IGT
PlayShot Sports Betting Platform Powers DraftKings at Scarlet Pearl
Sportsbook
LONDON, U.K. (November 19, 2018) --
International Game Technology PLC ("IGT") (NYSE: IGT) announced today that its
PlayShot sports betting platform powers DraftKings at Scarlet Pearl
Sportsbook -- the newest sports betting destination on the Mississippi Gulf
Coast.
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...
Through IGT's PlayShot technology,
patrons of Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort can now place pre-match and in-play
sports wagers over the counter. Pending regulatory approval, the casino will
deploy additional IGT sports betting peripherals such as kiosks and mobile
technology as the regional sports betting market evolves.
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"Scarlet Pearl Casino prioritizes
offering our guests 'A New Way' to enjoy gaming entertainment," said LuAnn
Pappas, Scarlet Pearl Casino General Manager and CEO. "By leveraging IGT's
PlayShot sports betting technology and the expertise of the DraftKings team, we
were able to quickly make our vision for a state-of-the-art sportsbook for the
Mississippi Gulf Coast a reality and to offer our guests a reliable betting
experience with a familiar brand."
"We wish to congratulate Scarlet
Pearl Casino for opening an exceptional sports betting venue featuring IGT
PlayShot sports betting technology," said Enrico Drago, IGT Senior Vice
President PlayDigital. "The IGT platform and the expertise and appeal of the
DraftKings brand combine to deliver a truly world-class sports betting solution
that elevates the entertainment experience for sports fans in
Mississippi."
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.
About Scarlet Pearl Casino
Resort
Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort
(scarletpearlcasino.com) boasts 300 modern hotel rooms, a variety of dining
options, a boutique and the Gulf Coast's most modern gaming floor. With over
1,170 slots including 80 video poker machines, 37 table games, and now
DraftKings at Scarlet Pearl Sportsbook, guests are sure to discover "The New
Way" to win. Scarlet Pearl also features an event center and a championship
level miniature golf course.
IGT CONTACTS:
- 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
- Simone Cantagallo, (+39) 06 51899030; for Italian
media inquiries
- James Hurley, Investor Relations, (401)
392-7190
SOURCE: IGT.
Inteltek Announces the Creation of a Global Software
Development Center in Turkey
ATHENS, Greece (November 22, 2018)
-- On November 21, 2018, Inteltek, the joint venture of Turkcell and INTRALOT,
capitalizing on 15 years of successful operation of the iddaa game, announces
its plans for the creation of a global research and software development center
in the area of mobile games in Turkey. In the first phase this center will
employ 100 engineers.
Through this investment Inteltek
aims to leverage the talent of Turkish youth for the creation and export of
technology and software internationally and contribute towards the
transformation of Turkey into a global center of excellence for software
development.
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The new venture is expected to have
a significant impact in boosting Turkey΄s footprint and international
competitiveness in a high demand industry.
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 HQ
and 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. The company has designed a new ecosystem of holistic omni-channel
solutions across verticals (Lottery, Betting, Interactive, VLT) for Lotteries
digital transformation. INTRALOT has been awarded the prestigious WLA
Responsible Gaming Framework Certification by the World Lottery Association
(WLA) and the WLA certificate for the Security Control standard.
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).
Illinois Lottery Reports Record-Breaking Sales for
October
CHICAGO, IL (November 19, 2018) --
Illinois Lottery officials today announced that sales for October 2018 were the
highest monthly sales in the departments history at $345,128,919, up 9.9
percent from the previous record set in January 2016.
October sales were comprised of
$163,651,671 and $181,477,248 for instant tickets and draw-based games,
respectively, with $80,516,493 in sales resulting from the near world-record
Mega Millions jackpot roll. The $1.5 billion Mega Millions jackpot was won Oct.
23 in South Carolina. It was the second-highest jackpot in lottery history. The
largest jackpot in lottery history was the $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot from
January 2016, which contributed to the Illinois Lotterys previous sales
record month.
The Illinois Lotterys October
digital sales also were the highest in history, driven in part by the number of
players visiting the website and mobile app for Mega Millions and Powerball
tickets. Online sales were $11,688,623 million in October, surpassing the
former record by $5,562,759.
With 25 cents of every
dollar spent on the Lottery going directly back to the State, October sales
generated approximately $86.3 million for good causes in Illinois,
predominantly for education funding, Illinois Lottery Acting Director
Harold Mays said. We remain committed to maximizing revenue to the
State of Illinois in a socially responsible way. These large jackpots go a long
way in helping us complete our mission.
"We couldn't have achieved this
unprecedented milestone for Illinois without our enthusiastic players and
hardworking retailers," said Colin Hadden, General Manager for Camelot
Illinois, which is the Illinois Lotterys private manager. "We are
thrilled our partnership with the State is generating excitement for the
Lottery across Illinois and - most importantly creating meaningful
returns for public education and other special causes."
