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All Eyes Are On France As Its Online Gambling Market Opens Up –
Euro 1.7 Billion Market Expected In 2015
New landmark Report About
The French Gambling Market Presents Unique Insights, Forecasts, And In-Depth
Analyses
LONDON / MUNICH (September 23, 2009)
-- Currently, the gambling industry has its eyes on France, and many operators
expect a boost for their business from the opening of the French online
gambling market that is scheduled for 2010. Their optimism seems to be
justified now that the draft of the legal bill opening up France’s online
betting and poker market is just meters away from adoption; additionally the
online gambling market is expected to grow to Euro 1.7 billion (gross revenues)
by 2015. The consulting firm MECN and law firm Ulys have compiled a new
landmark report that offers an unprecedented in-depth analysis of the French
gambling market.
Liberalisation of
interactive/online betting and poker markets in spring/summer 2010.
One of the key aspects of the
planned liberalisation, which will probably take effect in summer 2010, will be
the opening of the interactive/online sports and horse race betting markets as
well as of online poker. Although the draft regulation will likely be adapted,
and many issues (e.g., tax schemes) are still criticised by many operators, the
strategies of most operators clearly target France. As one representative of an
online gambling heavyweight put it: “We will enter the French market as
soon as possible – no matter what it takes.” According to
MECN’s new research, ca. 80% of the gambling operators and experts
surveyed consider the French market relevant or even very relevant for their
future business – this testifies to the hope the entire industry places in
this upcoming market.
The focus is on online sports
betting and poker – more than 2/3 of operators surveyed want to obtain an
online poker license
The operators will focus on online
poker and sports betting because they expect the French market to outstrip even
the success story of the Italian online poker and betting market. Despite the
many unresolved issues of the upcoming liberalisation, 77% of the operators
surveyed in MECN’s study are looking to obtain a French online poker
license. On the other hand, horse race betting monopolist PMU may be able to
breathe a sigh of relief because horse race betting licenses are not nearly as
popular.
Exhibit 1: Which licenses will most
likely be acquired / applied for - Results of MECN survey
France will most likely
become one of the key online gambling markets worldwide - Euro 1.7 billion
market (gross revenue) expected by 2015
The pure facts make the French
gambling market (online and land-based) a compelling target: In terms of
turnover/sales, the total licensed gambling market (incl. casinos) in France
was ca. Euro 70 billion in 2008. In terms of gross revenue, the market achieved
Euro 8.5 billion in 2008. While the horse race betting market has a long
tradition in France, sports betting and poker are not as developed and thus
offer great potential for future growth. MECN expects that in terms of gross
revenues (sales/turnover less payout of prizes and winnings) the French
interactive/online gambling market will grow by a factor of nearly six from
currently ca. Euro 300 million to ca. Euro 1.7 billion by 2015. In terms of
sales/turnover, the market will grow from currently ca. Euro 1 billion to ca.
Euro 18 billion by 2015. As Martin Oelbermann, director of MECN, stresses:
“The French market will give the global online gambling market a new
push and develop into one of the key markets worldwide with online poker paving
the way.”
MECN’s new report about the
French gambling market
MECN’s new report on the French
gambling market includes an in-depth analysis of the market, the planned
liberalisation, forecasts, and unique results of a survey of more than 50
industry experts – for more information visit
www.france-gambling.mecn.net
About MECN:
MECN is a network of experts on
issues concerning the media and entertainment industry. Together they provide
in-depth knowledge, analysis, and advice to global clients.
CONTACT: Martin Oelbermann, Tel:
+49(0)89 3835 6785, e-mail: pr@mecn.net.
North Carolina and Rhode Island Lotteries Select Smartplay’s
Origin™ System
EDGEWATER PARK, New Jersey
(September 18, 2009) - The lotteries of Rhode
Island and North Carolina both
selected Smartplay International’s
Origin™ digital drawing system in the past month to increase excitement
and add variety to their lottery game offerings.
On August 24th, the North Carolina
Education Lottery announced plans to purchase three of the Origin™ systems
for use in a variety of raffle games and second chance drawings. In addition to
being a source of diverse, short-term raffles which add variety to their
current lottery products, the Origin™ systems will provide additional
security for the lottery. These machines are capable of being used as a backup
system for any of North Carolina’s traditional machines if necessary.
North Carolina anticipates a December delivery date for their new
equipment.
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Smartplay President David Michaud
declared, “We are very pleased to once again be the choice of the North
Carolina Education Lottery.” The final determination was made
through an open RFP process.
The Rhode Island Lottery took
delivery of two of Smartplay’s Origin™ digital draw systems on
September 11th. Rhode Island’s lottery, The Lot, committed to a long-term
lease of the equipment which includes two complete hardware based random number
sources per system, a secure entry system, and secure housing. They have plans
to perform drawings at the GTECH data center in Rhode Island until January,
2010. Rhode Island previously used the Origin™ system for their 2008
Million Dollar Raffle Game which successfully sold out all available 120,000
tickets by December 27th. They held the Grand Drawing on New Year’s Eve
using Smartplay’s Origin™ System.
