IGT Awarded 10-Year Contract with the South Carolina Education Lottery to Provide a Wide Array of Lottery Technology and Ongoing Services

LONDON, U.K. (February 26, 2018) -- International Game Technology PLC (NYSE: IGT) announced that its subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation (with International Game Technology PLC, hereinafter "IGT"), was awarded the lottery system and other services contract (the "Contract") with the South Carolina Education Lottery ("SCEL") to provide a new draw-based central system, new lottery terminals, a back-up, multifaceted communications network, and ongoing services. The Contract will run for 10 years from the "go live" date of May 13, 2018 and is the result of the State's competitive procurement.

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...

"Since its beginnings, the SCEL has effectively maintained itself as a successful and highly efficient traditional lottery and an essential source of funds for schools and scholarships," said Jay Gendron, IGT COO, Lottery. "To support the SCEL's long-term objectives, IGT will provide customized, high-performance back-office systems, heighten retailer satisfaction, and responsibly deliver sustained net proceeds – all cultivated through a collaborative relationship that puts the SCEL's needs first."

Under the terms of the Contract, IGT will provide the SCEL with industry-leading tools including components of IGT's Aurora™ platform. Aurora Open Retail, a new retail solution software architecture, will enable the SCEL to support multiple types of retailer solution devices in an efficient manner, improving time to market.  Additionally, the SCEL will receive Aurora Navigator user interface and a new set of back-office components for lottery personnel who will have the ability to customize the look and feel of the interface to meet their exact needs, help them better manage their business, and enhance productivity.

The SCEL will also receive IGT's Altura™ Flex draw-based lottery terminal which features a highly-configurable platform derived from the successful Altura GT1200 product, and a smaller footprint. A new reader for play slips is designed to reduce maintenance cycles and improve throughput. A high-resolution wide-screen retailer display will enhance the ease of use and productivity of retailers.

The latest Aurora MultiMedia digital advertising display solution will be provided to stimulate increased brand awareness, winner awareness, and player recognition of jackpots and game activities, directly at the point-of-sale. Ticket-Scan™ Plus will also be installed in retail locations allowing for players to easily check whether their tickets won. The current communications network will be replaced with IGT's patented Dual Comm Inside, comprising a combination of next-generation VSAT and cellular-based technology, providing the SCEL with unparalleled network availability.

IGT is in the process of finalizing the build-out of its primary data center located in Columbia, South Carolina, and will be providing services to the SCEL including installation and maintenance of the new central system, terminals, and communications network; retailer training; and field services. IGT will also provide backup data center services from its Data Center of the Americas facility located in Austin, Texas.

About IGT

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

CONTACT:

SOURCE: International Game Technology PLC (IGT).

This is THE VOICE®! Kansas Lottery’s Newest Ticket Promotion

TOPEKA, Kansas (February 28, 2018) -- Just in time for the 14th season of THE VOICE®, Kansas Lottery players can join the fun with a new $5 instant scratch ticket fashioned after the popular TV show. THE VOICE® tickets are being shipped to retailers this week, so look for them at your favorite store.

Players have 22 chances to win on each ticket and can scratch off up to $25,000 instantly, but that’s only part of what makes THE VOICE® tickets fun and exciting.  Non-winning tickets can be entered into a second-chance drawing that will send one player and a guest to events in Las Vegas AND Los Angeles and give the winner a chance to win up to a million dollars and a VIP Trip to see THE VOICE Live!

Here’s what’s included in THE VOICE® Grand Prize package:

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• Round trip airfare for two from any major commercial airport in the continental United States to Las Vegas, Nev. And return from Los Angeles, Calif.
• Five nights’ deluxe hotel accommodations
• Ground transportation to and from the Las Vegas and Los Angeles airports and hotels
• $1,000 spending money
• A bus tour of Hollywood for two
• Two tickets to THE VOICE®: Neon Dreams concert at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas and two tickets to The Voice Viewing Party and Millionaire Maker Event where each winner shall win a cash prize and may have the opportunity to participate for a chance to win up to one million and a VIP Trip to see THE VOICE® live.
• The Grand Prize is valued at approximately $9,300.

Players must enter non-winning $5 THE VOICE® tickets through the PlayOn® Players Loyalty program. No mailed entries will be accepted.

In addition to the Grand Prize that one player will win, 15 other players will win $1,500 cash in three additional second-chance drawings. Here are the deadlines for each drawing and the dates the winners will be announced:

• Draw #1: Entry deadline noon May 11, five winners of $1,500 announced May 15, 2018
• Draw #2: Entry deadline noon Aug. 7, five winners of $1,500 announced Aug. 10, 2018
• Draw #3: Entry deadline noon Nov. 6, five winners of $1,500 announced Nov. 9, 2018
• Grand Prize Drawing: Entry deadline noon Jan. 15, one grand prize winner announced Jan. 18, 2019

All entries will be eligible for the final drawing in which one Grand Prize winner will be drawn, except for entries that have been selected as winners in the three additional second-chance drawings.            

For more information on THE VOICE® promotion, visit www.kslottery.com. License rights for “The Voice” have been obtained from IGT Global Solutions Corporation.

PlayOn® is a registered trademark of Pollard Banknote Limited used under license.

CONTACT: Sally Lunsford, T: (785) 296-5708, E: sally.lunsford@kslottery.net.

SOURCE: Kansas Lottery.