With annual ticket sales of nearly
$3 billion, the Illinois Lottery is one of the States top five revenue
sources after personal, corporate, sales and public utility taxes (Commission
on Government Forecasting and Accountability). In Fiscal Year 2018, the
State received $732 million in proceeds from Lottery sales. Of the $1.36
billion in State gaming revenue, 54 percent came from the Illinois Lottery.
With private manager Camelot
Illinois on board, key highlights in Fiscal Year 2019 include the transition to
a new central gaming system and the roll out of an $86 million investment in
point-of-sale equipment and technology that will transform the presentation of
the lottery in more than 7,600 retail stores across Illinois. Also planned for
Fiscal Year 2019 are the launch of a new website and mobile app.
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Since 1985, the Illinois Lottery has
contributed more than $20 billion to the Common School Fund to assist K-12
public schools, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars to the Capital
Projects Fund and special causes, including support for Illinois veterans, the
fight against breast cancer, multiple sclerosis research, Special Olympics
training programs and assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS.
About the Illinois
Lottery:
Founded in 1974, the Illinois
Lottery has contributed over $20 billion (since 1985) to the states
Common School Fund to assist K-12 public schools, as well as hundreds of
millions of dollars to the Capital Projects Fund and to special causes like
Illinois Veterans services, the fight against breast cancer, MS research,
Special Olympics and assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to
playing in-store, the Illinois Lottery offers online and mobile play for all
draw-based Illinois Lottery games at illinoislottery.com. Players must be at
least 18 years old.
About Camelot Illinois:
Camelot Illinois is the new private
manager of the Illinois Lottery. In partnership with the state, Camelot
operates a modern lottery that truly benefits the people of Illinois. Camelot
is dedicated to working with transparency, integrity and responsibility to grow
the lottery and reinforce its rightful position as a force for good. The
companys innovative approach places consumers and social responsibility
at its core, providing funding for schools, capital projects and special
causes.
CONTACT: Jason Schaumburg, T:
(312) 793-3034.
SOURCE: Illinois Lottery.
LOTTO
Bayern Strong Partner of Winter Sports
LOTTO Bayern creates
planning security for Ski World Cup in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Tour de Ski
in Oberstdorf
MUNICH, Germany (November 16, 2018)
-- Lotto Bayern
extends its existing commitment to the Ski World Cup in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
since 2009 for the next two years and will remain a strong partner of ski
sports in the Free State until 2020. The extension of the cooperation was
mediated by Lagardère Sports. In addition, LOTTO Bayern will appear in
2019 as Official Event Sponsor of the COOP FIS Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf.
"Financial planning security is
indispensable for classics such as the races on the legendary Kandahar downhill
and a comparatively young competition like the Tour de Ski, to be among the
highlights of the alpine and Nordic skiing calendar of the highest caliber. The
commitment of LOTTO Bayern helps the organizers in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and
Oberstdorf to a considerable extent to create the perfect framework for
this, comments Friederike Sturm, President of LOTTO Bayern.
"The race weekends of
Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberstdorf are among the highlights of the
Sportwinter. As a strong partner, we are happy to do our part to ensure that
both events continue to enjoy world-class performance," asserted Sturm of
the great support provided by the popular winter sports events.
Oliver Klingenstein, Senior Director
Team Munich at Lagardère Sports, adds: "We are delighted that LOTTO
Bayern will remain a strong partner to the German Ski Association in the next
two years. The contract renewal underscores not only the attractiveness of the
Ski World Cup in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but also the mutual trust in this
partnership that has lasted for almost a decade."
"The sponsorship of LOTTO Bayern
at the Tour de Ski is a sign of appreciation for a young one Competition, which
wins more and more fans," comments Stefan Schwarzbach (CEO DSV Marketing
GmbH) the commitment of the state-owned Bavarian gambling provider in
Oberstdorf.
The men of the world elite will meet
in Garmisch-Partenkirchen next time to downhill and giant slalom on 2/3
February 2019. The Tour de Ski, however, will be on 2/3 January in Oberstdorf
station.
CONTACT: Oliver Albrecht, Press and
Public Relations Telephone number: 089 / 28655-586 Fax number: 089 / 28655-0,
E-Mail Address: oliver.albrecht@lotto-bayern.de.
SOURCE: Lotto Bayern.
Maryland Lottery Sets Single-Month Sales Record in
October
Historic Mega Millions
jackpot and popularity of scratch-offs boost sales
BALTIMORE, Maryland (November 20,
2018) On the strength of a massive Mega Millions jackpot roll and the
continued strong performance of scratch-off tickets, the Maryland Lottery set a
new all-time sales record in October.
