IGT
Senior Manager, Global Communications, Michelle Schenk, Honored by Global
Gaming Women
LONDON, U.K. (October 9, 2018) --
International Game Technology PLC (IGT) (NYSE: IGT) announced that Michelle
Schenk, IGTs Senior Manager of Global Communications, Gaming, has
received a Great Women of Gaming Award in the Rising Star category from Global
Gaming Women. The award was presented to Schenk on Monday morning in
conjunction with the Global Gaming Expo (G2E).
Michelle is strategic and
intelligent in her approach to provide media results that expand the scope of
coverage for IGT, said Renato Ascoli, CEO, North America.
She is a proven performer who continuously maximizes on opportunities
to drive the business forward through global gaming
communications.
Receiving the Great
Women in Gaming distinction is a tremendous honor, especially among the
many inspiring and talented women within the gaming industry, said
Schenk. Working in communications for IGT provides me with an
opportunity to help drive IGTs success, and a meaningful platform to
cultivate the next generation of women in gaming.
Schenk has more than 14 years of
experience in public relations and strategic communications. In her current
role, she drives awareness for IGT products by managing global gaming
communications including partnership agreements, game and systems
installations, and new game launches. She also fosters thought leadership by
creating, identifying, and facilitating executive speaking opportunities to
contribute to the overall success of IGT.
The Great Women of Gaming Awards
bring global recognition to meaningful contributions by exceptional women in
the gaming industry by annually recognizing a highly vetted select group of
women for their outstanding contributions.
Schenk earned two bachelors
degrees in journalism and communications studies from New Mexico State
University, and a masters degree in communications studies from
University of Nevada, 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 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 more than 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 |
James Hurley,
Investor Relations,
T: (401) 392-7190 |
Simone Cantagallo,
Italian media inquiries,
T: (+39) 06 51899030 |
SOURCE: International Game
Technology PLC (IGT).
INTRALOT Sign 10-Year Contract with Croatian State Lottery
Hrvatska Lutrija"
ATHENS, Greece (October 10, 2018) --
Following a competitive process by the Croatian State Lottery Hrvatska
Lutrija, for the selection of a strong long-term strategical partner,
INTRALOT is awarded a 10-year contract for the implementation of the new
integrated Lotos10 ecosystem with the Omni Channel capability, the deployment
of innovative Retail technology and the provision of operational support. All
of the above will be customised to the specific needs and requirements of
Hrvatska Lutrija and the Croatian gaming market, supporting the strategic and
operational objectives for the extensive growth and future expansion of
Hrvatska Lutrija in the verticals of Numerical & Instant Games, Betting and
Online Casino.
Hrvatska Lutrija is the state
licensed lottery organization, with a long and successful tradition of 45 years
in organizing games of chance in Croatia, offering full variety of gaming
products, including the lotteries, instant lotteries, betting, casinos and slot
clubs, participating also in the multijurisdictional lottery games,
EuroJackpot. In 2017 Hrvatska Lutrija generated over 150 million in
stakes. The chosen model of cooperation is a Gross Gaming Revenue share model
where Croatian lottery and INTRALOT share investment cost, responsibility,
risks, and ultimately profits according to a pre-negotiated split.
Specifically, the agreement includes
the deployment, customization and integration of INTRALOTs holistic and
cross-channel Lottery Gaming Platform based on the L10 Product, the next
generation of LOTOS platform, along with the terminal software for the
operation of its 3.000 terminals, the Interactive Gaming Platform (based on the
Player PULSE CRM-Platform) supporting all Hrvatska Lutrija gaming verticals,
the innovative cross-channel Content Management System (based on the CANVAS
Platform) and the Retailer Management System (based on the Retailer PULSE
CRM-Platform), including full subset of the respective software components.
INTRALOT will also provide the Lottery with dedicated training and knowledge
transfer, as well as related system operation, software maintenance and
supporting activities.
