IGT Wins 700-Unit Video Lottery Terminal Contract with Western Canada Lottery Corporation

LONDON, U.K. (August 6, 2018) -- International Game Technology PLC ("IGT") (NYSE: IGT) today announced it has signed an agreement with the Western Canada Lottery Corporation ("WCLC") to provide WCLC with 700 CrystalDual® 27 Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) in Saskatchewan by March 2019. IGT participated in a competitive RFQ process to win this business.

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...

A standout in the Canadian market, IGT's CrystalDual 27 VLT features two high-definition displays that deliver pristine graphics. The modern hardware solution also features a first-class audio package, ergonomic design and a mobile device charging port to deliver an exceptional player experience.

"The Western Canada Lottery Corporation is excited to partner with IGT to update the Saskatchewan VLT network with IGT's best-in-class Video Lottery Terminals and game content," said Eric Karmark, WCLC Vice President, VLT Gaming & Operations. "IGT has been a trusted WCLC partner for more than two decades, and we're pleased that our relationship will continue through this machine replacement cycle."

"IGT is pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with WCLC with the delivery of 700 CrystalDual 27 Video Lottery Terminals. The versatility of the CrystalDual 27 VLT will enable WCLC to modernize its gaming venues and entertain players with exceptional, regionally attuned content," said Nick Khin, IGT Chief Commercial Officer, Gaming. "IGT has applied its decades of experience as a supplier in Canada to create modern, world-class solutions that WCLC can leverage in the Saskatchewan VLT network." 

Under the agreement, WCLC will receive 700 of IGT's CrystalDual 27 VLTs - each one with an eight-game content bundle created specifically for WCLC and its players. IGT's INTELLIGEN™ Central System will continue to connect the WCLC's VLTs and to provide the lottery with detailed machine accounting, event tracking, system security and more.

About IGT

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

CONTACT:

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

SOURCE: IGT.

Smartplay International Awarded ISO 9001:2015 Certificate

EDGEWATER PARK, NJ (August 2, 2018) – Smartplay International announced the successful completion of its International Organization of Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 transition audit for its office and manufacturing facility located in Edgewater Park, NJ.

The ISO audit measures Smartplay’s quality systems and processes against an international standard as a way to measure quality and commitment to customers and stakeholders.

Smartplay President Tom Markert stated, “In an industry where quality and precision are so important, I’m proud of our team for their efforts to achieve this certification. It is an important demonstration of our commitment to our customer’s success, and the thoughtful process required to create extremely reliable and high-quality lottery drawing systems.”

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The audit was completed by Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. an internationally recognized registrar, accredited by ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) among others.

According to ISO, achieving 9001:2015 certification means that an organization has demonstrated the following:

• Customer focus
• Leadership and Innovation of people
• Systematic approach to management
• Continual process improvement
• Factual approach to decision-making
• Mutually beneficial supplier relations

The newest version of the ISO 9001 certification contains key updates including an emphasis on risk-based thinking to enhance the application of the process approach, improved applicability for services and increased leadership requirements. Smartplay’s registration certificate can be found at www.smartplay.com/iso.

About Smartplay

Established in 1993, Smartplay has distinguished itself in the gaming marketplace as the premier manufacturer of high quality, reliable and robust lottery drawing solutions. The company has produced over 3000 lottery systems for clients in 85 countries. Over 75% of the world’s lotteries utilize Smartplay digital and mechanical systems to conduct drawings.

CONTACT: Darrell Smith, Smartplay International, T: 609-880-1860, E: darrell.smith@smartplay.com.

SOURCE: Smartplay International.

GLI Australia® Staff Bring Global Expertise to AGE 2018

SYDNEY, Australia (August 3, 2018) – GLI Australia is the clear leader among test labs in the Australian and Asian gaming industry, and now GLI Australia staff will bring their locally focused global expertise to the Australasian Gaming Expo, which takes place 14-16 August at ICC Sydney Darling Harbour NSW.

GLI Australia’s industry-leading experts will be on stand #452 at the show discussing GLI’s proven laboratory services including testing and certification, communication protocol and interoperability expertise, and sports betting testing knowledge.

GLI Australia has three labs on the continent and, because of its global reach, can benefit local customers of all sizes.

“At AGE, GLI will prove once again that no other lab can match our abilities or reach. We have been serving the Australian gaming market since 1991 and are proud to have three local labs dedicated to serving our local regulators, suppliers, and operators. GLI is the leading expert when companies in Australia want to sell their equipment overseas,” said Ian Hughes, GLI’s Vice President of Global Services.

