IGT
Extends Agreement with the DC Lottery to Continue Providing Instant Ticket
Games and Services
LONDON, U.K. (February 19, 2019) --
International Game Technology PLC (IGT) (NYSE: IGT) announced that its
subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation, has signed a one-year extension
agreement with the District of Columbias Office of Lottery and Charitable
Games (DC Lottery) to continue providing instant tickets and related services
through December 1, 2019. Under the agreement, IGT will continue to provide a
comprehensive range of instant ticket services for the DC Lottery including
game planning and marketing, research and analytics, graphics support, and the
production and printing of instant tickets.
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IGT has been a print vendor for the
DC Lottery since 2014. During this time, IGT has developed multiple tickets for
the Lottery, ranging in price from $1 to $10. In addition, IGT helped the
Lottery launch its first Super Ticket in March 2018 and has continued to
help the Lottery attract new players by providing innovative content.
IGT has worked closely with
the DC Lottery on games that engage their player community, such as the game
Lucky Pets, said Jay Gendron, IGT Chief Operating Officer, Lottery.
IGT is pleased to continue working with the DC Lottery, and we look
forward to enhancing their instant ticket program with creative new content
over the next year.
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:
Angela Geryak Wiczek,
Corporate Communications, toll free in U.S./Canada
T: +1 (844) IGT-7452; outside
U.S./Canada
T: +1 (401) 392-7452 |
James Hurley,
Investor Relations,
T: +1 (401) 392-7190 |
Giuliano Frosini,
T: +39 06 51899584;
for Italian media
inquiries |
SOURCE: International Game
Technology PLC.
Arkansas Lottery on Track for Record Fiscal
Year
More than $7.8 Million
Raised for Scholarships in January
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (February 19,
2019) -- The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) ended January with net proceeds
to scholarships exceeding $7.8 million, more than $1.1 million ahead of their
projected budget.
That puts year to date net proceeds
more than $7.7 million ahead of budget. Year to date sales at the end of
January were more than $12.3 million better than prior year to date.
Strong instant ticket sales
(commonly called scratch-off tickets) are driving recent performance increases.
The ASL reported a record-breaking December in instant ticket sales last month,
at more than $38.1 million. Here are a few highlights for January:
- Instant ticket sales were $33,513,216, the 3rd
largest January instant ticket sales month since the Lotterys
inception.
- Total sales for January 2019 were $40,522,066, the
4th largest January sales month since inception.
- Year to date sales are currently $12,285,489 higher
than the same time last year.
In addition, the ASL reports this
January that it awarded its 3rd largest amount of prizes for a January since
inception. January 2019 prizes for instant and draw games (jackpot games)
totaled more than $27.6 million. January 2019 commissions paid to retailers
totaled more than $2.2 million.
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ASL Director Bishop Woosley on
Friday presented a $20,000 commission check to the Super
Stop on East Harding Avenue in Pine
Bluff for selling a $2 million winning Mega Millions® ticket to a Dumas
woman in January. Also in January, a grocery store worker from Little Rock
claimed the first of four $1 million top prizes playing the $20 Ultimate
Millions scratch-off ticket.
We are now up to 67
lottery-made millionaires in Arkansas, Woosley said. But the best
part of celebrating these big wins is knowing that we are on track to provide
more scholarships for students if we can maintain our current sales
momentum.
The lottery finished fiscal year
2018 on June 30 with its best sales and revenue ever. Sales reached
$499,704,976, and revenue was $500,490,212.
To read the most recent Monthly
Disclosure Report presented to the Arkansas Legislative
Council Lottery Oversight
Subcommittee, go to Reports on the About Us page at:
www.MyArkansasLottery.com.
About the Arkansas Scholarship
Lottery
Since 2009, the Lottery has provided
more than $781 million to help fund more than 302,000 college scholarships,
more than $2.8 billion in prizes to players, more than $240 million in retailer
commissions and more than $122 million in state and federal tax revenue. More
than
92 cents of every dollar of Lottery
revenue goes to prizes, scholarships, retailer commissions, and other
expenses.
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.
SOURCE: Arkansas Scholarship
Lottery.
Pollard Banknote and the Connecticut Lottery Partner to Launch
New Player Loyalty Program
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (February 20,
2019) -- Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (Pollard Banknote) is
pleased to announce that, following a competitive procurement, it has been
awarded a contract to provide the Connecticut Lottery Corporation
(CLC or Lottery) with a new Player Loyalty Program and
Related Services. This new contract builds upon Pollard Banknotes
successful partnership with the CLC as its primary instant ticket supplier
since 2012, and comes with an initial term of three (3) years and up to seven
(7) additional years of extensions.
