Carlos Mabry From Washington, D.C., Becomes “Powerball First Millionaire of The Year” During “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021” On ABC

$1 Million Drawing Broadcast Live Just After Midnight on America’s Biggest Celebration of the Year

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 1, 2021) – Just after midnight, dick clark productions and POWERBALL® announced Carlos Mabry from Washington, D.C., as the winner of the POWERBALL First Millionaire of the Year drawing during ABC’s live broadcast of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021.” Revealed live on-air by POWERBALL correspondent Jessie James Decker, XX was the lucky winner randomly chosen as part of a national POWERBALL promotion.

“Congratulations to the POWERBALL First Millionaire of 2021!” said May Scheve Reardon, POWERBALL Product Group Chair and Missouri Lottery Executive Director.

“POWERBALL and its lottery partners look forward to sharing more thrilling moments of winning in the New Year, while raising funds for vital public programs and services across the country.”

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Returning after a successful inaugural launch in 2020, this year’s promotion included  19 participating lotteries that held second-chance drawings and contests in their respective jurisdictions to determine a national pool of semi-finalists. From that pool, five finalists were randomly selected to advance to the $1 million drawing.

In addition to the chance to win $1 million from POWERBALL, each finalist also received an incredible New Year’s Eve at-home party prize package that included a $12,500 cash prize, deluxe surf-and-turf dinner, 70-inch LED TV, karaoke system, $500 gift certificate to Party City, and much more.

Decker, who checked in with the finalists across the country throughout the night, ultimately revealed Mabry as the POWERBALL First Millionaire of 2021.

Participating lottery jurisdictions included Arizona, District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

For more information on the “POWERBALL First Millionaire of the Year” promotion, please visit: www.powerballrockineve.com.

SOURCE: dick clark productions.

Pollard Banknote to Acquire Next Generation Lotteries

WINNIPEG, MB, Dec. 31, 2020 /CNW/ - Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) ("Pollard Banknote", "Pollard" or the "Company") announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the equity ("Acquisition") of Next Generation Lotteries AS ("NGL"), a leading provider of lottery management and iLottery technology. The Acquisition is subject to certain standard regulatory and third-party consents and is expected to close early in the first quarter of 2021.

NGL is a full solution supplier to the lottery industry, including providing a state-of-the-art retail lotto system and iLottery platform, creating a truly omni-channel offering that increases lottery revenues and returns to good causes. With a focus on Europe and Asia, current customers include the operation of the Loteries de Catalunya in Spain and the provision of lottery services in a number of other international jurisdictions including Tunisia and Norway. NGL acquired its lottery operations when it purchased Novomatic Lottery Solutions (formerly Betware) from NOVOMATIC AG on October 31, 2019, and since that time has been focused on expanding its presence in the international lottery market.

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In addition to its lottery operations staff in Spain and Tunisia, NGL has development staff in Iceland and Serbia, with a company-wide team of 130 dedicated professionals. NGL provides an extensive range of products and services for the lottery industry including:

• Modular, open gaming platform for retail, online and mobile lottery games
• Full-service retail solutions for lotteries including terminal management
• Modern iLottery platform with full-featured player account management system
• Extensive portfolio of e-instant, toto and draw games, developed by a games studio supporting both retail and digital games
• Comprehensive facilities management services

"We are thrilled with the NGL team joining Pollard Banknote," said Doug Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Pollard Banknote. "NGL will significantly expand our product offering for both retail and iLottery gaming and will be a strong complement to our North American leading joint venture, NeoPollard Interactive LLC. The recent worldwide growth seen in 2020 in omnichannel lottery sales, and particularly iLottery, highlights an important opportunity for lotteries around the world. With NGL's expertise, we look forward to helping our lottery customers in Europe and around the world to increase revenues for the good causes they support."

Hans Vigmostad, CEO of NGL, commented, "We are excited about the cultural fit between NGL and Pollard Banknote. Lotteries will not only appreciate the great technology we will offer, but also the commitment from our teams to offering the right solutions for our customers."