GLI is known the world over as the gaming industry’s leading “regulation-ready” testing and certification lab, and only GLI can give suppliers total access into both existing and emerging land-based, iGaming, and sports-wagering markets around the world. Further, as the industry’s communication protocol and interoperability experts, GLI helps get suppliers’ products anywhere they want them to go with consistency, speed, and accuracy.

GLI has provided 21,233 certifications for the Australian and New Zealand market, as well as certified 552,712 Australian innovations for global jurisdictions. Additionally, GLI has transferred approval to over 475 jurisdictions totalling over 3,037,750 certifications globally since the company’s inception.

GLI has several exclusive tools that help suppliers reach global markets quickly and efficiently. For example, GLI’s new test automation improves testing consistency and accuracy, speeding time to market. GLI Link® is a patented remote testing system that greatly reduces supplier expenses. Point.Click.Transfer.® allows suppliers to quickly and easily transfer previously certified devices and systems to jurisdictions worldwide.

“Our testing all leads to the Gaming Labs Certified® mark, and suppliers, regulators, and operators the world over know the mark is a respected symbol of quality. It is another distinctive factor that separates GLI from other test labs,” said Erdal Eskin, GLI Australia’s Chief Operating Officer.

Join GLI on stand #452 at AGE or online at gaminglabs.com. Be part of the GLI conversation on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About Gaming Laboratories International

Gaming Laboratories International, LLC delivers the highest quality land-based, lottery and iGaming testing and assessment services. GLI’s laboratory locations are found on six continents, and the company holds U.S. and international accreditations for compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, 17020, and 17065 standards for technical competence in the gaming, wagering and lottery industries. GLI also holds ISTBQ certification. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.

CONTACT: Christie Eickelman, Vice President of Global Marketing, T: +1 (702) 914-2220 or E: c.eickelman@gaminglabs.com.

SOURCE: Gaming Laboratories International.

What Life is REALLY Like for Our Set for Life First Prize Winners!

BRISBANE, Australia (August 7, 2018) --Forty-one Australians know what it’s like to be Set for Life, and according to them, it’s about more than just the $20,000 a month for 20 years prize money -- it’s a life-changing shift in mindset that opens up a whole new world of possibility.

Today, Set for Life celebrates three fantastic years of delivering $20k on replay to First Prize winners! To date, a total of 41 First Prize winners have received $13,680,000 in prize money, with a further $183,120,000 to be paid to these winners during the next 17 to 20 years. That’s the beauty of Set for Life!

To help celebrate Set for Life’s birthday, Australia’s official lotteries, the Lott, has revealed what life is really like for Set for Life First Prize winners when their bank balance balloons by $20k each month!

Set for Life spokesperson Ally Ramsamy said while each First Prize winner was unique, all enjoyed freedom from financial stress and being able to plan their lives around receiving 20 years of prize payments.

“What’s great about Set for Life is that it enables our winners to really plan for the future – as they are secure in the knowledge they will receive $20,000 a month for 20 years,” she explained.

“While most Aussies dream of winning the lottery and living a no-limits lifestyle, our Set for Life winners are more conservative about what to do with their win.

“Our research has revealed that our Set for Life winners love to travel, both domestically and internationally – with Australia, the UK and America being some of the most popular destinations of choice.

“Aside from travel, paying off the mortgage, buying investment properties and renovating the family home are common ways our Set for Life winners spend their monthly prize money.

“While Set for Life allows our winners to spoil themselves, the majority of our winners take the opportunity to share their prize with family members, friends and a range of charitable organisations.”

“My husband and I worked hard and we were both on a very low wage. I prayed that one day I could go to Hawaii for my 50th, do renovations, get an investment property for our kids, buy a new car, pay off our mortgage, and help my parents and family out. And my prayers were answered with winning, as we have done all this and more since 2015!” - VIC winner.

“Many winners spoke of the benefits of the prize being paid in instalments and how it has allowed them to be sensible with their prize and plan ahead,” Miss Ramsamy said.

“Winning Set for Life ultimately means they can do the things they have always wanted to do. It has changed their lives in the best way, but it hasn’t changed them personally.”

“I just think this is the best lottery prize that you could possibly win - being paid monthly is just fantastic. Our lives have changed enormously, but we still feel like we are the same people. Thank you, thank you.” - QLD winner

Some Set for Life winners also revealed they have special rituals on the 15th of every month – the day they receive their monthly instalment of $20,000.

“Unlike other lottery games where winners receive their prize as a lump sum, Set for Life winners receive their prize in instalments of $20,000 a month for 20 years,” Miss Ramsamy said.

“This means that our winners replay that ‘yay moment’ 240 times!

“Many winners revealed they feel grateful, blessed and relieved when they see their monthly instalment in their account each month – it feels like pay day for them.”

