IGT Wheel of Fortune® Slots Mint a Millionaire in March

LONDON, U.K. (April 9, 2019) -- International Game Technology PLC (“IGT”) (NYSE:IGT) Wheel of Fortune® slots awarded a $1,311,818 jackpot to a lucky slot player at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nev. on March 3, 2019.

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.

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We have a well-established local presence and relationships...

This life-changing jackpot marks the fourth million dollar-plus Wheel of Fortune jackpot awarded this year.

For more information, visit IGT.com or go to Facebook at facebook.com/IGT, follow us on Twitter, twitter.com/IGTnews or watch IGT videos on YouTube, youtube.com/igt.

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.

IGT CONTACT:

SOURCE: International Game Technology.

INTRALOT Appoints Fotis Konstantellos as Group Chief Commercial Officer and Edward Gerekos as Group Director of Human Resources

ATHENS, Greece (April 15, 2019) -- INTRALOT announces Mr. Fotis Konstantellos as Group Chief Commercial Officer at INTRALOT and Mr. Edward Gerekos as Group Director of Human Resources, effective April 15th.

Mr. Konstantellos joined INTRALOT four years ago and has led the company’s product transformation, customer experience, and the online gaming division. As Group Chief Commercial Officer, he will be responsible for INTRALOT’s business propositions and development, marketing, as well as enhancement of lottery solutions and platforms. Prior to INTRALOT, Mr. Konstantellos served as Chief Commercial Officer of Hellas Online, a telephony provider, and started his career 25 years ago as an engineer in Australia.

Since then, he has served in various positions including technical, operations, project management and commercial development at the telephony operators Vodafone and Wind.

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Mr. Gerekos, as Group Director of Human Resources at INTRALOT, will be responsible for the company’s organizational evolution, the efficiency of its business models, and people’s development, while he will ensure that the company will attract and retain a talented, diverse and committed workforce. Prior to INTRALOT, he served as Human Resources Director and Manager for over 25 years in Telecom, Hospitality, Entertainment, and Retail sectors. He served as Human Resources Director at Hellas Online and Carrefour Marinopoulos

Hypermarkets, and as Human Resources Manager at Continent Hellas hypermarket and Club Mediterranee Hellas.

About INTRALOT

INTRALOT, a public listed company established in 1992, is a leading gaming solutions supplier and operator active in 47 regulated jurisdictions around the globe. With €0.9 billion turnover and a global workforce of approximately 5,200 employees (3,000 of which in HQ and subsidiaries and 2,200 in associates) in 2018, INTRALOT is an innovation – driven corporation focusing its product development on the customer experience. The company is uniquely positioned to offer to lottery and gaming organizations across geographies market-tested solutions and retail operational expertise. The company has designed a new ecosystem of holistic omni-channel solutions across verticals (Lottery, Betting, Interactive, VLT) for Lotteries digital transformation. INTRALOT has been awarded the prestigious WLA Responsible Gaming Framework Certification by the World Lottery Association (WLA) and the WLA certificate for the Security Control standard.

For more information please CONTACT:  Ms. Spyranda Anamouroglou, Corporate Communications Manager, Phone: +30-210 6156000, Fax: +30-210 6106800, email: anamouroglou@intralot.com

SOURCE: INTRALOT (www.intralot.com).

Florida Lottery Reaches New Milestone of $35 Billion in Contributions to Education Over 31 Years

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (April 12, 2019) -- The Florida Lottery announced today its latest transfer to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) has brought its life-to-date education contributions to $35 billion over the past 31 years. Since the Lottery’s inception, Florida’s public schools have received more than $11.6 billion, while colleges and universities have received a combined total of more than $8.4 billion. More than $5.6 billion has been used to fund the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which has sent over 808,000 students to college since 1997.

“The Florida Lottery continues to prove itself as a dedicated partner to education in Florida,” said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

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“Today’s announcement of $35 billion in total contributions to education means that Florida students from the Panhandle to the Keys will continue to have an opportunity to get a great education in our state.”