California Lottery Joins Statewide Problem Gambling Awareness Month Effort

Lottery Promotes 1-800-GAMBLER Helpline During

Problem Gambling Awareness Month

SACRAMENTO, CA (February 28, 2018) -- Every year the California Lottery (Lottery) joins a national effort to promote the Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-GAMBLER, during National Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) in March.

The Lottery and PGAM partners collectively increase messaging throughout the state to raise awareness of the serious issue of problem gambling while emphasizing that free treatment services are available by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.

This year’s campaign theme, Steps Toward a Brighter Future, focuses on the positive impact treatment has for problem gamblers and their family, friends and associates. The campaign encourages affected individuals to take the first step towards recovery by calling the 1-800-GAMBLER Helpline. The Helpline offers callers a brief intervention and crisis stabilization and it directs them to treatment.  It is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Lottery partially funds the 1-800-GAMBLER Helpline via an Interagency Agreement with the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Problem Gambling (OPG).

Since 2010, the California Gambling Education and Treatment Services (CalGETS), administered by the OPG, has provided treatment to thousands of individuals who have suffered negative impacts on their lives due to a gambling disorder. Problem gamblers, and those who are affected by problem gambling, can receive referrals to treatment services, at no cost by calling or texting the Helpline or by visiting OPG’s website. Treatment services are provided as a stepped-care approach from brief interventions using self-help workbooks, one-on-one counseling and residential care. Clients have the ability to choose the services that best fit their needs. All treatment services are confidential and provided by licensed mental health providers specially trained in the treatment of problem gambling behavior.

The Lottery uses its communications channels and platforms to promote the 1-800-GAMBLER Helpline on its draw game tickets, social media channels, the official Lottery website, regional and ethnic newspaper advertisements and at more than 22,000 Lottery retail locations. The campaign messaging is also shared with the Lottery’s retail partners through the availability of Responsible Gambling Guidelines brochures.

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This campaign is developed and made possible in coordination with the California Department of Public Health’s OPG.

The Lottery is a World Lottery Association (WLA) Level 4 recipient, which is the highest form of Responsible Gaming (RG) recognition. Every year the Lottery continues to improve its business plan to ensure that RG considerations are part of its daily operations.  

Since its inception, the Lottery has remained committed to being a responsible corporate citizen that strives to ensure the highest standards of RG. In fact, the California Lottery is the first lottery in the United States to hold a Level 4 certification from the WLA.

For more information on National Problem Gambling Month, visit OPG’s website at http://problemgambling.ca.gov. To learn more about the California Lottery’s Responsible Gaming Program visit www.californialottery.com.

The California Lottery is a $6 billion enterprise based in Sacramento. It is one of the few state agencies that is a revenue generator, not accepting taxpayer dollars from the State’s General Fund. Its mission is to provide supplemental funding to California schools while simultaneously supporting local communities. In FY 2016-17, the Lottery created 83 new millionaires. Ninety-five cents of every dollar spent by our players goes back to local communities in the form of contributions to public schools and colleges, prizes and retail compensation. The California Lottery urges its customers to play responsibly and within their budgets. If you feel you have a gambling problem, or know someone who does, you can get help at 1-800-GAMBLER.

CONTACT: Russ Lopez, T: (916) 822-8131.

SOURCE: The California Lottery (www.calottery.com).

OEG Establishes a Company in Italy

TALLINN, Estonia (February 22, 2018) -- On 19 February 2018 OEG established and registered the company Olybet Italia S.r.l. in Italy with share capital of EUR 10,000. OEG owns through a subsidiary 100% of the shares of Olybet Italia S.r.l.

The aim of establishing the subsidiary is to develop the legal platform for the expansion of OEG group’s activities in the business of remote gambling.

The establishment of this subsidiary has no direct influence on the economic activities of OEG Group. The members of the management and supervisory boards of OEG have no personal interest in the establishment of the subsidiary.

CONTACT: Madis Jääger, CEO, Olympic Entertainment Group AS, Tel + 372 667 1250, E-mail: madis.jaager@oc.eu

SOURCE: Olympic Entertainment Group AS press release.

British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s Latest Crossword Instant Ticket Presents Extreme Value Proposition

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (February 26, 2018) -- Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (“Pollard Banknote”) congratulates the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (“BCLC”) on the success of Crossword Extreme, the Lottery’s first $20 Crossword ticket. The game was launched at the $20 price point in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Lottery’s successful Crossword category.

To entice players with an attractive value proposition, Crossword Extreme was printed utilizing Pollard Banknote’s Jumbo Pop ‘n’ Play™ innovation, allowing for 13 games across the front, back, and inside of the ticket. Jumbo Pop ‘n’ Play™ tickets feature a perforated centre, inviting players to open the ticket and reveal a jumbo spread of games loaded with chances to win. BCLC is known for being an innovative lottery, so it is fitting that it is the first lottery to launch this innovation.

Crossword Extreme contributed to a remarkable 22% sales growth of the Crossword category (based on a comparison of sales 10 weeks before and after launch), with minimal cannibalization of current lower price point Crossword games. Crossword Extreme, with its unique play format, was so successful that the Lottery is launching a refreshed version in 2018.

To let players experience the incredible amount of gameplay in this unique ticket hands-on, the Lottery leveraged on-counter displays at select retail locations. These displays allowed players to touch and open the product to see the wealth of play grids on the front, as well as the inside of the ticket.

