IGT Secures Sports Betting Platform License in West Virginia

LONDON, U.K. (August 22, 2018) -- International Game Technology PLC ("IGT") (NYSE: IGT) today announced that the Company received an interim license by the West Virginia Lottery Commission to provide its PlayShot integrated sports betting platform in the State.

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 this approval, casino operators in West Virginia now have the option to partner with IGT to participate in the rapidly evolving U.S. sports betting market.

"Receiving approval from the West Virginia Lottery Commission to deploy IGT's PlayShot sports betting solution throughout the State continues IGT's momentum in pioneering sports betting across the U.S., and creates additional new market opportunities for IGT," said Enrico Drago, IGT Senior Vice President PlayDigital. "This distinction acknowledges the reliability, security and market-readiness of IGT's PlayShot solution, and creates opportunities for IGT to further differentiate our sports betting solution in the marketplace."

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 Digital 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:

• Robert K. Vincent, Corporate Communications, toll free in U.S./Canada (844) IGT-7452; outside U.S./Canada (401) 392-7452
• Michelle Schenk, Global Communications, Gaming (702) 669-8177
• James Hurley, Investor Relations, (401) 392-7190
• Simone Cantagallo, (+39) 06 51899030; for Italian media inquiries

SOURCE:  IGT.

Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Unveils “This is Winning” Sign in Downtown Little Rock

LITTLE ROCK, AR (August 21, 2018) – The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) today unveiled an interactive “This is Winning” sign outside its downtown Little Rock Claim Center.

The 15-ft long by up to 6-ft high sign is permanently located outside of the Union Plaza Building near the Lottery’s first floor Claim Center.

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Facing West Capitol Avenue, the sign includes the following three-dimensional letters: This is W_NNING. Individuals are encouraged to interact with the sign and stand as the “I” in “W_NNING.” Photos can be shared on social media channels with the hashtag #ThisIsWinning.

“With this sign, we really wanted to enhance the winner experience for our players and anyone in downtown Little Rock who wants to come and take their picture,” said Donna Bragg, ASL Advertising and Marketing Director. “There are so many different ways people are winning with the Lottery – including our state, the players and most importantly thousands of students who have received a scholarship.”

Earlier this year, ASL launched a new brand campaign called “This is Winning” to represent its vast contributions to the state of Arkansas and to higher education. Since 2009, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has provided more than $781 million in funding for more than 275,000 college scholarships, awarded more than $2.6 billion in prizes and $226 million in retailer commissions and provided millions in state and federal tax revenue.

CONTACT: Katherine Vasilos, T: 501-282-9518 for more information.

SOURCE: The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL).

La Lotería Nacional para la Asistencia Pública (Lotenal) Pays Homage to Roberto Gómez Bolaños "Chespirito"

"What moves the National Lottery is public assistance and being part of this movement is a noble cause and worthy of recognition. There is no better way to help than participate" Roberto Gómez Fernández, son of Roberto Gómez Bolaños and President of Grupo Chespirito

MEXICO (August 22, 2018) -- The National Lottery for Public Assistance (LOTENAL) unveiled the commemorative ticket for the Major Draw No. 3683, with which it will pay tribute to Roberto Gómez Bolaños "Chespirito", which will be held next Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

The event was headed by Eugenio Garza Riva Palacio, General Director of the National Lottery and Forecast for Public Assistance, and by Producer Roberto Gómez Fernández, son of Roberto Gómez Bolaños and President of Grupo Chespirito.

In this context, Eugenio Garza Riva Palacio explained the importance of the figure of "Chespirito" in Mexican television and society, while recognizing that for the history of the National Lottery it is very significant to pay tribute to him for what he represented as director, actor, producer, musician and screenwriter.

He added: "few men with the talent to entertain like him; To honor his memory is to remember the best of white Mexican humor. With his characters and programs we remember our childhood and childhood, and now as adults every time we see Chespirito , we move to an emblematic era of Mexican cinema and television that transcended borders," he said.

Group photography led by Lic. Eugenio Garza Riva Palacio and Roberto Gómez Fernández accompanied by a girl and a boy yelling.

Similarly, the General Director of LOTENAL said that the present draw "will surely be one of the most successful, with a record in sales due to the importance of the figure of Mr. Roberto Gómez Bolaños."