The CLCs new Player Loyalty
Program will be powered by Pollard Banknotes state-of-the-art
PlayOn player engagement solutionone of the most modern player
loyalty solutions in the market today. PlayOn has been specifically
engineered to meet the growing needs of the lottery industry and boasts over
100 different types of engagement activities, including milestone celebrations,
completing a survey, or watching a video.
With the fully-integrated
PlayOn mobile application, players will be able to scan their lottery
tickets for easy points accumulation, which can be redeemed for a variety of
exciting rewards and entries for second-chance contests. The robust mobile app
will also provide players with ticket checking capabilities, information about
current lottery games in the market, a GPS store locator, push notifications
for jackpot alerts, and promotional information.
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Pollard Banknote is an
industry leader with a demonstrated track record of helping lotteries create
quality and innovative online products and experiences, said Gregory
Smith, President & CEO, Connecticut Lottery Corporation. Together,
we will create a robust program tailored to Connecticut that will both attract
new players and to create value for those who play our games.
The Player Loyalty Program from
Pollard Banknote will support the CLCs key business objectives to engage
players across channels before, during, and after purchase. As a result, the
Lottery will be able to build a deeper relationship with its players by
expanding its ability to learn player behaviors and opinions and communicate
with them in a more personalized and meaningful way.
We are thrilled to partner
with the Connecticut Lottery to deliver an exciting new Player Loyalty Program
to their player base, said Doug Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer,
Pollard Banknote. With PlayOn, the CLC will gain unprecedented
access to omni-channel player data to implement new tactics and strategies that
will ultimately support sales growth and proceeds to good causes in the state.
Its our pleasure to be working with the CLC as they execute their vision
to deliver player-centric lottery experiences that connect retail and digital
channels.
Since its inauguration in 1971, the
Connecticut Lottery has allocated more than $9.5 billion to many valuable
programs and causes in the state, while also awarding $17.4 billion to lottery
winners. In fiscal year 2018, the CLC provided $345 million in funds to public
health, libraries, public safety, education, and more. For more information on
the Connecticut Lottery, please visit
www.ctlottery.org.
About Pollard Banknote
Pollard Banknote is a leading
lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide, providing high quality
instant ticket products, licensed games, Schafer Systems retail merchandising
solutions, and a full suite of digital offerings, ranging from game apps to
comprehensive player engagement and iLottery solutions, including strategic
marketing and management services. The company is a proven innovator and has
decades of experience helping lotteries to maximize player engagement, sales,
and proceeds for good causes. Pollard Banknote also provides pull-tab tickets,
bingo paper, and its Diamond Game and Oasis-branded electronic ticket machines
to charitable and other gaming markets in North America. Established in 1907,
Pollard Banknote is owned approximately 67.6% by the Pollard family and 32.4%
by public shareholders, and is publicly traded on the TSX (PBL). For more
information, please visit our website at
www.pollardbanknote.com
CONTACT:
Doug Pollard,
Co-Chief Executive
Officer,
Telephone: (204) 474-2323
E-mail: dpollard@pbl.ca
|
John Pollard,
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: (204) 474-2323
E-mail: jpollard@pbl.ca
|
Rob Rose,
Chief Financial Officer,
Telephone: (204) 474-2323
E-mail: rrose@pbl.ca |
SOURCE: Pollard Banknote
Limited.
Skilrocks INFINITELY Genius Solutions Were Head Turners at ICE
London 2019
GURGAON, India (February 15, 2019)
-- Team Skilrock is back from the King of all gaming events: ICE
London, which proved to be a resounding success. Skilrock drew wide
appreciation for its unique solutions based approach that caters to aspirations
of its clients and their players. The solutions showcased were more than
aligned with the theme of this year Spirit of Genius.
The audience loved the gamification
of live player participative games like bowling, AI driven ticket purchase and
innovative Smart Retail solutions that promises to provide zing to
every lottery and gaming business.

Skilrock also demonstrated the
concept of digitization of popular traditional games which generated quite a
stir amongst the audience.
Mr. Sujit Lahiry, Executive Director
at Skilrock Technologies Pvt. Ltd, commented
Endings and new beginnings
make the life exciting and ICE was no different. With a sweet aftertaste we
closed the show with lots of shared experiences and excitement for the future.