The Origin System is currently in
daily use by the New Mexico Lottery, Arizona Lottery, Washington State Lottery,
Ohio Lottery, and Tennessee Lottery. Significantly, the system has been
selected as the means to conduct raffles by: New Jersey Lottery, New Mexico
Lottery, New York Lottery, Ohio Lottery, Tennessee Education Lottery, Arizona
Lottery, Washington State Lottery and Virginia Lottery as well as Rhode Island.
Established in 1993, Smartplay is
dedicated to the creative design, development and manufacture of lottery
drawing equipment. The product line has evolved over the years in
response to clients’ needs by incorporating the latest technology.
Smartplay has maintained a position as international leader in the area of
lottery drawing machines and customized game show equipment. Smartplay is
consistently chosen above other manufacturers due to a reputation for quality
and reliability. Smartplay is proud to be the choice of the world’s most
prestigious lotteries.
SOURCE: Smartplay International,
Inc., Edgewater Park, NJ USA. CONTACT: Mariana Burachok, Marketing , +1 609 880
1860.
Virginia Lottery Exceeds Projections For FY2009, Contributing More
Than $439 Million For K-12 Public Education
RICHMOND, Virginia (September 18,
2009) -- The Virginia Lottery today
announced it exceeded its projections by raising more than $439 million in
profits for Fiscal Year 2009 (FY2009). By law, all of that profit goes to
Virginia’s K-12 public schools.
“We are pleased that we were
able to surpass our goal in fulfilling our mission to raise money for K-12
public education,” said Virginia Lottery Executive Director
Paula I. Otto. “We are proud of
the positive contribution made by the Lottery to the Commonwealth, even in a
year of economic uncertainty.”
The $439.1 million in profit
represents the amount earned for the Lottery Proceeds Fund during the fiscal
year, which ran from July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009. It is a decrease from
the record-setting $455.3 million in FY2008. Nevertheless, it represented the
third-best performance in the Lottery’s 20-year history. The top two
performing years were FY2008 and FY2006.
“This shows that even in a
year of steep economic challenges, an organization selling an entertainment
product using a business-world model can do well,” said Otto. “It
also shows that lotteries are not recession-proof.”
Sales and Prizes
The profit for FY2009 was driven by
sales of $1.366 billion. Of that amount, the vast majority – $781 million
– went right back to players in the form of prizes. Those prizes ranged
from $1 all the way up to the biggest winning ticket of the year: a $75.6
million Mega Millions jackpot. It was one of nine occasions during the past
year in which a single ticket in Virginia won a prize worth $1 million or more.
Fun and Games
The Lottery’s 20th Birthday
Celebration, which lasted throughout FY2009, was marked by a number of special
events. A Birthday Raffle was held, in which Rebecca Jackson of Roanoke won the
$1 million top prize. The Lottery’s first game, Match 3, made a return
with an exciting twist: a second-chance drawing in which 20 players won
scholarships from the Virginia College Savings Plan. Each scholarship had an
initial value of $50,000.
Other highlights of the year
included a New Year’s Raffle in which four lucky winners won $1 million
each. The Lottery’s partnership with Bass Pro Shops produced one of the
Lottery’s most popular scratch games. The Bass Pro Shops game included
second-chance drawings, in which four Virginia Lottery players won exciting
outdoor adventures.
The two most exciting moments of the
year came shortly after 11:00 p.m. on May 1 and again two weeks later at the
same time on May 15. That’s the moment when Lottery officials discovered
that a Mega Millions ticket purchased in Virginia had matched all six numbers
to win the jackpot. The first of those winners, Joe Denette of Spotsylvania
County, won $75.6 million. He chose to take the cash option of $47.8 million,
which he received in a presentation in Victory Lane at Richmond International
Raceway. The other jackpot-winning ticket, worth $19 million, was claimed by
Joe and Sue Claffey of Rappahannock County. They chose to take the cash option
of $11.5 million.
prize in the Win For life game. Each
will receive $1,000 each week for the rest of his or her life. Of those five,
two bought their winning tickets using subscriptions, in which players can
purchase tickets for multiple drawings directly from the Virginia Lottery.
Retailer Commissions
Lottery retailers across the
Commonwealth earned $76.9 million in commissions by partnering with the
Virginia Lottery. Retailers earn 5 percent for every ticket they sell, 1
percent for every ticket they cash and a bonus for selling an unusually large
winning ticket. For example, the store that sold Joe Denette his Mega Millions
jackpot winner, Joyful Convenience Market in Spotsylvania County, received a
$50,000 bonus from the Virginia Lottery.
Operating Expenses
The cost of running the Lottery does
not come from tax dollars – it comes from Lottery ticket revenue. In
FY2009, the Lottery kept its operating expenses to just 5.4 percent, which is
far below the 10 percent allowed by Virginia law.