For his part, Roberto Gómez Fernández thanked the LOTENAL for the integration of the image in the tickets of this draw with the characters created by his father, and recognized the contribution of the National Lottery, both to Mexican television when broadcasting for the first time an emission from its main building, as well as to Mexican society through the dissemination of historical facts and characters through their cachitos.

"What moves the National Lottery is public assistance and being part of this movement is a noble cause and worthy of recognition. There is no better way to help than participate. Besides being very beautiful characters, now they are part of the history of the LOTENA L," he said.

The Major Draw No. 3683, alluding to the homage of Mr. Roberto Gómez Bolaños "Chespirito ", will have an accumulated stock of 54 million pesos, with a Grand Prize of 18 million pesos in three series.

SOURCE: La Lotería Nacional para la Asistencia Pública (Lotenal).

Jumbo Interactive Release FY18 Preliminary Final Results

• TTV $183.1 million – an increase of 26%
• Revenue $39.8 million – an increase of 23%
• NPAT from continuing operations $11.8 million – an increase of 55%
• NPAT from total operations $12.1 million - an increase of 115%
• Fully franked final dividend declared 11.0 cents

TOOWONG, Queensland, Australia (August 17, 2018) -- Leading internet lottery business, Jumbo Interactive (ASX:JIN), today released results that are highlighted by the strong increase in net profit after tax notwithstanding only a nominal increase in the number of large jackpots.

“It is pleasing to see the strong increase in Revenue and NPAT from continuing operations which can be attributed largely to improved customer activity on the new software platform enabling the team to make the most of available jackpots, and operating leverage”, said Mr Mike Veverka, CEO and Founder of Jumbo Interactive.

“The business is well placed for growth in the years ahead and we continue to value the

relationship with Tabcorp (ASX: TAH) as a priority”, said Mr Veverka.

Customers have been migrated over the past year to the new software platform enabling greater customer engagement and activity. Performance and agility have also been enhanced improving the overall purchase experience and reducing the release time of new products.

“The benefits of the Jumbo Lotto software platform are well and truly being seen in the strong start to FY2019 with ten large jackpots to date and a $100 million Powerball this week”, he said.

Cash levels remain strong with total cash at $47.9 million and Net assets of $47.2 million as at 30 June 2018. Players’ funds were constant at just under $8 million and cash net of players’ funds available to the Company remains strong at $40.1 million.

With continued good growth prospects and a current healthy cash reserve position, the Dividend Policy remains at 85% of NPAT.

A final ordinary dividend is therefore declared for H2 FY2018 of 11.0c (2017: 5.0c) for a total ordinary dividend for FY2018 18.5c (2017: 8.5c).

Record date: 31 August 2018

Payment date: 21 September 2018

Australia

A number of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are used to monitor customer activity underpinning ticket sales and revenue through ozlotteries.com

The KPIs were largely affected by marketing initiatives (both for new customers and reengagement of existing customers) together with the large jackpot activity (3% increase in number and 17% in average value), as well as a positive contribution from additional Charity game sales.

Charity Lotteries

Sales of Charity lotteries have increase by 60% to $6.1m (2017: $3.8m) and have increased to

3.3% of TTV (2017: 2.6%). The number of charities during the financial year has been maintained at five and at least one further charity is expected to be added in FY2019, with expected continued good growth.

JUMBO Annual General Meeting

Details of the Company’s Annual General Meeting are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 25 October 2018

Time: 5:00pm

Venue: Hopgood Ganim Lawyers

Level 7

Waterfront Place

1 Eagle Street

Brisbane, QLD, 4000

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About Jumbo Interactive

Jumbo Interactive Limited has been listed in Australia (ASX: JIN) since 1999.

In 2000, Jumbo sold its first lottery ticket on the internet and witnessed a dramatic rise in

popularity due to the convenience of buying tickets online. At first customers were attracted to the security of never losing a ticket and the convenience of automatic number checking, prize payments and auto-play. In 2012, Jumbo released a lottery app for the iPhone and a new

transition began driven by the convenience of mobile lotteries. This was followed by further

innovations such as features for the Apple watch, Google Voice and most recently, Lotto Party.

The Company operates the popular website www.ozlotteries.com in Australia under agreements with the Tabcorp Group (ASX: TAH), following the merger with the Tatts Group in December 2017.

