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The Florida Lottery to Boost Sales With 500 New Terminals
Statewide
Additional Terminals
Expected to Increase Lottery Education Dollars
TALLAHASSEE, Florida (December 17,
2007) -- The Florida Lottery announced
today that it will expand its retailer network by 500 from the current 13,000
retailers to approximately 13,500 by March 2008.
A comprehensive recruitment effort
will begin immediately and the inventory of new terminals will be rolled-out in
stages as new retailers are signed-up. The placement of the new terminals
is expected to net a significant positive return on investment by increasing
Lottery sales and contributions to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund
(EETF).
The additional terminals are
necessary due to a low level of available terminal inventory in the state and
the ever-increasing demand from new businesses interested in becoming Lottery
retailers. An analysis of lotteries nationwide indicates that the average
ratio of retailers-to-population is one lottery retailer for every 1,200
people. Florida’s ratio is approximately 1-to-1,300. This
indicates that Florida’s ideal number of retailers should be 14,000,
instead of the roughly 13,000 that currently exist.
“Experience shows that more
terminals and more retailers typically will lead to a net increase in overall
sales, not just a shifting of existing sales between retailers. This is a
proven strategy not only in the lottery industry, but in all other consumer
product segments as well. With almost half of all Lottery sales generated
from On-line terminals, we must ensure we are prepared to meet player
demand. Florida is still a growing state and increasing the number of
retailers also offers our customers added convenience with more locations to
purchase lottery tickets,” said Florida Lottery Secretary
Leo DiBenigno.
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| Leo
DiBenigno, Florida Lottery Secretary |
The state-of-the-art
“Altura” terminals will be provided by
GTECH Corporation, the Lottery’s
current On-line game partner. GTECH is responsible for the installation
and maintenance of all the On-line terminals that comprise the Lottery’s
network. “We are pleased to bring additional Altura terminals to
the Florida Lottery network to assist them in their retailer expansion
plans,” said Alan Eland, Senior Vice President of GTECH Americas.
The Lottery received approval by the
Florida Legislature, on September 5, 2007, for increased spending authority to
lease the additional terminals. In July, the Revenue Estimating
Conference concluded that the net impact on the EETF would be positive.
The Florida Lottery estimates the gains from the additional 500 terminals, with
leasing costs subtracted, will raise sales between $36 million and $101 million
and increase contributions to the EETF between $7 million and $22
million. “The Lottery is committed to doing its part to assist
Florida meet its education-related obligations, including fully funding the
Bright Futures Scholarship Program,” said Secretary DiBenigno.
Since 1988, the Florida Lottery has
contributed more than $17 billion to the EETF, benefiting our students and
schools, as well as funding more than one million Bright Futures
scholarships. By a two-to-one margin, Florida voters in 1986 approved a
constitutional amendment authorizing the state to operate a lottery for the
purpose of generating significant additional moneys for education.
SOURCE: The Florida Lottery.
CONTACT: Jacqueline Barreiros, (850) 487-7727.
ESI Integrity Enters into Agreement with INTRALOT to Supply
Independent Control System for the Korean Lottery
VANCOUVER, B.C., Canada (December
14, 2007) -- ESI Integrity Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of ESI Entertainment
Systems Inc. (TSX: ESY)) today announced that it has entered into an agreement
with INTRALOT S.A., a leading supplier of
integrated gaming and transaction processing systems, innovative game content
and sports betting management, to state-licensed gaming organizations worldwide
- to supply its industry-leading Integrity Independent Control System (ICS) to
the Korean Lottery.
The Integrity ICS license agreements
plus related services are cumulatively valued at approximately $625,000 over a
contract term of six years. Under the terms of the agreement the Integrity ICS
will continuously monitor the lottery’s wagering transactions, providing
an independent, real-time audit of the wagers and prize calculations. In
addition, ESI Integrity will administer product release updates and supply 24/7
technical support to the Korean Lottery.
This agreement strengthens ESI
Integrity’s continued strategic expansion into the regulated international
gaming markets while maintaining its strong presence in the US government
lottery sector.
“We are very pleased to
support INTRALOT with our industry-leading Integrity ICS for their rapidly
growing customer base,” said Alan Ahac, President of ESI Integrity.