Maryland Lottery ticket sales
totalled $223,374,094 in October, surpassing the previous single-month record
of $198,384,920 set in January of 2016. As a result, Maryland Lottery fiscal
year-to-date sales are up 9.7 percent compared to last year, and the
Lotterys contributions to the states good causes are up 9
percent.
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Mega Millions sales powered the
month, as the multi-state game shattered its previous record jackpot. A ticket
sold in South Carolina for the Oct. 23 drawing is worth $1.537 billion, and
ticket sales in Maryland surged in the weeks prior to that drawing.
Meanwhile, Powerball was rolling as
well. The Oct. 27 drawing produced winners in Iowa and New York who shared a
$687.8 million jackpot, the third-largest in Powerball history.
Having two huge jackpots
rolling simultaneously was something special, said Maryland Lottery
and Gaming Director Gordon Medenica. We know how exciting that was for
our players, and even though we didnt have a jackpot winner here, the
month was still a big win for Maryland. Record sales mean record contributions
to the state, and we couldnt be more pleased about that.
The previous record Mega Millions
jackpot was a $656 million prize in the March 30, 2012, drawing that was split
among three winning tickets sold in Maryland, Kansas and Illinois.
Sales of jackpot games are typically
strongest on the days of the drawings, and that trend was evident on the last
two drawing dates of the Mega Millions roll. Marylands sales of Mega
Millions on Oct. 19 and Oct. 23 totaled $18.7 million equal to 21
percent of the states Mega Millions sales for all of Fiscal Year
2018.
Not surprisingly, the previous
Maryland Lottery monthly sales record came during the month of the world-record
$1.586 billion Powerball jackpot, which was shared by winners in California,
Florida and Tennessee in the Jan. 13, 2016, drawing.
The continued success of scratch-off
tickets is also a key factor in the Lotterys strong performance. For the
past four fiscal years, sales of scratch-off tickets have increased at
double-digit rates. So far in Fiscal Year 2019, scratch-off sales are up 9.5
percent.
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Scratch-offs are incredibly
popular with our players, Medenica said. Weve been
able to connect with brands that people enjoy, like the Ravens and Old Bay, and
of course everyone loves the chance to win instantly. We believe that there is
room for even more growth in our scratch-off sales.
Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017,
through June 30, 2018) was the most successful in the Maryland Lotterys
history. Sales topped the $2 billion mark for the first time, and the Lottery
established new records for prizes to players ($1.25 billion), profit to the
state ($575.6 million) and retailer commissions ($153.7 million).
Lottery profits are contributed to
the states General Fund, which provides budgets for a wide range of state
programs and services, including education, public health and safety and the
environment. Since its inception in 1973, Maryland Lottery and Gaming has
awarded more than $25.6 billion in prizes to Lottery players and contributed
more than $16 billion in Lottery revenue to the State of Maryland. For more
information, go to mdlottery.com. Please remember to play responsibly and
within your budget. For confidential help or information about gambling
problems, visit mdgamblinghelp.org or call 1-800-GAMBLER.
CONTACT: Carole Bober Gentry,
410-230-8725 (office), 410-365-6384 (cell), E:
carole.gentry@maryland.gov.
SOURCE: Maryland Lottery.
Nederlandse Loterij Rewards Sports
Initiative
RIJSWIJK, Netherlands (November16,
2018) -- Nederlandse Loterij (Dutch Lottery) is looking for special
sporting initiatives that move the Netherlands. She calls on people and
organizations to register their initiatives for the 'Dutch Lottery in Motion
Award'. The winner of this prize will receive a bronze sculpture and a cash
prize of 50,000 euros. The prize will be awarded in May 2019. This will take
place during the annual donation moment, a festive event in which the proceeds
of the Dutch Lottery will be distributed among the Dutch sports federations, 18
charities and Dutch society.
Dutch Lottery has a clear ambition
and gladly contributes to a happier, healthier and sportier Netherlands. To
give this mission extra strength, in 2017 she introduced the Dutch Lottery in
Motion Prize. Herewith she rewards special sporting initiatives that set the
Netherlands in motion. Last year, the Dutch Lottery in Motion Prize was awarded
for the first time and in May 2019 the prize was celebrated in its second
edition.
Proud winners
With the prize, the Dutch Lottery
wants to reward initiatives that set the Netherlands in motion in the broadest
sense. Last year, the 'Oud Geleerd Jong Gedaan' initiative was awarded the
prize. The foundation of the same name puts students and the elderly in motion
and together. "We are very proud that our initiative won the Dutch Lottery in
Motion Prize last year. As a result, we are now able to operate at a national
level, which enables us to connect many more elderly people and students, "says
Enny van Arkel of the 'Old Learned Young Done' Foundation.