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Looking forward to newer
engagements with our clients, partners and friends during the year to apply
some of the Genius of ideas to their operations and their return next year for
ICE 2020 with several new success stories
About Skilrock
Technologies
Skilrock Technologies is a leading
technology solution provider for the lottery, gaming and payment industry with
its R&D centres located at global IT hubs.
It is technology arm of $2 billion
Sugal & Damani Group, who are leaders of Indian lottery & gaming
operations.
The Omni-Channel Gaming Platform of
Skilrock serves RETAIL, iGAMING & SELF SERVICE channels with equal ease and
at the same time supporting a wide variety of games like Lotto, Keno, Bingo,
Instant, Sports, Poker, Rummy, Casino and Slots.
More than 120,000 retail touch
points and over 5 million iGaming players across 22 jurisdictions have been
serviced by Skilrock.
SOURCE: Skilrock Technologies
press release.
Jumbo Interactive Boost Interim Dividend after Profit
Increase
JUMBO Half Year Report
December 2018
- Results Ahead Of Guidance
---
TTV $147.8 million (Guidance $145.8 million) --- REVENUE $30.5 million
(Guidance $29.9 million) --- NPAT $12.7 million (Guidance $11.8
million)
- HALF YEAR DIVIDEND 15.0c
The following results have been
achieved for the six months to 31 December 2018 compared to the previous
corresponding period 31 December 2017 (pcp). The six month period to 31
December 2016 is provided for information purposes and easy reference.

TTV, Revenue and Profit all
increased compared to the pcp due largely to improved customer engagement,
higher jackpot activity and effective cost control.
Our next generation software
platform Jumbo Lotto was completed in March 2017 and migration of
customers to the new platform was concluded by June 2018.
Jumbo Lotto was designed
specifically to (i) enhance customer engagement, (ii) improve performance as
our database grows, and (iii) improve our agility, so additional products (like
charities) and sales channels (mobile apps etc) can be easily incorporated as
the digital landscape evolves for our customers and the market.
The higher large jackpot activity
was marked by an increase in the number from 18 to 23 which included six $50
million or above (2017: 2) and one $100 million (2017: nil) Division 1
jackpots, which increased the average Division 1 large jackpot to $37.4 million
(2017: $26.7 million).
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The new software platform
performed exceptionally and we were able to take full advantage of the higher
large jackpot activity in new customer acquisitions, active customers and
increased sales. We cant control jackpot activity but we can ensure
were in the best possible position to maximise our opportunities when
they arise, said Mr Mike Veverka, CEO and Founder of Jumbo
Interactive.
The balance sheet remains healthy
with Net Assets of $70.0 million and the Companys cash position at $77.3
million as at 31 December 2018 ($67.5 million general cash plus $9.8 million
players funds). The Directors continue to review capital management
options in respect of the general cash surplus.
15.0c Dividend Based on the
profitable half year period, a fully franked interim dividend of 15.0 cents per
ordinary share has been declared for the half year (2017: 7.5 cents). The
current dividend policy of a stable dividend payment remains unchanged.
Record date: 8 March 2019
Payment date: 22 March 2019
The Dividend Reinvestment Plan will
remain suspended for the interim fully franked dividend.
Dividend statements for the FY2018
final dividend paid 21 September 2019 will be re-issued and despatched together
with the dividend statement for the abovementioned dividend. The reason for the
dividend statement being re-issued is the FY2018 final dividend was 100%
franked at the corporate tax rate of 27.5% which was expected to apply to the
Company for FY2019 at the time the dividend was declared. The corporate tax
rate of 30% is now expected to apply to the Company for FY2019 and hence
re-issue of the FY2018 final dividend statement based on being 100% franked at
the corporate tax rate of 30%.
Marketing KPIs
Key Performance Indicators show both
an increase in active customers and average spend driven by improved customer
engagement off the back of improvements to our software platform and marketing
processes, as well as an increase in new accounts driven by a good run of large
jackpots.

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 which is
designed to promote social group play of the lottery, appealing to both younger
and older demographics.
The Company operates the popular
website www.ozlotteries.com in Australia under agreements with Tabcorp (ASX:
TAH).
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.
Jumbo has recently entered the
Lottery SaaS (Software as a Service) market with the signing of its first
customer to use its Powered by Jumbo lottery software.