The Acquisition purchase price is €36 million, prior to standard working capital adjustments and certain deferred cash considerations, of which €32 million will be payable at the time of closing (approximately $50 million CDN dollars using an exchange rate of $1.57 CDN dollar per EURO) and the remaining €4 million of which will be paid upon the achievement of certain gross margin targets in 2021. The purchase price will be funded from existing Pollard Banknote cash resources and availability under our existing senior credit facilities for approximately €27.6 million and the issuance of treasury shares, subject to Toronto Stock Exchange approval, of Pollard Banknote for approximately €4.6 million.

About Pollard Banknote

Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide, providing high quality instant ticket products, licensed games, Schafer Systems and Fastrak retail merchandising solutions, and a full suite of digital offerings, ranging from world-class mkodo game apps to comprehensive player engagement and iLottery solutions, including strategic marketing and management services. The company is a proven innovator and has decades of experience helping lotteries to maximize player engagement, sales, and proceeds for good causes. Pollard Banknote also provides pull-tab tickets, bingo paper, and its Diamond Game and Oasis-branded electronic ticket machines to charitable and other gaming markets in North America. Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned approximately 67.3% by the Pollard family and 32.7% by public shareholders, and is publicly traded on the TSX (PBL). For more information, please visit our website at: www.pollardbanknote.com.

SOURCE: Pollard Banknote Limited.

Florida Lottery Celebrates Accomplishments Reached in 2020

Reaching Unprecedented Education Milestones, Celebrating Jackpot Winners, and More

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (December 24, 2020) – Today, the Florida Lottery is proud to highlight the significant accomplishments and milestones achieved in 2020, during Governor DeSantis’ second year in office.

“The Lottery is incredibly thankful to Governor DeSantis for the guidance and leadership it has received this year,” said Florida Lottery Secretary John F. Davis. “This year has been a year unlike any other, but one thing that has remained unchanged is the Lottery’s commitment to Florida’s students and schools. In 2020, the Lottery reached not one, but two major milestones in its mission to enhance education; surpassing $37 billion in total contributions to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in May, and then exceeding $38 billion in total contributions just five months later in October. As we look ahead to 2021, we will continue to offer Floridians the best Lottery games available to support our mission of enhancing education and providing students across the state opportunities to become tomorrow’s leaders.”

This past year, the Florida Lottery (Lottery):

ENSURED SAFETY FOR PLAYERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

• The Lottery established secured drop boxes for players to drop off their winning ticket(s) and claim information as an alternative option to submitting them via mail or coming into offices to claim. Players who opted to use the Lottery’s new secured drop boxes have been pleased with the ease, security, and quick turnaround on prize payments.
• In October, the Lottery’s MONOPOLY™ BONUS SPECTACULAR television commercial received a Gold Graphis Advertising Award. Players excitedly look forward to “Monopoly Season”, but this year, with the COVID-19 pandemic limiting production capabilities, the Lottery had to think outside of the box and created a completely animated television commercial to promote the new Monopoly-themed games. The international Graphis competition recognizes the most compelling design work of the year for Platinum, Gold, and Silver award considerations, which are then featured in hardcover annual book publications.

REACHED MILESTONES IN CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION IN FLORIDA.

• In October, the latest transfer to the EETF brought the Lottery’s life-to-date education contributions to more than $38 billion over the past 32 years.
• Since the Lottery’s inception, Florida’s public schools have received more than $20.3 billion, while colleges and universities have received a combined total of more than $9.9 billion.
• Additionally, more than $6.8 billion has been used to fund the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which has enabled over 880,000 students to attend college since 1997.

LAUNCHED THE AWARD-WINNING PLAYER’S GUIDE WEBSITE.