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.

Jumbo has succeeded in targeting a younger and more mobile demographic with mobile now accounting for 75% of all customer interactions.

For further information: Mike Veverka, CEO and Executive Director, Ph: 07 3831 3705.

SOURCE: Jumbo Interactive Limited

The Robust Final Quarter of the Year Traditionally Experienced by a Number of the World’s Lotteries Helped Push Global Lottery Sales Up 3.8% Year-on-Year.

BASEL, Switzerland (August 16, 2018) -- The robust final quarter of the year traditionally experienced by a number of the world’s lotteries helped push global lottery sales up 3.8% year-on-year.

China’s lotteries continued to power strong growth in Asia Pacific, with the region recording a full-year on full-year increase in sales of 7.4%. Growth at mainland China’s lotteries was built on the back of final quarter results, which saw sales rise by 10.5% for Q4 2017, versus the corresponding revenue period in 2016.

Latin America and Africa also experienced a fine 2017, reporting twelve-month on twelve-month growth rates of 6.2% and 4.9% respectively, even as sales moderated during Q4 2017, where quarter-on-quarter growth slowed to 2.7% and 1.9% respectively.

North America enjoyed a strong final quarter of 2017, with Q4-on-Q4 sales up 6.7%, helping to buoy a quieter year that saw twelve-month on twelve-month sales inch up 2.1%.

Slightly stronger second-half results helped Europe to steady over the course of 2017. Year-on-year, the region grew a modest 0.6%.

Asia Pacific: AsiaPac’s growth spurt continues

Rarely a quarter goes by without the WLA reporting strong growth from mainland China’s lotteries. Q4 2017 was no exception as China’s Sports Lottery enjoyed an excellent 15.6% rise in sales while the China Welfare Lottery grew by 5.8%.

While Q4 2017 produced the year’s best results, both of mainland China’s lotteries maintained their momentum throughout the year. Over the course of 2017, the China Sports Lottery boosted sales by 11.4% to CNY 209.7 billion, while the China Welfare Lottery increased sales a creditable 5.1% to CNY 217 billion.

Sales increased across 26 of China’s provinces, with the Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Hubei, Guangdong, and Fujian provinces taking center stage. Sports betting continues to be the nation’s fastest-growing product, with sales rising 21.4% year-on-year to CNY 92.9 billion. However, in terms of sheer volume, sports betting does not yet compete with draw-based games, which increased 7.3% year-on-year to a massive CNY 262.8 billion. Putting this into perspective, draw-based games currently account for 61.5% of the market in mainland China, while sports betting, the next largest market segment, accounts for 21.8% of total lottery sales.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club enjoyed 8.6% growth in sales in the fourth quarter of 2017, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2016, and 9.1% growth year-on-year. The strong performance was mainly driven by an impressive 11.2% growth in racing, thanks to the addition of simulcast racedays and local race meetings, together with the continued growth of the customer base and commingling, underlining the growing attractiveness of Hong Kong’s world-class horse racing.

Latin America: CAIXA’s Mega-Sena completes mega-year

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With sales at Mexico’s Lotería National para la Asistencia Pública and Pronósticos essentially holding steady year-on-year, and sales at Chile’s Polla Chilena contracting sharply, Brazil was largely responsible for Latin America’s growth in 2017. Sales at Caixa Econômica Federal grew 8.14% over the course of the year, as against 2016, generating BRL 13.88 billion in revenues. Taking inflation over the period of 2.95% into account, real growth was a healthy 5.04%.

The Mega-Sena, Brazil's biggest lottery, was the great highlight of 2017. It closed out 2017 with total sales of BRL 5.8 billion, exceeding the 2016 total sales of Mega-Sena by more than 14.2%. The success of Mega-Sena in 2017 was due in no small part to the special New Year’s Eve draw Mega de Virada, for which 71 million tickets were sold in 2017. Total sales for this draw were BRL 890.9 million, up 21.1% on 2016. Collectively, sales of Mega-Sena (including Mega de Virada) in December 2017 were more than BRL 1.18 billion, or 61% of revenues for the month.

Another game in the product portfolio of Caixa Econômica Federal that enjoyed an exceptional 2017 was Timemania, which saw sales of BRL 475.9 million, the largest subscription in the game’s history. In addition, Timemania also offered the two largest awards in its history in 2017, of BRL 31.8 million and BRL 32.4 million respectively.