To view the Half Year Report, please
click here: http://bit.ly/HY19Report
For further information
CONTACT: Mike Veverka, CEO and Executive Director, Phone: 07 3831
3705.
SOURCE: Jumbo Interactive.
EGBA
Welcomes Dutch Online Gambling Approval; Important Step to Establish
Functioning Market
NETHERLANDS (February 19, 2019) --
Today the Dutch Senate approved an online gambling law for the Netherlands,
bringing the Netherlands into line with 25 other EU countries who already
regulate the activity. The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA),
representing Europes leading online gambling companies, welcomes the
adoption of the new law as an important step to establish a functioning and
well-regulated online gambling market which protects online players.
Online gambling is popular in the
Netherlands, with 1.8 million Dutch citizens[1] over 10% of the
countrys total population participating in some form of online
gambling last year. But the Netherlands is one of three EU countries (IRE, NL,
SLO) that currently do not have any regulation for online gambling.
The absence of regulation means
there are no Dutch-licensed gambling websites, leaving its citizens to play on
websites not regulated by the Dutch authorities where there is no
guarantee of adequate consumer safeguards and the Dutch State loses out on
175m in tax revenue each year[2].
We welcome the introduction of
the law which will finally bring gambling regulation in the Netherlands into
the 21st century and congratulate Minister Dekker on his efforts and commitment
to regulate the sector. Online gambling is popular in the Netherlands and the
current situation is neither justifiable nor tenable because 1.8 million
Dutch people are gambling online without regulatory protection under Dutch law.
Our message is simple: it is in the interests of everyone to have a
well-regulated market which protects players.
For the new law to be a success, it
must be supported by a licensing system which attracts enough companies to meet
consumer demand and a tax regime that ensures that the regulated market remains
competitive and attractive for Dutch players.
Because Dutch players, whether they
play poker or place a bet on a sports match, should be able to find the
products they are looking for with companies regulated in the Netherlands, that
pay taxes there and apply local consumer safeguards.
We now look forward to working with
the Dutch Gambling Commission, De Kansspelautoriteit, to ensure an effective
implementation of the new rules in a timely and consumer-friendly
way.
Maarten Haijer, Secretary General,
European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA)
SOURCE: European Gaming and Betting
Association (EGBA) press release.
Kansas
Lottery Announce New Deputy Executive Director
TOPEKA, Kansas (February 13, 2019) -
-The Kansas Lottery announced the appointment of Timothy Graham as its new
Deputy Executive Director Monday. Graham has a combined 21 years of experience
in state government and the Kansas legislature.
"I'm very excited to be joining
the Kansas Lottery team," said Timothy Graham.
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"I see the Kansas Lottery as rich
source of entertainment for the citizens of Kansas and a vital source of
revenue for the state. I hope that I can make a positive impact on this great
team and help the lottery continue to make a positive impact on the state of
Kansas."
Graham comes to the Lottery from
InterHab where he served as Associate Executive Director and Director of
Governmental Affairs. InterHab is a statewide association representing Home and
Community Based Service organizations serving people with intellectual
disabilities.
"While the membership and staff
of InterHab were sad to see our friend Tim leave, we are excited for his new
opportunity with the Kansas Lottery," said Matt Fletcher, Executive
Director of InterHab.
"Tim brings a wealth of skills,
knowledge and talent to his work that will be of benefit to the Kansas Lottery
team."
"The Kansas Lottery is thrilled
to welcome Timothy to our team," said acting Executive Director of the
Kansas Lottery Stephen Durrell. "Timothy brings his extensive knowledge of
the legislative process and his sharp business background which will benefit
the Kansas Lottery."
Prior to working for InterHab,
Graham served as the chief of staff for Senate Democratic Leader Anthony
Hensley and as Assistant Secretary of State.
CONTACT: Courtney Ryan, T: (785)
296-5708, E: Courtney.Ryan@KSLottery.Net.
SOURCE: Kansas Lottery press
release.
Veikkaus Year 2018: Veikkaus Prepared for Major Changes in the
Operating Environment
HELSINKI, Finland (February 14,
2019) -- In 2018 Veikkaus managed to reach the previous years level in
its financial result, despite toughening competition. The year was especially
successful for Eurojackpot, the turnover of which increased by 40.6 percent
over the previous year. During the year Veikkaus kept preparing for major
changes in its operating environment and drafted a strategy for the years
20192021.
- Turnover EUR 3 154.7 million (-2.4%).