“Every month I have a little "woohoo" moment - still can't really believe it until that money lands in my account every month - it's awesome!” - QLD winner.

About Set for Life

Last financial year, there were 16 Set for Life First Prize winners across the Lott’s jurisdictions who will receive $76.8 million during the next 20 years.

A Set for Life draw is conducted every night of the week, 365 days each year, and players can start their seven-day Set for Life entry on any day of the week.

To win the First Prize in Set for Life, players must correctly choose the 8 winning numbers drawn from 37. Additional smaller divisional prizes can be won from 2nd Prize to 8th Prize by selecting a combination of the 8 winning numbers and 2 bonus numbers drawn.

Tickets for Set for Life are on sale in lottery outlets around the country and online at thelott.com with the next draw occurring tonight.

 For more information please CONTACT:

SOURCE: the Lott press release.

PA Lottery Sales and Prizes Hit New Record; Proceeds to Benefit Older Pennsylvanians Top $1 Billion for Seventh Year

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (August 2, 2018) -- The Pennsylvania Lottery sold a record of more than $4.2 billion in games in the 2017-18 fiscal year, from which it paid a record of more than $2.7 billion in prizes to winners and generated more than $1 billion to benefit older Pennsylvanians.

"We're proud that this was the seventh consecutive year in which we exceeded $1 billion in proceeds to benefit older adults," said Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. "I'm grateful for the support of our players, business partners and the entire Lottery team for making this record year possible."

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Overall results of the fiscal year, which ran July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, include:

• Traditional game sales totaled $4,200,564,811, up by $199.5 million year-to-year and breaking the previous sales record of $4.13 billion from the 2015-16 fiscal year
• Net revenue generated for the Lottery Fund totaled $1,093,645,976, an increase of $47.9 million from the prior year.
• Prizes paid grew to a record of more than $2.7 billion, an increase of $145.5 million. A total of 67 players won prizes of $1 million or more during the year. Overall, approximately 65 cents of every lottery sales dollar went back to winners.
• More than 9,300 licensed Lottery retailers statewide, many of them small and family-owned businesses, earned more than $224.1 million in sales commissions. That marked an increase of $12.7 million from the prior year.

By-category sales summaries are as follows:

• Sales of Scratch-Offs games totaled a record of more than $2.8 billion, up by $97.6 million, or 3.6 percent, from the previous year and surpassing the previous record of $2.79 billion set in 2015-16. These games accounted for over 67 percent of total sales.
• Sales of Draw Games – including the PICK family of games and Wild Ball, Treasure Hunt, Cash 5, Match 6, Millionaire Raffle, Cash4Life®, Powerball®, and Mega Millions® – totaled $1.25 billion for the fiscal year, up $34.8 million, or nearly 2.9 percent, from the previous year's total. Highlights from the category include:
  -- Sales of multi-state games (Powerball®, Mega Millions® and Cash4Life®) grew by nearly $55 million, or almost 15 percent, from the prior year. Several large Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots helped to grow revenues for this category, as did a change in the base price for Mega Millions (from $1 to $2) in October.
  -- Match 6 Lotto sales totaled more than $113.3 million, up by more than $33.7 million, or 42.4 percent, from the prior year. Last August, the game changed from twice-weekly to nightly drawings.
• Sales of Fast Play games totaled over $114.4 million, exceeding estimates by more than $14 million. This was the popular category's first full fiscal year of sales.

"It's important to note that two new products, Keno and iLottery, also contributed to our success, although both were launched toward the end of the fiscal year," Svitko added.

Keno, which went on sale May 1, generated more than $7.6 million in sales. New iLottery online interactive games, which launched May 22, were responsible for $20.8 million in play through June 30.

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"These encouraging results show that our ongoing modernization efforts are succeeding," Svitko said. "With the Lottery facing increased competition from sports wagering, mini-casinos and other new forms of gambling, we must continue to work hard to grow revenues to benefit older Pennsylvanians."

The Pennsylvania Lottery operates as a bureau within the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Financial statements are available at palottery.com, under "About Us & News," then "Annual Sales & Benefit Reports."

About The Pennsylvania Lottery

The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery to direct all proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since ticket sales began in 1972, it has contributed $29 billion to fund property tax and rent rebates, transportation, care services, prescription assistance, and local services including senior centers and meals.

Players must be 18 or older. Please play responsibly. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) for help with a compulsive gambling problem.

Visit palottery.com for winning numbers, rules, chances of winning, and to join the VIP Players Club for second chances to win. Play online at pailottery.com. Install our official mobile app, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @PALottery.

CONTACT: Lottery Media Relations, T: 717-702-8008.

SOURCE: Pennsylvania Lottery.

