in social gaming, extends our global reach through new
mediums, and leverages our unmatched expertise in game development. We intend
to drive meaningful value from this rapidly growing distribution platform that
reaches a new, but complementary, demographic of gamers."
The transaction is estimated to be
accretive to IGT's fiscal 2012 adjusted earnings and is projected to close
within the second quarter of its current fiscal year. Greg Enell will continue
to lead Double Down and the company's operations will remain in Seattle, WA
after the acquisition is complete. Through the integration, IGT will operate
Double Down with the appropriate level of independence needed to continue to
foster exceptional growth.
Completion of the transaction is
subject to customary closing conditions including, but not limited to, the
expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act. The final purchase price is subject to certain
post-closing adjustments.
The conference call also will be
broadcast live over the Internet. A link to the webcast is available at the IGT
website: http://www.IGT.com/InvestorRelations. If interested parties
are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived
until Friday, January 27, 2012
also at http://www.IGT.com/InvestorRelations.
Interested parties who cannot
participate at the time of the call may listen to a taped replay of the entire
conference call commencing at approximately 7:00 a.m. PST on Friday, Jan. 13,
2012. This replay will run through Friday, Jan. 27, 2012. The access numbers
are as follows:
- Domestic callers dial
888-568-0521International callers dial 1-402-998-1495
About Double Down
Interactive
Double Down Interactive is the
leading casual games developer of "fun to play" casino experiences on the
Internet. With veterans from top online game companies, the team is committed
to providing consumers an online social casino experience that is unrivaled by
anything else available. Anyone can play at the DoubleDown Casino by visiting
http://apps.facebook.com/doubledowncasino/ or
www.doubledowncasino.com. Double Down Interactive is based
in Seattle, Washington.
About IGT
International Game Technology is a
global leader in the design, development and manufacture of gaming machines and
systems products, as well as online and mobile gaming solutions for regulated
markets. More information about IGT is available at
www.IGT.com or follow IGT on
Twitter at @IGTNews or Facebook at
www.facebook.com/IGT.
SOURCE: IGT.
Aristocrat New Game Feature - Wonder 4™
The Newest Aristocrat
Multi-Play, Multi-Game Product
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (January 16, 2012)
-- What’s better than a player enjoying one favorite
Aristocrat game? That
same player enjoying four favorite Aristocrat games all at once! That is the
magic of Aristocrat’s Wonder 4™, the latest edition to
Aristocrat’s family of multi-play, multi-game products.
Wonder 4 takes full advantage of
Aristocrat’s stunning VIRIDAIN WS™ widescreen monitor, with four of
Aristocrat’s best titles combined in one game. The unique configuration
provides players a choice where they can play a combination of all four games
or one game on four spots.
Wonder 4 is launching with four of
Aristocrat’s most popular games: Buffalo™, Fire Light™,
Pompeii™ and Wild Splash™.
Wonder 4 gives players more ways to
win, and gives more ways to bonus the player. Plus Wonder 4 is wonderfully
simple to play: the player simply selects the on-screen menu and drags the game
he wants to play to the screen area.
The player can then enjoy the fun
play and bonus features of the original game, plus the player can win the
Wonder 4 Super Spin, where, when free games are triggered, they player can play
the free games on one game or four independent sets of free games.
Volatility and RTP varies by the
base game the player selects. Preferred denomination is one cent.
Wonder 4 received rave reviews when
it premiered at G2E, and now casinos can get the same rave reviews from their
players by putting Wonder 4 on the casino floor today.
Wonder 4 – it’s not just a
game; it’s an Aristocrat game! For more information, call your Aristocrat
Account Representative at (702) 270-1000.
CONTACT: Paul Speirs-Hernandez,
Steinbeck Communications, +1 (702) 413-4278.
SOURCE: Aristocrat.
Ladbrokes Signs Deal to Acquire US Sportsbook Supplier Stadium
Technology
LONDON, U.K. (January 19, 2012) --
Ladbrokes plc has signed
an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Stadium Technology Group
(“Stadium”) – a Las Vegas-based supplier of software and in-game
betting applications to sportsbook operators.
Stadium supplies its innovative,
licensed technology to a number of sportsbook and third party suppliers in
Nevada and Delaware. The deal sees Ladbrokes enter the US market at a time when
a number of states are exploring liberalising gambling.
Casinos that utilise Stadium
software directly or through third party suppliers include: Atlantis,
Cosmopolitan, Crystal Palace, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, M Resort, Palazzo,
Treasure Island and The Venetian.
Ladbrokes Chief Executive Richard
Glynn commented: “The size of the US market and potential for positive
regulatory change in the coming years make it a sensible place to establish a
presence. Stadium Technology is already one of the key software suppliers to
casinos in Nevada and Delaware and it has the potential to
expand.”