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Mr Mario Musa, President of the
Board of Hrvatska Lutrija, stated: As a result of an extensive and long
lasting competitive process, we tasked INTRALOT to partner with Hrvatska
Lutrija and invest on the transformation and innovation of our current
operations by implementing its new Systems and Platforms based on LOTOS 10
ecosystem and advanced Retail digital technology. This new partnership will
fully cover all business requirements and operational procedures required for
our business to grow significantly in the upcoming years.. We are convinced
that we have selected a strong partner who meets all our requirements for
adapting to customer needs and legal changes much faster and at lower costs
because of its new modular and micro-services-oriented architecture. We are
recognized as the most responsible gaming organiser, which means that
responsibility must be interwoven into all areas of business operations, to
enable us to remain a credible source of knowledge sharing and support in
raising the level of players competence to play games of chance in a
responsible manner. We are looking forward to a smooth customization and
implementation process followed by 10 years of a strong and successful
partnership with INTRALOT which will support our vision to strengthen Hrvatska
Lutrija as the leading gaming operator in the Croatian market.
INTRALOTs Group Chief
Commercial Officer, Mr. Nikos Nikolakopoulos commented: We are
delighted that we have been selected to assist the Lottery to grow
significantly their business across gaming verticals and in every channel.
INTRALOT's selection proves that we have met Hrvatska Lutrija Strategic and
Operational objectives for their future transformation as well as our good
track record and successful presence in Croatia. We are honoured by Hrvatska
Lutrija trust and we are committed to invest the best technological and
operational solutions in terms of innovation, digitalization, security,
reliability, products, cost-efficiency and support, coupled with a true
partnership approach, which will provide considerable advantages to the
stakeholders and customers of Hrvatska Lutrija.
About INTRALOT
INTRALOT, a public listed company
established in 1992, is a leading gaming solutions supplier and operator active
in 52 regulated jurisdictions around the globe. With 1.1 billion turnover
and a global workforce of approximately 5,100 employees (3,100 of which in
subsidiaries and 2,000 in associates) in 2017, INTRALOT is an innovation
driven corporation focusing its product development on the customer experience.
The company is uniquely positioned to offer to lottery and gaming organizations
across geographies market-tested solutions and retail operational expertise.
Through the use of a dynamic and omni-channel approach, INTRALOT offers an
integrated portfolio of best-in-class gaming systems and product solutions
& services addressing all gaming verticals (Lottery, Betting, Interactive,
VLT). Players can enjoy a seamless and personalized experience through exciting
games and premium content across multiple delivery channels, both retail and
interactive. INTRALOT has been awarded with the prestigious WLA Responsible
Gaming Framework Certification by the World Lottery Association (WLA) for its
global lottery operations.
For more info: Mr. Chris Sfatos,
Group Corporate Affairs Director, Phone: +30-210 6156000, Fax: +30-210 6106800,
email: sfatos@intralot.com.
SOURCE: INTRALOT (www.intralot.com) press release.
Woosley Elected First VP of Lottery Executive
Committee
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (October 8,
2018) -- Bishop Woosley, Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) director, was
recently elected first vice president of the North American Association of
State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), an organization representing 52
lotteries in North America.
He has served on the NASPL executive
committee since 2016 as secretary, treasurer and second vice president. He will
advance to president of the organization next year.
NASPL was founded in 1971. Evolving
from an informal exchange of information among three pioneering lottery
directors, the organization has now grown into an active association covering
the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Although the associations
membership and services have grown tremendously over the years, its basic
mission remains to assemble and disseminate information and benefits of state
and provincial lottery organizations through education and communications and
where appropriate publicly advocate the positions of the association on matters
of general policy.
I am honored to serve on
the NASPL executive committee, Woosley said. Being a small
state and a fairly newcomer to the lottery world, it is important to have a
voice.
"Serving in a leadership position
with such a prestigious organization gives us the opportunity to express our
thoughts and concerns.
Woosley joined the Arkansas lottery
at its inception in 2009 as chief legal counsel.
He was promoted to director in
February 2012. Prior to the lottery, Woosley worked as a deputy attorney
general in the Arkansas attorney generals office.
A native of Stuttgart, Woosley
practiced law in his hometown and served as deputy prosecuting attorney there
after graduating from the University of Central Arkansas in 1996 and then
earning his law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William
H. Bowen School of Law in 1999.
About the Arkansas Scholarship
Lottery
More than 92 cents of every dollar
of Lottery revenue goes to prizes, scholarships, retailer
commissions, and other expenses in
Arkansas. Since 2009, the Lottery has provided more than $781 million for more
than 302,000 college scholarships, more than $2.7 billion in prizes to players,
about $230 million in retailer commissions and more than $117 million state and
federal tax revenue.