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• In January, the Lottery launched the Player’s Guide, a new best-in-class website with detailed information on how to play and win the Lottery responsibly. The Player’s Guide serves as a one-stop-shop for the latest tips, resources, documents and how-to information for every Florida Lottery player – from beginners to experienced players. The new website is an extension of the Lottery’s current website and can be accessed directly at playersguide.flalottery.com.
• The website drives players to two sections: “Play Responsibly” and “Win Responsibly.” Content within the Play Responsibly section includes video tips for safer gaming, a discretionary income budget calculator, a detailed explanation of odds, and a myth vs. fact quiz. The Win Responsibly section includes information on where to claim a prize, payment options, documents needed to claim and how to manage winnings.
• In June, the Player’s Guide website was awarded a Gold Hermes Creative Award. The international competition honors those who bring ideas to life through traditional and digital platforms. Awards are given to companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry.
• In October, the Player’s Guide website received a Batchy Award from the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL). The Batchy Awards honor the memory of Ralph Batch, the first President of NASPL, by recognizing Lottery advertising that achieves the level of excellence Batch upheld throughout his career

LAUNCHED NEW LOTTERY MOBILE APP FOR IOS AND ANDROID DEVICES.

In June, the Lottery introduced a new, free mobile app available for iOS and Android users. Players have responded with praise and gratitude for the new app and are particularly appreciative of these exciting new features:

• Check My Ticket: Allows players to scan a ticket’s barcode to determine if it is a winner;
• Second Chance: Players can enter tickets into second chance promotions by scanning ticket barcodes;
• Pick Numbers: Players can create and save their favorite numbers on digital playslips, then use them to purchase tickets at any Florida Lottery retailer;
• Winning Numbers: Allows players to find current jackpots and view the winning numbers for every Florida Lottery Draw game;
• Retailer Locator: Allows players to find nearby Florida Lottery retailers;
• Scratch-Offs: Gives players information about the newest Florida Lottery Scratch-Off games as soon as they are released; and
• Responsible Gaming: Provides players more information about the Lottery’s responsible gaming initiatives and practices.

ACHIEVED RECORD GAME AND PROMOTION PERFORMANCE.

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• In January, the Lottery launched the X MULTIPLIER family of Scratch-Off games featuring the Xtra Chance Promotion, in which players could enter non-winning tickets into drawings for cash prizes. Ticket sales of the $1, $2, $5, and $10 games during the promotional period were 35% higher than the multiplier-themed game sales during the same launch and promotion period two years prior. Additionally, the promotion saw an 84.5% increase in player participation and a 94% increase in volume of tickets entered compared to the 2018 promotion.
• The Lottery’s Triple Cash Collect ‘N Win Promotion, which took place in January and February, set a record for entries with more than 9 million tickets entered during the 33-day promotion period. The Triple Cash Collect ‘N Win Promotion generated a $1.5 million increase in sales over expected daily game sales during that period. Overall, the promotion helped generate more than $3.6 million to the EETF. This was the first promotion where all six daily Draw games – FANTASY 5®, PICK 2™, PICK 3™, PICK 4™, PICK 5™, and CASH4LIFE® – could be entered.

REACHED THE HIGHEST SCRATCH-OFF SALES WEEK NATIONWIDE.

• Scratch-Off ticket sales for the week ending March 1, 2020, exceeded $149.8 million, setting a new industry record for the highest single-week Scratch-Off sales of any Lottery in the country, and resulted in $28.2 million being generated for the benefit of Florida students and schools. This record-breaking sales week surpassed the previous single-week Scratch-Off sales record, also held by the Florida Lottery, of $126 million for the week ending March 3, 2019.

CELEBRATED FLORIDA’S 13TH AND 14TH POWERBALL® JACKPOT WINNERS.

• On March 10, Sheryll Goedert, of Ocala, managing member of Vacation Life LLC, claimed the $396.9 million jackpot from the POWERBALL® drawing held on January 29, 2020 – becoming Florida’s 13th POWERBALL jackpot winner since Florida joined the game in 2009. The Vacation Life LLC chose to receive the winnings in a one-time, lump-sum payment in the amount of $276,558,034.09. The jackpot-winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased from 7-Eleven, located at 4520 Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. The retailer received a $100,000 bonus commission for selling the jackpot-winning POWERBALL ticket.
• On August 20, William Kruger, of Lantana, claimed the $168.5 million jackpot from the POWERBALL drawing held on August 12, 2020 – becoming Florida’s 14th POWERBALL jackpot winner since Florida joined the game in 2009. Kruger chose to receive his winnings in a one-time, lump-sum payment in the amount of $140,145,006.00. The jackpot-winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased from Publix, located at 4770 North Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach. The retailer received a $100,000 bonus commission for selling the jackpot-winning POWERBALL ticket.