“Since opening its doors 31 years ago, the Florida Lottery has remained committed to its mission of generating revenue to enhance education in our state,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Jim Poppell. “We are extremely proud of this achievement and what it means for Florida’s students and schools.”

“The Florida Lottery is making a difference where it matters most – in our schools,” said State University System of Florida Chancellor Marshall Criser. “Today’s latest milestone in contributions to education demonstrates Florida’s ongoing commitment to helping create a brighter future for our children.”

The benefits of the Lottery continue to be felt in communities across the state. Since 1988, the Lottery has established itself as a committed and dependable funding source for public education, contributing more than $1 billion annually for the past 17 consecutive years, while remaining one of the most efficiently operated lotteries in the country.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY

The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $35 billion to education and sending more than 808,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 97 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 $61.2 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.

The GLI Group (GLI®) Acquires SeNet International Corporation, Bringing Expanded Information Technology Security Capabilities to U.S. Clients

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (April 16, 2019) – The GLI Group (GLI®) has acquired SeNet International Corporation (“SeNet”), bringing expanded cybersecurity and other IT capabilities to clients of the GLI Group, Bulletproof a GLI Company, and SeNet. The companies serve a wide range of clients in the casino gaming space and across the business spectrum.

Founded in 1998, SeNet is an information security services company serving government and commercial clients, including the gaming industry, throughout the United States.

As part of the acquisition, the GLI Group will operate SeNet in conjunction with Bulletproof Solutions, ULC (“Bulletproof”), an information security company headquartered in Fredericton, Canada and wholly owned by the GLI Group.

SeNet will operate as the U.S. information-security platform for Bulletproof, which will benefit existing SeNet clients by offering the broader information security services of Bulletproof, and Bulletproof’s current U.S. client base by delivering services through local information security professionals.

As the U.S. platform for Bulletproof, SeNet will leverage the combined capabilities of both companies to deliver enhanced information security services to clients. The investment further demonstrates the GLI Group’s commitment to providing world-class information security services to clients.

The GLI Group announced that, as part of the acquisition, all SeNet employees will continue to operate as a part of SeNet. That includes SeNet co-founder and CEO Ilan Katz and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Gus Fritschie in leadership roles, and SeNet co-founder and President Toly Kozushin as a senior consultant.

The GLI Group’s James Maida, president and CEO of Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), said, “We are very pleased to continue our relationship with the entire SeNet team and look forward to them assisting us in providing world-class security services both inside and outside the gaming industries in the United States and elsewhere around the world.”

“SeNet was founded with a core objective to provide best-in-class information security services and continues to demonstrate consistent growth. What influenced me the most about the GLI Group is their unwavering focus on clients and strong track record of both growing and integrating new companies,” stated Toly Kozushin.

SeNet’s Ilan Katz added, “We are very excited to add to the GLI Group’s information security capabilities and help them grow in the U.S. While this acquisition closes a very successful chapter for the founders, it also introduces significantly greater growth prospects for our employees and clients.”

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“Since joining SeNet approximately 15 years ago, I have personally observed the world-class capabilities of the GLI Group, and I am looking forward to joining the GLI Group team. Together with Bulletproof, we will have the combined capabilities to solve all security challenges for our clients,” remarked SeNet’s Gus Fritschie.

About The GLI Group

The GLI Group delivers the highest quality assessment, testing, and certification services to our clients. Through Bulletproof Solutions, ULC, the group provides the highest level of service in information security services. Through SLI Global Solutions, LLC, the group provides best-in-class professional services and IT project oversight services to government clients relating to federal, state, and local Health and Human Services programs. SLI uses an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management methodology that has been proven effective in a wide range of system implementation and business process improvement projects. The GLI Group has offices on six continents and 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. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com, bulletproofsi.com, or sligov.com.