“We are happy to continue helping BCLC grow its Crossword category and enhance its instant ticket portfolio,” said Brad Thompson, Director Sales and Marketing, Pollard Banknote. “For over three decades we have worked with the Lottery to help keep its instant ticket portfolio fresh by offering innovative products. We look forward to continuing to work with BCLC in order to help the Lottery offer new, exciting products to its players.”

“Crossword Extreme, the Lottery’s first $20 Crossword ticket, is a big success,” said Heather Tryon, Senior Manager, Lottery Marketing, BCLC. “Pollard Banknote’s Jumbo Pop ‘n’ Play™ innovation maximizes play area, offering players an unprecedented 13 puzzle grids, each enhanced by neon and multicolour translucent inks. Pollard Banknote’s innovative products have helped us drive revenues in support of the province for over 30 years, and this game proves that we can still offer our players new Scratch & Win experiences.”

The Province of British Columbia founded BCLC more than 30 years ago with the purpose of giving back to the citizens of BC and helping communities grow. Since 1985, the Lottery’s players have helped invest $19 billion in health care, education and community programs, as $0.88 of every dollar spent on lottery products goes back into the province. 

About Pollard Banknote

Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide, providing high quality instant ticket products, licensed games, 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 plays a major role in providing 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:

SOURCE: Pollard Banknote Limited.

Missouri Lottery, Bass Pro Team Up with New Scratchers and Promotion

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri (February 22, 2018) -- Two Missouri powerhouses have once again teamed up to offer players a chance to win up to $100,000 cash or an ultimate outdoor adventure with the Lottery’s new “Bass Pro Shops® Cash Adventure” Scratchers game and related “Ultimate Outdoor Adventure” promotion. Both the Scratchers ticket and the second-chance promotion officially start Feb. 26.

“We are thrilled to partner with such a successful Missouri-based company and one of the most recognized brands in North America,” said May Scheve Reardon, executive director of the Missouri Lottery. “Our partnership benefits Missouri by promoting the sale of products offered by two in-state businesses – one public and one private – that employ hundreds of Missourians and bring millions of dollars in revenue to the state’s economy each year.”

Reardon said the Missouri Lottery offered its first Bass Pro Shops® Scratchers game in 2011 to celebrate the Lottery’s 25th anniversary. The game and related promotion performed very well.

“We’re excited to again partner with the Missouri Lottery and offer outdoor experiences and adventures to players while also supporting public education in our home state,” said Stan Lippelman, vice president of Marketing at Bass Pro Shops.

The new $5 Scratchers ticket, “Bass Pro Shops® Cash Adventure,” is loaded with cash prizes and more than 1,000 gift cards to Bass Pro Shops® worth $500.

“We knew we would want to offer another Bass Pro Shops® ticket, and the time is right,” Reardon said. “We anticipate this ticket and promotion will be even bigger than the first ones.”

Not only do players have a chance to win instantly playing the $5 Scratchers ticket, but they can also enter it into their free My Lottery® Players Club account for a chance to win an ultimate outdoor adventure of a lifetime like: deep-sea fishing in Puerto Los Cabos, Mexico; hiking and cruising through the Alaskan wilderness; snow-skiing and dog sledding through Yellowstone in the winter; or visiting Big Sky, Montana, in the summer for a guided fishing trip.

All trips are for two or four travelers and include airfare, ground transportation, lodging and meals for seven days and six nights, $1,000 spending cash and a $500 Bass Pro Shops® gift card.

“It’s not often you win a prize that includes so many extras, guided tours, meals, spending cash and a gift card for outdoor merchandise,” said Reardon. “Not only do you get all that, but we will also pay the taxes. We want everyone to be able to take these trips of a lifetime!”

One grand prize will be awarded in each of three drawings, along with 25 first prizes of a $500 Bass Pro Shops® gift cards.

One entry equals one $5 “Bass Pro Shops® Cash Adventure” Scratchers ticket.

Deadlines and drawing dates for the three drawings are:

These Scratchers tickets can be scanned using the Lottery’s new mobile app to enter this promotion and to go toward rewards for Draw Points, Prize Points or Instant-Win prizes in the Players Club. For more information, go to MOLottery.com.

©2018 Missouri Lottery Commission.  Scratchers® and My Lottery® are registered trademarks. Bass Pro Shops®, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World® and are registered trademarks of Bass Pro Intellectual Property LLC and  are used under license. All rights reserved.

About the Missouri Lottery (MOLottery.com)

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In 1984, more than 70 percent of Missouri voters approved a lottery. Currently, the Lottery is the sixth-largest source of state income, and more than 95 cents of every dollar spent on the Lottery benefits Missouri. Since sales started in 1986, the Missouri Lottery has generated more than $5.9 billion for the state and public education, and annual Lottery proceeds make up approximately 4 percent of the state’s funding for public education. Lottery players have won more than $13.1 billion in prizes, and retailers have earned more than $1.3 billion in commissions. Each year, the Lottery generates more than $286 million for vital education programs, including A+ scholarships. When you play the Missouri Lottery, you Play It Forward!

About Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”

SOURCE: Missouri Lottery press release.

Ghana Lotto Operators Association Lauds NLA For PPP Initiative

GHANA (February 22, 2018) - -The Ghana Lotto Operators Association (GLOA), operators of private lotteries in Ghana, has lauded the National Lottery Authority (NLA) for its Public-Private-Partnership initiative aimed at lifting the ban on private participation in lottery in the country.