- Financial result EUR 1 014.2 million (-0.7%).
- Of the turnover, 57.9 percent came from the points
of sale and 42.1 percent from the digital channel.
- Eurojackpot had an excellent year. Multiple large
jackpots boosted the games turnover (EUR 300.8 million) to a growth of
40,6 percent.
- 44.8 of the gaming took place identified (+4.2
percentage points).
President and CEO Olli
Sarekoski:
In 2018 Veikkaus prepared for
major changes in its operating environment. Gaming is shifting from the points
of sale towards the digital channel, where Veikkaus also faces competition from
foreign operators. Veikkaus must develop its operations to succeed in
international competition. Succeeding in the competition and ensuring our
ability to channel gaming also provide the basis for the exclusive right and
its continuation. We want to be able to provide games responsibly even in the
future, minimizing game-related harm and channelling gaming revenue to the
benefit of Finnish people.
The strategy for the years
20192021 lays down that Veikkaus competitiveness shall be
reinforced in the digital channel. We innovate and develop our operations in
order to be able to offer our customers world-class alternatives to play
entertaining and exciting gambling games in a reliable way. We also work in
close cooperation with our international partners.
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From the perspective of
responsibility, it is important that we manage to channel gaming towards
Veikkaus games. A year ago, we introduced gaming limits in the digital
channel that are unique even in the international setting. The first analyses
have shown that the players have managed to use the gaming limits to control
their gaming to take the direction they wish, and this has also lessened
problematic gaming. According to estimates, the compulsory gaming limits
decreased the growth of the gross gaming revenue in the digital channel by ca.
EUR 21 million in 2018.
The government bill for a new
Lotteries Act was presented for parliamentary consideration in October. The
bill entails that Veikkaus should introduce compulsory identification on
decentralised slot machines as of 1 January 2022. Veikkaus estimates that
the compulsory identification would decrease the profit from slot machines by
ca. EUR 100150 million a year. Its impact on the lottery tax paid by
Veikkaus would fall within the range of EUR 436 million.
Changes in consumer behaviour, the
transition that trade is currently undergoing, and the reductions in the
point-of-sale network have lessened gaming at the points of sale. We are
working to overhaul Veikkaus cost structure to correspond to the
development in order to ensure our future competitiveness, thereby securing
funds to our beneficiaries. In the coming years, we will focus on investments
that support Veikkaus competitive monopoly.
In spite of the challenges in the
development of the gross gaming revenue, we were able to generate the projected
profit to our beneficiaries in 2018, by operating in a cost-efficient way. By
developing further our operations, we can continue to guarantee the profit to
our beneficiaries even in the future.
I express my sincere thanks to our
customers, employees, and partners for the year 2018!
VEIKKAUS_Annual_report_2018.pdf in English
SOURCE: Veikkaus.
Idaho
Lottery Kicks-off 30th Anniversary with Commemorative Scratch
Game
BOISE, Idaho (February 15, 2019) --
The Idaho Lottery is commemorating thirty years of success with the debut of
their special edition, commemorative 30th Anniversary family of Scratch Games,
including one game with a top prize of $300,000. Todays
announcement starts a five-month campaign to celebrate the Idaho Lotterys
thirtieth year of operations.
The success of the Lottery
over the past three decades has been truly remarkable, stated Jeff
Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. To be approaching nine hundred
million dollars in returned dividends to the public schools and permanent
buildings of Idaho in just thirty years has certainly exceeded the expectations
of those who created the Lottery in 1989.
The Idaho Lottery sold their first
$1 Scratch ticket, Idaho Match 3, to Idaho billionaire J.R. Simplot during a
ceremony on the steps of the Idaho State Capitol on July 19, 1989. Since that
time, the Idaho Lottery has generated over $3.7 billion in revenue through an
extensive network of nearly 1,200 retail locations statewide.
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In thirty years, the Idaho Lottery
has awarded more than $2.2 billion in player prizes, paid over $216 million in
retailer commissions, and returned $846 million in dividends to the Idaho
Public School Building account and the Idaho State Permanent Building Fund.
We have three,
commemorative games with top prizes that range from $30,000 all the way to
$300,000, described Anderson. Each game also has offers
second chance prizes for non-winning tickets worth $3,000 and $30,000. These
games really are a thank you to our players, our retail partners, and our
beneficiaries.