About SeNet International Corporation

SeNet International Corporation was founded in 1998 in response to government and commercial needs for highly technical expertise in networking and, more specifically, network and information security. This has been the company's focus from its inception and it still remains so today. Since its founding, SeNet has provided expert services to over 350 commercial and public-sector clients helping them achieve substantial improvements in their network architectures, security postures, and operating processes. SeNet is an innovative leader in IT services, specializing in networking and information systems security consulting for federal agencies and commercial entities. For more information, visit senet-int.com.

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

SOURCE:  The GLI Group.

Adam Prock Named New Director of Minnesota State Lottery

MINNESOTA (April 10, 2019) -- Adam Prock will be the next executive director of the Minnesota State Lottery, Governor Tim Walz announced Wednesday.

Adam Prock

The 46-year-old has served as the Lottery’s director of communications and government relations since August 2017.

He was also on the Lottery’s executive team, where he built relationships with lawmakers and stakeholders and helped develop internal and external branding.

Before his work at the Lottery, Prock served on the City of St. Paul’s government relations team and as deputy chief of staff for former Gov. Mark Dayton.

“I am honored to serve the Minnesota State Lottery and the people of Minnesota in this new capacity,” Prock said in a statement.

“I believe my experience with the Lottery coupled with my skills in executive management and relationship-building will ensure we can keep making a positive impact on our state.”

Prock’s appointment is effective immediately.

He succeeds Robert Doty, who has held the role since April 2017.

SOURCE: Pioneer Press.

Arizona Lottery Wins AZIMA TIM Award for Holiday Livestream

Honor Recognizes Successful Digital Marketing Campaigns and Innovation

PHOENIX, Arizona (April 10, 2019) – The Arizona Innovation Marketing Association (AZIMA) celebrated the most successful digital marketing campaigns and innovation in Arizona last week at the 2019 TIM Awards and the Arizona Lottery was recognized for its unique use of livestreaming.

AZIMA awarded the Windfall Willie Virtual Holiday Party livestream with a TIM Mastery Award in the social real-time engagement category. The Mastery Award is the highest recognition an entry can receive.

“We are proud to receive this award for our digital innovation and creativity,” said Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery, Gregg Edgar.

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“This was a fun and challenging campaign to execute. Not only did we highlight our Holiday Scratchers® tickets, we also raised awareness and money for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). We love thinking outside-the-box to do even more to give back to our communities.”

The Windfall Willie Virtual Holiday Party livestream was an almost three-hour production that mimicked a late-night talk show featuring guests from across the state, plus giveaways for viewers every few minutes. The livestream included a one-of-a-kind set design, a high-tech broadcasting platform, two state-of-the-art cameras, and a dedicated crew.

The nearly three-hour live video organically reached over 42,000 people, received over 68,000 engagements, and over 15,000 unique viewers – and the Arizona Lottery donated $25,000 to its beneficiary Court Appointed Special Advocates, a program that gives a voice to kids in foster care.

OH Partners is the Agency of Record for the Arizona Lottery and concepted, directed and executed the recognized work. To learn more about the Arizona Lottery, visit: www.arizonalottery.com.

Scratchers® is a registered service mark of the California Lottery.

About Arizona Lottery

Since 1981, the Arizona Lottery and its retail partners have generated more than $4.1 billion in net funding in support of programs that help to improve the quality of life for the people of Arizona. Proceeds from Lottery ticket sales — more than $4 million per week – fund programs in education, economic development, environmental conservation and health and human services. The mission is to support Arizona programs for the public benefit by maximizing net revenue in a responsible manner. Learn more at ArizonaLottery.com

SOURCE: Arizona Lottery.

Veikkaus to Hold an Innovation Challenge Week to Find Startups and Begin Collaboration – Focus on eSports

HELSINKI, Finland (April 10, 2019) -- At Veikkaus headquarters, May will mean focusing intensively on esports. Veikkaus and Avanto Ventures are jointly organizing an Innovation Challenge Week, during which 8–10 startup companies will explore what new esports solutions they could generate in cooperation with Veikkaus.