NH Lottery Sets All-time Sales Record in FY 2018 With Sales Reaching $331.8 Million; Tops All of New England in Sales Growth

CONCORD, N.H. (August 2, 2018) -- The New Hampshire Lottery set an all-time sales record during Fiscal Year 2018, with total sales exceeding $331.8 million, marking an increase of more than $33.9 million or 11.4 percent from Fiscal Year 2017, according to preliminary sales figures. The New Hampshire Lottery also generated a nearly 20-percent increase in net profits to a record $86.5 million, which supports education in New Hampshire. Since its inception in 1964, the New Hampshire Lottery has delivered more than $1.9 billion in revenue to support education in New Hampshire.

“The New Hampshire Lottery is a critical resource for the state in delivering millions of dollars each year to support our education system,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “With its sales success, its growing variety of entertaining, innovative and exciting games and its commitment to the highest standards, the New Hampshire Lottery is clearly an industry leader dedicated to fulfilling its mission. In New Hampshire, when you play the lottery, we all win.”

In driving record overall sales this past fiscal year, the New Hampshire Lottery generated $238.3 million in scratch ticket sales, a nearly $15.4 million or 6.9-percent increase from last year. Bolstered by major jackpots over the past year, Mega Millions sales jumped by nearly 60-percent, from $10.7 million in Fiscal Year 2017 to nearly $17 million in Fiscal Year 2018. In addition, Powerball sales increased by nearly 13 percent from $32.4 million to $36.6 million this past Fiscal Year.

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“We are pleased with sales over the past year and we are particularly pleased to be able to deliver more than $86.5 million in critical revenue to support public education in New Hampshire -- at a time when funding for public education is needed now more than ever,” said Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery. “Our success is driven by a variety of factors, including our expanding array of fun and exciting games at all price points, strategic marketing and advertising initiatives, a dedicated staff and a commitment to innovation and creativity that few lotteries in the nation can claim. We constantly strive to offer new and exhilarating opportunities for our players to experience the fun and excitement of playing the lottery.”

Further driving the sales increase, the New Hampshire Lottery’s newest game, KENO 603, which launched in December 2017, generated nearly $8.3 million in sales. With more than 130 establishments in 65 cities and towns offering KENO 603, sales are averaging $400,000 per week. As more communities adopt KENO 603, more eligible establishments will sign up to offer the game, supporting continued sales growth.

Thanks to its variety of unique and fun games, and a dedicated effort to reach players at all price points, scratch ticket sales in New Hampshire have risen steadily in recent years. Since Fiscal Year 2010, instant ticket sales have climbed by $77.7 million, a nearly 50-percent increase during that time period.

New Hampshire Lottery players can try their luck at about 60 scratch ticket games, with tickets selling from $1 to $25, and prizes ranging from $50 to $2 million. In recent years, the New Hampshire Lottery has emphasized new and exciting games in its scratch ticket options, with a dual focus of providing plenty of appealing options for core Lottery players, while at the same time taking steps to entice new players.

The top-10 performing scratch tickets, by number of tickets sold, from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 were:

• Money Puzzle Plus – 2,027,082 tickets sold
• $500,000 Fortune – 1,736,269 tickets sold
• Granite State Gold – 1,563,882 tickets sold
• 5X Patriots – 1,245,265 tickets sold
• 5X the Cash – 1,204,962 tickets sold
• Frogger – 1,196,295 tickets sold
• Black & Gold – 1,177,057 tickets sold
• Hot $ – 1,166,451 tickets sold
• Fast 5’s – 1,135,304 tickets sold
• Holiday Classic - 1,103,403 tickets sold

The top-10 performing scratch tickets, by sales dollars, from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 were:

• Granite State Gold - $39,097,050
• $500,000 Fortune - $17,362,690
• Mega Cash - $9,338,060
• 50X the Money - $7,136,020
• 5X Patriots - $6,226,325
• Win Big - $6,133,680
• Money Puzzle Plus - $6,081,246
• Cash Craze Double Doubler - $5,889,750
• Black & Gold - $5,885,285
• Double Diamond Spectacular - $5,882,600

About New Hampshire Lottery

Since 1964, the New Hampshire Lottery has had a significant financial impact on the state. For the past 54 years, the New Hampshire Lottery has recorded more than $6.6 billion in lottery sales and other earnings, with over $4.4 billion paid in prizes and other cost of sales. Net proceeds to education total more than $1.9 to date.

The New Hampshire Lottery Commission, located at 14 Integra Drive in Concord, currently manages all lottery operations in the state, including instant games, New Hampshire Powerball®, New Hampshire Mega Millions®, Tri-State Megabucks℠ Plus, Tri-State Pick3®/Pick4® Daily Numbers games, Gimme 5, Fast Play games, Lucky For Life® and KENO 603.