For a limited edition print run of
only 500,000 tickets, the new $30, 30th Anniversary Scratch Game went on sale
Wednesday statewide and carries two top prizes of $300,000. The game, printed
on holographic paper, has over $11 million in prizes. The family of games
also includes a $10 anniversary game with a top prize of $100,000 and a $5
anniversary game with a top prize of $30,000.
To further enhance this years
celebration, beginning on March 15, 2019, and then once every two weeks until
the Lotterys celebration date on July 19, 2019, the Lottery will be
awarding one lucky player with a prize of $3,000. Players wishing to
participate in the second chance draw may enter their alphanumeric code from
the front of any of their 30th Anniversary tickets on the Idaho Lotterys
website at www.idaholottery.com. When the game officially ends, the Lottery
will hold a second chance draw for all the entries and award one lucky player
$30,000.
To all our players and all
our retail partners, thank you. We hope all of Idaho will take a moment to join
us in celebrating thirty great years of entertainment from your Idaho
Lottery, added Anderson. And please, when you play, please
do so responsibly.

ABOUT THE IDAHO LOTTERY
The Idaho Lottery responsibly
provides a variety of entertaining games featuring Powerball, Mega Millions,
Scratch GamesTM, and PullTabs with a high degree of integrity to maximize the
dividend for Idaho public schools and the permanent building fund. Since their
inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has sold nearly $3.7 billion in products,
awarded over $2.2 billion in prizes to players, returned $216 million in retail
commissions, and distributed $846 million in Lottery dividends to Idaho public
schools and the Permanent Building Fund. To learn more, please visit
www.idaholottery.com.
CONTACT: David Workman, T: (208)
334-2600.
SOURCE: The Idaho Lottery (www.idaholottery.com).
Loto-Québec Third Quarter 2018-2019 Fiscal Year - on
Track to Achieve Annual Target
MONTRÉAL, Quebec, Canada
(February 15, 2019) -- After three quarters of its 2018-2019 fiscal year
completed, Loto-Québec reports consolidated revenues of $2.165 B and net
income of $1.122 B. These numbers represent respective increases of $156.9 M
(+7.8%) and $103.0 M (+10.1%) compared to the same period in the previous
fiscal year.*
KEY FIGURES AFTER THREE
QUARTERS |
|
2018-2019 |
2017-2018 |
Consolidated revenues
|
$2.165B |
$2.008B |
Net income |
$1.122B |
$1.019B |
QUOTE
"In light of these positive
results, we can state that we are on track to achieve our annual target for net
income set at $1.261 B, and thus pay the government the dividend
expected, said the President and CEO of Loto-Québec, Lynne
Roiter.
HIGHLIGHTS
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- Lotteries: Autumn saw several exceptionally
large Lotto Max jackpots, including a draw in which the total prize money to be
won reached a record $116 M. An increase in instant lottery sales and a good
performance by Lotto Max are the main reasons for the increase in revenues in
this sector (+18.0%).
- Casinos: The holiday period was especially
busy in Québec's casinos, as the Casino de Montréal began its
25th anniversary celebrations. Good results were achieved throughout the sector
(+4.2%), supported by themed activities showcasing various forms of
entertainment.
- Gaming establishments: An important step in
the video lottery terminal (VLT) network action plan has been completed with
the final mandatory withdrawal of terminals from targeted areas. The total
number of VLTs is now under 10,000. The increase in revenues in this sector
(+2.3%) is explained by the six additional days in the period's calendar as
well as a rise in gaming hall activities.
- Online gaming: Both casino games and lottery
products continued to grow. Total revenues from lotoquebec.com increased by
32.0%.
* The first three quarters of 2018-2019 have six more days than the
same period in the previous fiscal year.
NOTE: Due to new accounting methods, prizes
paid out are now deducted from lottery, bingo and Kinzo revenues, as was
already the case for casinos and video lotteries (more details are available on
page 6 of the quarterly report). Figures for 2017-2018 were therefore adjusted.
Gross profit and net income were not affected.
The quarterly report is available on
Loto-Québec's
website.
SOURCE: Loto-Québec (www.loto-quebec.com).
Dutch
Charity Lotteries Head Office Named the Most Sustainable Renovated Property in
the Netherlands
NETHERLANDS (February 16, 2019) --
Benthem Crouwel Architects transformed an empty, neglected office building in
Amsterdam South into a high quality, inspiring and sustainable office where all
employees of the Goede Doelen Loterijen (Dutch Charity Lotteries) can work
together. The building received the BREEAM rating Outstanding-
making it the most sustainable renovated property in the Netherlands.
