IGT Wins "Lottery Product of the Year" at International Gaming Awards

IGT PlaySpot™ On-Premise Mobile Solution Awarded for Creating New Ways to Play at Retail

LONDON, U.K. (February 8, 2018) -- International Game Technology PLC ("IGT") (NYSE: IGT) announced that it won "Lottery Product of the Year" for IGT PlaySpot™ Lottery mobile solution at the 11th Annual International Gaming Awards in London. The International Gaming Awards recognize excellence and innovation for technology, products, and services that enhance the gaming experience. A panel of international gaming industry experts judged the awards.

IGT is the global leader in gaming. We enable players to experience their favorite games across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Interactive and Social Gaming. Leveraging a wealth of premium content, substantial investment in innovation, in-depth customer intelligence, operational expertise and leading-edge technology, our gaming solutions anticipate the demands of consumers wherever they decide to play. We have a well-established local presence and relationships.

"This award demonstrates IGT's ongoing commitment to putting our lottery customers first through player-centric design and innovation," said Walter Bugno, IGT CEO, International. "IGT PlaySpot is helping lotteries grow in the mobile era, delivering the convenience and fun players desire, and helping them connect with lotteries on an entertainment platform they use every day."

A lottery first, the IGT PlaySpot™ mobile solution is designed to appeal to a new generation of players to offer compelling digital games and grow the business into retail outlets where lottery does not exist today. It allows players to purchase and play lottery games on their mobile devices while at an authorized lottery retailer, even in jurisdictions where regulation does not allow internet wagering.

The IGT PlaySpot™ solution's player-friendly, on-premise mobile app experience offers new interactive game content while complying with regulatory requirements. A customer can play instant win and live Keno games, purchase draw game tickets, and manage payments and rewards through his or her personal or guest (voucher-based) account, using the lottery's app via a Bluetooth low energy PlaySpot solution connection.

The International Gaming Award for the best lottery product goes to the company that has shown the best in practices over the last 12 months; demonstrated their offering to be innovative and engaging to customers; and delivered a range of lottery games and approaches with the best options for play.

In addition to the Lottery Product of the Year award, IGT was shortlisted in the Best Place to Work and Slot Provider category. In 2016, the IGT PlaySpot™ mobile solution also won "Casino Product of the Year" at the Global Gaming Awards in Las Vegas.

About IGT

IGT (NYSE:IGT) is the global leader in gaming. We enable players to experience their favorite games across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Interactive and Social Gaming. Leveraging a wealth of premium content, substantial investment in innovation, in-depth customer intelligence, operational expertise and leading-edge technology, our gaming solutions anticipate the demands of consumers wherever they decide to play. We have a well-established local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100 countries around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has over 12,000 employees. For more information, please visit www.IGT.com

CONTACT:

SOURCE: International Game Technology PLC.

Sisal Wins Tender for the Management of the National Lottery of Morocco

SISAL SpA has been nominated for the tender called by the Société de Gestion de la Loterie Nationale of Morocco.

ITALY (February 6, 2018) -- Sisal Spa announces that it has been nominated as the winner of the tender issued by the Management Company of the National Lottery of Morocco (SGLN).

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The SGLN Commission in charge of the evaluation of the offers has in fact considered, unanimously and without any reservation, the offer of Sisal meeting all the criteria of the awarding of the tender and considered the best among those of the operators that participated in the call, INTRALOT (outgoing operator) and Sorec.

The concession provides for "the provision of outsourcing services and services relating to the supply, installation and maintenance of a new game development system on behalf of the National Lottery Management Company in Morocco".

In particular, starting from 1 January 2019, the successful bidder will have to manage and develop a portfolio that includes fixed odds, national totalizator games, instant lotteries, online games, virtual races and MILs (Machines Interactive Lotteries).

"The news of the awarding of the tender in Morocco makes us happy and proud - said Emilio Petrone, CEO of Sisal Group - once again rewarding the Group's strategy and team work, which has always stood out for innovation, technological skills and superiority of the processes."