The sterling performance of Caixa Econômica Federal guaranteed BRL 6.55 billion in transfers to legal beneficiaries, and BRL 4.72 billion in prizes to bettors. The average spend per ticket was BRL 5.00, representing an increase of almost 3% compared to the average spend per ticket in 2016.

Africa: The Mauritian National Lottery reaps dividends

In Afrca, Morocco’s Loterie Nationale and La Marocaine des Jeux (MDJS) enjoyed the strongest showing of the continent’s lotteries, recording growth rates with 17.5% and 10.8% rises respectively. The Mauritian National Lottery ran in a very close third.

Both the national lotteries of Morocco and Mauritius enjoyed outstanding closing quarters, with Morocco’s Loterie Nationale increasing sales by 24.3% and Mauritius boosting sales by 23%. The former also boasted the best growth rates for the calendar year with a growth rate of 17.5%, beating all other lotteries contributing to the WLA Quarterly Lottery Sales Indicator.

Mauritian National Lottery operator Lottotech boosted sales by 10.7% over the course of the year. This pushed net profit after tax up an excellent 25.7% to MUR 110.8 million. The National Lottery has laboured under an advertising ban since 2015, and, while net profit has yet to recover, transaction levels are on track to hit pre-ban levels.

The operator has been fighting the ban in court but a systematic focus on increasing the player base through innovation, communications, and responsible cost management is reaping dividends.

North America: Loto-Québec shines in North America

Canada’s Loto-Québec led the way in North America with an excellent Q4 2017, helping the French-Canadian lottery to increased revenues for a third year running. According to Loto-Québec’s 2017–2018 annual report, total revenues for the fiscal year (April 2017–March 2018) were up 3.7%.

Commenting on the results, Loto-Québec noted that sales of lottery products, which compose a major segment of its gaming business by revenues, are on the upswing. Quebecers enthusiastically adopted Grande Vie, the pan-Canadian product launched toward the end of 2016, with Loto-Québec holding a significant market share (33.4%). Instant lotteries and event betting also proved popular over the course of the 2017 financial year, growing at a higher than average rate.

The gaming establishment sector, consisting of VLTs in bars and brasseries, as well as gaming, bingo and Kinzo halls, recorded slightly higher revenues. Revenue growth (8.1%) across the four casinos was mainly due to an increased focus on varying entertainment offerings.

Loto-Québec’s online gaming sector is the organization’s smallest business sector by revenues but it is also the fastest growing. Over the past fiscal year, total revenues for all types of online games combined reached CAD 118.0 million, an increase of 37.5%. Online gaming is now consolidated at the new lotoquebec.com portal, which bring together all types of online games in a single location. The initiative has simplified navigation between all product lines to provide customers with a more fluid and user-friendly online experience.

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Commenting on the FY 2017 results, President and CEO of Loto-Québec Lynne Roiter said, “Our excellent performance is attributable to the combined efforts of all our business sectors to make our offerings more attractive and apply efficient management practices in compliance with our responsible commercialization framework.”

In the United States, the California Lottery was the country’s fastest growing lottery. It also had a good October-December revenue period, with sales rising 9.3% quarter-on-quarter. This contributed significantly to a rise in sales of 3.8% year-on-year, with increased scratchcard sales of USD 482.3 million partially offsetting decreased Powerball sales of USD 242.9 million.

The lottery’s scratchcards (or Scratchers, as it brands them) continue to grow at a significant rate 25 years after they were initially launched. The increase in Scratchers sales centered around the USD 30 price point and the lottery’s extended play product lines like bingo, crosswords, and other new products that consumers spent a little more time playing.

Florida and Tennessee also enjoyed notable success in the final quarter of 2017, with both lotteries recording quarter-on-quarter sales increases of just under 9%, and coincidentally similar growth rates of just under 3% year-on-year.

Europe: Central Europe shows the way

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The central European lotteries of the Czech Republic and Hungary posted the best results in Europe in 2017, with France’s FDJ also enjoying a strong year.

Indeed, Hungary’s Szerencsejáték Zrt. recorded a twelve-month on twelve-month increase in sales of 13.1%, a figure that was only eclipsed among the contributing lotteries by the 17.5% increase in sales of Morocco’s Loterie Nationale.