“We worked hard to identify
areas in which cuts could be made, so resources could be put in areas to
generate maximum revenue for the Commonwealth,” said Otto.
“The Virginia Lottery is run in a prudent manner.”
Cost-Savings for the
Future
Lottery officials are looking ahead
to further reduce operating expenses in FY2010, which began on July 1. Those
cost-saving measures include partial-elimination of paid television time for
the daily draw show. This does not include Mega Millions drawings, which will
continue to air. The daily drawings will continue to be held, but the Lottery
will no longer pay television stations to show them, for a potential cost
savings of approximately $2 million over the next two years. For players who
wish to watch the drawings live, they will continue to be streamed live on the
Internet. The winning numbers will also continue to be available after drawings
via Twitter and RSS feeds. Other cost-saving measures are still under
consideration.
“The Virginia Lottery has a
hard-earned reputation for getting the most from each dollar
invested,” said Otto. “We recognize that each dollar saved is
another dollar for K-12 education in Virginia.”
Looking Ahead
The 2010 fiscal year is already
shaping up to be one of the most interesting in the Lottery’s history. A
new partnership with the Washington Redskins, forged during FY2009, has
resulted in the Redskins Mania Scratcher game, with unprecedented prizes such
as 20-year Redskins season tickets and trips on the team plane to Dallas for
the Redskins-Cowboys game.
“As the Lottery embarks on
its next 20 years, it faces the challenges of maintaining the high standards it
has set through past performance,” said Otto. “The
Lottery’s reputation for fun, integrity and innovation is a source of
pride for Lottery employees – as it should be for all Virginians. The bar
is set high.”
SOURCE: Virginia Lottery press
release.
NC Education Lottery Unveils a New Ticket with a Lot of
“Flair”
RALEIGH, North Carolina (September
18, 2009) -- The North Carolina Education
Lottery (NCEL) today unveiled a new sports-themed instant scratch-off
ticket featuring world-renowned pro wrestler Ric Flair. The NCEL and
“The Nature Boy” teamed up on the new game that will be
available at lottery retail locations statewide starting Tuesday, September
22.
“All of us at the NCEL are
thrilled about this partnership and the potential it has for bringing in a
different group of players, which could result in increased sales,”
said Tom Shaheen, NCEL executive
director. He added, “We are always looking for ways to appeal to new
players so we can maximize sales and generate as much money as possible for
education.”
During the event that took place at
the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, Flair expressed that education is
important to him as well. To help get the word out about the ticket and to help
the NCEL raise money for education, Flair said that he will make appearances at
upcoming fairs around the state.
“Wooooooo!” is a $5
scratch-off ticket. The game features eight top prizes of $100,000 and over
500,000 prizes between $10 and $200. Players have 16 chances to win on each
ticket, which corresponds with Flair’s 16 championship belts.
CONTACT: Pamela Walker, Phone: (919)
301-3308.
LOTTO MAX Launches
New Canadian National
Lottery Game Now Available For Play
TORONTO, Canada (September 17, 2009)
-- Canada's new national weekly lottery - LOTTO MAX - officially launches
Saturday, September 19 2009, with the first day of ticket sales from coast to
coast. The first LOTTO MAX draw will be held in one week, on Friday, September
25 with a $10 million jackpot. In Ontario, LOTTO MAX can be played at OLG
retail locations across the province.
As announced on behalf of Canada's
five regional lottery corporations by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) on
July 15 2009, LOTTO MAX will offer big jackpots more frequently than any game
before. And for the first time ever with a Canadian lottery, this newest
introduction to the national lottery line-up will offer special additional
prizes of $1 million each once the jackpot reaches $50 million.
The LOTTO MAX jackpot is expected to
hit the $50 million mark five or more times per year, and will then kick into
MAXMILLIONS mode: the jackpot will remain at $50 million with top-prize money
then being allocated to a series of additional MAXMILLIONS prizes each worth $1
million, and each with its own individual draw and set of winning numbers.
Game details:
- Draws will be held on Friday
nights, starting with the first draw on September 25
- Players will receive three
chances to win (seven numbers each) per $5 play
- In order to win the jackpot,
players must match 7/7 numbers (from one to 49)
- Odds of winning a jackpot are one
in 28.6 million per play
- Odds of winning any prize are one
in 6.6 per play
- If a jackpot is not won it will
"roll" to the next draw date, with MAXMILLIONS prizes created after the $50
million mark is reached
- Jackpots start at $10 million and
will grow until won or until reaching $50 million
About OLG (www.OLG.ca)
OLG is a provincial agency responsible for
province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries,
Casinos, Slots, and Resort Casinos have generated more than $28 billion for the
benefit of the Province of Ontario. Gaming proceeds support Ontario's
hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities,
provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and
provincial charities and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium
Foundation.
The
Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) was established by the provincial
lottery organizations in 1976 to operate joint lottery games across Canada. ILC
headquarters are located in Toronto, Ontario.
For further information: Media
Contact: OLG Media Relations, (888) 946-6716.
