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| Vol. 33 No. 11-- Monday December 12, 2005 |
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Texas Lottery Commission Financial Reporting Again Garners National Accolades AUSTIN, Texas, USA (December 5, 2005) – The Office of the Controller of the Texas Lottery Commission has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year 2004.
The prestigious national award is the highest form of
recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and
its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government agency
and its management. INTRALOT Receives “Best Business Innovation 2005” Award ATHENS, Greece (December 1, 2005) -- For the second consecutive year, INTRALOT received the 1st “Best Business Innovation 2005” award, among the listed companies in the Athens Stock Exchange. The “Money Business Awards 2005” took place during the Euro money Conference: “The Year of competitiveness.” The purpose of the award is to promote the best of the Athens Stock Exchange listed companies for their contribution in the development of the stock exchange and the Greek economy in general. The awards are the outcome of a voting procedure between sell-side analysts, institutional investors and fund managers, as well as retail investors. INTRALOT also received the 1st in the category “Best Company FTSE-MID/40.”
Mr. Andreas Papoulias, Board Member of INTRALOT, receiving the awards commented: “We are honoured to receive these awards by the business community. For the second time in a row INTRALOT won the “Best Business Innovation” award…an award which reflects our ongoing efforts and commitment to provide leading technology, top-quality and robust products and services, to the markets we serve.” About INTRALOT (www.intralot.com) INTRALOT, a public company listed on the ASE, is a leading supplier of integrated gaming and transaction processing systems, innovative game content and value added services to state-licensed gaming organizations worldwide. It’s broad portfolio of products & services, its know-how of Lottery, Betting & Video Lottery operations, its experience in sports games and its leading-edge technology, give INTRALOT a competitive advantage, which contributes directly to customers’ efficiency, profitability and growth. With 33 subsidiaries, 8 business offices and more than 1,900 people in 32 countries and revenues of €500 million for 2005(E), INTRALOT’s footprint straddles five continents. SOURCE: INTRALOT media release. Mail Subscription - the Easiest Way to Play Lotto SOUTH AFRICA (November 23, 2005) -- “If only I’d played” – don’t let that be your response after the numbers you have been playing since launch were drawn the day you forgot to buy a LOTTO ticket. Uthingo is offering players a way of ensuring they don’t miss a single draw by playing LOTTO through mail subscription.
“You can enter your combinations for 26, 52 or 104 draws in advance without ever having to queue at a retailer to buy a ticket,” says Shenanda Janse van Rensburg, Uthingo spokesperson. “Players can play a minimum of four boards and can select up to 20 different number combinations per draw when playing by subscription. Players also have the option to enter their numbers in the LOTTO draw only or both LOTTO and LOTTO Plus draws. If players wish to enter more than 20 combinations per draw, multiple subscriptions can be taken out." Mail subscription forms can be accessed online by visiting the National Lottery website on www.nationallottery.co.za. eBucks customers can subscribe by completing the form posted on the eBucks website, (www.ebucks.com) by utilizing their eBucks currency. Subscription forms can also be obtained by sending an SMS with the word “LOTTO” to 34110. A player will then receive an SMS prompt to provide a postal or e-mail address to which the form will be sent. Once completed, forms must be faxed to Uthingo’s Prize Payment department on (011) 715 5254/5210.
“Once your application has been processed, you will receive a subscription certificate confirming your numbers and the amount of draws your numbers will be entered into,” adds Janse van Rensburg. Subscriptions offers purchased and processed from November 21, 2005 to December 20, 2005 will also be automatically entered into the “If only I’d played” promotion. Each week one entrant will win a cash prize of R10 000 per week for four weeks. In addition, ten players per week will also win a mail subscription worth R1 456. This equates to four boards in every LOTTO and LOTTO Plus draw over a period of 104 draws. Five CD Voucher worth R1 000 each per week are also up for grabs. Draws will take place weekly and results of the promotion will be published on the National Lottery website every Friday. Alternatively, players can contact Player Thusong on 0800 40 30 40 to find out if they were winners. Players need to be 18 years or older to participate in the National Lottery or any of its promotions SOURCE: Uthingo. Sazka’s “Present-into-the-Cradle” for all Babies Born on September 15, 2006 CZECH REPUBLIC (November 28, 2005) -- SAZKA joint stock company started its business on September 15, 1956 and will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary on September 15, 2006. On this occasion it prepared among other events for players and broad public also the project “SAZKA´s Present Into the Cradle” organized under the auspices of the famous specialist – gynecologist and obstetrician MU Dr. Karel Šuk, CSc. In this project SAZKA, a.s. wants to give presents to all new- born Czech citizens to be born on September 15, 2006 who are going to celebrate their birthday together with the anniversary of the major lottery company operating in Czech Republic. Each baby born on September 15 2006 and registered by its parents or legal representatives at the corporate headquarters in compliance with conditions, will obtain a financial present of CZK 10.000. One name from among of the registered participants will then be drawn to obtain CZK 50.000 and one to obtain a prize of CZK 100.000.