Per the initiative, members of GLOA will now be allowed to operate their respective lotteries under the supervision of the National Lottery Authority.

But each private lotto operator will be required to apply for a licence at a fee of GH¢1 million to be allowed to operate a private lotto countrywide as against GH¢500,000 proposed earlier by GLOA as a body.

Discussions on the matter started a couple of months ago and were finalised on Tuesday at a meeting organized by the Authority with private lotto operators in the country.

It was chaired by the Board Chairman of the Authority, Francis Nyonyo Agboada.

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In attendance were the Director-General of NLA, Kofi OseiAmeyaw, board and management members of the Authority.

GLOA members at the meeting included Dan Borsor, chairman, Seth Amoani, Secretary, Frank Agyei, a famous operator in Kumasi, James Obiri Asare of Obiri Lotteries, Joe Ayivor of Ape Lotto, Samuel Ahiadekeh of Vision Lotto and Noah Afonope of Casa De Oro – (Star Lotto).

Mr Agboada said the various licences would be subject to annual renewals to ensure strict compliance with the requirements and the eligibility criteria.

Speaking to the media on the development, Dan Borsor, GLOA Chairman, commended the NLA for the bold initiative of involving private lotto operators in lotteries in the country.

He said given the fact that GLOA members have the potential to employ many unemployed Ghanaians, the decision by the Authority was a laudable one that has to be encouraged and sustained.

Mr Borsor also indicated that the operationalization of the initiative would go a long way in helping raise revenue through private lotteries to support government projects and programmes.

He was however of the view that the licence fee of GH¢1 million was on the high side and pleaded with the NLA to reconsider its decision on the amount to be charged as a licensing fee.

According to him, if the fee is not reviewed downwards, it could push a lot more of GLOA members out of business since they might not be able to raise the amount.

On his part, Seth Amoani, Secretary of GLOA, thanked the NLA for its initiative and their willingness to work with private lotto operators under a public-private –partnership arrangement, which was supported by Section 2(2) of Act 722 of 2006.

“We accept the licensing regime but we appeal to the NLA to consider the circumstances of each member under the licensing regime,” he said.

SOURCE: Modern Ghana (press release).

Behavioral Analytics: RGA Publishes Good Practice Guidelines

LONDON, U.K. (February 22, 2018) -- The Remote Gambling Association (“the RGA”) has today published good practice guidelines to help operators when they are developing or purchasing systems to enable them to recognise problematic online gambling behaviour and interact with identified customers to address the behaviours that are of concern.

Online gambling operators collect and retain a great deal of data about their customers. It is incumbent on them to use that information to combat crime and provide a safer gambling environment for their customers. These guidelines primarily focus on the second of these, although it is acknowledged that the gambling patterns of problem gamblers and those gambling using the proceeds of crime can be similar.

The guidelines draw on the experience of RGA members and other stakeholders and take into account the latest research. The paper covers areas such as operator policies; markers of harm; customer interactions; recording and reporting; staff training; and evaluation.

Clive Hawkswood, the RGA’s Chief Executive, said ‘it is important to recognise that data and behavioural analytics are not a silver bullet that will solve all of the problems associated with minimising gambling-related harm online. However, their effective use will increasingly prove vital when seeking to achieve that.

The use of data in this way is still in its early days and whatever the industry does now will undoubtedly improve with the benefit of additional research and shared learning. In the meantime we have a collective responsibility to use what we do know, and can do, to the best effect. Although many operators already have systems that go far beyond what is described in these guidelines, we hope they will provide a cross-industry benchmark and a sound starting point.’

• The RGA is a trade association for the online gambling industry whose members are all licensed for gambling purposes in Europe.
• A copy of the RGA guidelines can be downloaded by clicking here and further information about the RGA, together with a list of its members can all be found at www.rga.eu.com
• Any queries about the guidelines should be addressed to Clive Hawkswood at chawkswood@rga.eu.com
• The Gambling Commission’s guidance on interactions (February 2018), can be found HERE.

An Introduction to Online Gambling

The Remote Gambling Association has produced a five minute video entitled ‘An Introduction to Online Gambling’ which explains in very simple terms how online gambling works, is regulated, taxed and kept crime free.

SOURCE: Remote Gambling Association.

Foundation Attends Senate Inquiry on Banning of Gambling Advertisements During Live Sport

MELBOURNE, Australia (February 19, 2018) -- In December 2017, the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee commenced an inquiry on the Communications Legislation Amendment (Online Content Services and Other Measures) Bill 2017.

This matter relates to an announcement by the Australian Government in May 2017 that gambling advertising will be banned during the broadcasting of live sport between 5 am and 8.30 pm.

These restrictions on free-to-air television, subscription television, SBS and commercial radio are planned to commence in March 2018.

The Bill seeks to establish a legislative framework that can be used by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to impose gambling promotions restrictions on online content service providers. If the Bill is passed, ACMA will have the power (if directed by the Minister for Communications and the Arts) to determine program standards about gambling promotional content that apply to broadcasters and subscription providers.

The Foundation’s submission to this inquiry was one of 14 submissions published by the Committee.

The Foundation also accepted an invitation to attend a public hearing on 1 February 2018 to further discuss our submission. The Foundation was represented by:

Chief Executive Officer, Louise Glanville

Strategic Advisor, Tony Phillips

Policy and Knowledge Officer, Lindsay Shaw.

At the hearing, we tabled a Foundation research report and a Foundation discussion paper to assist the Committee.

Read the transcript of the public hearing.