La Française des Jeux Chooses Sagem Sécurité
New-Generation Terminals to Expand and Modernize Local
Network
PARIS, France (September 18, 2009)
-- Christophe Blanchard-Dignac,
Chairman and CEO of La Française des
Jeux (the French lottery operator), and Jean-Paul Jainsky, Chairman and CEO
of Sagem Sécurité (Safran
group), today signed a framework contract concerning the potential supply of
more than 40,000 new-generation secure gaming terminals. These terminals will
be installed in all La Française des Jeux sales outlets by the end of
2013.
La Française des Jeux has
chosen an innovative solution that delivers benefits to all players and
strengthens its network of local outlets in France to meet and exceed the
expectations of its customers: new services (large color screen, contactless
cards, etc.), and new commercial opportunities with the application of new game
concepts.
Based on this new technology, La
Française des Jeux will be able to manage its entire offering and expand
its range of games (Loto, etc.) to outlets that do not currently offer the full
range (24,000 points of sale at year-end 2009). In addition, it will give
retailers a fast, powerful system offering an expanded and facilitated range of
gaming services.
Sagem Sécurité is
deploying an innovative optical document reader, representing a breakthrough in
relation to current scanner technology. Combining high performance and
economical operation, this technology provides high-quality images and
facilitates the registration and validation of gaming tickets.
The two partners have signed an
initial firm order for 12,000 terminals. The timetable for the complete
program, representing an investment of more than 50 million euros, is as
follows: design and development end-2009/2010; production in 2011; national
deployment starting in 2012.
According to Christophe
Blanchard-Dignac, “La Française des Jeux, the third largest
lottery operator in the world, is now a pioneer in the use of this innovative
technology, which features the latest advances in secure gaming solutions. The
contract, along with a partnership between Sagem Sécurité and our
subsidiary LotSys, extends the historical, technical and industrial links
between these two major French enterprises.”
“We are very honored that La
Française des Jeux has renewed its confidence, and we are proud to be
supporting this major player’s commitment to innovation,” said
Jean-Paul Jainsky, Chairman and CEO of Sagem Sécurité.
“Our new Elite range of terminals made the difference, because it
encapsulates our broad-based expertise in gaming terminals and optical
recognition, a technology we have already applied for more than 25
years.”
Bolstering the distribution network
is a top priority for La Française des Jeux. From the beginning of this
year until mid-2010, it will have received over 1,200 new lottery approvals.
The company is also continuing its investment program, including expenditures
exceeding 140 million euros from 2009 to 2012. In particular, by 2012 La
Française des Jeux plans to outfit its entire network with terminals
offering real-time connectivity, to improve service for users and further
enhance overall reliability.
La Française des Jeux already
has the largest ADSL broadband network and the largest local network in
France*, with 37,600 points of sale in newsstands, tobacco shops and bars. With
one point of sale for every 1,700 inhabitants, this network spans all of
mainland France, overseas departments and territories, and French Polynesia. It
is present in more than 12,000 urban and rural communities, accounting for
nearly 90% of the total population – and 8 to 10 million French people use
the network every day.
*28,000 points of sale with ADSL
broadband connections at year-end 2009.
About La Française des
Jeux
La Française des Jeux offers
its 29 million customers a wide range of lottery games and sports betting
products that are fun, secure and compliant with responsible gaming standards.
These are sold via an extensive network of 37,600 points of sale, as well as a
website – www.fdjeux.com – which is used by around 730,000 players.
With sales of €9.2 billion in
2008 and 930 employees, La Française des Jeux is the third-largest
lottery operator in the world. It has embarked on a sustainable development
policy reconciling economic development, community involvement and
environmental and social development. La Française des Jeux allocates
almost 28% of gaming revenues to society as funding for good causes. More
specifically, 2.5% of stakes contribute to financing sports facilities and the
“sport for all” movement in France.
About Sagem
Sécurité
Sagem Sécurité is a
high-technology company in the SAFRAN Group. One of the world’s leading
suppliers of identity systems, Sagem Sécurité focuses on
applications including personal rights and flow management, in particular based
on biometrics, a sector in which it is the world leader, secure terminals and
smart cards. Its integrated systems and equipment are deployed worldwide and
contribute to the safety and security of transportation, data, people and
states. Sagem Sécurité is present on all continents.
For more information:
www.sagem-securite.com,
www.safran-group.com.
Press Contacts:
Bon Appétit From NeoGames Partners
Bon Appétit is the
brand new game launched today at Scratch2Cash and Hopa.com
MALTA (September 17, 2009) -- Today
NeoGames Partners, have announced the
launch of their brand new nine line slot game called Bon Appétit, on
leading online scratch card websites, Scratch2Cash and Hopa.com.
Players will come face to face with
a huge variety of very appetizing food and drink such as pizza, waffles, ice
cream and lemonade placed on a huge 9 line slot machine.
The objective of Bon Appétit
is to match a minimum of two identical icons on the same line to win.