The Challenge Week will be held at Veikkaus’ head offices in Pohjois-Haaga, Helsinki from May 20-24. The Week is essentially a competition aimed at identifying opportunities for collaboration and shared growth opportunities between Veikkaus and startups. The winner will receive a follow-up contract valued at 30,000 euros for further development of the winning idea.

We want to find the best ideas in the world, as well as the best partners with whom to bring those ideas to life. We believe that such a partner could well be found in the esports and startup world. At the same time, we can offer startups an opportunity to bring their ideas to market, states VP of Business Development and Innovation at Veikkaus, Heidi Ioannidou.

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Startups can apply to the Challenge Week here. Both Finnish and international startups are welcome to apply.

The aim of the Challenge Week is not to create actual games, but rather services or solutions related to esports.

This could mean, for example, an esports product, service, or platform. The goal is to produce innovative solutions for esports players, teams, or fans, Ioannidou specifies.

The Veikkaus Innovation Challenge Week will feature engaging speakers, and Veikkaus mentors will be available to assist startups in their design processes. The Week will culminate in a pitching event during which startups will be given two minutes in which to present their ideas.

Esports to kick off series of innovation weeks

The Innovation Challenge Week in May will be the first in a serious of similar weeks which will focus on a variety of subjects. The esports challenge will kick off this new approach.

Esports is immensely popular at the moment. It is the fifth most popular game in pre-match betting and the fourth most popular in live betting at Veikkaus, Ioannidou explains the choice of focus.

As early as 2014, Veikkaus was one of the first gaming companies to offer esports betting. Now the company is looking to esports to learn new kinds of lessons.

We believe that the world of esports can generate ideas that Veikkaus can benefit from in its own business. We want to learn from the world of players in order to be able to provide the best possible gaming experiences, Ioannidou says.

Veikkaus is the largest gaming sector employer in Finland, and wants to be a pioneer in the gaming sector. It holds the exclusive right to organize gambling operations in Finland, but competition in the digital world is international.

Veikkaus needs to develop its operations, innovate new activities, and research and develop new opportunities. 

We want to be successful in an ever-changing world. Our goal is to be an international pioneer in the gaming sector, and for this reason we need to do something differently from everyone else. We will venture into developing ideas that no-one else has yet developed, Ioannidou envisions.

Veikkaus Innovation Challenge Week

• Startups can apply to the Innovation Challenge Week until April 23, 2019 here. •           Selected startups will be chosen by May 3, 2019.
• Veikkaus Innovation Challenge Week will be held at Veikkaus’ head offices in Helsinki from May 20–24, 2019.
• The winner of the Innovation Week will receive 30,000 euros for further development of the winning idea.
• Veikkaus specialists will work together with startups during the Challenge Week.

Veikkaus and esports

• Esports betting has been part of Veikkaus' portfolio since 2014.
• Veikkaus was among the first five companies worldwide to offer legal esports betting.
• In 2015, Veikkaus organized its own #oletvoittaja StarCraft II tournament, which was won by Joona "Serral" Sotala.
• The first esports broadcast on VeikkausTV took place on September 5, 2015, after which esports has continued to feature regularly on the service.
• Veikkaus' esports betting selection consists of fourteen games, the most popular of which is Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
• In 2018, Veikkaus offered over 13,000 esports matches as betting options. Esports was the fifth most popular game in pre-match betting and the fourth most popular in live betting.

For further information, please CONTACT: Veikkaus' media service, tel. +358 9 4370 7000, tiedotus@veikkaus.fi

About Veikkaus

Veikkaus is a Finnish gaming company with a special mission. We want people to play our games safely and with moderation. Almost all adult Finns play our games; we have over two million loyal customers. Thanks to the players, over one billion euros a year are accumulated for the common good. The gaming revenue is used to offer people chances for better lives.

SOURCE: Veikkaus press release.