For information CONTACT: Sisal Comunicazione | Tel. 02 8868.971 | E: sisalcomunicazione@sisal.it.

SOURCE: Sisal Spa (www.sisal.com).

Hoosiers Could Win Up to $2 Million on New Hoosier Lottery Scratch-Offs

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (February 6, 2018) - The newest Scratch-offs from the Hoosier Lottery give players a chance to win up to $2 million.

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Players can instantly win up to $200,000 on $5 20X The Cash, $1 million on $10 50X The Cash and up to $2 million on $20 100X The Cash.

Players simply try to match the YOUR NUMBERS area to the WINNING NUMBERS for a chance to win the prize shown.

If a player wins a prize, they can scratch the Multiplier area for a chance to multiply their total by up to 100X.

The $1 9’s in a Line Scratch-off is a tic-tac-toe style game where players must look for three 9 symbols in a row, column or diagonal line to win. If players find a 3X symbol in the Bonus Box, they have a chance to win triple the prize.

The Hoosier Lottery is also launching the new $2 Find $50 where players win $50 if they find a magnifying glass.  If they find a 5X symbol, they win five times the prize shown.

In January, the Hoosier Lottery released $1 5X The Cash, $2 10X The Cash and $3 15X The Cash.

These Scratch-offs have already produced over 9,500 winning experiences from $50 to $50,000.

Estimated Overall Odds: $1 5X The Cash 1 in 4.79, $2 10X The Cash 1 in 4.60, $3 15X The Cash 1 in 4.15, $5 20X The Cash 1 in 3.98, $10 50X The Cash 1 in 3.78, $20 100X The Cash 1 in 3.52, $1 9’s in a Line 1 in 4.60 and $2 Find $50 1 in 4.56.

CONTACT: Jerry Grider, Hoosier Lottery, Sr. Manager of Public Relations, T: 317-264-4676 office, E: jgrider@hoosierlottery.com

ABOUT THE HOOSIER LOTTERY: Hoosier Lottery distributions benefit every county throughout Indiana.

The Hoosier Lottery contributes $30 million to local police and firefighters’ pensions and $30 million to the Teachers’ Retirement Fund.

In the fiscal year 2016, the Hoosier Lottery contributed $251.2 million to the Build Indiana Fund. To learn more about the Hoosier Lottery, visit www.hoosierlottery.com/givingback and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE: Hoosier Lottery press release.

The Texas Lottery® Rings in the Season with Festive Holiday Game

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada (February 5, 2018) -- Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (“Pollard Banknote”) is pleased to congratulate the Texas Lottery® on the success of its Season’s Greetings holiday instant ticket. Each year, the Texas Lottery launches a Christmas-themed instant ticket to help players celebrate the holiday season. This year’s Season’s Greetings ticket exceeded sales expectations in its first five weeks by becoming the top selling $10 holiday game since 2012, surpassing the average five-week sales of past $10 holiday games by 24%!

Launched in November 2017, Season’s Greetings is an extra-large 7.8” x 12” ticket that leverages Pollard Banknote’s patented Fusion™ innovation.  Fusion™ products use two layers of laminated card stock to transform an instant ticket into a self-contained pouch offering players an exciting experience and multiple areas for game play.

The Season’s Greetings instant ticket invites players to dream of a winter wonderland with the image of a cozy cabin surrounded by ornament-filled pine trees, woodland creatures, and an abundance of snow. The ticket opens to reveal a traditional holiday scene inside the cabin, complete with a roaring fireplace trimmed with stockings and a decorated tree surrounded by presents. Throughout this festive scene are multiple match games providing players an extended holiday play experience!

“We are thrilled with the success the Season’s Greetings ticket generated during the holiday season,” said Gary Grief, Executive Director of the Texas Lottery. “Combining the oversized ticket style with an evocative seasonal scene commanded attention at retail stores and provided our players with a fun way to celebrate the holidays.”