RECEIVED FINANCIAL REPORTING AWARD FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR.

• In June, the Lottery’s Division of Accounting received the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2018-19 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, marking the third consecutive year the Lottery has received the award. The GFOA award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and is awarded to entities who go above and beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles, indicating a spirit of transparency and full disclosure.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY

The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $38 billion to education and sending more than 880,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 99 percent of its revenue back into Florida’s economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,000 Lottery retailers, and transfers to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid more than $72.5 billion in prizes and made nearly 3,000 people millionaires. For more information, please visit www.flalottery.com.

SOURCE: Florida Lottery Communications.

American Gaming Association Statement on New COVID-19 Relief Measures

WASHINGTON, D.C.  (December 21, 2020) -- American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Bill Miller issued the following statement today in response to Congress passing new COVID-19 relief measures:

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“The American Gaming Association is encouraged that Congress has agreed on bipartisan legislation, which provides important relief for many Americans and businesses that continue to struggle as a result of the pandemic.

While this much-needed aid is a significant step, it is imperative that the next Congress act swiftly on additional measures to address the economic challenges facing our nation and our industry.

Gaming communities, companies, and employees across the country have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic—enduring mandated closures and operating restrictions, investing heavily in health and safety protocols, and playing a key role in stopping the community spread of COVID. We’ve met these challenges with resolve and resilience.

Congress must do their part to provide meaningful relief for businesses and their communities, whose vitality are inextricably linked. Gaming companies support nearly two million American jobs, provide critical tax revenue, and serve as economic engines in communities all across America.

The AGA looks forward to working with the 117th Congress and the Biden Administration in the new year to provide tax relief that will save gaming jobs and alleviate costs, liability protections that advance responsible reopening, incentives for reviving travel and tourism, and essential support for tribal nations.”

SOURCE: American Gaming Association (AGA).

Spinola Gaming Upgrades Its Lottery Solutions for Southeast Asia

• Spinola Gaming is now providing custom games for the Southeast Asian market.
• The Southeast Asian market has seen exponential growth in the lottery and gaming industry as of late.

MALTA (December 22, 2020) -- Spinola Gaming, the leading authority in lottery software announces the details of the bespoke Southeast Asian lottery solutions catering for a wide variety of operators, from national lotteries to casino operators, white label clients and affiliate companies.

What solutions can we provide to clients in the East?

Spinola Gaming has been growing, and with this growth comes new prospects and clients present in the eastern part of the world, specifically Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.

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Due to this heightened interest from the region, the team has put together a bespoke solution catering for this region, while also having full capabilities to provide access to the full suite of Spinola Gaming products. These consist of the following:

Global Lotteries

Bespoke Lotteries

Live Lotteries

Custom Lotteries

Virtual Lotteries

Instant Lotteries

These products are enabled for government and state operations, lotteries for online casinos and sportsbooks, white label lottery operators and affiliate marketing companies.

Lotteries currently generate $400bn globally, and this is an opportunity for our audiences, as mentioned above within this demographic, to enter this lucrative market. Given our combined experience of over 60 years working in the lottery space, the team have been accumulating data on the southeast asian region, developing trends with this data and finding out what lottery players want to play. We’re in the process of onboarding the biggest global lotteries focused around this region onto our Connex, Lottery Management System, making them fully available to clients all across the world.

Outside of this, we have developed a geo-specific customizable system where clients can build their own lottery game, with its own respective jackpot. Albeit, if clients prefer an out-of-the-box solution, we have this available for clients to onboard at the click of a button. Clients can choose an abundance of specialised templates catering for specific regions.

Localised content is important, and that is why all our games come integrated with all the global currencies and languages available for use.