Lotto Baden-Württemberg and SC Freiburg Extend Partnership

The state-owned Toto-Lotto GmbH extends its sponsorship commitment to the football Bundesliga club SC Freiburg. Lotto CEO Georg Wacker and SCF CEO Oliver Leki signed the new contract on Thursday (11 April) in Freiburg. The agreement runs for three years until the season 2021/22 and also takes into account the move to the new Freiburg stadium.

GERMANY (April 11, 2019) -- "Our sponsoring cooperation is absolutely consistent. We as a national company and the SC Freiburg stand with both feet on the ground and are reliable partners," said Lotto CEO Georg Wacker. "The SC is a sympathetic club with enthusiastic fans far beyond Freiburg, a win for the Bundesliga."

"Lotto Baden-Württemberg is a highly valued partner, firmly rooted in the country and a major supporter of the sport," said SC CEO Oliver Leki.

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"Lotto Baden-Württemberg will continue to engage with our women's team. We appreciate the continuity of this collaboration."

Lotto Baden-Württemberg continues to be the exclusive partner for sports betting in the premium category. Compared to the previous commitment, the sponsorship package has been extended slightly. In addition to TV-relevant advertising space, it includes other advertising, communication and branding measures in the area surrounding the Bundesliga club and also applies in the new SC stadium. "The Black Forest Stadium certainly has its charm.

However, we are looking forward to moving to the new stadium with the SC and being able to use the larger presentation options there ", continues Georg Wacker.

Lotto Baden-Württemberg offers lotteries and sports betting, including the classic 6aus49. The national company has been promoting the common good for many decades.

The fact that sport today is an integral part of everyday life and a trademark of Baden-Württemberg, the Toto Lotto funds have contributed to a large extent.

Because the proceeds from the state lotteries flow into the betting funds of the state of Baden-Württemberg. Sport and its associations can again expect more than 59 million euros this year. From the funds, each athletic active directly or indirectly receives a share, regardless of whether he pursues sports as a discipline or in leisure. The lottery players are thus the secret patrons of sports in Baden-Württemberg. The involvement in SC Freiburg, which has existed since 2016.

SOURCE: Lotto Baden-Württemberg.

Tennessee Education Lottery’s 3rd Quarter Proceeds for Education 3rd Highest Ever

Total Funding for Education at More Than $4.96 Billion

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (April 15, 2019) --The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation announced today its third-quarter transfer to education of $108.2 million, the third highest of all quarters.

Total sales for the period of Jan. 1, 2019, through March 31, 2019, were also the third highest for any quarter since the Lottery began on Jan. 20, 2004.

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The transfer brings the total raised for education to more than $4.96 billion.

“These stellar results are great news for education in Tennessee,” said Rebecca Hargrove, President and CEO of the Tennessee Lottery.

“The Lottery continues to achieve its goal of maximizing dollars to fund valuable education programs, which has resulted in more than 1.3 million scholarships and grants awarded since we began.”

Of note, third quarter instant game sales of $375.4 million were the highest for any quarter since inception.

In addition to news about its third quarter, the Lottery announced that proceeds for education for the first three quarters of the fiscal year (July 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019) are 6.4 percent higher than the prior year.

In addition to the educational beneficiaries, players have won more than $13.5 billion in prizes and Lottery retailers have earned more than $1.2 billion in retailer commissions since inception.

For additional information, visit tnlottery.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Have Fun. Play Responsibly.

CONTACT: Kym Gerlock, T: 615-324-6556, E: kym.gerlock@tnlottery.com.

SOURCE: The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.

Lottery is $3 Billion Win for Minnesota

Governor Walz Proclaims April 15 as “Minnesota Lottery Playing Our Part Day”

 ROSEVILLE, Minn. (April 15, 2019) – Minnesota Lottery announced that proceeds from ticket sales have surpassed $3 billion for critical state programs, including education, public safety, health and human services, and environmental protection.