“The Texas Lottery continues to incorporate innovation into its instant tickets and Pollard Banknote is proud of the success they have seen with the launch of their holiday Season’s Greetings ticket,” said Brad Thompson, Director, Sales and Marketing, Pollard Banknote. “Season’s Greetings’ large size and present-like format delivers the extra value players look for over the holiday season, whether for themselves or as a gift for friends and family.”

Established in 1992, the Texas Lottery is committed to generating revenue for the State of Texas through the responsible management and sale of entertaining lottery products. Maintaining the highest standards of security and integrity, the Texas Lottery has generated more than $27 billion in revenue for good causes in the state of Texas, including public education and veterans’ assistance. Following record sales in 2017, the Lottery contributed more than $1 billion to good causes for the 14th consecutive year, with $1.313 billion going to the Foundation School Fund and $16.2 million to the Texas Veterans Commission.

About Pollard Banknote

Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide. We provide high quality instant ticket print products, licensed games, and a full suite of digital offerings ranging from game apps to comprehensive player engagement and iLottery solutions, including related strategic marketing and management services. The company is a proven innovator and has decades of experience helping lotteries to maximize player engagement, sales, and proceeds for good causes. Pollard Banknote also plays a major role in providing pull-tab tickets, bingo paper and its Diamond Game-branded electronic ticket machines to charitable and other gaming markets in North America. Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is majority owned by the Pollard family and is publicly traded on the TSX (PBL). For more information, please visit our website at: www.pollardbanknote.com.

CONTACT:

SOURCE: Pollard Banknote Limited.

Registration for APLA/WLA Seminar 2018 in New Delhi, India is Now Open!

Dear friends of APLA

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

We are pleased to announce that the Registration for the 2018 APLA/WLA Seminar is now open!

The details for this event are as follows:

Date: 8 – 11 April 2018 (Business Program on 9 – 10 April)

Venue: Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel, New Delhi

Theme: Lotteries Beyond Fortune

This Seminar is being hosted and organized by APLA’s Indian members, both Sugal & Damani and Future Gaming and they have arranged key speakers to share insights with us on our industry. Panelists comprising of representatives from WLA and APLA will also present on why Asian Lotteries need retail innovation, Challenges for convergence of Lottery and Gaming and many other interesting topics.

If you are planning to get certified for Level 2 and higher on the WLA Responsible Gaming certification, do attend as we have representatives on the WLA RG advisory panel present to explain all the details you will need to know.

The Networking day will take us to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and that is the Taj Mahal. Not only do we get to visit this place, we also can interact with our peers at a social level.

Do browse through the e-brochure and also keep checking the APLA website for more announcements (www.asiapacific-lotteries.com) and note the Closing Dates carefully.

To view the e-Brochure, click here.

To register, click here.

APLA website

See you all in New Delhi !

Regards

Beh Swan Swan

APLA Secretariat Administrator

www.asiapacific-lotteries.com

The Florida Lottery Invites You to Win Big with the Cash4life® Bonus Bucks Promotion

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (February 1, 2018) -- The Lottery is celebrating the one year anniversary of Florida’s CASH4LIFE® launch during the month of February with a promotion giving away cash prizes and Scratch-Off tickets.

Starting today, through February 28, each CASH4LIFE ticket, excluding those purchased as part of a GROUPER play, will print with a voucher that includes a unique number that can be entered on the Lottery’s website to earn one entry into the Bonus Bucks promotion.

One drawing will be held on March 2, 2018, from all entries received during the month of February. Twenty-eight winners will be selected to receive $1,000, and 72 winners will be selected to receive $100 worth of $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off tickets.

The next CASH4LIFE drawing will be held tonight, February 1, at 9:00 p.m. ET. Tickets must be purchased by 8:30 p.m. ET to be eligible for this drawing. CASH4LIFE drawings are broadcast on 17 carrier stations throughout the state. Winning numbers are available on the Lottery website, at retailers state-wide and by phone at (850) 921-PLAY.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY

The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $32 billion to education and sending more than 775,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 98 percent of its revenue back into Florida's economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,000 Florida retailers and contributions to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid more than $56.3 billion in prizes and made more than 2,000 people millionaires. For more information, please visit: www.flalottery.com.