Ade Repcenko, CEO of Spinola Gaming said that, “Given the recent global situation, we’ve seen a massive influx of operators gaining interest in lottery, coupled with national lotteries digitising their lottery platform. Given this huge interest in Asia, we have expanded, and adapted our product range for the market, particularly in products seen in Southeast Asia. The team has studied the region heavily, both via field and secondary research to provide the best end-to-end lottery solution to cater for the ever growing needs within the iGaming sphere, especially those coming from emerging markets.”

SOURCE: Spinola Gaming press release.

Sports Betting Association Elects Jens Becker to the Presidium

BERLIN, Germany (December 22, 2020) -- The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) has elected Jens Becker to its executive committee. The Munich lawyer has been with bwin (Entain Group, formerly GVC) for almost two decades.

Becker succeeds Christoph Nestelberger, who resigned from his office on November 30, 2020 due to a career change.

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Jens Becker comments on his choice: “I'm looking forward to working with the DSWV Presidium. Much has already been done in recent years to promote the nationwide licensing of sports betting. Now we as an industry face completely new challenges in order to further develop the new regulation and make it a success."

DSWV President Mathias Dahms welcomes the election: “We have known Jens Becker for many years as a competent and committed gaming law expert. He will enrich the Presidium with his high level of competence and extensive experience in the area of online regulation."

About the DSWV

The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV), founded in 2014, is the union of the leading German and European sports betting providers. Based in Berlin, the DSWV sees itself as a public contact, particularly for politics, sport and the media. Its 16 members, who represent between 80 and 90 percent of the tax-paying sports betting market in Germany, advocate a modern, competition-oriented and European law-compliant regulation of sports betting in Germany. All members have nationwide sports betting permits in accordance with the 3rd GlüÄndStV or are in the application process. Since 2012, they have paid over 2.5 billion euros in sports betting taxes in Germany. Most of the members are also active as sponsors in German professional sports.

SOURCE: The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV).

Mississippi Lottery Corporation Announces November Transfer to the State

JACKSON, Mississippi (December 21, 2020) -- The Mississippi Lottery Corporation (MLC) completed its November transfer of $7,970,084.81 in net proceeds to the Lottery Proceeds Fund in the Mississippi State Treasury.

This brings the total transfer for Fiscal Year 2021 to $ 41,625,121.54.

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In Related News…

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) also recently announced the additional awarding of projects throughout the State. For the latest list of MDOT projects using lottery net proceeds, click here.

Coming Soon: New Year, New Games

The MLC will introduce a $1 Valentine’s Day Doubler and a $5 Gold Rush scratch-off game scheduled to arrive at lottery retailers throughout the state starting Tuesday, January 5, 2021.

In accordance with the Alyce G. Clarke Lottery Law, the MLC is required to transfer net proceeds within 20 days following the close of each calendar month.

The Mississippi Lottery Corporation (MLC) was created in 2018 by the Alyce G. Clarke Mississippi Lottery Law, Senate Bill 2001. The MLC is a legislatively created corporation.

Visit us online at www.mslotteryhome.com. For the MLC’s first seven months operating in Fiscal Year 2020, the lottery reported gross sales of $339,776,406 and returned $70,703,360 in net proceeds to the State.

SOURCE: Mississippi Lottery Corporation.

American Gaming Association CEO Reflects on 2020 and Cheers to the New Year

A Note From the CEO

Dear AGA Members and Industry Partners,

By any measure, 2020 has been an extraordinary year.

We endured a devastating pandemic, social unrest, and a contentious national election. The toll COVID-19 has taken on each of us is real—affecting our families, teams, and businesses. But as the year comes to an end, the deployment of breakthrough vaccines presents promise and hope for a much brighter 2021.

Despite the trials of this past year, together we have achieved remarkable success.

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Most importantly, for the first time ever, our industry received fair treatment from the federal government in the CARES Act. We then ensured discriminatory policy wouldn’t stand, providing small gaming businesses access to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). But that wasn’t all we accomplished. Together, we:

• Led all industries in establishing robust health and safety protocols to reopen responsibly.
• Pioneered new payment innovation to help protect public health and offer consumer choice.
• Extended our commitment to responsible gaming by forging new partnerships and setting new industry standards.
• Deepened our knowledge through AGA-led research that showed sports bettors abandoning the illegal market, enhanced policymaker and American consumer perceptions of gaming, and informed industry reopening efforts.
• Connected -- virtually -- to share insights, conduct business, and unite the industry at G2E 2020, AML Summit, Regulator Roundtable, or any number of webinars.