SOURCE: The New Hampshire Lottery.

Evening Draw Times For Pick Daily Games™ Are Changing

A later draw time, means more time to play!

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (August 3, 2018) -- Beginning August 5, 2018, evening draw times for PICK Daily Games™ will move from 7:57 P.M. to 9:45 P.M., E.T. Each game costs 50 cents or $1 to play; and with top prizes ranging from $50 to $50,000, there’s something for every level of player to enjoy! PICK 2™, PICK 3™, PICK 4™ and PICK 5™ drawings are held twice daily, seven days per week, at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. ET.

For detailed information on draw schedules and times, visit the Lottery’s website at www.flalottery.com.

Florida Lottery drawings are broadcast on 17 carrier stations throughout the state and are also available for viewing on the Florida Lottery website, along with winning numbers information.

You can also get winning numbers information at Lottery retailers statewide or by phone at (850) 921-PLAY. Also, you may register here to receive winning numbers and other Lottery information by email or text message.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY

The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $33 billion to education and sending more than 775,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

The Florida Lottery reinvests 98 percent of its revenue back into Florida's economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,000 Florida retailers and transfers to education.

Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid more than $56.3 billion in prizes and made more than 2,000 people millionaires. For more information, please visit www.flalottery.com.

CONTACT: Florida Lottery Communications, T: (850) 487-7727.

SOURCE: Florida Lottery (www.flalottery.com)

Michigan Lottery’s Red Ball Double Draw Gives Daily 3 Players Extra Chances to Win

LANSING, Michigan (July 31, 2018) -- The Michigan Lottery is giving evening Daily 3 players extra chances to win in August.

Beginning Wednesday, five white balls and one red ball will be loaded into a drum and a special “Double Draw” will be shown after the regular Daily 3 evening drawing. If a white ball is drawn, it will be removed from the drum, set aside, and another “Double Draw” will occur the next day.

When the red ball is drawn, the Lottery will conduct a second Daily 3 evening drawing.

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Once the red ball has been drawn, all balls are loaded back into the drum for the next Daily 3 evening drawing.

The Red Ball Double Draw promotion applies to Daily 3 evening drawings Monday through Saturday. The promotion will run for a limited time in August.

During the Red Ball Double Draw promotion, the Lottery will conduct at least eight Daily 3 evening drawings each week rather than seven. With at least one extra drawing each week during the promotion, players will have more chances to win. Best of all, the Red Ball Double Draw promotion is free for players.

Players have five ways to play the Daily 3 game: Straight, Boxed, Two-Way, 1-Off, and Wheeled. Prize amounts vary based on the way a number is played, and on the order in which the winning numbers are drawn. Players may select a three-digit number, or choose an easy pick play. There are two Daily 3 drawings a day, seven days a week, at 12:59 p.m. and 7:29 p.m.

Daily 3 wagers may be 50 cents or $1. Daily 3 games may be played at the 11,000 Michigan Lottery retailers across the state.

In 2017, players won more than $179 million playing the Daily 3 game.

SOURCE: The Michigan Lottery.

New Jersey Lottery Renews Its Commitment to Prevention of Underage Lottery Play

“Not 18 Yet? No Bet” Awareness Campaign Underway

TRENTON, NJ (August 6, 2018) – Today, the New Jersey Lottery (NJL) and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc. (CCGNJ) launched the Lottery’s annual “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” awareness campaign. This campaign reminds residents and retailers that New Jersey law prohibits the sale of lottery tickets by or to anyone under the age of 18. NJL Acting Executive Director James Carey and CCGNJ Executive Director Neva Pryor renewed their organizations’ commitment to responsible play and the prevention of underage gambling at the campaign’s kickoff event held at Corner Express, 5 Lawrenceville Pennington Road in Lawrence Township, a Lottery retailer.

“Our State Lottery has a longstanding commitment to promoting responsible play and discouraging underage Lottery play,” said Carey. “We work closely with the CCGNJ to raise awareness about the age restriction on lottery play in New Jersey and we support the Council’s on-going efforts to prevent underage gambling.”

As part of its effort, the New Jersey Lottery has developed a “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” brochure providing information about the major types of teen betting, and ways to recognize signs of a gambling problem, for retailer and player education. The brochure also provides concerned individuals with contact information on how to receive advice and assistance. The brochure is available at more than 7,200 Lottery retailer locations, at all Lottery-sponsored exhibits and events and may be downloaded from the njlottery.com website.

Following today’s event, the Lottery provided the CCGNJ with additional “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” brochures, and supplies of branded pencils for distribution to students who attend the Council’s school lecture series. The pencils are imprinted with the message “LOTTERY IS NOT CHILD’S PLAY, You Must Be 18 Or Older To Play The NJ Lottery.”