“The partnership facilitates ESI Integrity’s goal to be a global
provider of real-time transactional monitoring and auditing solutions for
regulated gaming operators.”
Currently, Integrity ICS monitors
billions of dollars in annual wagering revenues for lottery and pari-mutuel
organizations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The
implementation of Integrity ICS for the Korean Lottery further extends ESI
Integrity into the rapidly growing European and Asian markets.
About ESI Integrity Inc. (www.esi.ca)
ESI Integrity Inc. is the leading
supplier of independent software for
Security and Risk Management in
gaming. The ESI Integrity Continuous Monitoring System provides independent
real-time monitoring of lottery and pari-mutuel gaming - auditing billions of
dollars of gaming world-wide every year. ESI Integrity is currently licensed at
over 45 lotteries and pari-mutuel wagering sites, spanning North America, South
America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
About INTRALOT
INTRALOT, a public listed company,
is the leading supplier of integrated gaming and transaction processing
systems, innovative game content and sports betting management, to
state-licensed gaming organizations worldwide. Its broad portfolio of products
& services, its know-how of Lottery, Betting & Video Lottery operations
and its leading-edge technology, give INTRALOT a competitive advantage which
contributes directly to customers’ efficiency, profitability and growth.
With presence in more than 40 countries, with 4,000 people and revenues of
(euro)791,4 m. for 2006, INTRALOT has established its presence on all 5
continents.
For further information: ESI
Integrity Inc., Alan Ahac, President, Telephone: (604) 299 9530 ext. 302,
E-mail: aahac@esiintegrity.com.
Scientific Games to Launch Smart Services Management
System
NEW YORK, USA (December 17, 2007) --
Scientific Games (Nasdaq: SGMS) is proud
to announce its new Smart Services Management System, a strategic field service
automation and dynamic dispatching technology system. Smart Services integrates
Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)-enabled mobile handheld devices with an
automated route management and dispatching system to more efficiently deliver
enhanced services to Lottery retailers. Scientific Games will enable over 300
of its field service technicians with Smart Services over the next several
months in support of more than 50,000 Lottery retailers across North
America.
The system was developed through a
partnership with Astea International Inc. (Nasdaq: ATEA), the leader in service
lifecycle management solutions, and will greatly improve the efficiency of
field service in the lottery industry using the latest state of the art
technology.
"Scientific Games is committed to
taking a leadership role in the technological development of the lottery
systems business. We plan to continue delivering best practices to our
customers that will improve their overall performance. The Smart Service System
is a positive step forward, raising service levels and standardizing our
processes company-wide," said Michael Chambrello, President and COO of
Scientific Games.
Zack Bergreen, CEO and Chairman of
Astea International, Inc. added, "Strategic technology companies are embracing
service to boost customer retention and satisfaction levels and our end-to-end
service lifecycle management solution is providing the tools they need for
these essential functions. We are very pleased to be working closely with
Scientific Games on delivering an integrated enterprise solution."
Scientific Games selected Astea for
three key reasons:
- Its enterprise-class mobile
capabilities
- Its flexible, robust platform
that manages the end-to-end service lifecycle
- Its scalability, which optimizes
service resources, and provides standardized practices to support key business
improvement initiatives and fast deployment.
"Achieving the highest levels of
customer satisfaction is the goal of the Service Management organization,"
said David Douglas, Senior Director of Service Management. "Astea is helping
Scientific Games achieve this goal by giving our field service technicians real
time information allowing each and every in-store visit with a Lottery retailer
to be effective, timely and maximize opportunities for continued Lottery
sales."
About Scientific Games
Scientific Games Corporation is the
leading integrated supplier of instant tickets, systems and services to
lotteries worldwide, a leading supplier of fixed odds betting terminals and
systems, Amusement and Skill with Prize betting terminals, interactive sports
betting terminals and systems, and wagering systems and services to pari-mutuel
operators. It is also a licensed pari-mutuel gaming operator in Connecticut,
Maine and the Netherlands and is a leading supplier of prepaid phone cards to
telephone companies. Scientific Games' customers are in the United States and
more than 60 other countries. For more information about Scientific Games,
please visit our web site at http://www.scientificgames.com.
Company Contact: Investor Relations,
Scientific Games, 212-754-2233
SOURCE: Scientific Games
Corporation.