Patron of the project MUDr. Karel Šuk, CSc mentioned that in 2004 only just short of 100 000 children were born, while in the past it used to be around 150 000 every year. “I support every idea that could help increase the birth rate and help young families and children”, says he. “In my opinion more than 300 children could be eligible for this present, the best period for conception being around December 21, 2005.” By its “Gift Into the Cradle” project wants SAZKA, a.s. not only to remember the fiftieth anniversary of the company but mainly to help young families and all children born on September 15, 2006. SAZKA joint stock company is the major lottery operator and one of the most important providers of odds betting in Czech republic. It runs number lotteries (Sportka, Lucky 10, Euromilióny, Keno, Šance and Šance million), instant lotteries (scratch tickets), sports and odds betting (Sazka, Sazka výběr, Sázka na vítěze, Skóre plus) and operates a central lottery system with interactive video-lottery terminals (the Starport brand). In the field of non lottery business it provides for example recharging of mobile phone credit or sale of tickets for sports, cultural and other events. Shareholders of SAZKA, a.s. are exclusively civic associations from the field of sport and physical education and the company is the major non government entity providing finance for good causes in the Czech Republic. SAZKA, a.s. is regular member of the most important international lottery organizations such as European Lotteries and World Lottery Association. SOURCE: SAZKA, a.s. media release.
MIDDLETOWN, Pennsylvania, USA (December 5,
2005) -- Tickets for the Pennsylvania
Lottery’s groundbreaking Millionaire Raffle game have sold out in less
than two weeks.
The drawing for the game, which features four top prizes of $1 million, will be held on New Year’s Eve. “We’re thrilled by the overwhelming response to Millionaire Raffle,” said Lottery Executive Director Ed Mahlman, “and we look forward to creating four new millionaires on New Year’s Eve.” Mahlman reminded Millionaire Raffle players to sign the backs of their tickets and keep them in a safe place until the New Year’s Eve drawing. He noted that the success of Millionaire Raffle has already created thousands of winners throughout Pennsylvania. “Millionaire Raffle ticket sales generated approximately $4.3 million for programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians,” he said, “programs that include prescription drug assistance through PACE and PACENET, property tax and rent rebates, transportation assistance and a statewide network of senior centers.” Millionaire Raffle features 509 cash prizes worth a total of $5 million. The game will award four $1 million top prizes, five $100,000 second prizes and 500 third prizes of $1,000.
The winning tickets will be selected during the Lottery’s live, 7 p.m., drawing show on New Year’s Eve. The top nine tickets will be broadcast live; the 500 third-prize tickets will be posted at Lottery retailers and published on the Lottery web site at http://www.palottery.com. All winning tickets will be selected by a Random Number Generator - or Automated Drawing Machine - certified by Gaming Laboratories International, the world’s premier gaming products and systems testing company. The eight-digit raffle number printed on Millionaire Raffle tickets must match the eight-digit raffle ticket number combination selected in the drawing - in the exact sequence in which it was selected - to be considered a winning ticket. The odds of winning a $1 million top prize are 1-in-125,000; odds of winning a $100,000 prize are 1-in-100,000 and odds of winning $1,000 are 1-in-1,000. For more information on the Pennsylvania Lottery, visit the Lottery's Web site, http://www.palottery.com. SOURCE: Pennsylvania Lottery media
release. NEW YORK, USA (December 5, 2005) -- Scientific Games [Nasdaq:SGMS] will continue to provide cooperative services to the Delaware Lottery for at least another three years under terms of an agreement announced today. Instant ticket services to be provided include warehousing, marketing, distribution and installation of game management software. The contract is valued at $7.1 million over the three years, and includes three one-year extension options. Over the current contract, Delaware Lottery sales have risen more than 46 percent under Scientific Games’ marketing programs and the company’s web-based management system has been well-received by the lottery’s retailers. Games featuring the licensed properties of the firm’s MDI subsidiary have also proven popular in Delaware.