Read the Foundation’s research report – Child and parent recall of gambling sponsorship in Australian sport

Read the Foundation’s discussion paper – Gen Bet: Has gambling gatecrashed our teens?

The Committee's report was provided to the Senate on 12 February 2018.

SOURCE: Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.

Philippines Football League (PFL) Partners Sportradar for Multiyear Data, OTT and Integrity Services

GALLEN, Switzerland (February 23, 2018) -- With the second season of the Philippines Football League (PFL) kicking off at the start of March, the PFL today agreed on a multi-year partnership with Sportradar—a global leader in the sports data, media and integrity space—announcing the company as their official and exclusive global audio-visual and data distribution, as well as integrity services partner.

Kicking off with a signing ceremony the Marco Polo Ortigas, the strategic partnership will enable the PFL to create its own video and streaming platform built using Sportradar’s OTT (Over-The-Top) solution. Fully customizable and scalable, this OTT platform will integrate high-quality video streaming and content, with highly engaging and visualized statistical data viewable across all mobile devices, desktops and smart TVs.

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The PFL will be able to commercialize the platform through advertising, sponsorships, subscription or pay-per-view opportunities for ‘live’ matches. Aimed at developing the league’s following, the content will be available through all platforms 24/7 for fans and audiences across the Philippines, as well as around the world. Integral to the partnership is the integrity services that Sportradar will provide to the PFL.

The campaign logo and tagline Integrity Always was officially presented by the PFL and Sportradar to members of the attending media and stakeholders, and will be used for outreach programs both internally, and externally. Sportradar will also conduct a series of educational and prevention workshops for clubs and players, focusing on the dangers and consequences of match-fixing. Complementing the coverage delivered by the company’s partnerships with the Asia Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA, Sportradar Integrity Services will monitor, identify and analyse suspicious activities relating to the league through its award-winning Fraud Detection System. “2017 was a fantastic first year for the PFL, and we believe that 2018 will be the year we take the league to the next level with Sportradar,” said Mariano Araneta, PFF President and Chairman of the LFI Board of Directors.

“We are delighted to have a trusted global brand such as Sportradar join our journey, a company that shares our passion and sees the potential of the league.” “As our first OTT partner in Asia, the PFL joins a rapidly growing group of federations and leagues globally that have taken a decisive step towards delivering an innovative digital strategy that will provide value and engagement for its sponsors and advertisers, as well as to the delight of its fans,” said Biplav Gautam, Director of Business Development in Asia. “We are particularly encouraged by the PFL’s commitment to keeping the league clean, and we are confident that the engagement of our Integrity Services will safeguard the league against match-fixing”. ABOUT PHILIPPINES FOOTBALL LEAGUE (PFL) The Philippines Football League is the Philippines’ national and professional football league sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation. Launched in 2017, the PFL has six participating clubs that are represented by various cities or provinces with the aim of promoting football throughout the country. The Liga Futbol Inc. (LFI) was created with the aim to professionalise the Phillipines Football League. The LFI operates and manages 2 competitions which include the PFL and the PFF Cup. The Champion of the PFL and PFF Cup Competition has the opportunity to compete in the AFC Champions League prelimiary round and AFC Cup respectively. With the vision to make football a pride of the nation, LFI’s efforts to transform Philippine football is centered around establishing good governance, professionalising club managment through club licensing,  providing competitive matches, promote youth development, drive positive commercial growth, establish strong partnership with stakeholders, engage CSR activities and promote integrity in club and league management.

SOURCE: Sportradar press release.

Preliminary Unaudited Results: ZEAL Group Exceeds Guidance in 2017

• EBIT of €25.2 million; above guidance range
• Total Operating Performance of €141.2 million; above guidance range
• 31% increase in new registered customers
• Strong fourth quarter billings of €78.8 million; up 21% from third quarter

LONDON, U.K.  (February 26, 2018) -- ZEAL Group, the world’s leading lottery innovator, today revealed it has exceeded guidance in 2017 as it announced its unaudited preliminary results for the year.

The Group delivered EBIT of €25.2 million and Total Operating Performance (TOP) of €141.2 million. Total billings for the year were maintained at €280.5 million[1].

The strong results exceeded guidance and were delivered in spite of an exceptionally weak jackpot environment during the third quarter of the year, higher hedging costs as a result of rule changes to EuroMillions, and significant pay-outs including a single €15 million prize in the first quarter.

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The Group’s fourth quarter performance was particularly strong with billings of €78.8 million; up 21% since the third quarter. This was driven by a combination of its most successful new product launch to date with the introduction of Powerball, and record billings in the Spanish Christmas Lottery, El Gordo.

Jonas Mattsson, Chief Financial Officer, ZEAL Group, said: “2017 was an exciting and satisfactory year for ZEAL Group. We delivered strong financial results in challenging conditions, including an exceptionally strong fourth quarter performance. This just goes to highlight the underlying strength of our business, and gives me confidence for the future.”

The Group continued to make significant progress against its strategy by launching into three new international markets during year, including two in the fourth quarter – Norway and the UK. Its sustained focus on customer acquisition delivered 411,000 new registered customers for the Group and its partners in 2017; an increase of 31% compared to 2016.

Dr. Helmut Becker, Chief Executive, ZEAL Group said: “We made good strategic progress in 2017: launching in three new markets, improving our products, enhancing our technology and operational efficiency, acquiring more new customers, and continuing to unearth new ways to disrupt the lottery industry. While the regulatory environment remains challenging, we believe the global lottery market is full of, as yet, untapped potential. As a diverse and long-term focused business, we are well positioned to take advantage of those opportunities.”