There is a $/£/€200,000
Jackpot to be won, so players may find themselves craving to get the five
matching ice cream symbols to win the big prize!
So if you are really hungry to win,
simply make a reservation to come and play Bon Appétit today.
This game can be promoted via
NeoGames Partners.
SOURCE: NeoGames.
CONTACT:
Joanna Waitzman, Public Relations Manager, T: +972 36072557, M: +972 547983122,
F: +972 3 6072509, E-mail: Joannaw@neogames.com.
Malta iGaming Seminar 2009
MALTA (September 10, 2009) - Over
the last few years the Maltese Islands have become more and more attractive for
the online gaming industry and we have seen a boom in companies relocating to
Malta to benefit from the incentives that have been introduced by the Maltese
government over the last few years.
Being a dynamic industry whose
requirements change often, a seminar is being hosted on the 8th October at Le
Meridien, St. Julians, Malta for startup or relocating gaming companies
seeking excellent jurisdictions, with the scope of inviting them to Malta for
the first ever Malta iGaming Seminar (MiGS09).
At MiGS, delegates who are
interested in setting up or relocating to Malta will get the chance to meet
with some of the key local suppliers to the industry, enabling them to gauge
the quality of services and products available to them in Malta. We will also
hear the whole story from the CEO's of two of the top gaming companies who have
already relocated to Malta including their recommendations, while also learning
about the incentives that are available to them by local authorities.
A section of the event is also going
to be dedicated to round table discussions, where clients, vendors &
authorities alike will be discussing current market conditions and what could
be done to enhance further the processes that make Malta Europe's jurisdiction
of excellence. Several social and networking events are also planned.
The LGA's Chairman, Mr Nick Xuereb
will be giving an opening speech, whilst the Authority's CEO, Mr Reuben
Portanier will be a member of the panel.
To view the agenda and register
please visit www.maltaigamingseminar.com
SOURCE: The Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA).
New York Lottery Launches Sweet Millions Jackpot
Game
Strong Ticket Sales
Precede Inaugural Drawing
NEW YORK, USA (September 17, 2009) -
The New York Lottery today announced the
debut of its new Lotto spin-off game, Sweet Million, offering players a twice
weekly chance to win up to $1,000,000 in cash. The Lottery reports strong
player interest in the game as measured by initial sales.
"This isn't your typical Lotto
game where a single person can win a large jackpot," said New York Lottery
Director Gordon Medenica.
"Instead, with Sweet Million, multiple players can each win $1,000,000. The
new prize structure addresses our players' frequent request for a jackpot-type
game with better odds," continued Medenica. "The odds of winning a
$1,000,000 prize in the Sweet Million drawing are 1 in 3.9 million, making it
your best chance to win $1,000,000 for just $1."
Tickets for the Sweet Million game
went on sale Tuesday, September 15, 2009. Sales for Thursday's inaugural
drawing total more than $400,000 after just one full day of sales.
The premier drawing will take place
Thursday, September 17th. In a first for the New York Lottery, drawings for the
Sweet Million game will be broadcast exclusively on the Internet at
www.sweetmillion.com, which can also be accessed from the Lottery's main
website, www.nylottery.org. Subsequent drawings will take place every Monday
and Thursday at approximately 9:30 p.m. and will be available online for
viewing within minutes of the official drawing. Like all televised New York
Lottery drawings, the Sweet Million drawing will be conducted under the
observation of an auditor from KPMG to ensure the integrity of the process.
To win the $1,000,000 top prize,
players must match six winning numbers drawn from a field of 40. In the event
there are more than five top prize winners in a single game, the winners will
receive an equal share of the total $5,000,000 top prize monies available for
that drawing. Other prize levels for the game include: match five of six
numbers, win $500; match four of the six numbers; win $40; and match three of
six winning numbers, win $3.
Winning numbers for the Sweet
Million drawing will be available at www.nylottery.org and will be posted at
more than 16,000 New York Lottery retail locations statewide. Players may also
retrieve the winning numbers for all New York Lottery games by calling,
toll-free, 1-800-342-3666.
The New York Lottery continues to be
North America's largest and most profitable Lottery, earning more than $36.7
billion in education support statewide since its founding over 40 years ago.
The Lottery contributed nearly $2.54 billion in fiscal year 2008-9 to help
support education in New York State, which was over 12 percent of total state
education funding to local school districts. The Lottery's ongoing commitment
to education also includes the awarding of more than 1,100 Leaders of Tomorrow
(LOT) Scholarships annually to high school students pursuing their higher
education in New York State. Since 1999, the Lottery has awarded more than
11,500 scholarships representing a total commitment of almost $50 million.
CONTACT: Press and Community
Relations, Telephone: (518) 388-3415.
SOURCE: New York Lottery (www.NYLottery.org).