CONTACT: Florida Lottery Communications, T: (850) 487-7727.

SOURCE: Florida Lottery.

The Great Outdoors Just Got Greater!

Alchemy3 and Bass Pro Shops Welcome Cabela’s to the Lottery Category

ROSWELL, Ga (February 3, 2018) -- Alchemy3, LLC and Bass Pro Shops announced today that the Cabela’s brand will now be available to lotteries for branded lottery games/promotions.   Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s in September, 2017 bringing America’s two most iconic outdoor companies together under one umbrella.“Combining Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s will allow us to offer enhanced experiences for lottery players including expanded product offerings and geographic footprints “said Jeffrey Schweig, President ofAlchemy3”.  

“Bass Pro Shops was one of the first partners to join Alchemy3, shortly after company start-up.  Subsequently we have run Bass Pro Shops games with many lotteries over the years” said Paul Guziel, Alchemy3’s CEO. Those lotteries in states with a strong Cabela’s presence had asked us to secure Cabela’s as a partner and we are excited that we are finally able to deliver, Guziel added.

“Like Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops consumers, for lottery players who love the outdoors, we know there are no better prizes than gear from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s” said Stan Lippelman, VP, Marketing at Bass Pro Shops. “Combining Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops will now allow Alchemy3 to provide winners with enhanced product offerings, even more unique outdoor experiences and unrivaled services,” Lippelman added.

Alchemy3 is currently designing programs to launch Cabela’s games in late 2018.  “We look forward to sharing our vision and creative marketing executions with our customers in the next few months,” Schweig concluded.

About Alchemy3:  Alchemy3 (A3) provides a variety of products and services to lotteries across North America including:  strategic planning and execution, integrated marketing programs, branded games, mobile applications, collect and win promotions, loyalty programs and web/drawing services.

Since its inception in 2007, A3 has become one of a select few companies in America that holds exclusive licenses to provide services to the North American Lottery Industry.  A3 has worked with nearly all of North America’s lotteries and maintains strong contacts in every jurisdiction.  The company not only holds the esteem of lotteries but also with world class companies like The Home Depot, Honda, Bass Pro Shops and Royal Caribbean International who use A3 as their trusted brand stewards in the lottery world.

A3 has achieved their market position by putting brand partners and lottery clients’ needs first—providing them with “boutique” type attention and executing programs with the highest level of integrity, honesty and thoughtfulness.

About Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s

Bass Pro Shops is a leading destination retailer offering outdoor gear and apparel in an immersive setting. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company consists of more than 100 retail and marine centers along with world-class resort destinations like Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. White River Marine Group, also founded by Morris, is the largest manufacturer of boats in the world, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands including TRACKER®, SUN TRACKER®, NITRO®, TAHOE®, REGENCY®, MAKO®, RANGER®, TRITON®, STRATOS® and ASCEND® among others. Cabela’s dates back to 1961 when Dick, Mary and Jim Cabela began a mail order service for outdoor products around their kitchen table in Chappell, Nebraska and today operates 89 stores. Under the conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is known as a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”

For more information please CONTACT: Jeffrey Schweig/Alchemy3 at 770-442-6993 or email at js@alchemy3.com.

SOURCE: Alchemy3 press release.

BC Lottery Corporation Launch Interactive Live Casino Experience on PlayNow.com Studio

operations support 50 new, local jobs in Metro Vancouver

VANCOUVER, BC, Canada (February 1, 2018) – The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC today launched a unique new Live Casino experience on PlayNow.com, featuring live table games streamed in real-time video, to enhance entertainment experiences for players while creating new, local jobs in B.C.