In January 2018, ZEAL Group announced that through the implementation of its new hedging structure, delivered by associated company myLotto24, it has reduced its risk exposure by €20 million over two years, freed up €10 million of cash, improved the capital efficiency of its hedging operations and secured greater flexibility to match its international growth.

ZEAL Group will publish its audited annual results for 2017 on 22 March 2018.

Selected preliminary unaudited results to 31 December 2017:

 2018 Outlook

For 2018, ZEAL Group expects to deliver EBIT in the range of €33 million – €43 million, and Total Operating Performance (TOP) of €150 million – €160 million. ZEAL Group expects to pay a dividend of at least €1.00 per share in 2018, subject to financial performance.

CONTACTS: Media Relations, Matt Drage, Head of Corporate Communications, T: +44 (0) 7976 872 861, E: matt.drage@zeal-network.co.uk.

SOURCE: ZEAL Group.

Western Canada Lottery Corporation Awards Pollard Banknote 10-Year Contract Extension

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada (February 28, 2018) -- Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (“Pollard Banknote”) is pleased to announce that it has received a 10-year contract extension from the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (“WCLC”) for the production of instant lottery tickets and provision of related services. The extension will come into effect on April 29, 2018, lengthening the total duration of the agreement to 15 years. Based on average annual sales, this extension will increase the estimated value of the entire contract to more than $130 million.

For more than 30 years, WCLC and Pollard Banknote’s collaborative approach to production, research, and marketing has provided players with exciting, high-quality instant tickets and driven sales success for WCLC’s provincial and territorial members.

WCLC became Pollard Banknote’s first lottery client in 1985, when the company transitioned to developing and printing instant games. Over the history of this partnership, the Lottery has embraced many of Pollard Banknote’s instant ticket innovations with great market success. WCLC was the first lottery to introduce some of Pollard Banknote’s earlier innovative products, including its pioneering translucent marking system, which has become the industry best for crossword and bingo games, as well as game pouches, and scented, die cut, and holographic tickets. The Lottery has also been quick to adopt more recent innovations, such as Pollard Banknote’s patented Scratch FX® products.

“Our long-standing partnership with Pollard Banknote has helped us maintain a high degree of integrity and security for the provincial and territorial lottery organizations in Western Canada. At the same time, we know we can count on Pollard Banknote to continually introduce ticket innovations that keep players engaged and excited about our instant game portfolio,” said David Loeb, President, Western Canada Lottery Corporation. 

“Pollard Banknote is exceedingly proud of our long-term relationship with WCLC. We look forward to continuing to help WCLC introduce innovative products and services that exceed their customers’ expectations,” said Doug Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Pollard Banknote. “We are thrilled to be able to play a role in assisting the WCLC and its lottery organizations and the good causes they support.” 

Pollard Banknote has a strong presence in the jurisdictions served by WCLC with its Winnipeg, Manitoba and Barrhead, Alberta facilities achieving record employment levels. Over the past 25 years, the number of people employed at these two facilities has grown fivefold, rising from approximately 175 people in 1993 to more than 850 employees today. These facilities have helped to fuel the provincial economies by creating jobs, improving labour income, and supporting government revenue generation.

WCLC is a non-profit organization authorized to manage, conduct, and operate lottery and gaming-related activities as an agent for its members, the governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, and associate members, the Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. WCLC is a Regional Marketing Organization of the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation, which is incorporated and authorized to manage and conduct national lotteries in Canada. Through its activities, WCLC supports the efforts of its Members to raise funds that benefit thousands of good causes, ranging from education and sport to innovation and health care. The causes supported by lottery revenues contribute to active, healthy, and culturally-enriched lifestyles for people of all ages and abilities in Western Canada and the Territories.

About Pollard Banknote

Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide, providing high quality instant ticket products, licensed games, 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 plays a major role in providing 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:

SOURCE: Pollard Banknote Limited.

Superbet Goes Live with Vermantia’s Premium Virtual Gaming Content

ATHENS, Greece (February 27, 2018) -- Superbet, Romania’s leading sports betting group, has launched an all new, premium virtual sports service through its digital channels, by integrating onto Vermantia CONNECT’s industry-leading content portfolio. Vermantia, a leader in omni-channel content solutions for lotteries, gaming and betting operators worldwide, will power Superbet’s offering via an expansive portfolio of 25+ Virtual Games. The initial rollout includes Virtual Football, Table Tennis, Archery, Cycling, as well as Motor Racing, with more top quality games to follow.

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The integration with CONNECT enables Superbet with additional access to thousands of live sports and racing events monthly, as well as the ability to seamlessly update and expand its virtual sports offering.

Oren Cohen Shwartz, Superbet’s Group Director of Gaming, said:

“Being a market leader in the Romanian market, we are thrilled to enrich further our Virtual content offering, allowing them to be engaged and entertained with Vermantia’s Virtual Sports events around the clock."

Liliana Dinu, Vermantia’s Sales Director for SE Europe, stated:

“We are more than pleased to collaborate with Superbet in Romania. The launch of our premium gaming content consolidates our leading position when it comes to our further expansion in the Romanian market, while providing our partner with the ability to dynamically enhance its offering to its customers.”