Follow the Arkansas Scholarship
Lottery on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visit
MyArkansasLottery.com for more
information on scholarships, winners, games, odds,
promotions and to join The
Club for free. To hear winning numbers, call the Winning Numbers
- Hotline at 501-682-IWON (4966). To get help with
problem gambling, contact the National
- Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
CONTACT: Kara Lee Ford at
501-683-1646 for more information.
SOURCE: Arkansas Scholarship Lottery
press release.
Swedish Gambling Regulator Swamped for License Applications and
Questions about the New Licensing System
SWEDEN (October 5, 2018) -- We have
- like the rest of the game industry - had busy days getting everything in
place for the new licensing system. So far, we have received 60 license
applications, of which 55 concern commercial internet games (casino and
betting). It is important that as many game operators as possible wish to be
part of the Swedish licensing system. This gives us good opportunities for a
well functioning gaming market in Sweden. At the same time, all applications
and other preparations involve a high workload for the authority.
A review of all applications shows
that many gaming companies need to come up with comprehensive additions. We
have begun to send out the request for completions and the gaming companies who
do not submit completions within the specified time may not be licensed until
January 1, 2019.
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It may be necessary to clarify that
it is advisable to submit a license application even after the end of December
this year. There is also no thanks for the number of licenses.
We get a lot of questions from the
industry about how the game language should be interpreted in different areas,
especially if you want answers to questions about gaming responsibilities and
match fixing. Our intention is to answer questions as far as possible, but due
to the extremely short time from the decision to play the game in the Riksdag
until the first licenses are issued, we do not have concrete answers to all
questions at the present time. Our absolute priority in the autumn is to
process applications and make decisions about licenses.
We therefore do not have the
opportunity to meet individual gaming companies to a large extent, but we keep
the dialogue with the industry open primarily through the trade associations
SPER and BOS. However, it is good to email or call questions to us. Based on
the questions we receive, we regularly update Questions and Answers .
Another highlighted area is the game
advertisement, where we have also shared supervisory responsibility with the
Consumer Agency. Definitions and concepts like "moderate marketing" will be
clarified through jurisprudence, as in all legislative areas. We can not
provide advance notice of how the legislation should be interpreted in
individual cases. The starting point for the interpretation of different
provisions of the new spell legislation is the intentions of the whole reform;
namely a safe and secure gaming market where we jointly help to reduce the
harmful effects of gaming and create a positive gaming experience.
Camilla Rosenberg
Director General, Lottery
Inspectorate.
SOURCE: Lotteriinspektionen.
Gaming
Laboratories International (GLI®) Announces European
Promotions
NMi Gaming and GLI Merger
Integration Complete, Bringing Additional Benefits to EMEA
Clients
HAARLEM, The Netherlands (October 8,
2018) Gaming Laboratories International (GLI®) and NMi Gaming have
completed their integration and have announced several staffing changes that
will bring further operational efficiencies; speeding time-to-market,
increasing bandwidth, and offering other key benefits to clients.
Martin Britton continues in his role
as Managing Director over GLI EMEA, while the backbone of GLI UK remains the
same; headed by Andrew Rosewarne and Dr. Rich Edwards.
With the expansion of iGaming across
the EMEA sector, Rosewarne continues to provide great iGaming knowledge and
initiative, playing a key role working in collaboration with GLIs global
offices and Salim Adatia, GLIs VP of iGaming, to provide GLIs
iGaming clients with instant global reach through GLIs 23 offices and 475
jurisdictions.
As the UK office headed by Rosewarne
particularly specializes in iGaming, he and his team can provide the expertise
to ensure the delivery of outstanding customer service; leveraging the merged
capabilities of both GLI and NMi operations to help providers meet key
regulatory deadlines with more speed, reliability, efficiency, and quality than
ever before. GLIs valued customers and clients will, therefore, benefit
from this combined business ethos and enhanced operational bandwidth, which
offers even more efficient testing and auditing brought about by the
integration of GLIs and NMis extensive resources in the region.
Additionally, Edwards is now leading
all GLI engineering and math groups throughout EMEA, providing a wealth of
experience to enhance methodology deployed with new technology products. These
two key appointments ensure GLIs position throughout the
EMEA region in providing outstanding
knowledge that can be passed onto clients in assisting them through the
compliance process.
Additionally, the GLI and NMi sales
teams have been combined across the EMEA region. Chris Davies is now co-head of
sales with James Illingworth. Our frontline teams are key to ensure we reach
our clients in providing guidance, assistance, and expertise.