“We’ve found that Scientific Games handles the overall lottery systems management well, with excellent systems and data security,” said Wayne Lemons, Director of the Delaware Lottery. “We’ve enjoyed solid instant ticket sales growth, with consistent and reliable logistical support.” “Delaware may be a small state, but it’s an important customer for us,” said Scientific Games Chairman and CEO Lorne Weil. “It runs one of the most comprehensive suites of games in the United States and sets high standards for all of them. We’re pleased to answer those standards.” The Delaware Lottery is the state's fourth-largest source of revenue, transferring more than $2.1 billion to the General Fund since 1975 and $234 million in fiscal 2005. Most state services, including public and higher education, health and social services, and public safety, are financed through the General Fund. About Scientific Games SOURCE: Scientific Games Corporation media
release. Gold to Norsk Tipping Lotto Ad
Twenty one (21) of 740 advertising agencies on the shortlist for this year’s Eurobest competition were Norwegian, and when the awards were announced in the evening it transpired that the 21 nominations resulted in 5 awards. Best of all was Try advertising agency with two prices in the film category. “We are very satisfied and pleased to win a gold medal in Eurobest. We had been told that we were definitely in the running, but in this business you never know until the awards are announced. We had a good feeling and had received very good feedback on the film throughout the competition. Eurobest is one of the four –five highest rated competitions, so this was especially pleasing” says Managing Director Harald Strømme of Try advertising agency. Try also won in the Epica competition with «Retirement Home». Epica is considered to be one of the 4-5 most important and largest international advertising competitions. It attracts more than 4,000 competing works and the jury is composed of journalists from all the leading branch magazines and journals worldwide. The film has also been nominated for Best Norwegian Advertising Film 2005 and is a very strong candidate to win the “Goldfish”, as the Norwegian prize is called. SOURCE: Norsk Tipping. OGT Appoints Drew Svitko as Account Executive SAN ANTONIO, Texas, USA (December 5, 2005) -- Oberthur Gaming Technologies (“OGT”) is pleased to announce that Drew Svitko has joined OGT’s U.S. Sales team as Account Lottery Executive dedicated to the Virginia Lottery. Drew studied Real Estate Investment at Pennsylvania State University in 1991, and has developed a significant expertise in management and retail, including eight years of lottery experience. Prior to joining OGT, Drew worked for the Pennsylvania Lottery, where he assumed the roles of Interim Security Director and Interim Finance Director, before being promoted as Director of Research and Development. During his time at the Lottery, he directed qualitative and quantitative market research studies, as well as numerous on-line and instant product development projects. Before being appointed at the Pennsylvania Lottery, Drew was Owner/Operator of three Subway franchised sandwich restaurants. This experience gave him a unique perspective and understanding of the small-business retail environment.
“Drew is a wonderful addition to OGT’s Virginia Lottery team. His contribution to the success of the Pennsylvania Lottery made him the perfect candidate to manage OGT’s full service partnership with the Virginia Lottery,” declared Jim Nulph, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing of OGT-USA. “We thank the Virginia Lottery for supporting the addition of Drew to our team and look forward to Drew enhancing the great business relationship between our organizations.” About Oberthur Gaming Technologies (www.oberthurgt.com) With more than 35 years of lottery-specific expertise and over a century's experience in the security printing industry, Oberthur Gaming Technologies is the world’s leader in the printing of innovative instant lottery tickets. Comprehensive services include strategic game planning and innovative conceptual design with OGT’s Dream Team™, mobile gaming, Cyber Games™ as well as state-of-the-art Global Operations and Lottery Distribution System (GOLDS). OGT currently supplies a full range of high quality products and services to 100 clients in some 50 countries. The company has production units or offices in Montreal, Canada; San Antonio, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the U.S.; Paris, France; Vienna, Austria; and Sydney, Australia. SOURCE: Lyse Trudel, Communications
Officer, Oberthur Gaming Technologies, (+1-514) 254-3600, ext. 101, Email:
lyse.trudel@mtl.oberthurgt.com.
UNITED KINGDOM (November 30, 2005) -- Already fed up with the Christmas rush slowing life down? People in the UK are wasting a whole ‘Lotto‘ time – spending up to 33 weeks of their lives waiting at the checkout, for the bus, sitting in traffic or standing at the bar. The results of a seasonal Christmas shopping survey for National Lottery Fast Pay™ reveal that we are officially a nation on hold – in fact, 76 per cent of us spend up to 20 minutes a week holding on the phone. In addition, 75 per cent of respondents waste up to 10 hours a month sitting in traffic or waiting for public transport, while 61 per cent spend up to 17 hours a year waiting in the bank.