With revenues reaching new heights in 2017, Szerencsejáték’s Zrt.’s growth was driven by a rise in sports betting, which grew an outstanding 16.1% year-on-year and which now accounts for almost 45% of the Hungarian lottery’s total turnover. Draw-based games performed well compared to the previous quarter, but their market share continued to decline despite several record high and major jackpots during the year.

Szerencsejáték Zrt.’s final quarter was up a healthy 9% on the previous year, thanks to a successful marketing campaign that boosted Christmas instant tickets and other seasonal instants.

The Czech Republic’s SAZKA achieved another peak year with total sales growing 9.8% year-on-year. Its growth was driven by all of its product verticals, with the number lotteries segment generating 65% of total sales. The major growth driver was instant lotteries, both printed and electronic, which saw strong increases of 45% year-on-year. This was driven by both the innovation of the instants portfolio and the successful launch of the online business, including e-scratches. This progress was complemented by a 22% year-on-year growth in sports betting following the product’s integration into SAZKA’s new online gaming portal.

The Greek lottery OPAP saw total sales increase 4.6% year-on-year and a gross gaming revenue of EUR 1.5 billion. This performance was largely attributable to the launch of new products, especially VLTs launched in January 2017; the roll-out of the new terminals is still in progress. Innovations in the sports betting portfolio and contributions from self-service betting terminals also helped boost performance. The continued growth is being supported by the launch of a new retail and on-line betting platform this year.

Strong results of both Czech and Greek lotteries, both part of SAZKA Group investments, complemented by further acquisitions in Austria, Italy, and Croatia, show the benefits of market investments, innovation drive, and sharing of best practices within one of the largest European lottery groups.

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France’s FDJ was delighted by the progress made by its transformational FDJ 2020 growth project; this focuses on new digital technologies for both gaming and customers. EBITDA grew 5.3% to total EUR 316 million on the back of 2.8% growth in net income to EUR 181 million.

The FDJ 2020 project has resulted in increased player stakes (up 5.7% for 2017), a stable customer base of 26 million players, and a digital transformation that has resulted in EUR 1.7 billion in digital stakes in 2017, 3.5 times higher than three years ago. The results emphasize FDJ’s contribution to national wealth creation and employment, with the French national lottery now contributing 0.2% of national GDP. Explained CEO Stéphane Pallez, “FDJ continues to improve its operational, financial, and non-financial performance through the implementation of its strategic project FDJ 2020, designed to guide the business towards the consumer habits and gaming technologies of the future. Its results have contributed to an increase in national wealth and to the social initiatives of its longstanding military veteran shareholders. It has boosted employment and generated significant economic flows throughout the country. In a fast-changing gaming sector in France, Europe, and worldwide, from a customer, technological, and competitive point of view, FDJ is currently the second largest European lottery and is ready to face the related challenges head-on.”

For third quarter 2017 results, see here.

Looking forward

The WLA will continue to track the progress of global lottery sales in future editions of the WLA QLSI. Once again we thank all WLA member lotteries participating in this initiative, and look forward to bringing you the first quarter 2018 results shortly.

Jean-Luc Moner-Banet

WLA President

EGBA Issues Statement on Norway’s Proposed Payment Blocking Measures

BRUSSELS, Belgium (August 21, 2018) -- Following the closure of the Norwegian government’s consultation on its proposal to block payment transactions to and from foreign gaming websites, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has called on the Norwegian authorities to turn away from difficult-to-enforce and counterproductive payment blocking measures and, instead, introduce an online gambling regulation which is modern, open to competition, protects consumers, and reflects consumer choice and the reality of the digital age of borderless internet.

EGBA fully supports the Norwegian government’s objective to create a well-regulated and controlled environment for online gambling in order to fully protect consumers, but believes that a transparent and non-discriminatory licensing regime, open to all gambling operators who can fulfil the regulatory requirements set by the Norwegian authorities, is a more appropriate and effective means to achieve this. Payment blockings of foreign websites is not a realistic or effective measure to control internet activity: they are easy to circumvent, virtually impossible to enforce for Norwegian banks, and create an artificial market by shutting off EU-licensed payment service providers.