Over the past several
months, there has been a great deal of positive internal activity. During this
period, we have improved many processes to further benefit our clients, Now,
these combined departments across EMEA, with key leaders providing enhanced
focus, will further enhance our ability to provide unsurpassed
service, said James Illingworth, GLIs Director of European
Client Services Netherlands.
The combined GLI and NMi operation
consists of eight offices across EMEA with more than 320 employees.
In July 2017, the GLI Group acquired
NMi Metrology & Gaming Ltd. and related gaming assets (NMi
Gaming) from NMi Certin, B.V. and related parties. That move supported
NMi Gamings clients by providing them with instant global reach through
GLIs accredited 475 jurisdictions. Additionally, the transaction aided
GLIs clients by allowing the firm to provide even greater levels of
service and attention.
Learn more this week in GLIs
booth #4430 at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas.

About Gaming Laboratories
International
Gaming Laboratories International,
LLC delivers the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and
assessment services. GLIs laboratory locations are found on six
continents, and the company holds U.S. and international accreditations for
compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, 17020, and 17065 standards for technical
competence in the gaming, wagering and lottery industries. GLI also holds ISTBQ
certification. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.
CONTACT: Christie Eickelman, Vice
President of Global Marketing, T: +1 (702) 914-2220 or E:
c.eickelman@gaminglabs.com.
SOURCE: Gaming Laboratories
International press release.
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Increases Profits $24.3 Million
Over Previous Year
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada (October
10, 2018) -- All major lines of business at Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries,
including casinos, video lotto, and liquor operations increased their revenues
in 2017-18. The results are found in the corporations new annual report,
tabled in the provincial legislature today.
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An increase of overall revenues, net
of direct expenses, to $610.4 million marks back-to-back years of growth. The
year-over-year rate of growth nearly doubled to reach 4.1%.
The 2017-18 fiscal year demonstrates
what we can achieve when we refocus on core operations, developing new ideas
and projects to enhance our main lines of business," said Polly Craik, Chair,
Board of Directors. "The board continues to provide strong guidance as we take
a more defined business approach to our operations.
As a Crown corporation that delivers
entertainment experiences and operates at the retail level, customer
satisfaction is a critical measure of success.
Here again we have set new
benchmarks for ourselves, said Peter Hak, President & CEO.
Our casinos established an annual customer satisfaction score of 83%,
while 94% of respondents gave Manitoba Liquor Marts a top grade. These are the
highest ever annual satisfaction ratings for both sides of our
business.
As a Crown corporation, Manitoba
Liquor & Lotteries returns its revenues to the Province of Manitoba to
support government programs and initiatives such as healthcare, education,
social services, housing and infrastructure that are a benefit to all
citizens.
CONTACT: Andrea Kowal, Director,
Communications & Corporate Affairs, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, Phone:
204-957-2500, ext. 2781, Email: Andrea.Kowal@mbll.ca.
SOURCE: Manitoba Liquor &
Lotteries.
Wyolotto Eclipses $10m in Total State Transfer Funds after
Fourth Straight $1m Quarterly Transfer
CHEYENNE, Wyoming (October 9, 2018)
-- On October 5, WyoLotto transferred $1,407,967 to the State
Treasurers Office. The State Treasurer distributes the funds to cities,
towns, and counties, where they decide how to best use it for local projects
that benefit their communities. This is the second highest amount ever
transferred to the state since the launch of the Wyoming Lottery in 2014, and
the fourth consecutive transfer to the state of over $1 million, bringing the
total transfer amount over $10 million since April 2016.
Breaking the $1 million
transfer amount for the fourth consecutive quarter is great news for Wyoming
residents, Jon Clontz, CEO of WyoLotto, said.
Were grateful to be
able to give back, and we owe that in large part to our players. The quarterly
transfer is a way we can give back to all Wyoming residents, Clontz
concluded.
Its worth repeating that
WyoLotto is able to give back because of the support of its players. Look no
further than the Cowboy DrawⓇ, Wyomings own game, which
now has a jackpot of over $1.9 million! The highest jackpot in Cowboy Draw
history. Someone will win bigger than ever before.
Cowboy Draw is not the only jackpot
that is on the rise. PowerballⓇ and Mega MillionsⓇ jackpots have
climbed to $282 million and $470 million respectively. The next Mega Millions
drawing is at 9 p.m. MT on October 9, and Powerball will be drawn at 9 p.m. MT
on October 10.