Despite being perceived as a patient nation, the new research shows that we are fed up with killing time. Over 87 per cent of respondents stated that they would rather spend time with family and friends than waste it hanging around. Interestingly, while nobody likes loitering, we do not choose to do anything active instead – 78 per cent of us would prefer to be relaxing, and 76 per cent would like to read the papers. Wiling away all these spare hours appears to have developed into an art form all of its own, with 40 per cent of those questioned stating that they spend their waiting time thinking about what they would do if they won the lottery. Even though waiting for the toilet is the nation’s most disliked waste of time, however, 4 per cent of people still say they like standing in line for the loo. Contrary to popular belief, however, thinking about the opposite sex does not come out on top, as only 24 per cent of people dream about romance while waiting. It seems it is our bellies, and not our hearts, that rule our heads, with a massive 47 per cent of people using their spare hours to plan what to have for dinner. When it comes to the top celebs we would like to loiter with as we wait to pay for our pressies, Brad Pitt, David and Victoria Beckham, Kelly Brook, Jude Law, Abi Titmuss – and even X-Factor’s Mr. Nasty Simon Cowell – are all on the nation’s Christmas list. Nobody enjoys being stuck with someone who complains all the time, but ‘believe’ it or not even miserable sitcom favourite Victor Meldrew joins this illustrious queue. National Lottery Fast Pay is the brand new service which allows players to save time by buying tickets for their favourite draw-based games – Lotto, Lotto Extra, Lotto HotPicks, Thunderball, Daily Play and EuroMillions – when they pay for their shopping, in one convenient trip to the supermarket checkout.
A National Lottery spokesperson said: ‘We are living our lives at a frantic pace and our time is becoming more and more precious. Fast Pay makes it even quicker and easier to play all your favourite draw-based games – so now you have much more time to dream about what to do if you win!’ Commenting on the behavioural psychology of being made to wait around, psychotherapist, Gladena McMahon, said: “There are only 168 hours in a week and most people want to make the most of the time they have so as to fit in as many personal activities as possible. We are becoming a nation that benefits from anything that will allow us to take more control of our most precious commodity – time” National Lottery Fast Pay is the first initiative of its kind anywhere in the world and was introduced in response to UK consumers’ calls for extra time. This revolutionary new way to play National Lottery games is now available at more than 1,000 Tesco stores across the UK. SOURCE: Camelot media release. MDI Extends Marilyn Monroe® License, The Magic of Marilyn Available to Lotteries
ALPHARETTA, Georgia, USA (December 8, 2005) – One of Hollywood's most famous icons remains available to lotteries worldwide now that MDI Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scientific Games (NASDAQ: SGMS), has extended its agreement with CMG Worldwide to exclusively offer lotteries the rights to America's ultimate diva, Marilyn Monroe. "Marilyn Monroe personified, and continues to define, glamour and beauty. To this day, she is one of the world's most recognizable celebrities," said Steve Saferin, MDI president. "Her ongoing popularity will without a doubt result in strong sales for lotteries that include the blond super star in their game line up. The nostalgia of the glory days of Hollywood alone will appeal to many of your lottery players." During her incredible rise to fame, Marilyn Monroe won a Golden Globe award for "Some Like it Hot" and two Female World Film Favorite Golden Globes. She was named as one of the "100 Most Important Women of the 20th Century" by Ladies Home Journal and People magazine has her listed as one of "The Sexiest Women of the Century." To this day, Marilyn Monroe is one of the top rated Hollywood icons known internationally.
This year, Premiere Magazine named her #2 on the list of "The 50 Greatest Stars of All Time." Of all her films she is perhaps known best for her hit "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" and she became known for her love of the lavish and - of course - diamonds! With a Marilyn Monroe instant game, lotteries can offer incredible second-chance prizes including exclusive merchandise associated with the screen legend. Grand prizes can include a home theater system plus the Marilyn Monroe Diamond Collection of 10 films, trips to Hollywood that would include tours of the homes where she lived, restaurants she frequented, beaches where she posed, movie studios where she performed and much more. Or, lotteries can build a grand prize around diamonds, her signature jewelry. “A Marilyn Monroe game is the perfect opportunity to offer unique and elegant prizes that wouldn’t be as appropriate with other games,” Saferin said. “Marilyn Monroe enjoyed the glitz and glamour of life and lotteries can offer their players a taste of that with a Marilyn Monroe instant game.” About Scientific Games Scientific Games Corporation (www.scientificgames.com) is the
leading integrated supplier of instant tickets, systems and services to
lotteries, and the leading supplier of wagering systems and services to
pari-mutuel operators. SOURCE: MDI Entertainment media
release.
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HAMAR, Norway (December 6,
2005) -- 
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