The $3 billion milestone, announced two days shy of the Lottery’s 29th anniversary on April 17, was nearly 30 years in the making. The Lottery’s newly appointed Executive Director Adam Prock said, “Communities throughout Minnesota have benefited from projects made possible by $3 billion in lottery proceeds. The Minnesota Lottery, retailers, players and Minnesotans who enjoy the outdoors, all play a part in making Minnesota an even better place to live.”

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To celebrate Lottery contributions to Minnesota’s environment, elected officials and representatives of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources—a committee made up of 17 members that make funding recommendations to the legislature from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which receives forty percent of lottery proceeds—were on hand to discuss the impact of lottery dollars on Minnesota’s natural resources.

LCCMR Director Becca Nash said, “Since 1991, the ENRTF has provided $630 million in support to approximately 1,600 environmental projects collectively impacting every county in Minnesota. Lottery proceeds have been instrumental in providing a long-term, stable source of funding for environmental protection for future generations.”

Nancy Gibson, who serves as an LCCMR Co-Chair, said, “The voters of Minnesota overwhelming approved the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. It is the envy of other states. These critical funds have preserved habitat and statewide lakes, rivers and streams; enhanced state and regional parks; fought invasive species; and been a tool for innovative outdoor environmental education.”

Governor Walz proclaimed April 15 as “Minnesota Lottery Playing Our Part Day” to commemorate the Lottery’s $3 billion milestone. A copy of the proclamation can be found here.

 $3.087 billion has been directed to the following:

• General Fund - $1.734 billion
• Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund - $827.7 million
• Game and Fish Fund - $220.7 million
• Natural Resources Fund - $220.7 million
• Problem Gambling Prevention & Treatment - $47.8 million
• Other State Programs - $36.8 million

About the Lottery

Since 1990, the Lottery has generated more than $3 billion for programs that positively impact the lives of Minnesotans. More than $1.2 billion has helped preserve, restore and protect Minnesota’s environment through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Game and Fish Fund and the Natural Resources Fund. Another $1.8 billion has helped fund state programs, including education, public safety, health and human services and problem gambling prevention and treatment programs.

CONTACT: Minnesota Lottery, Emily Frost, T: 651-334-6135, E: communications@mnlottery.com

SOURCE: Minnesota Lottery.

Two Industry Bodies Merge to Strengthen Newsagents and Lottery Retailers

Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association and the Lottery Retailers Association have merged

AUSTRALIA (April 17, 2019) -- The Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association (ALNA) and the Lottery Retailers Association (LRA) have merged to become the only ACCC-authorised national body representing all newsagents, distributors and lottery retailers in every state and territory.

This unites the industry and gives an even stronger and broader representative to support, negotiate for, collectively bargain for, strengthen and advocate for them.

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Ben Kearney, CEO of the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association, said, “Running a small business is tough, but when done well it is hugely rewarding and beneficial to our nation’s economy.

Every small business should have someone in their corner, and as a combined force, Australia’s newsagents, distributors, and lottery retailers know that we are proactive and in their corner.

“As the national body and the largest representative for Australia’s newsagents, distributors, and lottery retailers, we will be building on the successes and momentum that the Lottery Retailers Association and the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association have experienced in affiliation together.”

Gary Carter, CEO of the Lottery Retailers Association, said, “Together we have already negotiated for better remuneration from Tabcorp for our members, we have fought to see lottery betting banned in Australia, and we have provided guidance, support and advocacy for our member to help them grow their businesses. Both organisations bring together a wealth of expertise and experience, and we look forward to benefiting our members’ businesses as one team.”

The merger has been progressed on mutually beneficial terms and in the best interests of members of the association.

The organisations branding will merge over time, while combining of staff and management has been effective immediately.

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Gary Carter, CEO of LRA, will take on the positions of General Manager of Victoria, and the national role of General Manager, Lotteries.

Mr Kearney explained, “Our industry needs unity so we can meet the challenges our members face to improve their profitability and to future-proof the industry. That is what this merger brings. In addition, it capitalises on the complementary strengths of both organisations, to bring greater value and impact to our members who are Australia’s largest independent retail and home delivery group.”