About Superbet

Superbet Holding Romania operates Superbet.ro and four retail brands – Superbet, BetArena, GoBet and Magic Jackpot. In Romania, Superbet has over 1,000 agencies and over 2,500 employees. In 2017, shortly after winning the award for Best Overall Sports Betting Operator at C.E.E.G.C. Awards in Budapest, the company launched its retail operations in Poland, the largest market from the CEE, where currently, Superbet is the only foreign operator.

About Vermantia

Vermantia is a leader in omni-channel content solutions for lotteries, gaming and betting operators worldwide. Vermantia has managed to operate successfully across 31 countries, providing premium content to more than 22 operators internationally. With a proven track record, multi-jurisdictional presence & long-term customer relationships with the largest players in the market, Vermantia constitutes a one-stop-shop for gaming content aggregation and delivery, providing over 25 unique virtual sports, the best international Live Sports and

Racing events, Live Casino, Instant Win Games, DFS and eSports, based on the needs of the

world's most acknowledged operators.

For further information, please CONTACT: Diana Theodoridi, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Vermantia, T: +30 213 00 65 500, E: theodoridi@vermantia.com.

sOURCE: Vermantia press release.

One year on: Instant Scratch-Its Winner Truly Living the Life!

AUSTRALIA (February 28, 2018) -- From paying off houses and embarking on overseas jaunts, through to shopping sprees and starting businesses, Instant Scratch-Its Live the Life winners have revealed the inspiring ways they spend their regular weekly windfall after winning the coveted top prize.

$5 Live the Life Instant Scratch-Its tickets feature five game panels and give players the chance to win instantly from a total prize pool of $9,450,000 including one of four top prizes of $1000 a week for five years.

A young mum from Brisbane won $1,000 a week for five years in summer 2017.  A year on from the exciting moment she scratched three Live the Life symbols on her Instant Scratch-Its, she this week revealed how she has been living life a little more with her winnings.

“When I first scratched the prize our goal was to go to New Years in New York,” the happy winner explained.

“We ended up going at Christmas and had a fantastic time. The money we received every week went into saving for that and just allowed us to do more on the trip than before.

“Before you would have said ‘Oh no, we won’t do that. We can only do one activity.’ Whereas now we had more freedom to do what we wanted on our holiday.

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“We’ve been there and done that!”

The thrilled winner revealed her thoughts on how she planned to spend her Live the Life windfall over the remaining years.

“I’ve been having the pleasure of watching my home loan go down a lot quicker!” she laughed.

“Next year we are planning to visit the United Kingdom and Greece for my daughter’s birthday so that is on the radar. Again, the winnings just helps us to save for these trips. It’s nice.”

The woman also expressed her pleasure at having the freedom to splurge on items just for her.

“Buying shoes are my other little luxury! Not even expensive shoes or anything like that, but if I see some I like, I can buy them!”

Maybe just a paragraph in here – referencing the first par – talking about what other winners have told us they will do, why they like the regular prize interval etc.

Despite having $1,000 a week deposited into her bank account for five years, the woman is still a keen Instant Scratch-Its player.

“Buying an Instant Scratch-It is a little treat to myself and I still buy them because you have to be in it to scratch to win!” she said.

“I always bought scratchies and I saw the Live the Life ticket and I had an inner feeling.

“I just thought ‘I’m going to try this one to see’, because when you do win you do get that money in a regular interval, over a five year period.

“I just look at it as a nice instalment, you don’t have the panic of how to spend all that money at once, and you can plan ahead.”

$5 Live the Live Instant Scratch-Its tickets, with four top prizes of $1,000 a week for five years, are available across Instant Scratch-Its outlets in Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

About Instant Scratch-Its

The world’s first scratch off ticket with instant prizes was introduced in the USA in 1974 and into Australia in 1978.

Instant Scratch-Its tickets are priced from $1 to $20. Within this price range there are a range of game types, from quick fun plays to extended play games.

 Each ticket series or game has a specific prize structure consisting of several prize levels, ranging from top prizes of up to $1 million down to thousands of other smaller prizes. In most instances, the top prize represents approximately 10 per cent of the total prize pool available in that game.

Chances of winning on an Instant Scratch-Its ticket range from 1 in 2 to 1 in 4, which creates millions of moments of instant joy each year.

In 2017, about 150 Australians won more than $15 million in Instant Scratch-It top prizes.

The Lott markets Australia’s leading lottery games in each jurisdiction under its operating licences Golden Casket, NSW Lotteries, Tatts, SA Lotteries and Tatts NT.  These games include Saturday Lotto, Monday and Wednesday Lotto, Powerball, Oz Lotto, Set for Life, Lucky Lotteries, The Pools and Instant Scratch-Its.

For more information please CONTACT:

SOURCE: the Lott.

EU Court Rejects Hungarian Online Gambling Regime and Prohibits Offline Activities Requirement

BRUSSELS, Belgium (February 28, 2018) -- The European Court of Justice (CJEU) has today ruled that the Hungarian requirement to have an offline casino in order to be allowed to offer online casino games is in clear violation of EU law.

The ruling, in a case brought by EU-licensed online gaming operator Sporting Odds, also prohibits enforcement by the Hungarian authorities based on its current gambling legislation which is not in line with the EU freedom to provide services.

The European Gaming & Betting Association (EGBA) welcomes the ruling which reinforces the CJEU’s previous judgment against Hungarian licensing regulations and is a significant step in providing further legal clarity to online gambling regulation in Europe.