Since the lottery opened its doors,
it has paid more than $45,000,000 in winnings to players across all four
products the lottery sells.
See how WyoLotto is giving back in
its new
Giving Back video.
To receive updates and notifications
about Cowboy Draw, Lucky for LifeⓇ, Mega Millions or Powerball,
visit: wyolotto.com/signup
About Wyoming Lottery
Corp
The Wyoming Lottery Corp. is a
corporate business entity established by House Bill 77 in the 2013 legislative
session and signed into law by Governor Matt Mead. The corporation operates as
a private business and does not employ state employees or use state tax money.
State law requires Lottery revenue to be distributed to cities, towns and
counties based on ticket sales.
SOURCE: Wyoming Lottery
Corp.
The
Florida Lottery Receives Top Responsible Gaming
Certification
TALLAHASSEE, Florida (October 5,
2018) -- The Florida Lottery announces that it has received the top
certification for responsible gaming from the North American Association of
State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), and the National Council on Problem
Gambling (NCPG). Florida becomes one of only 14 lotteries to have achieved this
distinction. Elements of the program include employee and retailer training,
public education and awareness, product oversight, research and
advertising.
The Lottery's commitment to build
responsible gaming best practices into all agency operations was instrumental
in achieving this highly sought industry recognition.
"This certification emphasizes
that in everything we do, from the way we design and advertise our games, to
the resources we offer our players, we are working to keep responsible play at
the heart of our operations," said Secretary Jim Poppell.
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The Responsible Gambling
Verification Program was launched by NASPL and NCPG in 2016. If you or someone
you know has a gambling problem, the Florida Lottery encourages you to contact
the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling at 1-888-ADMIT-IT, or the National
Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 for confidential help.
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.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Florida Lottery announced
Tuesday that until further notice, all lottery drawings will be relocated to
Orlando due to Hurricane Michael.
The storm is headed directly toward
the Florida panhandle and Tallahassee area, predicted to make landfall
Wednesday afternoon.
As a result, the will be no live
satellite feeds of the drawings available for Fox 4 to air live. The
winning numbers will still be published on the Florida Lottery website and
Twitter as soon as possible.
CONTACT: Florida Lottery
Communications, (850) 487-7727.
SOURCE: The Florida Lottery press
release.
eCOGRA
to Test and Certify Operators and Software Providers In
Sweden
LONDON, U.K. (October 11, 2018) --
eCOGRA, the independent testing laboratory, has announced it is ready to
commence testing and certification of operators applying for online gambling
licenses in Sweden. This follows the granting of the necessary scope extension
to its ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation by the United Kingdom Accreditation
Service (UKAS) to include the relevant standards and technical requirements
from Sweden Lotteriinspektionens.
eCOGRA will be further able to
service its clients in this market by leveraging the fact that it is the only
online gambling testing laboratory authorised to offer operators and software
providers accredited ISO/IEC 27001 certifications for Information Security
Management Systems (ISMS), by having an ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015.
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Shaun McCallaghan, eCOGRA Chief
Operating Officer, said "we are extremely pleased to be able to assist our
existing clients, and potential new clients, to comply with the necessary
testing and certification requirements in Sweden. It is encouraging that a
significant number of the largest multi-jurisdictional operators and software
providers have already committed to using our services in this market, which
reflects the quality of the service we've provided for these clients in other
complex licensing jurisdictions".
McCallaghan added that eCOGRA has
also recently obtained testing laboratory approval from PAGCOR (Philippines)
and in Jersey, and the company remains committed to servicing its clients in
each of the regulated markets where they choose to license their online
gambling products.
ABOUT eCOGRA:
Founded fifteen years ago to
establish and improve operational standards and player safety requirements in
the online gambling space, eCOGRA has amassed a wealth of experience in
implementing international best practice standards and requirements, and
ensuring these are maintained through regular review and monitoring.
eCOGRA acts as a regulatory audit
partner to over 100 multi-jurisdictional operators, software providers and
other relevant service providers in the online gambling industry. The
independent testing laboratory is staffed by a team of professional auditors
with Big 4 auditing firm experience, information security experts, test
engineers and responsible gambling specialists.
The company has been awarded the
United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) ISO approval ISO/IEC 17025:2005 :
General Requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
for the United Kingdom, Sweden and Denmark, as well as ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015,
which is a prerequisite for carrying out third-party ISO/IEC 27001 audits and
accredited certifications of Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).