Application
Candidates can register until 1
March 2019 until 11:59 pm via:
https://www.nederlandseloterij.nl/in-beweging-prijs . Persons from the age of
18 can participate, as well as companies and organizations that want to
register a project. All applications are assessed on the basis of a number of
criteria. This is how the initiative will get the Netherlands and its
inhabitants moving. The jury also judges the entries on impact, creativity,
practicality, courage and originality.
Prize giving ceremony
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On March 14, 2019, the jury will
announce which initiatives have been nominated for the Dutch Lottery in Motion
Prize. In May 2019, the jury will then announce which person or institution has
won the prizes.
The jury consists of a number of
prominent Dutch people representing various sectors in the field of sports,
health, well-being and exercise:
Bibian Mentel - paralympic snowboard
champion, Paralympic Athlete of the Year 2014 and ambassador of Dutch Lottery -
is chairman of the jury.
The other members of the jury are
Hedy d'Ancona - former Minister of Welfare, Health and Culture - Hugo Borst -
who wrote a much-discussed manifesto explaining how we think he can provide
much better for our frail older people - Marjan Olfers, professor of Sports and
Law the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - and Pieter van den Hoogenband, triple
Olympic swimming champion and ambassador of the Dutch Lottery.
"With this award, every year we
highlight a special initiative: for young and old and for body and soul.
Exercising is the key to getting a sense of happiness for many people. For me
too, the sport has ensured that, after a long period of illness, it will come
back on top. With the Dutch Lottery in Motion Award, we hope to encourage as
many people and organizations as possible to register their sporting
initiatives and share them with the rest of the Netherlands, Bibian
Mentel explains.
"Every year many people are
committed to their fellow man, a good cause, and they make the Netherlands a
bit happier, healthier and sportier. With this award we want to pay attention
to such beautiful projects," says Niels Onkenhout, CEO of Nederlandse
Loterij.
SOURCE: Nederlandse Loterij (Dutch
Lottery).
Camelot Grows National Lottery Sales and Returns to Good Causes
Over First Half of 2018/19
Actions Taken Following
Strategic Review Help Camelot to Build on Last Years Sales
Growth
- Total National Lottery sales up by 5.4%
Returns to Good Causes up by 6.2%
- Prize money awarded up by 6% Retailer
commission up by 5.3%
- 95% of all revenue returned to winners and
society
U.K. (November 15, 2018) --
Camelot UK Lotteries Limited (Camelot) today announced that total
National Lottery ticket sales for the first six months of its 2018/19 financial
year (1 April to 29 September 2018) were £3,456.3 million an
increase of £175.9 million on the first half of 2017/18. Camelots
success in building on last years sales growth further underlines the
value of the work it has been carrying out as a result of the wide-ranging
strategic review it conducted in 2017.
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Camelots performance over the
half-year saw it generate £793.2 million (excluding investment returns)
for Good Causes, £46.5 million more than in the first half of 2017/18.
This equates to around £30 million every week and takes the total raised
for Good Causes to date to over £39 billion.
National Lottery funding has now
been awarded to more than 535,000 individual projects the equivalent of
around 190 lottery grants in every UK postcode district including more
than 2,200 in communities throughout the UK to mark the centenary of the First
World War.
Over the same period, Camelot
awarded £1,973.1 million in prizes to players, £111.3 million more
than in the first half of 2017/18, and created 196 new millionaires. The
National Lottery has now awarded over £69 billion in prize money and
created more than 5,100 millionaires or multi-millionaires since its launch
including Donna and David Stickley from Slough who became The National
Lotterys 5,000th millionaire after scooping the entire Lotto jackpot of
£21 million in May this year. Combined with the Lottery Duty it pays to
the Government and the commission earned by its retail partners, Camelot
continues to return around 95% of all revenue to winners and society one
of the highest percentages of lottery revenue given back in the world.
Camelot succeeded in growing sales
across the board during the half-year. Sales of draw-based games increased by
£39.9 million to £1,960.7 million, boosted by the introduction
earlier this year of a Tuesday draw for Thunderball and the launch of a brand
new EuroMillions HotPicks game, while sales across The National Lotterys
range of Scratchcards and online Instant Win Games increased by £136.0
million to £1,495.6 million following improvements in product design,
range, merchandising and availability.
Over the same period, sales across
The National Lotterys digital channels grew to a record £831.4
million, an increase of £77.4 million, driven by a better game range and
mix, improved merchandising and the launch late last year of a full version of
the Android app. Mobile sales increased by £99.8 million to an all-time
high of £431.6 million, with sales through smartphones and tablets now
accounting for over 50% of all digital sales.
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Clear
road ahead for Moving Poppy thanks to National Lottery funding (Picture credit:
Stewart Attwood) |
Accounting for 75% of all sales,
retail remains the largest National Lottery sales channel. Boosted by a
£20 million investment in a range of initiatives to improve retailer
engagement and support including a significant increase in the number of
face-to-face visits made to outlets retail sales over the half-year grew
by £98.5 million to £2,624.9 million with Camelots
retail partners earning £147.2 million in commission, £7.4 million
than in the first half of 2017/18.