Popular in European and Asian jurisdictions, Live Casino is the first of its kind offered on a regulated gambling website in Canada. Part of BCLC’s strategy to enhance the overall entertainment experience for players, Live Casino delivers an authentic casino experience – online – where real dealers shuffle, deal and interact with players.

Developed and operated by Evolution Gaming out of a New Westminster studio, Live Casino’s operations support 50 new, local jobs. Over time, the studio could create up to 170 new jobs in Metro Vancouver as Live Casino operations expand across Canada and in different languages.

In order to continue providing exceptional entertainment and to sustain long-term business growth, BCLC offers new games and experiences for our players in a socially responsible way. PlayNow.com customers who enjoy online, live casino games now have access to them on a regulated site, instead of the current illegally operated grey-market only options.

Live Casino on PlayNow.com features ten table games – including blackjack, two types of baccarat and two types of roulette – on desktop and mobile devices, 16 hours a day.

All Live Casino operations adhere to BCLC standards, policies and procedures to ensure a safe and secure online gambling experience, as well as a number of responsible-gambling safeguards. Employees must complete BCLC Appropriate Response Training to communicate effectively with players and provide problem-gambling resource information, if required. PlayNow.com is the first site to receive accreditation through the Responsible Gambling Council, demonstrating commitment to safe play.

BCLC offers socially responsible gambling entertainment while generating income to benefit all British Columbians. Each year, proceeds from BCLC games help fund important health, education and community programs across B.C.

SOURCE: The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC.

Marja Appelman: 'Doing More to Protect Youth Against Gambling'

THE HAGUE (February 2, 2018) -- Preventing juveniles from gambling. That is the absolute priority of the Gaming Authority in 2018. Director Marja Appelman calls on the providers of gambling to pull up together. 'The negative effects of gambling on children are great.'

Marja Appelman said this on 2 February 2018 during the IMGL Annual Gaming Industry Event in Amsterdam, an annual event for the gaming industry. Appelman announced that the Gaming Authority will check this year extra that gambling providers keep minors out of the door.Marja Appelman 2 February 2018

Sensation

During her speech (pdf, 37 kB) , the director of the Gaming Authority cited the example of Paul Buck, who recently told his story on an English website . At a young age he experienced the thrill of gambling. This almost brought him to the abyss later in his life. His gambling addiction led to, among other things, high debts and attempted suicide.

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Adverse effects

Research shows that minors in the Netherlands have access to gambling: 5 percent buy tickets, 10 percent buy scratch cards, 12 percent do sports betting and 12 percent play slot machines. The law is clear: this is not allowed. 'Young people can hardly resist the temptation of playing games, they feel social pressure, can not properly assess risks and are not easily impressed by debts', says Appelman. 'Gambling at a young age leads to negative consequences for the development of brains, debts, school dropout and crime. This in turn leads to high social costs. The percentages must go to zero! I urge you emphatically to join with the Gaming Authority here. '

More ambition

More should be done by gambling providers to prevent young people from gambling, brought Appelman's attention to attention. This can be done, for example, by giving priority to this subject, by taking extra measures in business operations, by preventing gambling advertisements from being brought to the attention of young people and by highlighting the slogan 'Play conscious 18+' more explicitly. The director of the Gaming Authority called on the ambition level to increase.

Invitation

Marja Appelman ended her speech with the explicit invitation to work together to protect young people against gambling: "We only succeed if we make our efforts to a joint project. That also means that we have to keep each other sharp in a constant dialogue. '

About Kansspelautoriteit

The Gaming Authority is committed to providing a reliable range of games of chance in a safe environment. The Gaming Authority acts as government authority with players, providers of licensed games of chance and government services with which it also cooperates. To safeguard the importance of reliable games of chance in a safe environment, the Gaming Authority's approach is strict and fair.

SOURCE: Nederlandse Kansspelautoriteit (Dutch Gaming Authority).