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An office like a home
The 600 employees of the Charity
Lotteries had been scattered among different locations for years, and the
client wanted to give them a collective home. This home needed to be a highly
sustainable building, an important condition for this company that has
sustainability as one of its core values.
The social ambitions and idealism of
the Charity Lotteries are now made visible in their office building a
transparent, accessible building that serves the employees as well as the
neighborhood, and is a welcome addition to the nearby business district
Amsterdam Zuidas. Besides offices, the building houses a public restaurant, and
auditorium and a TV studio.
Together under one roof
The Charity Lotteries employees were
involved in the design from the very beginning. Everyone was invited to share
their thoughts, and through this unique process of co-creation a building
emerged that fits the unique atmosphere and work practice of this organization
like a glove.
It was the employees wish to
bring the green from the park at their old locations to the new office. To
fulfil this wish a roof was created that is green in every possible way.
Slender, tree-shaped columns
three large ones and three smaller ones support the roof. In this roof
6.800 leaves made of polished aluminum unfurl, creating a beautiful dappled
effect on the walls and floors, reminiscent of an actual walk in the
forest.
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Colors, light intensity and
atmosphere change depending on where and when one walks through the building.
The new roof acts like a grand gesture towards the surrounding area and is
visible not only from the high-rises of the nearby business district but also
(on eye level) from the houses in the neighbourhood.
Pioneering in sustainability
By choosing to renovate and expand
an existing building instead of designing a new one, and by using the newest
and most cutting edge sustainability techniques, the new housing for the
Charity Lotteries became not just an energy neutral, but an energy positive
building. In the spectacular roof, 949 solar panels provide energy.
The roof also collects rainwater
that is subsequently used to irrigate the roof gardens, and to supply the
sprinkler and flushing systems with water.
Materials from the demolished parts
of the old building have been reused, and all newly used materials have been
tested for sustainability and can be repurposed in the future if necessary.
All these measures have rewarded the
building with the BREEAM rating Outstanding, making it the most
sustainable renovated building in the Netherlands. The final score was 92,61%,
with 85% being the minimal score to receive this rating.
View the complete gallery
SOURCE: Benthem Crouwel
Architects.
Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) Announces
Six New Members Join Organization
LAS VEGAS, NV (February 19, 2019)
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) announced today
that its Board of Directors has approved the membership applications of six new
companies, bringing the trade group comprised of the worlds leading
gaming suppliers to a total of 172 members, an all-time high for the
organization.
The new AGEM members are:
- Acuris Risk Intelligence, based in London, combines
expert human analysts and state-of-the-art technology to help organizations
manage risk in business relationships effectively.
- CS-1 Transportation, based in Burlington, Ontario,
Canada, with offices in Phoenix and Las Vegas, is a leading logistics provider
specializing in secure movement of gaming equipment.
- Eclipse Gaming, based in Duluth, Georgia, develops
top-performing slot games and innovative solutions that engage the audience and
deliver measurable results for its partners.
- Fennemore Craig, P.C., based in Phoenix with
offices in Reno and Las Vegas, is a leading law firm with a strong gaming and
hospitality practice assisting casino operators, technology companies and
investors.
- Global Gambling Guidance Group (G4), based in
Amsterdam, offers international accreditation and certification of responsible
gambling standards for the entire global gambling industry.
- NRT Technology Corp., based in Toronto, is a global
technology leader in the design and development of next-generation payment
systems, financial and marketing kiosks and digital and mobile services.
AGEM is a non-profit international
trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of electronic gaming
devices, lotteries, systems, table games, online technology, sports betting,
key components and support products and services for the gaming industry. AGEM
works to further the interests of gaming equipment suppliers throughout the
world. Through political action, regulatory influence, trade show partnerships,
educational alliances, information dissemination and good corporate
citizenship, the members of AGEM work together to create benefits for every
company within the organization. Together, AGEM has assisted regulatory
agencies and participated in the legislative process to solve problems and
create a business environment where AGEM members can prosper while providing a
strong level of support to education and responsible gaming initiatives. For
more information, visit www.AGEM.org.
The current AGEM membership roster,
172 companies strong based in 22 countries, is a whos who of the supplier
segment of the global gaming industry.
CONTACT: Paul Speirs-Hernandez,
Steinbeck Communications/Red Wagon Institute, T: +1-702-413-4278, E:
paul@steinbeckcommunications.com.