EGBA also has significant concerns that the proposals are illegal under Norwegian and EU law and has already initiated court proceedings challenging similar payment blocking initiatives in Norway.

“From a consumer perspective, there are only two licensed gambling providers in Norway – both state-owned – and this is just not sustainable in an age when consumers can easily search around the internet for their preferred choice of gaming product. A fundamental rethink and reworking of the Norwegian online gaming regime is therefore necessary to ensure that local and foreign operators can co-exist and have equal access to a well-regulated market which meets the realities of consumer demand for different gaming products. This can be easily achieved through a national licencing regime, such has been recently introduced in Sweden, which would enable the Norwegian gambling authority to bring the activity of foreign websites under its control, alongside existing state-owned operators. That’s exactly what the overwhelming majority of European countries have been doing, and that’s exactly what we are urging Norway to do,” said Maarten Haijer, Secretary General, EGBA.

EGBA’s concerns follow a recently published report by the consultancy Menon which found that a multi-licensing scheme, if introduced in Norway, would yield more positive socio-economic results, increase regulatory control of the Norwegian market and the protection of Norwegian consumers, and allow Norway’s gambling policy to more effectively meet its political objectives.

SOURCE: European Gaming and Betting Association.

Lottery Security Reports Latest Compliance Check; Makes Three Arrests

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (August 17, 2018) -- This week, law enforcement agents with the Florida Lottery's Division of Security conducted 80 compliance checks as part of its on-going Operation Integrity efforts. Lottery retail locations in Citrus, Dixie, Marion, and Putnam counties were included.

One arrest was made at Circle K, located at 6296 West Gulf to Lake Highway in Crystal River. The store clerk arrested was charged with Grand Theft (violation of section 812.014.2(C)1, Florida Statutes).

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One arrest was made at Marathon, located at 15958 Southeast Highway 19 in Cross City. The store clerk arrested was charged with Grand Theft (violation of section 812.014.2(C)1, Florida Statutes).

One arrest was made at Super Grocery, located at 1211 Northwest 10th Street in Ocala. The store clerk arrested was charged with Grand Theft (violation of section 812.014.2(C)1, Florida Statutes).

Security compliance checks are part of the Lottery's on-going effort to heighten awareness of what it does as an organization to combat illegal activity. The Florida Lottery has zero tolerance for fraudulent activity by players or retailers.

The Florida Lottery's Division of Security works to identify and take action against criminal behavior involving its retailers. If you notice any suspicious activity involving a Lottery retailer or your Lottery purchase, contact the Lottery's Division of Security immediately at (850) 487-7730. The earlier you report suspicious activity the easier it is to investigate.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY

The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $33 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: The Florida Lottery.

Playtech and Kindred Join Deutsche Sportwettenverband (DSWV)

Dr. Günter Schmid is the new DSWV Vice President, Dr. Ing. Damir Böhm new member of the presidium

BERLIN, Germany (August 15, 2018) -- The renowned sports betting providers Playtech BGT Sports (brand: HPYBET) and Kindred (brand: Unibet) have joined the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV). Both new members operate in Germany on the basis of a Maltese sports betting license and are also licensed in several other EU Member States, thus meeting the strictest standards of transparency and regulatory oversight. The member companies of the DSWV represent about 90 percent of the total German sports betting market and are committed to a legally compliant, European law and market-compliant sports betting regulation in Germany, which is still missing today.

Playtech, through its subsidiary PBS Germany Operations GmbH, headquartered in Berlin, runs sports betting offices, pick-up points and betting terminal locations under the HPYBET brand in franchise and own operations. Dr. Peter Reinhardt, Managing Director of PBS Germany Operations, considers modern sports betting regulation, which keeps pace with market realities in Germany, to be overdue:

"Germany is a very exciting market for Playtech BGT Sports as the world's leading sports betting software provider. We welcome the fact that the Federal Republic has made the fundamental decision to open the sports betting market. However, we also have to say that it still hangs in the implementation of this decision considerably. This applies in particular to market-driven regulation, the granting of authorizations for reputable providers and the effective exclusion of dubious providers from the market. We hope that Playtech BGT Sports, with its international regulatory experience, can help pave the way for regulation that balances the interests of consumers, providers and the state alike."