For more information about eCOGRA's
testing and certification services, please visit:
www.ecogra.org.
SOURCE: eCOGRA press release.
Yggdrasil Signs Svenska Spel Content Agreement Ahead of 2019
Swedish Market Regulation
SWEDEN (October 5, 2018) --
Innovative gaming solutions supplier Yggdrasil has boosted its presence in the
soon-to-be regulated Swedish market by agreeing to provide Svenska Spel Sport
& Casino (subsidiary of AB Svenska Spel) with its leading casino slots
content.
Svenska Spel is the largest and most
established gaming operator in the Swedish market with brands including Lotto,
Triss, Stryktipset, Oddset, Vegas and Casino Cosmopol. The Swedish market will
open its doors to regulated online gaming on 1st January 2019.
The operator will take
Yggdrasils portfolio of innovative slot games including Penguin City,
Hanzos Dojo, and latest release Wolf Hunters that calls on the bravest
players to take on the foul Werewolf in its latest quest-based video slot.
Fredrik Elmqvist, CEO, Yggdrasil,
said: Were really happy to have agreed terms with Svenska Spel
ahead of the Swedish market regulating next year.
Our strategy to expand our
regulated market footprint is ahead of schedule and demand from operators
across a wide variety of regulated and newly regulating markets is rapidly
growing. We will be ready to go well ahead of the January 2019 launch
date.
Fredrik Wastenson, MD, Svenska Spel
Sport & Casino, said: Yggdrasil was an obvious choice when
selecting a casino gaming solutions partner. The innovative offering performs
well in regulated markets and we are confident they will attract a large
following in Sweden.
About Yggdrasil
Yggdrasil is a provider of superior
online gaming solutions for igaming operators. The business was founded in 2013
and has since emerged as one of the industrys most respected and
acclaimed suppliers. Yggdrasil operates a highly scalable business model and
covers three product verticals: Casino Slots, Table Games and Bingo, in
addition to the business verticals: Yggdrasil White Label Studios, YGS Masters
and Yggdrasil Dragons. Since its inception, Yggdrasil has embarked on a solid
growth trajectory enabled by a strong corporate culture focused on innovation,
creativity, quality and technology leadership. Yggdrasil is headquartered in
Sweden and has offices in Malta (operational HQ), Poland and Gibraltar.
SOURCE: Yggdrasil Gaming.
Retiring Gaming Authority Board Members Disappointed that
Remote Gaming Act Has Not Yet Been Adopted by Parliament
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (October 8,
2018) Jan Suyver and Henk Kesler left the Gaming Authority on 1 October
2018 their term was over. Today (8 October 2018) they officially said
goodbye during a gathering for invited guests in the heatre Diligentia in The
Hague. The chairman and vice-chairman look back on the first six years of
supervision of the market for games of chance. The duo is satisfied with the
organization that was put down, but disappointed about the fact that the Remote
Gaming Act has not yet been adopted by parliament.
The task of the government to Jan
Suyver and Henk Kesler was clear in 2012: The Law on Remote Gaming is on
the way, with the Gaming Authority (Ksa), the legalization of online gambling
is on the right track. This law makes it possible to offer games of
chance with a license under strict conditions via the internet. The idea is
that on a regulated market it is much easier to protect the consumer and to
combat illegal supply. The Remote Gaming Act provides (in addition to a
licensing system whereby requirements can be imposed on providers and can be
supervised), also in means to effectively take action against illegal supply
instruments that are missing in the current Act on games of chance of
1964.
Experience in other countries
Denmark, Sweden learns that it is perfectly possible to regulate the
market in a relatively short time. For the Netherlands, a channelization target
of 80 percent was once mentioned; This means that 80 per cent of the gambling
participants play with a licensed provider.
Consumer protection
But the law is not there in 2018
yet, so that the legal gambling playing field in the Netherlands is clear. This
market is limited to lotteries, the gaming machine industry (gaming halls and
in the hotel and catering industry), the Holland Casino branches (casino games
and slot machines) and one sports betting provider, the Toto, and one for horse
races and horse racing.
But there is also a clear need for
online gambling opportunities among consumers: it is estimated that between
500,000 and 1 million Dutch people sometimes (or more often) participate in a
game of chance with an online provider. They now do so illegally and
unprotected against malpractices. Consumer protection is one of the three
public goals of the Ksa. The other two are preventing gambling addiction and
combating illegality and crime.