Announcing the results, Camelot CEO
Nigel Railton said: Thanks to the work weve been carrying out
following our comprehensive review of the business, weve made a very
positive start to the financial year across the board. Delivering over
£2.8 billion to Good Cause projects, players and retailers in just six
months is a fantastic achievement and underlines the massive difference
that The National Lottery continues to make to the lives of people and
communities throughout the UK.
Everyone at Camelot is
committed to ensuring that this success story continues, so well be
looking to build on this momentum by continuing to focus on those areas that we
identified in the review. Well continue to make improvements across our
retail and digital channels, and build on the good headway weve made to
date in making The National Lottery brand more relevant and visible. On top of
that, weve got some great plans for the second half of the year to ensure
that were offering a more balanced and appealing range of games that
offers something for everyone starting with exciting changes to Lotto
next week to give our players a better winning experience.
While there is much work
still to do and while well continue to face challenges that are
beyond our control, such as economic uncertainty and unrelenting competition
from both the gambling sector and industrial-scale society lotteries that
operate on a national basis Im very encouraged by the further
progress weve made over the first half of this year. Im confident
that the strong foundations weve put in place and the exciting plans we
have lined up will help us deliver even more for our players and the millions
of people for whom National Lottery funding is so crucial.
For further information, please
CONTACT: Camelot Press Office: T: 020 7632 5711.
SOURCE: Camelot UK Lotteries
Limited.
Gambling Regulation Reforms Pass State
Parliament
ADELAIDE, South Australia (November
19, 2018) -- The State Government has welcomed passage of legislation to
progress important reforms to the way the gambling sector in South Australia is
regulated.
Under the reforms, the Independent
Gambling Authority will cease operations on December 1 with all
regulatory and policy activity to be undertaken by Consumer and Business
Services.
Attorney-General, Vickie Chapman
said staff at both the IGA and CBS will work together to ensure a seamless
transition to the new system on December 1.
This is about providing the
best regulatory environment for both the sector and the community, Ms
Chapman said.
The review of gambling
regulation by former Supreme Court Judge Tim Anderson has highlighted the need
for reform, and we intend to deliver.
These changes will
eliminate any doubling up of regulatory and policy functions, and ensure there
can be an effective, coordinated response to issues as they
arise.
Attorney-General Chapman said CBS
will continue to update licence holders on how the transition will affect them
prior to the December 1 changeover.
Ultimately, both licensees
and the broader community should experience little-to-no difference in
operations on December 1 beyond Consumer and Business Services now being
the main point of contact, and not the IGA, Ms Chapman said.
Following the change, the
Commissioner will be undertaking a broader review of all gambling regulation in
SA and other aspects raised in Mr Andersons report, including online
gambling.
More information on the reforms can be found here.
SOURCE: Government of South
Australia (AGs Department).
Global
Lottery Monitoring System, the International Olympic Committee and Argentinian
Officials Discuss Risks Related to Illegal Sports Betting and Sport Competition
Manipulations
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (November
21, 2018) -- In a press conferences jointly organised by the Global Lottery
Monitoring System (GLMS) and the Association of Argentinian Lotteries (ALEA), a
series of high level speakers discussed issues related to illegal sports
betting regulation and sport competition manipulations in Argentina, a country
that has experienced over the last months a number of relevant scandals,
notably in tennis.
GLMS President, Ludovico Calvi,
highlighted the need for strong regulatory frameworks and concrete measures
against illegal sports betting, as also called for by the Council of Europe
Convention on the manipulation of Spot Competitions. This was seconded by CP
Silvio Vivas, of ALEA, who joined his voice with Ludovico for such measures,
particularly because sports betting is currently not authorised in the
country.
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Dr. Luis Cevasco, from the
Argentinian Ministry of Justice underlined that this is a matter that should
not be on the table for discussions and disagreed regarding the level of
involvement by the Argentinian State on legalising betting. He raised also
issues regarding the social costs in relation to compulsive betting, as well as
the ability to measure this phenomenon.
Friedrich Martens from the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) also underlined the role of education and
prevention, referring to the relevant activities of the IOC, in the field and
pointed out the importance of all private and public stakeholders, including
Lotteries, regulators, law enforcement agencies and sports movement to work
together towards this direction. He also took the chance to inform of the ways
young athletes were informed on the matter during the Youth Olympic Games 2018
in Buenos Aires.
GLMS President, Ludovico Calvi,
stated after the event: I would really like to thank ALEA for the
co-organisation, all speakers as well as journalists and the active
participants for this fruitful discussions. It is clear that stakeholders in
Argentina understand the importance of taking serious steps against this
phenomenon, including measures against illegal sports betting, manipulation of
sports competitions as well as strategic education and prevention initiatives.