Office Move Rounds Off Progressive Year For ACE
Interactive
LONDON, UK (December 17, 2007) --
ACE Interactive, part of the
Aristocrat group of companies, has
moved to bigger, purpose-built premises on 1st December. Located in a
waterfront setting in Stockholm’s Marievik district, the 2,000
square-metre offices will provide an ideal facility to make further progress on
the development of its Server Centric Gaming solutions for casinos and lottery
markets.
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| ACE
Interactive’s new offices in Marievik, Stockholm |
ACE Interactive chief executive
officer Michael Koch reflected on a successful 12-months’ trading:
“We go into 2008 in a very strong and confident mood having concluded a
prestigious interactive Video Terminal installation in Slovakia; made
significant in roads to the North American market via our presence at two high
profile events, the NASPL/WLA joint World Meet in Kentucky and Global Gaming
Expo in Las Vegas; as well as making a top level presentation at
Aristocrat’s ‘The Future of Gaming Seminar’ held in
London.”
He added: “I look forward to
continuing the momentum at our next high profile event, the International
Casino Exhibition, where we will be demonstrating our Server Centric Gaming
casino system alongside various iVT solutions for lottery
markets.”
ACE Interactive’s new contact
details are as follows:-
Address:
Årstaängsvägen 11, 4th floor, SE-100 74 Stockholm, Sweden
Telephone: +46 (0)8 522 158 00; Fax:
+46 (0)8 642 47 14; Website: www.aceinteractive.se or
www.aceinteractive.us.
About ACE Interactive
ACE Interactive is a world leading
developer and supplier of turnkey Interactive Video Terminal (iVT) systems
based on a unique server-based open platform. The ACE system allows centralised
management including updates and configuration of games, real-time monitoring,
central random number generator and the ability to offer games from any content
provider. ACE Interactive is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aristocrat. For
further information visit the company’s website at
www.aceinteractive.se
About Aristocrat Technologies
Europe Ltd
Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX:
ALL) is a leading global provider of gaming solutions that consistently
outperforms the competition. The Company is licensed by over two hundred
regulators and its products and services are available in over ninety countries
around the world. Aristocrat offers a diverse range of products and services
including electronic gaming machines, interactive video terminal systems,
electronic tables, and casino management systems. For further information visit
the company’s website at www.aristocratgaming.com.
SOURCE: Aristocrat Technologies
Europe, Ltd. CONTACT: Olga Pleguezuelos, Phone: +44 (0) 1895 618 500, Email:
olga.pleguezuelos@aristocrat.co.uk,
Web: www.aristocratgaming.com.
EU and U.S. Agree on Compensation in WTO for Loss of Trade
Opportunities in U.S. Gambling Sector
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 17, 2007)
-- The European Union and United States agreed on a compensation package to be
offered by the U.S. in response to its withdrawal in WTO of GATS commitments on
gambling and betting services, including on-line gambling.
A bilateral agreement was signed in
Geneva, which provides EU service suppliers with new trade opportunities in the
U.S. postal and courier, research and development, storage and warehouse
sectors. The U.S. also made concessions in the testing and analysis services
sector. The European Union will continue to press for non discriminatory
treatment in U.S. internet gambling legislation.
The bilateral agreement follows
negotiations initiated by the U.S. on May 8, 2007, when the U.S. announced its
intention to withdraw its WTO commitments on gambling and betting services
under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The GATS allows
members to modify or withdraw commitments, provided that they negotiate
offsetting compensation so that the overall level of its market access remains
the same. The EU sought compensation to make up for the loss of trading
opportunities in the U.S. gambling sector, including the U.S. internet gambling
market.
Upon certification of the agreement
by the WTO, gambling services will no longer be covered by the U.S.' WTO
commitments. The European Commission however will seek a non-discriminatory
policy towards internet gambling in the U.S. "While the U.S. is free to
decide how to best respond to legitimate public policy concerns relating to
internet gambling, discrimination against EU or other foreign companies should
be avoided," said Peter Power, EU Spokesman for Trade. EU Commissioner for
Trade Peter Mandelson pressed the European Commission's concerns recently in a
meeting with Congressman Barney Frank, and subsequently in a letter to him.