As we build on this earned momentum in 2021, the AGA is singularly focused on accelerating gaming’s recovery. We will focus on four strategic priorities:

1. Secure urgently needed economic relief for gaming.

Our CARES Act victory set the standard: gaming must be included in all federal support packages. While the latest round of stimulus offers some new relief, the AGA is undeterred in seeking liability protections for gaming companies that follow stringent safety protocols, additional support for tribal nations, and incentives to reinvigorate the travel, meetings, and hospitality sectors.

2. Develop new champions to promote gaming’s recovery. 

Policymakers who understand our impact are more likely to support our goals. We are already meeting with the Biden transition team, engaging the 45 new members of Congress from gaming states, and working to expand the Congressional Gaming Caucus. We will continue to leverage our investments in advocacy, research, and communications to sustain our success in improving policymakers’ perceptions of gaming. 

3. Block harmful policies and advance specific reforms to generate revenue growth.

Policies that hinder our growth hurt the communities where we operate. We will strongly oppose any attempt to enact new federal or state taxes on gaming. We will keep promoting efforts to get sports betting right, pushing for payment choice on the casino floor, and fighting against illegal, unregulated gaming markets and machines. 

4. Drive communications and research to promote industry priorities.

As gaming seeks new customers and welcomes returning patrons, we will reinforce the industry’s commitment to responsible reopening, demonstrating how our health and safety protocols protect our customers, employees, and communities. The AGA will advance gaming’s recovery by showcasing the link between local economic stability and gaming’s vitality.

There has never been a greater need for a unified industry and strong association. We enter the new year on a sound, resilient foundation, that we built together. I’m privileged to be leading our efforts with the amazing support of the talented, hard-working AGA team. We’re all excited about what 2021 will bring and eager to advance gaming’s recovery together.

Thank you for your continued support of the AGA during this challenging year. I am grateful for it and proud of what we have accomplished together.

I wish you all a safe, enjoyable holiday season and a very happy New Year.

All the best,

Bill

SOURCE: American Gaming Association.

Conscious Gaming's Playpause Service Launches with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

LAS VEGAS, NV & HARRISBURG, PA (December 22, 2020) - Conscious Gamingand the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board are jointly announcing the deployment tomorrow of “PlayPause”, an innovative self-exclusion tool for internet-based gambling created to modernize and strengthen the effectiveness of the U.S. gaming industry’s responsible gaming programs.

This is the first deployment of PlayPause in the United States with the solution being made available at no cost to operators and regulators via Conscious Gaming, a new non-profit organization established by GeoComply.

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The system is designed for regulators and licensed gaming operators in one state to securely identify self-excluded patrons who chose to participate in the program with other participating United States licensed gaming operators and regulators.

Today’s announcement underscores Conscious Gaming’s and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s commitments to uniting the industry to achieve shared responsible gaming goals and protect consumers.

“Pennsylvania is pleased to be the first jurisdiction to join the PlayPause program,” says Elizabeth Lanza, Director of the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. “By integrating with this solution, the industry and regulators can increase wellbeing efforts and advance the effectiveness of self-exclusion.”

Lanza says individuals who sign up for the Self-Exclusion program in Pennsylvania will be provided the option of participating in PlayPause to assist them in extending the self-exclusion to other jurisdictions as they deploy the tool.

“We are thrilled to see our vision for a national self-exclusion tool come to life with Pennsylvania’s PlayPause launch,” says Anna Sainsbury, Conscious Gaming Trustee and GeoComply Chairman and Co-Founder. “We are looking forward to further collaboration with industry stakeholders to expand coverage and impact for this solution.”