The merger further unites the industry and it builds on ALNA’s other recent mergers in February this year with Lottery Agents Queensland (LAQ) and the merger with the Lottery Agents Association of Tasmania (LAAT) last year.

About the Australian Lottery and Newsagents’ Association (ALNA)

The Australian Lottery and Newsagents’ Association (ALNA) is the peak national industry body for Australia’s newsagents and lottery agents.

Representing a significant part of the Australian economy, ALNA works tirelessly to better its members businesses, and to ensure a secure future for newsagents and lottery agents.

SOURCE:  Australian Lottery and Newsagents’ Association (ALNA).

Wyolotto Records Largest 12 Month State Transfer Amount to Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyoming (April 16, 2019) -- On April 5, WyoLotto™ transferred $1,201,122. to the State Treasurer’s Office, bringing the total amount this fiscal year (July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019) to over $5.4 million. This is the largest annual transfer total since WyoLotto launched in 2014. This is also the sixth consecutive transfer to the state over $1 million, totalling over $14.8 million transferred to the state since April 2016.

This year’s total state transfer amount was a big deal to the Wyoming Lottery, but others around the country took notice too.

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WyoLotto was awarded the Sharon Sharp Award, which recognizes and honors a single U.S. lottery that achieves the largest year-over-year increase in funds contributed to its beneficiaries. This award highlights the commitment WyoLotto has made to give back to the communities that support them.

“Giving back is what WyoLotto set out to accomplish when it was formed in 2014,” Jon Clontz, CEO of WyoLotto, said.

“The true measure of a lottery’s success is what it gives back, and we are proud to be able to give back over $1 million to the state of Wyoming this quarter,” Clontz concluded.

Since launch, WyoLotto has also seen 3,964,542 winners, over $55 million in player winnings, and over $8.3 million in retailer commissions. These are just a few of the many ways the Wyoming Lottery has made substantial impacts on the state.

You can find out more on how the money is distributed to the counties on the State Treasurer's website that has links to PDF's of all of the distributions for each quarterly transfer click here.

WyoLotto backs a variety of Wyoming businesses and organizations. We’ve…

• Paid retailers over a million dollars a year in ticket sale commissions.
• Paid lotto winners tens of millions.
• Boosted local media by over half a million a year through advertising.
• Sponsored the Pokes and things like the State Fair.

About WyoLotto™

The Wyoming Lottery Corp. is a corporate business entity established by House Bill 77 in the 2013 legislative session and signed into law by Governor Matt Mead. The corporation operates as a private business and does not employ state employees or use state tax money. State law requires Lottery revenue to be distributed to cities, towns and counties based on ticket sales. 

SOURCE: WyoLotto.

CAIXA Lotteries Transfer R$6.57 Billion to Legal Beneficiaries in 2018

Resources will be applied by the government in areas such as Safety, Sport, Culture, Safety, Education and Health

BRAZIL (April 15, 2019) -- In addition to feeding the dreams of millions of bettors, CAIXA Lotteries are an important source of resources for the country's social development. Part of the total collected through the games is passed on to its legal beneficiaries: areas such as security, health, education, safety and sports, among others.

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Click here for the latest electronic version of Lottery Insights.

According to the CAIXA Balance Sheet 2018, Lotteries raised 13.84 billion and social transfers totaled R $ 6.57 billion. Check in the infographic below the values passed for each area.

"The higher the collection, the greater the transfer to social areas," explains the national manager of Lotteries, Rodrigo Hori. He believes that this year there will be an increase in onlending, depending on the growth of the economy.

"The transfer of Lottery resources is fundamental for the maintenance of programs to encourage sports, education, such as Student Funding, and programs in the area of public security, which also started to receive funds from lotteries," he said.