In addition, the “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” message and the 1-800-GAMBLER® Helpline number are continually flashed on Lottery’s digital messaging screens at all retailer locations.

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“Right now, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ is in the midst of a major expansion of its community and school-based outreach programs. One of our focuses is preventing the onset of gambling addiction among adolescents and young adults, so the New Jersey Lottery's message and support is particularly important,” said Pryor. “The Lottery continues to be a great partner in promoting the importance of responsible gambling and in publicizing the Council’s helpline number. If a parent thinks their child might have a gambling problem, they can call 1-800-GAMBLER®; we offer support, treatment and hope.”

The Lottery has had a representative on the Council ’s board of directors since June 1999. The problem gambling helpline number (1-800-GAMBLER®) is printed on every Lottery ticket, brochure and sign, and appears as a tag line on the Lottery’s radio and television advertisements. Finally, the Lottery’s website directs visitors to the Council’s site (www.800gambler.org), which provides the public with free information and help for compulsive gambling problems.

The New Jersey Lottery has also received international recognition for it responsible gaming initiatives. It has obtained the highest level of achievement by the World Lottery Association (WLA) for its adherence to the Responsible Gaming Principles and Responsible Gaming Framework which is ingrained in the Lottery’s day-to-day operations.

CONTACT: MaryAnn Rivell, Public Information Office, T: Phone: (609) 599-5875, E: PublicInfo@lottery.nj.gov.

SOURCE: The New Jersey Lottery.

“Missed it By THAT Much!” Game Enhancements Mean Players Can Win By Being Close To Winning Numbers Drawn

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (August 6, 2018) -- Several enhancements are taking place today for popular Kentucky Lottery draw games. One of these enhancements includes a new feature for the Pick 3 and Pick 4 games which allows players to win prizes if their numbers are one digit higher or lower than the winning numbers drawn.

1-OFF® is a new wager type for Pick 3 and Pick 4. A player can select the 1-OFF® feature at the time of purchase, with wagers starting at $1.00. If one or more of their numbers are – as the name implies – one digit off of winning numbers, they win a cash prize. All the possible numeric combinations with which they can win are on the ticket.

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“With this new wager, Pick 3 players now have 27 chances to win with a single ticket, and Pick 4 players have 81 chances to win,” said Tom Delacenserie, president and CEO of the Kentucky Lottery. “These daily games have been popular ever since they were introduced in the Commonwealth, and these new features are definitely going to create more winners – which in turn will create more excitement.”

While a player who matches all three numbers in exact order on a Pick 3 ticket with a straight wager wins the game’s top prize of $600, the same win on a Pick 3 ticket with a 1-OFF® wager will yield $300. “However, on that ticket with a straight wager, they have one chance to win a prize. With 1-OFF®, they now have 27 chances on that Pick 3 ticket. We think players will enjoy their increased chances of winning with this new feature,” said Delacenserie.

Other enhancements for Kentucky Lottery draw games include those for the 5 Card Cash game. These changes include the addition of a Sunday drawing for the game, better chances of winning a prize, and a refreshed game logo. Players can still win up to $5000 instantly, and up to $100,000 in the nightly drawings.

The enhancements for these draw games are now available at all KY Lottery retailers.

The Kentucky Lottery has earned over $5.1 billion for the Commonwealth since 1989. KLC dividends pay for college scholarships, grants and literacy programs. Visit kheaa.com to find out more about grants and scholarships paid for by the KLC.

For More Information CONTACT: Chip Polston, Jennifer Cunningham or Sara Westerman, T: (502) 560-1675.

SOURCE: Kentucky Lottery.

Get in on the Action with Kansas Lottery’s New Racetrax Game!

Lucky Salina Player wins $10,000 playing Racetrax

TOPEKA, Kansas (August 8, 2018) -- The Kansas Lottery is betting players will cheer its new Racetrax® electronic virtual horse racing game.

With 3D graphic animation so advanced the horses and races almost look real, Racetrax offers the thrill of horse racing and the payout and prizes of a Keno game.

When the game came online July 29, Kansas became only the second lottery in the country to offer Racetrax to its players.

“Racetrax has come out of the gate very strong for us,” said Kansas Lottery Executive Director Terry Presta. “With only a minimal amount of advertising, Racetrax is already out performing our expectations and looking like a winner.”

Speaking of winners…one Salina player, who asked the Lottery to withhold his identity, has 10,000 reasons to like the new Racetrax game.   He already won $10,000 playing the new game! The lucky winner claimed his ticket at Lottery headquarters August 6.