Powered by GeoComply, which provides the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board licensees with a geolocation service that effectively blocks participation in internet-based gaming when the player is not within the Commonwealth’s borders, the PlayPause solution will:

• Expand the protective self-exclusion bubble so that as players move from state to state, the protection that they have asked for can also move with them.
• Enable consumers to self-exclude across multiple states to prevent the incidence of simply crossing a state line and continuing to gamble.
• Empower operators to strengthen responsible gaming programs - and make more data-driven decisions - with greater insights into players that have already self-excluded in one state but need to be recognized and protected if/when they seek to play in another jurisdiction.
• Streamline the administrative burden and eliminate the silos associated with maintaining numerous separate state-operated self-exclusion databases.

For more information on PlayPause, please visit: www.playpausegaming.com

For more information on Conscious Gaming, please visit: www.consciousgaming.org

For more information on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, please visit www.gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov. For more information on gambling disorder programs and Pennsylvania’s assistance, please visit the Board’s Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling’s website, www.responsibleplay.pa.gov

For more information regarding this press release, please contact Seth Palansky of Conscious Gaming at seth@consciousgaming.org , or Doug Harbach at the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board at dharbach@pa.gov.

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About Conscious Gaming

Conscious Gaming is a philanthropic organization committed to utilizing advanced technology to propel social responsibility initiatives. Conscious Gaming’s mission is to leverage advanced technology and insights, to empower corporate social responsibility within our and our partners’ communities. We work with gaming operators, regulators, responsible gaming advocacy groups, academics and treatment professionals, to better protect consumers and enhance responsible gaming.

About the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is tasked to oversee all aspects of gambling legalized under 2004’s Race Horse Development and Gaming Act and the Gaming Expansion Act of 2017. In addition to slot machine and table games gambling at land-based casinos, the expansion includes online casino games available to date on 12 sites; sports wagering offered through sportsbooks at 13 retail locations and through 11 online outlets; video gaming terminals (VGTs) offered as of this date at 40 qualified truck stops; and, fantasy sports contests through six providers. The mature land-based casino industry in Pennsylvania currently consists of six racetrack (Category 1) and four stand-alone (Category 2) casinos in, along with the two resort (Category 3) casinos and one mini-casino (Category 4).  These facilities collectively employ over 16,000 people and, along with other types of Board-regulated gaming, annually generate over $1.5 billion in tax revenue. An additional Category 2 casino is expected to open in the first quarter of 2021, while a number of Category 4 casinos are expected to begin operation over the next couple of years.

SOURCE: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

QTech Games Sharpens Its Premium Platform with Spearhead Studios

Leading distributor expands its content portfolio with new games from emerging-force supplier

MALTA (December 22 2020) – QTech Games, the number-one games distributor across Asia and all growth markets, has maintained the strong momentum in its premium pipeline, thanks to its latest supplier deal with emerging force, Spearhead Studios.

Under the terms of the deal, Spearhead has delivered its progressive portfolio to QTech Games’ partners, whose players will now enjoy an array of 25 slots and table games, featuring some of the hottest properties around, like the breakout Book of Souls and Wilds of Wall Street franchises.

Integrating content from one of the most innovative and creative online studios around adds yet more creative muscle to QTech Games’ burgeoning platform, which is bringing the widest range of online games to emerging territories with established names, such as Ezugi and Yggdrasil, sitting alongside the industry’s rising-star providers.

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Spearhead Studios’ game client has been optimised for mobile (notably with its snackable Slider Games series), a channel at the heart of QTech’s RNG model, which is founded on its fully-owned and customised technical platform, affording games providers and operators the fastest integration available. Through this leading platform, which has become renowned as a global gaming one-stop shop, clients also benefit from the best performance and customer support available, localised to every region across both emerging and more mature markets.

The agreement organically widens Spearhead Studios’ international footprint, unlocking untapped jurisdictions from Asia to Eastern Europe and Latin America for diversified growth.

Ulf Norder, CCO QTech Games, said: “We’re committed to rolling out the best content that generates fresh revenue streams for our partners. Therefore, this deal with Spearhead Studios extends our wide-ranging pipeline for the year. In today’s marketplace, only a premier portfolio of the highest calibre separates you from the crowd, so we’re thrilled to see how Spearhead has satisfied this demand.”