SOURCE: Association of Gaming
Equipment Manufacturers.
Have
Your Say on Plans to Make Gambling Fairer and Safer in
Britain
BIRMINGHAM, U.K. (February 14, 2019)
-- The Gambling Commission is calling for views on plans to accelerate progress
in its drive to make Britains gambling industry the fairest and safest in
the world.
The regulator would like to hear
views from all stakeholders - including consumers, gambling businesses and
other interested groups - on three proposed measures to reduce gambling harms
and help consumers in dispute with operators.
Customer Interaction
Classified
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Customer interaction describes how
gambling businesses identify and interact to help customers who may be at risk
of or experiencing harms associated with gambling.
As part of this consultation the
Commission is requesting views on strengthening our expectations on identifying
and interacting with customers, evaluating what works, and taking into account
the regulators guidance on customer interaction.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
(ADR)
All licensed gambling operators are
required to meet certain standards when handling complaints and offer dispute
resolution by an ADR provider.
Following a review of the sector the
Commission has decided to consult on whether it should require operators to
only use ADR providers who have met additional standards it has set.
Gambling blocking
software
In addition to consulting on
specific changes to our requirements for operators above, we are also seeking
views through a call for evidence on whether operators should have to provide
access to blocking software free of charge to customers, and how this could
most effectively be delivered. Gambling blocking software allows consumers to
block access to gambling products on their phone, tablet or computer. It can be
a helpful tool to add friction between a compulsion to gamble and the ability
to be able to do so.
Paul Hope, Gambling Commission
Executive Director, said: We would like as many people as possible to
have their say on these two consultations and the call for evidence. The
proposed changes are intended to accelerate progress in protecting consumers
and preventing them from experiencing gambling related harm.
Making gambling fairer and
safer is at the heart of how we regulate and better customer interaction,
higher ADR standards and facilitating readily available blocking software are
all part of this.
View consultation on proposed
amendments to LCCP requirements for customer interaction and alternative
dispute resolution, and call for evidence on gambling site blocking
software.
SOURCE: Gambling Commission.
Registration for APLA/WLA Seminar 15 - 18 April 2019 in Danang,
Vietnam is Now Open!
Dear friends of APLA
We are pleased to announce that the
Registration for the 2019 APLA/WLA Seminar is now open!
The details for this event are as
follows:
- Date: 15 18 April 2019 (Business Program on
16 17 April)
- Venue: Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa,
Danang, Vietnam
- Theme: Lotteries in the digital world -
Disintermediation, Disruption or Transformation
This Seminar is being hosted and
organized by both Singapore Pools Private Limited and Vietnam Lottery
(Vietlott). You can expect a very exciting business program line up and an
interesting experiential social program specially recommended by Vietlott.
A renowned industry leader Mr. Tim
Kobe (Founder of Eight Inc,), who is popularly known as the visionary behind
Apples iconic stores has been specially invited to be our Keynote
Speaker. To quote an article, Kobe believes that studying the humanities
can help build empathy. A lack of empathy often goes hand-in-hand with a lack
of awareness about the human experience that a particular piece of technology
creates, which will restrict its widespread adoption, thus preventing true
innovation. Tech companies and products, even entire countries, Kobe said, need
to be designed with human experience in mind.
Various Industry experts will also
present on how we can captivate and reach out to the Digital Natives via
channels that are pervasive to them.
Panelists comprising of
representatives from WLA and APLA will also present on how digitalization have
brought forth both opportunities and challenges to the Lottery industry.
We hope you will take home nuggets
of knowledge and updates and embark onto your own Organisations
transformational journey if you have not already started.
The Networking day will take us to
Ba Na Hills, an area founded by the French colonials at 1919 and only lately,
investors have transformed this whole place which is now referred to as the
climate pearl of Vietnam. It's located 1487m above the ground and
boasts of chiller weather and fresh air.
Check out the
ebrochure and also keep checking the APLA website for more
announcements (www.asiapacific-lotteries.com).
Do hurry and register and as they
say, Early Bird catches the worm
..
N.B. It is important to note that
for the Hotel booking link, you can only book for nights from 15th to 18th
April. If you need to arrive before 15th or stay past 18th, you will need to
email to the hotel to request the room booking extension, the special room
rates are valid from 12th to 21st April.
See you all in Danang.
Regards
Beh Swan Swan
APLA Secretariat Administrator
www.asiapacific-lotteries.com
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