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“I really like the game!” said the anonymous winner, who bought his Racetrax ticket August 3 at Rod’s Shamrock 2 located at 1339 N. 9th in Salina. “The graphics are really great and it’s a lot of fun to play.”  His $10 winning ticket was a Superfecta bet (select four horses to finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in exact order) for five races.

Racetrax Basics:

• 12 horses per race, with each race lasting up to one minute
• Races begin every five minutes
• Fixed probabilities of winning on each Racetrax  horse number
• Winning horse numbers are randomly generated and displayed on TV monitors
• A Bonus Wheel that spins before each race gives players a chance to multiply their winnings
• Many ways to play and win!

In Racetrax, players select horses using a play slip or mark the Quick Pick (QP) box if they want horses selected for them.  On the play slip, there are 13 bet types from which to choose.

Players also select the amount they wish to bet and how many consecutive races they want to play. Racetrax Bonus is an optional feature that doubles the cost of a ticket and can increase a player’s winnings by up to 10 times the original amount.

All Kansas Lottery retailers offer Racetrax, including more than 300 locations where players can watch the races on TV monitors.  To see a list of locations with Racetrax monitors, go to Watch Races as They Happen at Select Retailer Locations.

You can use the Ticket Checker machine at any Kansas Lottery retailer or go to Previous Racetrax Games  on the Lottery website to check tickets.

Racetrax is played from 4:00 a.m. to 2:50 a.m. every day. Players have until 2:49 a.m. to purchase Racetrax tickets. To learn more about playing the game, pick up a free Racetrax How-to-Play brochure at any Lottery retailer or visit the Racetrax page on kslottery.com.

The Kansas Lottery’s PlayOn® Players Loyalty program is FREE to join. PlayOn members can submit all their winning and non-winning tickets to earn points for drawing entries and a chance to win cash and prizes!

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

How to Play Racetrax YouTube Video

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

SOURCE: The Kansas Lottery.

Maryland Lottery and Casinos Break All-Time Records in Fiscal Year 2018

Record-setting total of $1.252 billion contributed to the state

BALTIMORE, Maryland (August 8, 2018) -- Maryland Lottery and Gaming today announced numerous record-breaking figures for Fiscal Year 2018. Traditional lottery ticket sales and the state’s six casinos combined to contribute a record $1.252 billion to support Maryland’s good causes, including education, public health and safety, the environment, veterans’ organizations, the state’s horse racing industry and more.

It was a historic year for the Maryland Lottery, which surpassed $2 billion in sales for the first time and set a new profit record of $575.6 million. New all-time marks also were established for prizes to players, retailer commissions and instant ticket (scratch-off) sales.

FY2018 marked the first time that all six of the state’s casinos were operating for a full fiscal year. Casino gaming revenue contributed $676.7 million to the state, including $496.7 million to the Maryland Education Trust Fund.

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The combined total of $1.252 billion in state contributions is a 12.1% increase from the previous record of $1.117 billion in Fiscal Year 2017. Meanwhile, the Agency’s operating expenses remained low at 3.3% of sales on the Lottery side, and 1% of total gaming revenues for the casino program.

The Lottery’s sales for FY2018 (July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018) were $2.043 billion, beating the previous mark of $1.935 billion in FY2017 by 5.8%. The state’s casinos also set a new record of $1.679 billion for gaming revenue.

“It was a great year all around, and we couldn’t be prouder of the contribution that the Lottery and the casinos made to important state programs,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director Gordon Medenica. “It’s especially gratifying to see both the Lottery and the casinos growing simultaneously.”

Lottery

The Lottery’s $2.043 billion in sales fueled an all-time record of $1.247 billion in prizes paid to players, a 4.2% increase from the previous record of $1.197 billion in FY2017. The Lottery paid an average of more than $3.4 million a day in prizes to players during FY2018.

Retailers earned an all-time high of $153.7 million from sales commissions, a 5.4% increase from the previous record of $145.9 million set in FY2017. The average commission paid to the Lottery’s nearly 4,500 retailers was more than $34,000.

For the fourth consecutive year, sales of instant tickets set an all-time record, totaling $750.9 million, an 11.0% increase from the previous high of $676.8 million set in FY2017.  Instant ticket sales have increased at double-digit rates for four consecutive years.

The Lottery’s most popular game, Pick 4, set an all-time sales record of $296.2 million. Racetrax, a computer-animated horse racing simulation game, also set an all-time sales record of $192.6 million.

Casino Gaming

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The FY2018 gross gaming revenue total of $1.679 billion beat last year’s figure by $258.0 million (18.2%). The $496.7 million contribution to the Education Trust Fund (ETF) was an increase of $45.5 million (10.1%) from FY2017. The ETF supports early childhood education, public elementary and secondary education, public school construction and capital improvement projects. Since the state’s first casino opened in 2010, more than $2.4 billion has gone to the ETF.