GLMS will continue to pursue its mission of safeguarding Sport Integrity and
Sport Values relentlessly everywhere in any form and in any
continent.
CONTACTS:
GLMS
Giancarlo Sergi, GLMS
General Secretary: giancarlo.sergi@glms-sport.org
Evangelos Alexandrakis,
GLMS Deputy General Secretary, evangelos.alexandrakis@glms-sport.org
ALEA:
María Ofelia
Maiztegui, ALEA, comunicacion@alea.org.ar
About GLMS
GLMS is the state lotteries
mutualized monitoring system on sports betting. It aims at detecting and
analyzing suspicious betting activities that could question the integrity of a
sport competition.
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Building on six years of experience
with the establishment in 2009 of ELMS with European Lotteries, GLMS went
global in January 2015 extending the network to other continents. GLMS
facilitates the sharing of sports betting information as part of the collective
efforts of its members in ensuring sports integrity globally, and is dedicated
to effective cooperation with all key stakeholders: regulators, law enforcement
authorities, sports organizations.
About ALEA
The Asociación de
Loterías, Quinielas y Casinos Estatales de Argentina (ALEA) brings
together the organisms that regulate and control gambling in Argentina. As a
member of the WLA, she co-hosts the World Lottery Summit (WLS).
In each jurisdiction exists a
governmental organism or gaming control board which controls ands regulates
casinos, bingos, gaming and horse racing betting agencies, racetracks and other
points of sell.
Thus, the gaming activity
organization poses a FEDERAL character and is under the management of the
governments of the 24 jurisdictions (CABA and 23 Provincial Governments).More
information at www.alea.org.ar
SOURCE: Global Lottery Monitoring
System (GLMS press release.
Gambling Commission Appoints Dr Anna van der Gaag as Chair of
the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board
BIRMINGHAM, U.K. (November 19, 2018)
-- Dr Anna van der Gaag CBE has been appointed as the new Chair for the
Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB) the Gambling
Commissions expert advisors on the research, education and treatment
required to reduce gambling-related harms.
Anna will join RGSB as a member with
immediate effect and will take on the role of Chair to succeed Sir Christopher
Kelly, whose term as RGSB chair comes to an end in March 2019. Anna is a
Visiting Professor of Ethics and Regulation at the University of Surrey and
shes held regulatory roles in the health, social care and legal
sectors.
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Anna also has a particular interest
in how regulators can be proactive in the prevention of harm.
Bill Moyes, Gambling Commission
Chair said: It is with pleasure that we announce Dr Anna van der Gaag
as the new Chair of RGSB. She brings with her a wealth of experience in health,
social care and the prevention of harm that will be an asset in advising on how
to implement the next National Strategy, which will launch in April 2019 and on
which we will shortly be consulting.
Dr Anna van der Gaag, speaking about
her appointment said: Gambling-related harms are increasingly
recognised as a public health issue requiring robust collective action. I am
thrilled by this opportunity to join a team with such a passionate commitment
to understanding and reducing harms and raising awareness of the personal and
societal costs that can arise from gambling activities."
Sir Christopher Kelly said:
I am delighted to welcome Dr Anna van der Gaag as my successor.
Annas strong background in research and regulation provides a solid
foundation to provide authoritative advice on the next strategy and to achieve
our aim - to reduce the impact of gambling-related harms, especially among the
most vulnerable.
Formerly Chair of the Health and
Care Professions Council, she is a non-executive director at Health Education
England and the Kent Surrey and Sussex Academic Health Science Network and a
founding member of the Q Community, a quality improvement network led by the
Health Foundation. She was awarded the CBE for services to health and care in
2015.
CONTACT: Press office, T: 0121 230
6700 or email: communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
SOURCE: Gambling Commission.
Horse
Racing Betting Levy Changes Examined by Peers and MPs
LONDON, U.K. (November 20, 2018) --
The House of Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee (DPRRC) and
the House of Commons Regulatory Reform Committee (RRC) will meet together to
scrutinise government proposals to reform the way the horserace betting levy is
collected and distributed
The two committees will hear from
Parliamentarians and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on
the draft Order that would abolish the Horseracing Betting Levy Board and give
its powers to the Gambling Commission and a new horseracing authority to be
designated by the Culture Secretary. According to the Government, the change
will save on administration costs and ensure more funding is available for the
British horseracing industry and horse welfare.
Chairs' Comments
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Lord Blencathra, chairman of the
Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee said:
The DPRRC has reported that
it has concerns about this piece of legislation and welcomes the opportunity to
join with the House of Commons Regulatory Reform Committee to subject it to the
further scrutiny we believe it requires.
Stephen McPartland MP, Chair of the
Regulatory Reform Committee, said:
The Governments
proposed changes could alter how horseracing is funded and change the racing
and gambling industries that underpin the sport. Bringing together our
committees adds to the quality of scrutiny, holding the Government to account
and ensuring legislation is effective, appropriate and works for
all.