Delegation of the European
Commission to the United States, Mattias Sundholm, 202-862-4720 or Kasper
Zeuthen, 202-862-9530
SOURCE: Delegation of the European
Commission to the United States.
Biggest Tattslotto Prize This Year; $30 Million in Megadraw on
December 29
VICTORIA, Australia (December 15,
2007) -- A Tattslotto Megadraw, with a Division One prize pool of $30 million,
the biggest Tattslotto prize this year, will be held on Saturday,
December 29 Tattersall’s expects more than nine million entries will be
purchased around
Australia by the time the six
winning numbers are drawn.
General Manager
Tattersall’s Lotteries, Gary Carter,
said that over the next few weeks it is expected that thousands of work
colleagues and friends will be getting together to form syndicates to see if
they can win a share, or all, of the big prize.
“Apart from the people who
are lucky enough to share the $30 million, many will win prizes in the other
divisions,” he said.
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“The Megadraw gives people
an opportunity to give their families and friends a fantastic Christmas gift
that will keep them anxious and excited all the way up to the draw on the night
of 29 December 2007.”
In the last eight Tattslotto
Megadraws the owners of 213 entries have won a total of $220.2 million in
Division One prizes, while the owners of another 8,703,862 entries have won
prizes between $21 and $12,470.
Mr. Carter recommended that players
make sure they have a Tatt’s Card, so that they are automatically notified
of any wins.
“We find people are so busy
around this time of year, or may be away on holidays and forget to check their
numbers,” he said.
“It would be terrible to win
a prize and not know about it.”
Tickets for the $30 million
Tattslotto Megadraw are available now from Tattersall’s Outlets throughout
Victoria, Tasmania, ACT and the Northern Territory, and online at
www.tattersalls.com.au
For further information please
contact Gerry Devine Tel. (03) 9592 9020
SOURCE: Tattersall's Sweeps media
release - distributed by AAP Media Net.
Scientific Games Awarded Contract with Loteria Electronica
Internacional Dominicana, S.A.
Revenue Estimated at $2.5
Million Per Year
NEW YORK, USA (December 18, 2007) --
Scientific Games (Nasdaq: SGMS) announced
it has extended its agreement with Loteria
Electronica Internacional Dominicana, S.A. ("LEIDSA") to provide systems,
technology and services to support lottery wagering for LEIDSA's network of
betting operations throughout the Dominican Republic. The new contract extends
the current agreement to 2020 and is expected to generate annual revenues of
approximately $2.5 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Scientific Games
will also provide the equipment, systems and services to operate Keno from
LEIDSA retail locations.
"LEIDSA has been a valued
customer of Scientific Games Racing for a number of years and in that time has
seized upon a number of new opportunities to serve the Dominican market,"
said Lorne Weil, Chairman and CEO of Scientific Games. "We consider it a
strong vote of confidence that they are not only extending their relationship
with Scientific Games, but also adopting additional wagering opportunities like
Keno to implement in concert with their other wagering products. We look
forward to continuing our successful partnership with LEIDSA."
"We have enjoyed a productive
partnership with Scientific Games. Their suite of gaming technologies and
products, like Keno, will support our goals to develop and expand the wagering
opportunities for our customers in the Dominican Republic well into the
future," said Pedro Alegria, President of LEIDSA. "Given our positive
past experience and the wealth of additional gaming opportunities the company
can provide, the choice to extend our partnership was clear."
About Scientific Games
Scientific Games Corporation is the
leading integrated supplier of instant tickets, systems and services to
lotteries worldwide, a leading supplier of fixed odds betting terminals and
systems, Amusement and Skill with Prize betting terminals, interactive sports
betting terminals and systems, and wagering systems and services to pari-mutuel
operators. It is also a licensed pari-mutuel gaming operator in Connecticut,
Maine and the Netherlands and is a leading supplier of prepaid phone cards to
telephone companies. Scientific Games' customers are in the United States and
more than 60 other countries. For more information about Scientific Games,
please visit our web site at www.scientificgames.com.
Company CONTACT: Investor Relations
Scientific Games, 212-754-2233.
SOURCE: Scientific Games
Knürr Electronic Workstations in Use at KEBA
Linz
GERMANY (December 17, 2007) --
Knürr Technical Furniture has installed 30 Electronic Workstations for the
R&D area for KEBA AG at its Linz site in
Upper Austria.