“Congratulations to Maryland Lottery and Gaming for an excellent year,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “The contribution of nearly half a billion dollars to the Education Trust Fund is a tremendous benefit to our state and our schools. We must take action to ensure that these funds supplement and not supplant educational funding, and I urge Maryland voters to support the referendum on the ballot this year to truly create an education lockbox.”

FY2018 casino revenue was also distributed to the following beneficiaries:

• Local aid: $88.4 million, divided between local impact grants and local jurisdictions.
• Maryland’s horse racing industry: $71.2 million, divided between the Racetrack Facility Renewal and Horse Racing Purse Dedication accounts.
• The Maryland General Fund: $15.4 million.
• Responsible gaming programs: $5.3 million.

 More than 7,700 people work at the state’s six casinos, including more than 6,200 full-time employees.

Since its inception in 1973, Maryland Lottery and Gaming has contributed more than $16 billion to the State of Maryland and paid more than $25.6 billion in prizes to players. The casino program, which began in September 2010, has generated more than $7 billion in revenue. Details by Lottery game and by casino are available on the attached FY2018 review.

To keep Marylanders informed and maintain integrity and transparency in its regulation of the state’s casinos, Maryland Lottery and Gaming posts monthly financial reports on casino revenue on its website, gaming.mdlottery.com.  For more information on all Lottery products, promotions and news, go to mdlottery.com.

CONTACT: Carole Bober Gentry, 410-230-8725 (office), 410-365-6384 (cell), E: carole.gentry@maryland.gov.

SOURCE: Maryland Lottery and Gaming.

Technology and Innovation the Focus at Australasian Gaming Expo 2018

SYDNEY, Australia (June 18, 2018) -- In Australia, gambling expenditure has increased from $22.7 billion in 2014–2015 to $23.6 billion in 2015–2016 (up 3.9 per cent) [1]. The Australasian Gaming Expo (AGE), from 14-16 August 2018, is an annual event run by the Gaming Technologies Association, focusing on fostering a sustainable and prosperous industry.

AGE is the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. This year’s program focuses on  technology and innovation across the entire sector, featuring over 200 local and international exhibitors, as well as industry-led seminars covering new technology, gaming, hospitality, service, and the end customer.

Ross Ferrar, CEO, Gaming Technologies Association, shares his insights into the changing industry and what that means for the future.

“Our event is crucial for the health of the industry – we promote connections, education, regulation, technology and trends, business and more, to casinos, pubs, clubs and hotels. It’s about empowering local businesses to thrive.

“We’ve got a jam-packed show floor this year, featuring the latest innovations direct to the industry. It’s these new technologies driving the evolution of gaming and it’s our job to embrace, explore, train and innovate alongside them. We are proud to provide such a platform for our industry,” said Mr Ferrar.

 Key exhibitors confirmed from the gaming technology sector include:

•   Ainsworth Game Technology

•   Aristocrat Technologies

•   Aruze Gaming Australia

•   Atlas Gaming

•   IGT (Australia)

•   Independent Gaming

•   Interblock Asia Pacific

•   Konami Australia

•   Maxgaming

•   Paltronics Australasia

•   Scientific Games

•   Tabcorp

•   Utopia Gaming Systems

•   Wymac Gaming

This year’s event will incorporate technology into the visitor experience offering Teleportals, or virtual assistants, across the show floor to aid guests with their enquiries.

All AGE registered delegates will also have a Konduko reader in their lanyard – a small digital platform that can be tapped at exhibitor stands they visit.

At the end of each day a “Daily Digest” email containing a full round-up of information from the day is delivered to the delegate’s inbox, in either PDF, PowerPoint, or short video format.

“For 2018, we are really aiming to provide a 360 degree digital-focus, to elevate our event and provide real ROI to our stakeholders. We want to be at the forefront of the industry, to make Australasian gaming, global gaming,” added Mr Ferrar.

 Australasian Gaming Expo is the world’s third largest hospitality and gaming tradeshow and will take place at International Convention Centre Sydney, 14 – 16 August 2018.

For more information or to register, visit austgamingexpo.com

[1] Queensland Government Statistician's Office, Queensland Treasury, Australian Gambling Statistics, 33rd edition.

SOURCE: Australasian Gaming Expo.

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

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

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

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

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

To register, please CLICK HERE.

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

See you in Buenos Aires!

Sincerely,

Jean-Luc Moner-Banet

WLA President

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

Dear friends of APLA

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

The details for this event are as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

See you all in Kuching!

Regards

Beh Swan Swan APLA Secretariat Administrator

www.asiapacific-lotteries.com