Committee concerns over draft
Order
In their initial scrutiny of the
draft Order, the DPRRC expressed concerns about the appropriateness of the
draft Order and whether it meets the statutory tests for it to be made. As a
result, the proposal is subject to a super-affirmative procedure where
Ministers are required to consider proposals from the Regulatory Reform
Committees of both Houses before deciding whether to proceed with their
proposals.
Both Committees are responsible for
the scrutiny of Legislative Reform Orders (LRO), Government proposals to amend
primary legislation in order to remove or reduce burdens or promote better
regulation. The Committees are required to decide whether they meet the
tests set out in the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 and to decide
whether they are an overall appropriate use of secondary legislation.
Witnesses
Wednesday 21 November 2018,
Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster:
- At 10.25am: Lord Lipsey;
- At 11.20am: Mims Davies MP, Minister for Sport and
Civil Society, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and DCMS
officials.
SOURCE: UK Parliament.
ZEAL
Network SE Announces Takeover Offer for Germany's Largest Private Digital
Lottery Broker Lotto24 AG
- The transaction will create a digital lottery group
with currently more than 5 million combined customers globally, current
combined billings of about EUR 500 million, and a diverse international
footprint
- The combined group will build on the existing
position of Lotto24, discontinue the German secondary lottery business of
Tipp24 and transform it to a locally licensed online broker. The companies
jointly aim to accelerate growth of online brokerage in the EUR 8.7 billion
German lottery market
- The all-share takeover delivers significant
benefits for shareholders with expected cost synergies of EUR 57 million per
year, strong future cash generation, and a reduced risk profile
- The transaction strengthens the German lottery
market and returns to federal states and their lottery beneficiaries
- ZEAL expects to offer one new ZEAL share for ca.
1.6 Lotto24 shares, reflecting the ratio of the volume-weighted average prices
of ZEAL and Lotto24 shares over the past three months
- ZEAL has secured irrevocable commitments to accept
the offer from major shareholders representing approximately 65% of Lotto24
shares
ZEAL Network SE ("ZEAL") today
announced an all-share voluntary takeover offer for Germany's largest private
digital lottery broker, Lotto24 AG ("Lotto24"). On completion, the transaction
will create a digital lottery group with currently more than 5 million combined
customers globally, current combined billings of about EUR 500 million, and a
diverse international footprint.
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In the context of the deal, and
consistent with its renewed strategy to de-risk its business model and focus on
locally-licensed businesses, ZEAL intends to transform its German secondary
lottery business into a locally licensed online brokerage model after
reacquiring control of its myLotto24 and Tipp24 subsidiaries and, in due
course, to relocate ZEAL to Germany. The transaction will significantly
strengthen the German lottery market and expand returns to federal states and
their lottery beneficiaries.
A strong platform for accelerated
growth and shareholder value creation
The transaction combines the strong
balance sheet, high-quality loyal customer base, and technological capabilities
of ZEAL with the proven expertise of Lotto24 in the German lottery brokerage
market. The enlarged Group will be in a unique position to accelerate online
brokerage growth in the German lottery market.
The Group will also continue to
pursue its international growth ambitions, building on the existing, diverse
international portfolio (UK, Ireland, Spain, Norway, and Netherlands) and
global development pipeline of ZEAL, with the aim of creating long-term growth
and sustained shareholder and customer value.
ZEAL believes that the change to its
business model in Germany will deliver significant benefits to ZEAL
shareholders in the medium term as a result of reduced operational, tax and
regulatory risk as well as improved growth potential. As part of the business
model change,
ZEAL has taken the decision to
discontinue certain products and to focus on less volatile brokerage income in
the German market, resulting in net annual run-rate revenue dis-synergies of
ca. EUR 107 million, which is expected to be compensated for over time through
accelerated growth of the enlarged Group. The combination with Lotto24 is also
expected to deliver annual run-rate cost synergies of c. EUR 57 million through
greater platform efficiencies and significant reductions in other operational
costs. Further details of these revenue dis-synergies and cost savings are set
out in Appendix A to this announcement.
In addition, ZEAL management has
identified further cost savings of approximately EUR 4 million, which do not
arise as a consequence of the transaction and sees additional potential future
upside.
Dr Helmut Becker, CEO of ZEAL, said:
"ZEAL will reunite with Germany's largest digital lottery broker. We will
have a significantly enlarged, loyal customer base, strong technology and
marketing platforms, and an exceptionally experienced team. Together with our
plans to regain control of Tipp24 and transform its German business models,
this puts us in an excellent position to accelerate online growth in both the
EUR 8.7 billion German lottery market and EUR 270 billion global lottery sector
as a locally-licensed broker, licensed operator, and lottery investor.