Florida Lotto™ Offers Players A Little Something
"XTRA"
Florida Lotto™ with
XTRA® Gives Players "Multiple" Reasons To Play
TALLAHASSEE, Florida (September 22,
2009) -- The Florida Lottery is adding to its flagship game, FLORIDA
LOTTO™, an exciting new feature called XTRA®! Similar to
POWERBALL® with Power Play®, FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA will offer players
the opportunity to multiply their non-jackpot winnings by two, three, four or
five times for just $1 more per play. The new feature will go on sale October
11, 2009.
"Florida Lottery players have
embraced the Power Play multiplier offered with POWERBALL; so much so that
Florida boasts the most Power Play winners in the country, with more than 1.7
million since the game launched in January," said Florida Lottery Secretary
Leo DiBenigno. "By adding this popular feature to FLORIDA LOTTO, we are able to
give back to our players with increased lower-tier prizes on a longtime Florida
favorite."
By adding a 2-of-6 prize level,
FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA offers better overall odds of winning than the FLORIDA
LOTTO base game. Players who match just two numbers will win a FLORIDA LOTTO
with XTRA ticket. And, from October 11 to December 27, 2009, FLORIDA LOTTO with
XTRA players who match three of six winning numbers will win $25, the 3-of-6
prize multiplied by five, regardless of the multiplier selected for that
drawing.
FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA will replace
the current LOTTO PLUS feature. Sales for LOTTO PLUS will end at 10:38 p.m. on
Saturday, October 10, and FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA sales will begin at 6:00 a.m.
on Sunday, October 11. The Florida Lottery will continue to honor any
jackpot-winning LOTTO PLUS ticket purchased prior to October 11, including
Advanced Play tickets. Players who redeem an Advanced Play LOTTO PLUS ticket
will receive a continuation LOTTO PLUS ticket for the remaining draws.
New FLORIDA LOTTO play slips, which
will be necessary to play the game, will be available at retailers statewide
when the game changes take effect. FLORIDA LOTTO drawings will continue to take
place on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:15 p.m. ET.
"FLORIDA LOTTO continues
to be an important part of the strategy in meeting our statutory mandate of
maximizing revenues for education," added Secretary DiBenigno.
One of the Lottery's first On-line
games, FLORIDA LOTTO was originally introduced in April 1988 as a once-a-week,
multimillion-dollar jackpot game. After 1,631 draws and more than 17 billion
tickets sold, FLORIDA LOTTO is still one of the most popular games offered by
the Florida Lottery and one of the strongest lotto games in the nation, even
after the introduction of POWERBALL in Florida. In fiscal year 2009, the game
generated $650 million in sales and $260 million in transfers to the
Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF). The changes to FLORIDA LOTTO are
expected to generate tens of millions of dollars in additional annual revenue
for the EETF.
Florida voters, by a two-to-one
margin, approved a constitutional amendment in 1986 authorizing the state to
operate a lottery for the purpose of generating significant additional moneys
for education. Since the Lottery's inception, the agency has contributed more
than $20 billion to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. Today, Floridians
continue to show their support by purchasing nearly $4 billion in Lottery
products per year. For more information regarding the Florida Lottery, its
games and its contributions to education, visit
www.flalottery.com
CONTACT: Jackie Barreiros, (850)
487-7727.
SOURCE: Florida Lottery (www.flalottery.com).
Mifal Hapayis Wraps Up The Second Half Of 2009 With Excellent
Results
ISRAEL (September 12, 2009) -- The
Mifal Hapayis revenues for the first half of 2009 totaled NIS 2.13 billion,
representing an increase of 9.5%, in comparison with the same period last
year. During the second quarter, the revenues totaled NIS 1.022 billion
– an increase of 6% in comparison with the same quarter last year.
NIS 127 billion was
distributed as prizes to the winners during the half of the year, a large jump
in the monetary sum earmarked for investment in the community - NIS 552
million which constitutes an increase of 24% in comparison with the same period
last year.
Managing Director, Shaul
Sutnik: “The launch of the new lottery and its advertising
activity have proven themselves. “The increase in revenues
and profits means the construction of more classrooms.”
The summary of the Mifal Hapayis
financial statements for the second quarter of 2009 indicates that the
extensive financial activity and the marketing and operational efforts that
accompanied the launch of the new lottery have proven themselves, despite the
financial crisis effecting the Israeli market.
Mifal Hapayis concluded the second
quarter of 2009 with revenues of NIS 1.022 billion, in comparison with revenues
of NIS 968 million during the same period last year. This statistic reflects an
increase of 6% in the revenues in comparison with the same quarter last
year. Hapayis’ revenues during this half of the year reached an all
time high, totaling NIS 2.13 billion, an increase of 9.5% in comparison with
the previous half of the year.
Mifal Hapayis has distributed its
profits to the public in two principal ways: Payment of prizes to the
winners of the lotteries and allocation of budgets for public projects executed
for the benefit of the community, primarily though the local authorities.
Over NIS 608 million were distributed as prizes during the second quarter (NIS
1.27 billion during the half year), while the balance earmarked for investment
in budgets for public projects grew during the quarter by approximately NIS 207
million, in comparison with NIS 199 million during the same quarter last year,
a statistic that reflects an increase of 4 percent.