Anne-Jaap Snijders, General Manager for Germany, Switzerland and Austria at Kindred, is pleased to be included in the DSWV, which has made a name for itself as a competent and constructive voice in the sports betting industry in politics, the media, sports and other partners:

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Click here for the latest electronic version of Lottery Insights.

"Kindred is proud to be a member of the DSWV and to partner with other leading gambling companies to support the sustainable development and regulation of the German gambling market. Through licenses in twelve different markets, Kindred has a wealth of experience that we would like to share with the German decision-makers via the DSWV. Kindred's goal is to ensure a secure, reliable and fair environment in all gambling markets we operate in."

In addition, the DSWV has recently re-staffed two presidency posts. Dr. Günter Schmid was unanimously nominated by the general meeting as one of two DSWV Vice Presidents; He follows Dr. Hans Wolfram Kessler. In addition to the seven-member association presidency, Dr. Ing. Damir Böhm elected - also unanimously.

DSWV President Mathias Dahms is pleased about the new additions to the association and the Presidium and sees the DSWV politically well-positioned:

"In the German sports betting market, around EUR 7.5 billion was transacted in 2017 - a new record. It is incomprehensible that the federal states have not yet granted a single license for sports betting providers, even though the Gambling Treaty of 2012 provides for the opening of the sports betting market for private providers. As a representative of all relevant sports betting companies in Germany, the DSWV will continue to work towards a novella of German sports betting regulation, which establishes legal security for consumers and providers and allows the authorities to effectively enforce illegal black market offers. The DSWV members will continue to bring their decade-long market expertise constructively into the political process in order to finally bring German sports betting regulation to fruition. "

About the German Sports Betting Association

The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) was founded in 2014 by the leading German and European sports betting providers in Berlin and sees itself as a public contact, especially for politics, sports and the media. All member companies have licenses in EU member states and are seeking regulation and licensing for the German market as well. Since 2012, they have paid over 1 billion euros in sports betting taxes in Germany. Most members are also active as sponsors in German professional sports.

SOURCE: The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) press release.

Camelot Illinois Seeks Proposals for Design and Manufacture of Permanent Point-of-Sale Items

CHICAGO, Illinois (August 20, 2018) – Camelot Illinois today issued a request for proposals (RFP) for vendors to design and manufacture Illinois Lottery permanent point of sale items.

A key component of Camelot Illinois’ retail plans for Fiscal Year 19 and beyond is to transform the Illinois Lottery retail experience by investing in new permanent point of sale equipment. The goal of this project is to modernize all PPOS fixtures and displays to optimize the promotion of Illinois Lottery products sold in retail stores. The scope of the project includes the design, manufacture, logistics, warehousing and installation of all point of sale assets in scope.

Key components are the design and manufacture of items critical to the Illinois Lottery retail experience, including:

• Play terminals
• Effective retail displays featuring lottery products
• “Lucky store” boards and signs
• Window signs
• Draw game play slip holders
• Lottery ticket checkers
• Additional signage that is in keeping with the brand / family of specified items that would increase the brand presence in traditional and new lottery channels.

Camelot Illinois is looking to establish a contract with term of approximately three years, subject to the vendor’s performance and Camelot’s evolving requirements and strategy.

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Camelot Illinois intends to secure a vendor that can begin tooling as early as October 2018 (note this date is subject to change). Manufacture of the point of sale items should commence around November 2018 and be complete by December 2018.

Responses should be submitted by Friday, September 14, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. CST to the attention of: procurement-services@camelotillinois.com.

Camelot Illinois is encouraging proposals for businesses owned by minorities, women and persons with disabilities to generate Business Enterprise Program (BEP) participation.

To learn more about and to register for the BEP program, please visit the Illinois Department of Central Management Services website.

For more information and to download the RFP, please click here.

About Camelot Illinois

Camelot Illinois is the new private manager of the Illinois Lottery. In partnership with the state, Camelot will operate a modern lottery that truly benefits the people of Illinois. Camelot is dedicated to working with transparency, integrity and responsibility. The company’s innovative approach places consumers and social responsibility at its core, providing funding for schools, capital projects and special causes. Camelot is committed to building an organization with the strength and experience to grow the lottery and reinforce its rightful position as a force for good.

CONTACT:  Emily Behn, Public Affairs Associate, T: (312) 898 – 8792, E: emily.behn@camelotillinois.com.