Lotteriinspektionen Report Government Revenue from Gaming Amounted to 6.4 Billion in 2017

STRÄNGNÄS, Sweden (February 2, 2018) -- Government revenue from gaming for money amounted to SEK 6.4 billion in 2017.

The by far the largest share of income comes from surplus from Svenska Spel. ATG accounts for the second largest share of government revenue from gaming.

Over a ten-year period, government revenue has increased by 29 percent (1.4 billion). Compared to 2016, the increase was 4 percent (SEK 274 million).

Lotteriinspektionen (Gaming Board)

The Lottery Inspectorate is the authority to ensure that the Swedish gaming market is legal, secure and reliable.

We monitor the interests of consumers and will also help to reduce the risks of social harm that gambling can lead to. We are looking for a healthy and secure gaming market. We will contribute to a reduced range of illegal gaming and lottery activities.

SOURCE: Lotteriinspektionen.

ESSA (Sports Betting Integrity) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Join Forces to Safeguard the Integrity of the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018

BRUSSELS, Belgium (February 6, 2018) -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and ESSA (Sports Betting Integrity) signed an agreement with the objective to detect and prevent any risk of manipulation of competition at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. ESSA, an international betting integrity body, already contributes to the IOC’s Integrity Betting Intelligence System (IBIS) and will reinforce the intelligence work of the IOC during the upcoming Games. In particular, it will make available one of its full-time monitoring operators in order to ensure that all betting patterns in relation to the Olympic events are carefully monitored to detect and prevent any potential risks.

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Friedrich Martens, Head of the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (OM PMC) said on the occasion of the agreement: “Preserving the integrity of the Games is of paramount importance for the International Olympic Committee. In order to achieve this we need the experience, expertise and intelligence from all operators and stakeholders involved. ESSA, with which we have enjoyed a fruitful cooperation for years, will surely have a significant contribution thanks to its network and know-how”.

Khalid Ali, Secretary General of ESSA added: “This collaboration between ESSA and the IOC demonstrates the depth of trust and respect that has been built between us over a number of years.

It also highlights our shared ambition to drive corruption out of sport and regulated betting markets.

The integrity of the Games will undoubtedly be enhanced as a result of this partnership.”

About ESSA:

ESSA represents many of the world’s biggest regulated sports betting operators, serving over 40 million consumers in the EU alone. Concerned regulated bookmakers created ESSA in 2005 to monitor betting markets and alert sporting bodies and national regulators to suspicious betting patterns. The goal was, and is, to protect consumers from potential fraud caused by manipulating sporting events.

ESSA helps to combat this with evidence-based intelligence it provides to sporting bodies and regulators.

Every year, our members invest over €50m in compliance and internal security systems in order to help combat fraud. They also give back to sport and society by spending €400m on sponsorship around the world - €250m of that in Europe alone. This increases substantially when advertising and photo and video-streaming rights are taken into consideration. ESSA and its members also co-fund an education programme on gambling with EU Athletes that reaches out to 15,000 athletes/players across at least ten different sports in 13 EU countries.

ESSA continues to play a key role as the regulated betting sector’s representative body at national and international match-fixing policy forums and holds positions on working groups at the European Commission, Council of Europe and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The organisation is continually reassessing and improving its alert and reporting systems and has established information sharing arrangements with a range of sports bodies and regulatory authorities.

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ESSA members include: 888sport, ABB, Bet-at-Home, Betclic, Betdaq, Betsson, BetStars, BetVictor, Betway, bet365, bwin, Cashpoint, Expekt, Fonbet, Gamesys, Interwetten, Ladbrokes Coral, Paddy Power Betfair, Sky Bet, Sportingbet, Sporting Index, Sportium, Stanleybet, Stoiximan, Unibet and William Hill. For more information see http://www.eu-ssa.org/ or visit us on twitter: @ESSA_Betting

About the IOC

The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit independent international organisation made up of volunteers, which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of 3.4 million US dollars goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.