Highlights with regard to the
Expenses:
- The revenues of the Super Lotto,
Mifal Hapayis’ new lottery, which was launched at the latter part of the
previous quarter, jumped by 16% in comparison with the same quarter last
year. This quarter’s revenues from this game came to NIS 255 million
in comparison with NIS 220 million during the same quarter last year. The
Mifal Hapayis revenues from the first half of 2009 totaled NIS 546 million, in
comparison with NIS 453 million in the same half last year (an increase of
20%). Concurrent with these Lotto achievements, it is Hish Gad that was
revealed to be Mifal Hapayis’ best seller: The game, which contains
the unique game – Hish Gad Barcelona – and involved a joint venture
with the Spanish soccer club, ended the second quarter of 2009 with sales of
NIS 267 million in comparison with NIS 251 million during the same quarter last
year. This is an increase of over 6%. The Hish Gad revenues for the
first half of 2009 totaled NIS 566 million.
- There were no significant changes
in the scope of sales of the Chance and 777 games during the quarter in
comparison with the same period last year – the revenues of these games
came to NIS 231 million and NIS 22 million respectively. The revenues of
EIL increased by NIS 10 million and during the present quarter, reached NIS 81
million. (Dolin – I stayed with the quarter here in order to not get
bogged down by all the numbers).
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- This year appears to be the best
year in the history of Mifal Hapayis.The revenues of the first half of the year
totaled more than NIS 2.1 billion during the half year. This is an
increase of 9.5% in comparison with the same period last year. 2008
was the most successful year in the history of Mifal Hapayis, ending the year
with record revenues of NIS 3.946 billion. In the second quarter,
revenues totaled NIS 1.022 billion – an increase of 6% in comparison with
the same quarter last year.
- Mifal Hapayis’ investment
portfolio generated a return of NIS 135 million during the half year.
At Mifal Hapayis there is
satisfaction with the excellent financial results of this year’s second
quarter, characterized by a quarterly revenue exceeding the target set by the
board of directors.
Managing Director of Mifal
Ha’payis, Shaul Sutnik, notes that during the present quarter, the new
lottery game began regular operation. The changes in the game were
designed to suit it to the preferences of the Israeli consumer and its results
are salient in our financial statments. “The launch of the new
lottery and its advertising activity at the latter part of the previous quarter
have proven themselves. The increase in revenues and profits means the
construction of more classrooms.”
For information: Dolin
Melnik: 054-4694334 or Eitai Gormez: 052-6636801.
SOURCE: Mifal
Hapayis
Texas Lottery® Sees Increase In Sales And Revenue In FY
09
AUSTIN, Texas (September 15, 2009)
– The Texas Lottery® finished out
Fiscal Year 2009 by transferring a total of $1.0 billion to the Foundation
School Fund to support public education in Texas, an increase of over $17
million from the previous fiscal year.
“Total sales in FY 09
increased by over $48 million compared to last year for a grand total of $3.72
billion in sales,” said Texas Lottery Deputy Executive Director Gary
Grief. “This represents the fourth best year of sales for the
Texas Lottery since we started selling tickets in 1992. We’re
extremely grateful to our loyal players, hard working lottery retailers and
dedicated agency staff, all of whom helped us generate this needed revenue for
Texas education.”
Grief also cited the following sales
highlights for Fiscal Year 2009:
- $2.79 billion in instant
scratch-off ticket sales, the third-highest level of scratch-off sales in the
Texas Lottery’s history;
- $262.8 million in Mega Millions
and Megaplier sales, the best year in Texas for Mega Millions and Megaplier
since Texas joined the multi-state game in 2003;
- $51.5 million in Texas Two
Step® sales, the best year for Texas Two Step® since
2003;
- $2.29 billion in prizes paid to
players, the third highest amount in the Texas Lottery’s history;
- $187.6 million in commissions and
bonuses paid to lottery retailers.
Overall, 95 percent of the Texas
Lottery’s $3.72 billion in sales was returned to the state and players in
the form of prizes, contributions to the Foundation School Fund, retailer
bonuses and commissions, and other state programs.
Sales of other games offered by the
Texas Lottery in Fiscal Year 2009 included Lotto Texas® at $200.5 million,
Pick 3® and Pick 3® Sum It Up at $290.7 million, Cash 5® at $70.7
million, and Daily 4® and Daily 4® Sum It Up at $52.2 million.
For more information about the Texas
Lottery, please visit the official Texas Lottery Commission Web site at
http://www.txlottery.org.
CONTACT: Media Relations,
512-344-5131.
You Can’t Spell ‘Jackpot Winners’ Without
J-E-T-S
Team and New Jersey Lottery
Launch New Instant Ticket; Second Chance Drawings For One-Of-A-Kind Jets Prize
Packages Certain To Be A Hit With Fans
TRENTON, New Jersey (September
14, 2009) -- The New York Jets, the New Jersey
Lottery, State Treasurer and Sports and Exposition Authority Commissioner
R. David Rousseau, Senate President Richard J. Codey and Jets Executive Vice
President of Business Operations Matt Higgins today announced the launch of
“Jets Football Fantasy” at Quick Food Store, a New Jersey
Lottery retailer in West Orange.