This transaction is good for shareholders, good for customers, and good for the
German federal states and their lottery beneficiaries. We have held initial,
constructive conversations with Lotto24 and look forward to further engaging
with the management to achieve a successful combination of the businesses. We
also look forward to a successful and constructive cooperation with Germany's
state lotteries and invite all shareholders to join us on this
journey."
Since its IPO on the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange in 2012, Lotto24 has grown rapidly. In 2017, Lotto24 generated
billings of EUR 220.7 million and revenues of EUR 25.2 million. In October
2018, Lotto24 upgraded its full year guidance, anticipating billings' growth of
between 38% and 43% for 2018. In the first nine months of 2018, the company
increased billings by 43% to EUR 235.9 million, revenues grew almost 50% to EUR
28.1 million, and the total number of registered customers rose by 36% to 2.04
million.
ZEAL has nearly two decades'
experience as an online lottery operator, reseller and investor. In 2017, ZEAL
delivered billings of EUR 280.5 million and revenues of EUR 134.3 million. In
the first nine months of 2018, billings increased 5% to EUR 212.4 million,
revenues rose by 19% to EUR 111.2 million, and the number of new customers grew
by 54%, taking the total number of registered customers of the Group to more
than 3.5 million.
Transaction supported by major
Lotto24 shareholders
ZEAL will offer Lotto24 shareholders
the opportunity to exchange their Lotto24 shares for shares in ZEAL. The offer
consideration will reflect the ratio of the volume-weighted average share
prices of both Lotto24 and ZEAL over the past three months before announcement
of the transaction. Subject to the final determination of the minimum prices
required by law and the final terms set forth in the offer document, ZEAL
intends to offer one new ZEAL share as consideration in exchange for each ca.
1.6 tendered shares of Lotto24. Independently of the offer, ZEAL expects to pay
an ordinary interim dividend of EUR 1.00 by year-end 2018.
In a clear statement of shareholder
support for the deal, ZEAL today entered into irrevocable tender agreements
with major shareholders of Lotto24, namely with Günther Group, Working
Capital and Jens Schumann. They represent approximately 65% of the shares and
voting rights in Lotto24. By entering into the tender agreements, these
shareholders have undertaken to tender their shares in Lotto24 into the
offer.
Jonas Mattsson, Chief Financial
Officer of ZEAL: "We believe this deal creates significant value for ZEAL
and Lotto24 shareholders. The future growth prospects, significant reduction of
regulatory risk and the related uncertainties, and EUR 57 million of annual
cost synergies make the combined group a highly attractive long-term investment
proposition. With our shared history, we are confident of achieving a seamless
integration of both companies. We encourage all holders of Lotto24 and ZEAL
shares to follow the major shareholders and take part in the offer."
The offer will be made in accordance
with the conditions to be set forth in the offer document, among others a
minimum acceptance rate of 50% plus one share of Lotto24. Further details of
the offer and its terms, including the acceptance period, will be contained in
the offer document. ZEAL expects that the offer document will be published on
the website www.zeal-offer.com at the beginning of 2019.
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An extraordinary general meeting of
ZEAL is expected to be held at the end of December 2018, at which ZEAL will ask
its shareholders to approve the offer, including the acquisition of Lotto24
shares from certain members of the Supervisory Board of ZEAL or persons
connected with them, and authorise the Executive Board to allot a number of
shares as required to fund the offer. As Günther Group has made it a
condition to its tender agreement with ZEAL that it will not, as a consequence
of the offer, be subject to a legal obligation to make a general offer for the
shares in ZEAL which it does not own at that time, ZEAL will furthermore
propose a resolution to its shareholders (other than Günther Group and
persons acting in concert with Günther Group) to approve the waiver of
such obligation granted by the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers. The ZEAL
shareholder approvals will be a condition for ZEAL to publish the offer
document.
Discussions with the German gambling
regulatory body about the future licensing arrangements for the enlarged Group
have already been initiated. ZEAL expects to complete the transaction in the
first half of 2019.
Updated ZEAL Profit
Guidance
As previously announced today, the
Executive Board has decided to adjust the upper end of the ZEAL Group EBIT
forecast range for the financial year 2018. The Executive Board now anticipates
EBIT in the range of EUR 33 million to EUR 38 million (previously EUR 33
million to EUR 43 million). The adjustment includes the impact of the
transaction costs in connection with the announced intention of ZEAL to make a
public takeover offer for Lotto24 AG as well as restructuring expenses in
connection with an internal cost savings programme initiated today.
Except for the narrowing of the
previously forecasted EBIT range, the Executive Board confirms its previously
published guidance and expects the ZEAL Group to generate Total Operating
Performance (TOP) of EUR 150 million to EUR 160 million in the financial year
2018.
SOURCE: ZEAL Network SE press
release.
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