Olympic Agenda 2020, the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, reiterates the IOC’s commitment and drive to protect clean athletes and the integrity of sport. The IOC’s initiatives for the prevention of competition manipulation are based on the 3-Pillar Strategy, as used by the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions, which covers the fields of (1) legislation and regulations; (2) education and capacity-building; and (3) intelligence and investigation. Concrete tools developed or co-developed by the IOC include the Olympic Movement (OM) Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions; the IOC-UNODC Model Criminal Law Provisions for the Prosecution of Competition Manipulation; the IOC Integrity e-learning; the IOCINTERPOL capacity-building programme; the Integrity Betting Intelligence System (IBIS); and the IOC Integrity and Compliance Hotline. Learn more here.

CONTACTS: IOC: Friedrich Martens, Head of OM Unit PMC / Ethics and Compliance Office / IOC, LAUSANNE, Switzerland, E: friedrich.martens@olympic.org.

SOURCE: ESSA.

2017Svenska Spel Net Gaming Revenue is Slightly Lower than the Previous Year

Online growth takes Svenska Spel revenue to SEK9bn in 2017

Svenska Spel Ends with a Strong Last Quarter

SWEDEN (February 6, 2018) -- The full year ends with a strong final quarter, characterized by continued high growth in the mobile phone, launching a new pool game, expanding live sports offerings and news in the number game. Sales online are growing sharply, and above all mobile phone sales that increase by 59 percent in the fourth quarter and 49 percent for the whole of 2017.

Net game revenues for the fourth quarter increased to SEK 2,481 M (2,447), which is 1.4 percent higher than the same quarter last year. Profit 1 275 MSEK (1,301) represents a decrease of two percent.

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For the full year 2017, net gaming revenue amounted to MSEK 8,980 (8,993), which is slightly lower than the previous year. Increased costs for adaptations to the new regulations AML and GDPR, new gaming market preparation, and increased marketing costs have contributed to a lower profit of 2017 compared to 2016. The Group's profit is MSEK 4,709 (4,866), a decrease of 3.2 percent.

"We show that growth can be combined and at the same time take clear responsibility for gaming. Customers respond positively to the news we delivered during the year, and in gaming responsibility we see more and more volunteers shut down or pause themselves from gaming. By the end of December, approximately 20,000 customers were voluntarily suspended from gaming, "said Lennart Käll, President and CEO of Svenska Spel.

During the fourth quarter, Svenska Spel launched a brand new pool game, Oddset Challenge, and sports games have also been expanded in terms of life games. Throughout December, approximately 62,000 matches and sports events have been offered compared to 21,000 matches and sports events the same period last year. Svenska Spel has also launched the biggest news for Lotto for more than ten years in the form of the Million Rain, which gives even more chance of becoming a millionaire.

During the quarter Svenska Spel also contributed to the youth and youth activities of the country's sports associations through Gräsroten. In 2017, 486 474 customers have chosen their favorite association when they played and thus contributed 50 million kronor to 8,190 associations in 71 athletes.

"We are still strong as the entire Swedish people's gaming company and meet customer demand for gaming experience with an expanded range and product development. Customers continue to give us high ratings in our satisfied customer index and we have the highest image value of the gaming companies with broad margins, "says Lennart Käll.

October - December in brief

• Net gaming revenues for the Group amounted to SEK 2,481 M (2,447), an increase of 1.4%.
• Operating profit for the Group amounted to MSEK 1,277 (1,297), a decrease of 1.9%.
• The Group's profit amounted to SEK 1,275 M (1,301), a decrease of 2.0%.
• The operating margin was 21.9% (21.5).

Events during the quarter

• Online gaming revenues online increased by 25 percent, of which the mobile phone grew by 59 percent compared with the same quarter last year.
• Online gaming revenue for sports games increased by 23 percent due to increased supply and lower payroll payback.
• Launch of the Million rain with even more chance to become a millionaire on Lotto.
• Launch of Oddset Challenge, a brand new pool game on sports.
• About 20,000 customers were voluntarily suspended from games at the end of December (the previous quarter approximately 18,000).