Understanding
In mid-2016, four years after the
kick-off of the Ksa, the House of Representatives agreed to the Bill on Remote
Gambling.. The Senate has not yet reached the treatment, more than two years
later. The Netherlands is one of the few countries in the European Union that
has not yet legalized online games of chance.
In our country it is a
complicated, ideological dossier in which there is a wide range of insights and
interests, says Jan Suyver diplomatically. Not only religion plays a role
in politics. The Christian parties have difficulty with gambling, but on other
grounds this also applies to the SP.
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Although the outgoing chairman
has all the understanding for the careful political deliberations that
take place in the Netherlands, he does think that the Law on Remote
Gaming should now come quickly. Suyver: The consumer simply has the right
to be protected. I always say: even though you are against gambling, that can
not be a reason not to arrange it. Rather, on the contrary, I would say.
Instrumentarium
Henk Kesler has less understanding
and typifies the following six years as follows: Unfortunately we were
not allowed to do what we wanted to do. For that reason I do not look back with
great satisfaction. A nice organization has been set up, but politics has not
delivered what we were promised at the start of the Gaming Authority: a toolbox
to steer online gambling on a regulated market. Ive become pretty cranky
now and again. A lot of complaining in the Lower House, but get along with the
necessary legislation. Only slow down, ball wide and then play back, just to
speak in football terms.
Capacity
Certainly for Kesler, who earned his
spurs as a lawyer, in business and later as a KNVB director, it was sometimes
difficult to be part of this process. Jan Suyver, once secretary-general at the
Ministry of Justice at that time, used such lengthy legislative processes
before. He wonders whether sufficient capacity has been made available for the
chance file at the Ministry of Justice and Security. The answer to
parliamentary questions sometimes took a long time. I have the impression that
the file now has more attention, I have also asked for it from the
Secretary-General. The legalization of online games of chance is also mentioned
in the coalition agreement, which is a good sign.
Spagat
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Both Suyver and Kesler characterize
the situation in which the Gaming Authority has served as an
administrative spage for the past six years. Granting licenses for
offering online gambling can not be done under the current Act on games of
chance, while on the other hand there are hardly any means to combat illegal
providers. Moreover, in some cases it also concerns companies that are
respected abroad, sometimes even listed on the stock exchange, and that have,
for example, addiction prevention in order. Kesler: I once said that we
had to go to war in the lions den with a toothbrush. The consumer
deserves protection, but politicians must give the Ksa the means to do so.
Certainly no regrets
Anyone who thinks that Suyver and
Kesler regret that they started with the Gaming Authority six years ago, is
wrong. They are both proud of the organization that has been put down. The duo
refers in this connection to the evaluation of the KSA by the WODC last year.
In general terms, this means that the Gaming Authority provides licenses in a
clear and unequivocal manner, is operational in order and that the enforcement
policy corresponds with what may be expected in view of the state of the art.
Kesler particularly praises the spirit, the collegiality and the
fantastic atmosphere. Suyver has a nice organization with peace of
mind in the hope and expectation that the Remote Gaming Act is coming
soon.
New board
The new chairman of the Gaming
Authority is René Jansen, formerly a former director at the Dutch
Healthcare Authority. He started on October 1st. The new
vice-chairman is Bernadette van Buchem, who is currently the director of
consumers at the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets. It starts on
15 October. The third board member of the Gaming Authority is Joop Pot.
SOURCE: De Kansspelautoriteit (The
Gaming Authority).
Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) Releases
September 2018 Index
LAS VEGAS, NV (Oct. 8, 2018) -- The
AGEM Index decreased in September 2018, finishing the month at 493.03 points, a
decline of 28.48 points, or 5.46 percent, compared to August 2018. The AGEM
Index reported a year-over-year increase for the 36th consecutive month and has
climbed 35.12 points, or 7.67 percent, since September 2017.
During the latest period, six of the
13 global gaming equipment manufacturers reported month-to-month increases in
stock price. Seven manufacturers reported decreases in stock price during the
month.
The three major stock market indices
saw gains during the month. The S&P 500 reported a month-to-month increase
of 0.43 percent to 2,913.98. The Dow Jones Industrial Average grew 1.90 percent
to 26,458.31, while the NASDAQ decreased 0.78 percent during the period to
8,046.35.