With its 717 employees, KEBA AG,
which enjoys international success with its solutions for automation in the
industrial, banking and service provision sectors, generates turnover of
approximately EUR 100 million – 76% of which comes from overseas
operations! International market-leading machinery and robotics manufacturers,
financial institutes, lottery companies and logistics providers put their faith
in KEBA technology. Every year thousands of control systems, mobile handheld
terminals, ATMs and self-service terminals for banks, package automats and
lottery terminals carry the KEBA name all over the world.
At Knürr’s lab stations,
innovations are checked, electronic components for KEBA AG’s complete
range of expertise are tested, and observation of all parameters as the basis
for a stable series product in accordance with ISO9000 is quality checked.
The lab is fully ESD-equipped –
from ESD floors to workstations and installation components. “Depending on
the shoe material, speed and humidity in the centrally-heated rooms, voltages
of 100 to 2000 volts may be generated. These ‘electrostatic sensitive
devices’ (ESD) are protected by appropriate components and an ESD total
concept”, explains Knürr Product Manager Herbert Neudert.
Quality and innovation standards
have been established in close cooperation with Knürr Technical Furniture.
In accordance with the “Automation by Innovation” principle, KEBA AG
invests approx. 18 % of its turnover in research and development every
year.
Knürr has been a recognized
electronic workstations specialist for applications in the electronics industry
for 25 years. In addition to its tried, tested and proven modularity,
Knürr’s Electronic Workstation also consistently meets
workstation-specific ergonomic requirements.
Knürr Technical Furniture
designs, produces and integrates technical furniture systems for lab and
electronic workstations, control consoles and operation control centers. The
area of application ranges from schools and universities to the
research-intensive pharmaceutical and chemicals industry, and on through to
test stands in automotive companies or the electronics industry. Customers that
have been with Knürr for many years include Siemens, Infineon and
Rohde&Schwarz, to name just a few, and they all appreciate Knürr
expertise – from project planning to product development and prototyping,
through to the final production phase. The company produces its workstations
exclusively in Germany. For more information go to
www.technical-furniture.com
CONTACT: Martin T.W. Hochleiter
Werbe- und PR GmbH or Frank Hochleiter, tel: 089 / 16 00 55, fax: 089 / 167 57
08, Email: office@wahochleiter.com
SOURCE: Press release from:
Knürr AG.
Idaho $1 Million Raffle Tickets Sell Out
BOISE, Idaho (December 16, 2007) --
It’s official – the Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle from the
Idaho Lottery is a sell-out.
This morning shortly after 8:00 a.m.
ticket number 250,000 was sold. The $10 tickets went on sale November 11, 2007
and in just 35 days, the game sold out – two weeks before the official end
of the game. No additional tickets will be issued.
“From the onset, the Idaho
$1,000,000 Raffle has met with statewide enthusiasm from our players and
retailers,” explained Jeff
Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. “This game had the best odds of
winning a million dollars as well as the game’s other top
prizes.”
In addition to the $1,000,000 prize,
there are four $25,000 prizes, three hundred $500 prizes, and five hundred $100
prizes.
Someone is now currently holding a
raffle ticket that will be worth $1,000,000 on New Year’s Eve. “We
are encouraging everyone who bought a raffle ticket to sign it and keep it in a
safe place until the announcement of the winners,” said Anderson.
“Good luck to everyone who bought a ticket.”
SOURCE: Idaho Lottery.
Digibet Relies On Wincor Nixdorf Terminals
digibet (December 17, 2007) --
digibet, the innovative technology-lead betting and gaming solutions company,
is currently running one of Europe's most successful betting chains as well as
on-line betting and gaming sites with a large presence in Germany and other
European countries. digibet is now entering and investing heavily in the UK
market and has recently become the Official Betting & Gaming Partner of
Manchester City Football Club, one of the UK’s most prestigious premier
clubs.
With a two-year contract, which
began in July 2007 at the beginning of the Premiership Football Season, digibet
provides Manchester City FC fans with an in-stadium betting service. With over
15 kiosks and betting booths available in both the corporate and public areas,
digibet has installed terminals supplied by Wincor Nixdorf. The terminals allow digibet
staff to process bets quickly and efficiently.