Mathias Larsson, Managing Director at Spearhead Studios, added: “Our aim at Spearhead is to disrupt the industry by making local games for local markets – and in QTech Games we’ve found a platform partner who shares our core values. Teaming up with them constitutes a fantastic opportunity to bolster our product distribution across emerging territories and deliver our great games to a range of high-profile partners. We can’t wait to see how they connect with new audiences, and we will expand this partnership over the months ahead.

“In an era of customisation, QTech Games is truly embracing their brand promise of tailoring top-class content for diverse audiences. It keeps them at the cutting edge of relevance for all kinds of players across emerging markets.”

SOURCE: QTech Games press release.

Sky Racing World Launches Free Live Streaming Mobile App

New product will feature daily live-stream of International horse racing on mobile devices

LOUISVILLE, KY. (December 22nd, 2020) – Sky Racing World, the Louisville, Kentucky-based distributor of International horseracing (Thoroughbred) content and subsidiary of Australian wagering operator Tabcorp, has announced the launch of its new smartphone App. Available today on the Apple and Google Play stores, the Sky Racing World Streaming App will make live viewing of International horse racing easier and more accessible than ever before for North American handicappers.

Featuring extensive coverage of live horse racing meets and live harness racing coverage, the new mobile App will provide enthusiasts of the sport with an unparalleled mobile experience that is completely free.

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With a few quick clicks, iPhone, iPad and Android users can download the Sky Racing World Streaming App and instantly gain access to a variety of International horse racing content, all at their fingertips.

The App boasts live horse racing for meets in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Korea and Japan, as well as live harness racing coverage in Australia. In addition, the Sky Racing World smartphone app also includes a link to free past performances, race forms and programs on the Sky Racing World website.

Horse racing is one of the few sports that has continued despite the ongoing global pandemic, albeit, without spectators in some jurisdictions. With its new mobile app for iOS and Android, Sky Racing World looks to fill the void of not being able to attend meets in person by bringing the thrilling action from global tracks to horse racing fans, wherever they go.

David Haslett, President and CEO at Sky Racing World, said: “Demand for digital racing content has accelerated since the start of the global pandemic, so it became clear that a single-minded App to stream and watch International racing would fill a prominent need in the market. We are excited to show our customers how committed we are to continuing to deliver world-class racing from a variety of markets.”

Races are available to live stream on their mobile devices through the Sky Racing World Streaming App on iOS and for the first time on Android devices. Fans can also watch live via desktop at skyracingworld.com, and watch and wager with all major ADW platforms such as TVG, TwinSpires, Xpressbet, NYRABets, WatchandWager, HPIbet, AmWager, and BetAmerica.

SOURCE: Sky Racing World media release.

SB Secures Gaming Laboratories International 33 Certification Ahead of US Debut

Multi-channel sportsbook technology provider meeting highest possible integrity standards as North America launch nears

LONDON (December 22, 2020) – FSB, the award-winning sports betting and iGaming technology provider, is pleased to announce it has been granted Gaming Laboratories International GLI 33 certification for its sports betting platform.

FSB has successfully completed pre-compliance testing of its products and services against GLI 33 Event Wagering Systems standards ahead of the provider’s entrance into the regulated US market, where it has identified tremendous opportunities.

The standards, while not a replacement for the requirements that must be met in each regulated state, ensure that platform providers are meeting the highest possible integrity standards and will help to expedite the approval process in each state that FSB enters.

Bob Akeret, Vice President Operations, North America at FSB, said: “We are delighted to have received Gaming Laboratories International GLI 33 certification for our sportsbook platform, proving that we are meeting the highest integrity standards ahead of our debut in the US market.

“Approval for our certification was quick and straight-forward and that’s a real testament to the technical capacity of our highly evolved platform.”

Dave McDowell, CEO at FSB, said: “Gaining GLI 33 certification is another milestone for FSB. 

We see huge potential for our various products and services in the US and this certification gives us the platform to prove our technologies can meet the exact needs of operators and players across North America. It all points to an exciting 2021.”

SOURCE: FSB.