Positive contributors to the
September 2018 AGEM Index included the following:
- Crane Co. (CR) contributed 7.12 points due to a
7.75 percent increase in stock price to $98.35.
- Everi Holdings Inc. (EVRI) reported a 5.77 percent
increase in stock price to $9.17, contributing 0.58 points.
Selected negative contributors
included the following:
- With its stock price falling 9.97 percent to AU$
28.44, Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) contributed negative 19.90
points.
- Konami Corp. (TYO: 9766) reported a 4.40 percent
decrease in stock price to ¥4,450, contributing negative 5.52 points.
September 2018 has been a fairly
active month for companies in the AGEM Index. PlayAGS Inc. (AGS) capped off the
month by establishing a three-year marketing partnership with the Vegas Golden
Knights of the National Hockey League. This partnership is the first of its
kind in the United States between a major American sports franchise and a
gaming equipment manufacturer. An example of a marketing initiative under this
partnership is the AGS Play of the Game, which will show the top
highlight of all preseason, regular and playoff games on the video screen above
center ice.
In addition to this partnership,
PlayAGS Inc. installed its first Class II tribal Orion Slant cabinets at the
Poarch Band of Creek Indians casinos in Atmore, Montgomery and Wetumpka,
Alabama.
International Game Technology PLC
(IGT) recently announced its partnership with William Hill US to bring sports
betting to lotteries in the United States. The end product of the agreement is
that the two organizations will produce a complete sports betting solution for
state lotteries. Since the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports
Protection Act (PASPA) in June, four states have implemented legal sports
betting, and a number of other states are considering legalized sports betting.
Besides this partnership, IGT also came to an agreement with the Mississippi
Band of Choctaw Indians to provide its PlayShot digital sports betting solution
to three tribal casinos in Mississippi.
Scientific Games Corporation (SGMS)
was also active during September. The company announced its installation of a
number of products at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, including
beverage management, game accounting and a number of slot and table games.
Scientific Games also announced an extension of its contract with the state of
Washingtons lottery to provide instant games, licensed brands and
servicing. The contract runs into 2024 and continues a long-standing
relationship that Scientific Games has had with the Washington Lottery since
1982. As part of the scope of the extended contract, Scientific Games will
create a mobile app for Washington Lottery players, as well as a player loyalty
program.
Agilysys Inc. (AGYS) released the
newest version of its DataMagine software in September 2018. DataMagine is the
companys document management solution, which utilizes strong security
frameworks to capture records permanently on an on-demand basis. The document
management software has a flexible imaging module that integrates with most
business applications. Additional features of the software include individual
permission management, simultaneous access to stored documents and remote
access to protected data. Also included are updates to the email service, which
include automatic re-sendings of approval emails and adding notes to
documents.
The AGEM Index
Classified
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The Association of Gaming Equipment
Manufacturers (AGEM) produces the monthly AGEM Index that comprises 13 global
gaming suppliers throughout the world. A total of eight suppliers are based in
the United States and are listed on the NYSE, Nasdaq or OTC market, while two
trade on the Australian exchange, one on the Tokyo exchange, and another trades
on the Taiwan OTC exchange.
The index is computed based on the
month-end stock price (adjusted for dividends and splits) of each company and
weighted based on approximation of market capitalization. Market
capitalizations for manufacturers trading on foreign exchanges have been
converted to US dollar-equivalents as of month-end for comparability purposes.
The AGEM Index is based on a 100-point value as of January 2005.
About AGEM
AGEM is an international trade
association representing manufacturers of electronic gaming devices, systems,
lotteries, and components for the gaming industry. The Association works to
further the interests of gaming equipment manufacturers throughout the world.
Through political action, tradeshow partnerships, information dissemination and
good corporate citizenship, the members of AGEM work together to create
benefits for every company within the organization. Together, AGEM and its
member organizations have assisted regulatory commissions and participated in
the legislative process to solve problems and create a positive business
environment.
AGEM Index
The AGEM index and overview is
prepared by Applied Analysis (AA). AA is a Nevada-based advisory services firm
providing consultation services for public and private entities. The company
utilizes extensive experience in economics, information technology and finance
to provide a wide range of services, including urban economic consulting,
financial advisory services, market analysis, public policy analysis,
hospitality industry and gaming consulting, and information system and
technology consulting.
For More Information, CONTACT:
Marcus Prater, Executive Director, T: 702.812.6932.
SOURCE: Association of Gaming
Equipment Manufacturers press release.
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