January - December

• Net gaming revenue for the Group amounted to MSEK 8,980 (8,993), a decrease of 0.1%.
• Operating profit for the Group amounted to 4 705 MSEK (4 851), a decrease of 3.0%.
• The result for the Group amounted to 4 709 MSEK (4 866), a decrease of 3.2%.
• The operating margin was 21.8% (22.2).

Interview with Svenska Spel's CEO Lennart Käll.

Click here to read the Year-end Report January - December 2017

For more information CONTACT: Lotta Örtnäs, tf. | Press Manager | Svenska Spel | T: 010-120 78 27 | E: lotta.ortnas@svenskaspel.se

SOURCE: Svenska Spel Press release.

Pollard Banknote Awarded Instant Ticket Printing Contract Extension From The Arizona Lottery

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada (February 8, 2018) -- Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (“Pollard Banknote”) is pleased to announce a one-year extension to its Instant Ticket Printing and Production Services contract with the Arizona Lottery. Under this agreement, Pollard Banknote will continue to provide the Lottery with instant ticket printing and related services until January 14, 2019.

This extension continues Pollard Banknote’s long-standing partnership with the Arizona Lottery. Over the past 20 years, Pollard Banknote has continuously offered innovative products and strategies that have maintained and expanded interest in the Lottery’s instant ticket portfolio and increased revenues and profits for the benefit of Arizona residents. In addition to licensed games and holiday tickets, Pollard Banknote prints many of the Lottery’s extended play instant games, such as Crossword and Bingo. This is particularly noteworthy considering that extended play games are a significant contributor to the Lottery’s instant sales, with Crossword games, for instance, representing 21.3% of all instant sales in FY 2017 (versus the U.S. average of 12.8%).

Recently, Pollard Banknote produced three of the Lottery’s holiday games, which helped usher in the spirit of the season for Arizona customers. Featuring Pollard Banknote’s Scratch FX® innovation, a printing process that adds holographic shine to the ticket, Holiday Riches and Candy Cane Crossword over-indexed by approximately 20% versus comparable games launched in the state since 2014. The festive Gifts of Gold was the Lottery’s first $20 holiday game, featuring a beautiful holiday-inspired design that attracted attention at retail.

“Over the last two decades, our strong partnership has allowed us to work closely with Pollard Banknote to bring new concepts and instant games to market,” said Gregory Edgar, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. “The company’s expertise in instant games, and especially the extended play category, has helped us maximize revenue in support of programs that work to improve the quality of life for Arizona residents.”

“Pollard Banknote looks forward to continuing our collaborative relationship with the Arizona Lottery,” said Brad Thompson, Director, Sales & Marketing, Pollard Banknote. “We are excited to continue providing the Lottery with new and unique instant games that leverage our innovative products and recognized category expertise, with the ultimate goal of fostering continued sales growth in the state.”

The Arizona Lottery’s mission is to support Arizona programs for the public benefit by maximizing net revenue in a responsible manner. Since 1981, the Lottery and its retail partners have generated more than $3 billion in net funding in support of programs that help to improve the quality of life for the people of Arizona. Proceeds from Lottery ticket sales help fund arts, education, health, human services, economic development, and environmental conservation in the state. Learn more at www.arizonalottery.com.

About Pollard Banknote

Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide. We provide high quality instant ticket print products, licensed games, and a full suite of digital offerings ranging from game apps to comprehensive player engagement and iLottery solutions, including related strategic marketing and management services. The company is a proven innovator and has decades of experience helping lotteries to maximize player engagement, sales, and proceeds for good causes. Pollard Banknote also plays a major role in providing pull-tab tickets, bingo paper and its Diamond Game-branded electronic ticket machines to charitable and other gaming markets in North America. Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is majority owned by the Pollard family and is publicly traded on the TSX (PBL). For more information, please visit our website at: www.pollardbanknote.com.

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SOURCE Pollard Banknote Limited.