Hori points out that Law No. 13,756 / 2018, published at the end of last year, redistributed the percentages allocated to the social area and included new beneficiaries, such as the National Public Security Fund (FNSP), state sports secretariats, National Club (FENACLUBES) and the Brazilian University Sports Committee (CBDU).

Sport

Only for the Olympic Committee (COB) and the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB), more than R $ 360 million were transferred. In 2018, the COB received R $ 230 million from the collection of the CAIXA Lotteries.

"The resources are fundamental for the realization of the sports projects of the COB and also of the Olympic confederations," said COB Director General Rogério Sampaio, Olympic judo champion in Barcelona in 1992.

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He estimates that this year the Committee should receive about of R $ 250 million.

"The money is mainly invested in training teams, hiring foreign technicians, acquiring equipment and sports materials, exchanging trips, participating in international competitions and expenses with periods of acclimatization of delegations," explained the COB director.

CPB president Mizael Conrado said that the transfer of resources from the lotteries allowed the Paralympic sport to go to another level.

"Brazil has advanced 17 positions in three editions of Paralympics. We went from twentieth to the Sydney games in 2000 to the seventh place in 2012 in London, "said Mizael.

He also notes that the transfer of funds has raised the level of governance of the Paralympic Committee and the Paralympic federations.

"With the resources of the lotteries, it is possible to work from the beginning of the athletes to the highest income in their own competitions, such as the Lottery Circuit CAIXA."

In 2018, the social transfer of the Lotteries to the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) was R $ 131.8 million, which also benefits from more funds from the CAIXA Lotteries in the form of sponsorship.

SOURCE: CAIXA Lotteries.

The Dutch Gaming Authority Outlines the Measures That Gambling Providers Must Take to Fulfil Their Duty of Care

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (April 12, 2019) -- Kansspelautoriteit (the Dutch Gaming Authority) looks back with satisfaction at the five meetings in recent weeks about the concept of the Duty of Care Guideline. The last meeting was yesterday (11 April 2019) in Rotterdam.

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In a constructive atmosphere, discussions were held with gambling providers, healthcare professionals and experience experts about measures aimed at preventing people from becoming addicted to gambling and what should be done about consumer protection.

The common denominator of the meetings was that there is broad support for the ideas behind the measures described in the guideline. Some gambling providers do, however, have reservations about the concrete elaboration of a number of measures. Some questions were also raised about feasibility.

Legal duty

In the Guidelines for the Duty of Care, the Ksa outlines the measures that gambling providers must take to fulfill their duty of care. That they have that duty is stated in the Gambling Act. The five meetings in the country are part of the so-called consultation. This is a period in which market parties and other stakeholders can make comments and comments on policy documents.

Young man's gambling addiction

Reaction

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The Ksa assesses all responses and adjusts the document if necessary or desired. The responses made during the five meetings are included in this. For example, a meaningful response that was given during a number of meetings was that the VAN, the gaming association, could play a good role in introducing a number of measures. In addition to Rotterdam, there were meetings in Eindhoven , Amsterdam (28 March), Zwolle (2 April) and Utrecht (9 April).

Supervision

Once the Guidelines for the Duty of Care have been established by the Board of Directors of the Ksa, the measures mentioned in the document are the starting point for the supervision of the gambling sector. Parties that do not adequately implement addiction prevention run the risk of sanctioning measures by the Ksa.

Completion

There were roughly two reasons for the Ksa to prepare the document. The first reason is the observation that prevention and protection measures are being implemented in different places in different places. This is understandable, since the Betting and Gaming Act imposes obligations only in a general sense. The second reason, in line with the first, is that market parties have asked the Ksa to provide guidance on how to fulfill the duty of care. The Ksa does this with the Care Duty Guidelines .

Respond

You can respond to the draft version of the Duty of Care Guide up to and including 22 April 2019 via info@kansspelautoriteit.nl. The Gaming Authority cordially invites you to do this. The consultation started on 11 March (see also: Ksa tests document (Guidelines for Duty of Care) on how to prevent gambling addiction).

SOURCE: Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).