Ladbrokes initial investment to
acquire a 65% majority stake in the business is $3 million, with a retained
option to buy the remaining 35% of the business over the next five years on a
performance-related basis.
For further information CONTACT:
Ciaran O’Brien, Phone: 07976 180173, Director of Corporate Affairs,
Matthew Sharff, Phone: 07854 184808, Head of Investor Relations.
SOURCE: Ladbrokes Release.
New chairman for Microgaming Network Management
Board
ISLE OF MAN (January 17, 2012) --
The Microgaming Poker
Network has now released the name of the Chairman for the Network Management
Board (NMB), the collective of operators and Microgaming representatives that
shape the development roadmap and operational rules for the Microgaming Poker
Network (MPN).
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The Chairman is Dominic Harrison,
the former CEO of the Gala Coral Group. Fresh from a year serving as the
Interim Chief Executive for Business in Sport and Leisure, Dominic brings to
the Network Management Board a wealth of experience in the online gambling
industry.
Roger Raatgever, CEO of Microgaming,
comments on the appointment: “We have a tremendous amount of respect
for Dominic and we were naturally delighted when he agreed to take the position
of Chairman to the Network Management Board. The NMB is the first of its kind
in the industry, and we believe that with Dominic at the helm, it will remain
market-leading far into the future.”
Dominic Harrison, Chairman of the
Network Management Board, comments: “When I was first approached by
Microgaming about being the independent, non-executive Chairman for their
Network Management Board, I knew it was a project that I had to be involved in.
I strongly believe that the NMB is exactly what this industry needs, and I am
very much looking forward to being an integral part of its success.”
SOURCE: Microgaming Release.
Mylotto Players Win a Combined Total $17.6 Million in
2011
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (January 17,
2012) – 2011 ended on a high for MyLotto players who won a combined total
of $17,685,294.00 million in cash prizes, says
NZ Lotteries Acting Chief
Executive Warren Salisbury.
"With over 992,128 winning
tickets sold to MyLotto players this year alone, I'm sure they will be hoping
their luck holds for 2012," says Mr. Salisbury.
Throughout 2011, MyLotto players
featured as First Division winners across all our games. In July 2011, a Big
Wednesday First Division prize of $4.6 million was won by a MyLotto player in
Christchurch.
The winner, who is a regular online
player, won a Big Wednesday bonus ticket the week before, and it was this $4
ticket that had the right numbers to scoop him a half share of Big Wednesday
First Division.
Also in July 2011, a Lotto First
Division prize of $333,333 was won by a MyLotto player, also in Christchurch.
The winning couple had been living in a badly damaged house since the February
2011 earthquake so the win came as a great relief for them.
MyLotto players were successful in
winning large Keno and Bullseye prizes in 2011. A Keno player in March 2011 won
a $100,000 prize, while a Bullseye player in December 2011 won a First Division
prize worth $180,000.
In mid 2012, NZ Lotteries plans on
launching a revamped website for their customers, incorporating current web
standards and improving customer accessibility and information.
"With our new website, players
will not only be able to have a first class purchase experience, but also check
if they are winners from their mobile devices!" says Mr. Salisbury.
SOURCE: NZ Lotteries Release Via
Voxy.co.nz.
Victor Chandler To Rebrand As Betvictor In The
UK
GIBRALTAR, (January 13, 2012) --
Today, we are delighted to announce the rebranding of Victor Chandler to
BetVictor in the United Kingdom.
Victor Chandler maintains a rich
heritage in the UK, from a small family business to one of the strongest
independent sports and gaming companies in the world.
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The decision to change the brand
name is to ensure consistency and instant recognition across all international
markets. BetVictor is already successfully running across Europe, and will now
be the banner under which the UK operation trades.
The uniform brand will leverage all
the long-standing qualities and values, and most importantly the pioneering
spirit and passion for sport, that makes Victor Chandler such a trusted and
successful business.
The new home of BetVictor is
www.betvictor.com. The
new website offers a fresh and exciting feel and has been designed to deliver a
cleaner and more engaging betting experience for customers. Ease of navigation
and enhanced functionality are at the heart of the new creation and these
features will compliment a continuing range of great value betting
opportunities across a raft of sporting events.
Chairman of BetVictor, Victor
Chandler said:
"As a company we are always
innovating and moving forward, as well as extending our brand across new
territories. The UK will continue to be the fulcrum of our international
business and it makes perfect sense that the same brand name is used here as in
foreign territories.
"I personally guarantee that we
will continue to provide our superb range of betting opportunities across a
comprehensive range of sporting events."
CONTACTS: PHA Media Nick
Braund,Phone: 0207 021 378, Email:
nick@pha-media.com.
SOURCE: BetVictor.com.
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