SOURCE: Camelot Illinois.

Latest Gambling Stats Deliver More Funding to the Community

Quarterly statistics press release 14 August 2018 show more funds available for the community

Press Release: Gambling Machine Association of New Zealand (GMANZ)

NEW ZEALAND (August 16, 2018) -- Due to a 3.1 percent increase in Gaming Machine Proceeds (GMP) from Class 4 Gambling (pokies) in the April-June 2018 quarter there will be more funds available for community good. Whilst at the same time Problem Gambling prevalence rates are a flat line and have recently shown a slight reduction. The quarterly statistics released by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) on 14 August 2018 show that GMP increased by $6,846,240 compared to the same quarter in 2017.

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With on average over 90 percent of net proceeds going back to the local community with the remainder going to national and regional areas with local benefits, the grants will continue to make a positive difference to many local organisations, most of which would struggle to survive without this funding.

Facilities and activities made possible by such grants are extensive with around 29,000 applications received in the last financial year alone. They include a significant contribution to amateur sport, the operations of professional air rescue and air ambulance services, hospitals and Hospices throughout New Zealand Along with thousands of other good community projects and services. No other form of gambling makes such a significant contribution to community good.

The grants are administered by Corporate Societies (Trusts) that operate in strict accordance with regulated standards and restrictions, as prescribed under the Gambling Act and its regulations.

The Gaming Machine Association of New Zealand (GMANZ) is pleased about the greater returns to the community but is concerned about the continued decrease in the numbers of venues and machines revealed in the statistics. We are concerned that an ongoing reduction in infrastructure will significantly reduce the amount of funding available in the future.

GMANZ spokesperson Bruce Robertson says: “Gaming venues such as pubs and clubs provide the strongest form of gambling controls; they provide a safe, fun and regulated environment to those who choose this popular form of entertainment. Reduced accessibility to local venues and machines is likely to drive more players into the world of unregulated online gambling, with little or no controls and no community benefit says Bruce

SOURCE: Press Release: Gaming Machine Association of New Zealand.

Have You Registered Yet for the WLS 2018 in Buenos Aires?

It is already July, and WLS 2018 in Buenos Aires, the lottery event of the year, will soon kick-off in grand style.

If you have not yet registered for this important event, we encourage you to do so today. As a member-based association with a global reach, a key goal of the WLA is to provide our members with a platform for learning international lottery best practice, as well as a forum for networking with lottery colleagues from around the world. There is no other event in the industry that meets these goals better than the World Lottery Summit.

In the interest of our attendees, we have negotiated excellent room rates. We recommend you to act now and take advantage of this great offer, which will only last until October 12, 2018.

The WLA together with host ALEA look forward to welcoming you in Buenos Aires for WLS 2018, the WLA’s flagship event.

To register, please CLICK HERE.

Further information about the convention can be found at the WLS 2018 website at: www.worldlotterysummit.org

See you in Buenos Aires!

Sincerely,

Jean-Luc Moner-Banet

WLA President

2018 APLA Regional Conference 8 - 12 October 2018 - Registration OPEN!

Dear friends of APLA

Hurray! We are pleased to announce that the Registration for the 2018 APLA Regional Conference is now open!

The details for this event are as follows:

• Date: 8 - 12 October 2018 (Business Program on 9 - 11 October 2018)\
• Venue: Hilton Kuching Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
• Theme: Rumble in the Jungle

This Conference is being hosted and organized by Magnum Corporation Sdn Bhd.

A very interesting and varied business program has been drawn up to keep the attention of the delegates' interests on all 2.5 days.

Have a read at the ebrochure attached and you will find we have invited a Global Keynote Speaker, Guest speakers with domain knowledge on the topics selected, our very own Panelists from our peers to share their experiences, our popular debate with a thought-provoking topic and a special half day workshop on Design Thinking. Not forgetting the sharing from our valued Sponsors on their commitment and direction towards embracing which new technologies.

Do keep checking the APLA website for more announcements and updates (www.asiapacific-lotteries.com) and note that the Closing Date for the Conference Registration and Hotel booking is 24 September 2018.

See you all in Kuching!

Regards

Beh Swan Swan APLA Secretariat Administrator

www.asiapacific-lotteries.com