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In today’s judgement[1], the CJEU ruled that Hungarian legislation on granting licenses to operate online casino games, which required licensees to hold a license for a land-based casino in the territory of Hungary, is not compatible with the principle of freedom to provide services, guaranteed under Article 56 of the EU Treaty.

The CJEU furthermore leaves it for the Hungarian court to determine whether the current Hungarian system, whereby some online gambling products are subject to a monopoly while others are, in principle, subject to a licensing system, attains public policy objectives in a consistent and systematic manner.

The ruling also confirms the CJEU’s previous preliminary ruling[2] where the Court reiterated that Member States cannot bring any enforcement action, including any form of administrative sanctions such as fines and blocking measures, against EU-licensed online gaming operators if the national legislation is in breach of EU law.

Today’s CJEU ruling confirms that:

• “[it] is clear that such a [licensing] restriction, which amounts to reserving access to the market for online games of chance to casino operators situated on national territory, goes beyond what may be considered necessary as proportional, since less restrictive measures exist which enable the objectives relied on by the Hungarian Government to be attained” (para 43).
• “it is for the competent authorities of a Member State [...] to produce evidence establishing the existence of objectives capable of justifying a restriction on a fundamental freedom [...] and its proportionality. On the other hand, should such justifications not be provided through absence or passivity of those authorities, the national courts must be able to draw all inferences which result from such failure” (para 59).
• “Article 56 TFEU must be interpreted as precluding a penalty [...] imposed for the infringement of national rules introducing a system of concessions and licences for the organisation of games of chance, if such national legislation proves to be contrary to that article” (para 67).

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, said: "Today’s judgement by the Court of Justice is very clear: no Member State can require an offline activity as a pre-requisite to provide online gambling services as this is in conflict with EU law. We are pleased that the CJEU has concluded this once and for all. Restrictive requirements like these, that discriminate against operators, who are entitled to provide their services in a Member State, have no place in the EU. It is clear that, even if Member States are to an extent free to regulate gambling according to their policy objectives, the overall framework is set by EU law."

Background

The Budapest-Capital Administrative and Labour Court had asked the CJEU whether Hungary had violated the freedom to provide services (under Article 56 of the EU Treaty) by imposing administrative fines and temporary ISP blocking measures against an EU-licensed and regulated operator, Sporting Odds. Whilst the Hungarian regulation did not enable the operator to submit a license application for the purposes of offering online casino games without operating a physical casino in Hungary and prevented the operator from offering online sports betting products in Hungary by establishing a national monopoly.

[1] Case C-3/17, European Court of Justice, 28 February 2018.

[2] Case C-49/16, European Court of Justice, 22 June 2017.

CONTACT: Barry Magee, Senior Communications Manager, European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), Email: barry.magee@egba.eu, Office: + 32 255 408 99.

SOURCE: EGBA.

Lotto Instant Win Partners with ORYX Gaming

Live streaming lottery solution available 24/7 allows players to bet on draws

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 28, 2018) -- Live lottery specialist Pin Projekt has signed a content distribution deal with ORYX Gaming, significantly expanding the reach of its revolutionary new live streaming solution, Lotto instant Win (LiW).

As part of the partnership, LiW has been integrated onto the provider’s omni-channel cross-product platform.

ORYX Gaming’s operator clients will now have access to the streaming service, which allows players to place bets on the outcome of a variety of lottery draws broadcast 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Draws occur frequently, every 1, 3, 7 and 10 minutes depending on the studio and how many balls are in the drum. Fully verified lottery drawing machines ensure complete randomised draws and guarantees transparency of winnings.

Players can choose from 17 different games with side-bets and jackpot options across desktop and mobile devices, with over 2,000 live draws taking place across the day, all year round.

Green screen chroma key technology allows for studios to be customised to feature an operator’s branding, while glamorous hostesses bring the draws to life throughout the day.

Zdenko Ninkovic, Pin Projekt CSO, said: “This is a significant deal for us as it greatly improves our international presence, with LiW readily available to ORYX Gaming operators around the world.

We are confident the high frequency of draws and quality of streams will prove an attractive proposition for both clients and players.”

Matevz Mazij, ORYX Gaming CEO said: “LiW is a truly unique live lottery solution and we’re thrilled to have made it available to our partners.

“We’ve been very impressed with the overall package they provide, from state-of-the-art technology to ensure no buffering and a wide range of games on offer, and are sure it will be well-received by our customer base.”

To view and play demo versions of its games, please visit: http://www.lottery.live/

About Pin Projekt:

Founded in 2008, Pin Projekt is an innovative company which offers a variety of software solutions for the iGaming industry.

Lotto instant Win (LiW), launched in 2018, is the new and innovative live lottery platform developed by Pin Projekt. Live lottery games take place from four certified studios, available 24/7, and have a frequency of 1, 3, 7 and 10 minutes depending of the studio and the number of balls in the drum.

About ORYX Gaming:

ORYX Gaming is a leading turnkey solutions provider. The omni channel cross-product platform contains a mix of proprietary and 3rd party games for Casino, Slots, Live dealer content, Lottery, Poker, Virtual Sports and Instant game offerings.  They offer the perfect blend of localized and exclusive content from the likes of ORYX, Gamomat, Kalamba and a number of standard integrations such as Quickfire, Netent, NYX, EGT, Amatic and Isoftbet to collate 5000 aggregated world-class game titles.

SOURCE: Pin Projekt press release.