This new Jets-themed instant lottery
game boasts cash prizes ranging from $5 to $100,000, and five Bonus Zone
‘Second Chance' Drawings that include such prizes as:
Jets season tickets for a decade in
the team's new stadium;
The chance to be the Jets'
“Owner For A Day”, where you will fly on a private jet to
watch the Jets take on Tampa ;
A luxury suite for you, ten of your
friends -- and former New York Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet.
Jets legend-and New Jersey 's
own-Wayne Chrebet is the primary 'ambassador' for this unique instant
game. Mr. Chrebet becomes the first former player in the League to take
an active, high-profile role in supporting a joint instant lottery venture
between a State lottery and a League franchise. In addition to hosting
some lucky ‘Second Chance' Drawing winners at a Jets home game in one of
the luxury suites, Mr. Chrebet will promote "Jets Football Fantasy" in
radio spots, print ads and at appearances throughout the state.
"The Jets and Wayne Chrebet have
a special place in the hearts and minds of countless thousands of our State's
citizens," said New Jersey Lottery Acting Executive Director
William T. Jourdain, "We're very
pleased to be able to work with them to give something back to their fans.
While the Jets are creating memorable moments on the field this season,
‘Jets Football Fantasy' is certain to create some very memorable moments
for fortunate Lottery players as well."
State Treasurer R. David Rousseau
also noted that Jets fans aren't the only ones who will win with this new
game. "Every ‘Jets Football Fantasy' ticket that a fan purchases
makes the difference in the lives of schoolchildren, college students, and our
state's veterans, just to name a few of the many beneficiaries of Lottery
support. This is one game that, when you play, all of New Jersey wins -
and that's a great outcome.”
“The ‘Jets Football
Fantasy' instant game is a great way for fans of the team to help support the
many worthy programs funded through the New Jersey Lottery while also giving
themselves the chance to dream about some exciting prizes,” said
Senate President Richard J. Codey, “The $100,000 top prizes are great,
and many Lottery players—especially those who love the Jets - will really
enjoy some of the special ‘Second Chance Drawing' prizes.”
"With chances to win big money
prizes and Jets experiences not offered anywhere else, we think ‘Jets
Football Fantasy' has it all," said Jets Executive Vice President of
Business Operations, Matt Higgins. "We're extremely pleased that Wayne
Chrebet will be helping spread the word about this instant ticket and the many
unique ‘Second Chance' prizes that are being offered."
For more information about the
“Jets Football Fantasy” instant game, as well as information on
submitting your entries for all ‘Second Chance' drawings, please visit the
Lottery's website at www.njlottery.net.
CONTACT: Dominick DeMarco, Public
Information Officer, Office: 609-599-5875, Fax: 609-599-5829.
SOURCE: New Jersey Lottery.
GBGC Has Released Two New Reports That Will Be of Great Interest to
the Industry
Interactive Gambling
Report
CASTLETOWN, Isle of Man (September
2009) -- Our latest Interactive Gambling Report is on sale and is a must buy
because of all the latest changes that are taking place in the on and offline
sector of the market.
In this report we have gone into greater detail on
the factors that are currently affecting the business such as:
- An analysis of the early season
soccer results and why margins have become so tight.
- Companies that are doing best on
their marketing spend and acquisition cost per customer.
- Excel spreadsheet on all markets
by country and continent
- How falls in consumer spending
and restrictions on credit cards are hitting online
- Why some forecasts of 25% growth
are misplaced.
- Seven possible scenarios for the
European market that could follow on from the Bwin vs Santa Casa case.
- Latest on mobile and Interactive
TV gambling
- Social Networking and Egaming
- igbgc Index of leading
interactive gambling shares.
Price £950
South &
Central American Report
With markets reaching saturation
post UIGEA in Europe at our clients request we have produced a detailed report
on the growth of South America. Countries such as Brazil with its population
now at 199 million has been largely unscathed by the economic recession. At
GBGC we see huge potential in this growing and important market.South America
has a population of 389 million with 132 million Internet users and growing.
Price £950
GBGCs Newsletter
You can sign up for our free
newsletter just go to www.gbgc.com and
complete the box bottom right of the home page.
Eastern European Gambling Conference
Sofia, Bulgaria
GBGC will have two representatives
at the conference on the 5th and 6th October this year who will be available to
discuss any matters relating to the industry.
Start Ups
To assist those bright young
entrepreneurs wanting to bring fresh ideas to the industry we have a new Start
Up page on our website.
CONTACT: Warwick Bartlett, GBGC,
Tel +44 (0) 1624 827138, Cell +44 (0)76244 83921 (Warwick), Fax +44 (0)1624
827139, CroatiaIIica 109 10000 Zagreb Croatia +38513700188.
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