Due to the large number of sporting
events it provides and the advanced, efficient terminals supplied by Wincor
Nixdorf, digibet hopes to expand its provision of this unique system within the
UK market and explore further opportunities arising from the growth of
digibet’s shop and franchise division in that area.
Günter Boyks, Director of
digibet UK Ltd says: “This project required a lot of time and
investment to implement and to ensure a high level of customer service was
supplied to Manchester City FC customers. We are now looking forward and hoping
to continue our success with other football stadiums and sporting events in the
future."
CONTACT: Liz Pink, Head of
Marketing, digibet, Tel: 0161 638 0842, Email:
l.pink@digibet.com
Lottomatica Announces That Its Subsidiary GTECH Forms Joint Venture
With China Lotsynergy To Provide Nationwide Keno System In China
ROME , Italy - PROVIDENCE, Rhode
Island (December 19, 2007) -- Lottomatica
S.p.A. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary,
GTECH Global Services Corporation Ltd., has
acquired 50% of Tabcorp International Hong
Kong Limited (TIHK), to be renamed as CLS-GTECH Company Limited (CLS-GTECH),
for the purpose of providing a nationwide KENO system for
Welfare lotteries throughout China.
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| Jaymin
B. Patel, GTECH President and incoming CEO |
TIHK had been formed as a joint
venture between TabCorp International No.1 Pty Limited (Tabcorp) and
China LotSynergy Limited (CLS) in 2005, and
had launched a trial of the KENO system. CLS acquired
Tabcorp's interest in the partnership
immediately after which GTECH acquired a 50% interest in the joint venture for
US$20 million.
Commenting on the acquisition, GTECH
President and incoming CEO Jaymin B.
Patel said, “The opportunity to partner with China LotSynergy in
creating a national gaming network to offer KENO in China has significant
potential for us. CLS is one of the premier lottery technology service
providers in China and shares our commitment to innovation and service
excellence. We look forward to fully implementing the KENO system and creating
a national platform to offer additional services and products for the Welfare
lotteries in China.”
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The KENO system which was provided
by Tabcorp is currently operating several hundred online terminals in video
lottery halls. CLS-GTECH envisions that the online terminal base will be
expanded in the near term by approximately 2,000 additional terminals which are
awaiting deployment in early 2008, with the potential to roll out more than
30,000 terminals across China over the next several years. The KENO license was
awarded by the China Welfare Lottery Issuance and Administration Center , and
approved by the Ministry of Finance. It is envisioned that the parties will
offer new products and services through the system over time, and, under
specified conditions, GTECH has the potential to provide technology and
services to the joint venture.
Lottomatica is one of the world's
largest commercial lottery operators and a market leader in the Italian gaming
industry. GTECH is a leading gaming technology and services company, providing
innovative technology, creative content, and superior service delivery. GTECH
and Lottomatica together create a fully integrated lottery operator and gaming
technology solutions provider – a combined company with worldwide scale,
considerable financial strength, and industry-leading customer solutions.
Lottomatica is majority owned by De Agostini, which belongs to a century-old
publishing, media, and financial services group. Lottomatica is publicly traded
on the Italian Stock Exchange (LTO), and in 2006, had approximately €1.7
billion in revenues and 5,900 employees in over 45 countries when combined with
GTECH.
For further information: AD HOC
Communication Advisors 02/7606741, Mario Pellegatta - Matteo Cidda 335/1415585.
GTECH contact: Robert K. Vincent Public Affairs 1-401-392-7452.
Countdown to the "Fat One": Spain Produces the Next Jackpot for
FLUXX
-- FLUXX subsidiary DigiDis
SL profiting from "El Gordo" fever
-- Spanish Christmas lottery
generates sales of around EUR 3 billion
GERMANY (December 20, 2007) -- With
the German record-breaking jackpot for the 6 from 49 lottery still fresh in
everyone's minds – having brought FLUXX
record sales and record ticket totals – the next "safe bet" for sales is
already looming large on the horizon for the Kiel-based gaming specialist: the
Spanish Christmas lottery "Sorteo extraordinario de Navidad".
This is the first year that
Madrid-based DigiDis SL, a subsidiary of FLUXX AG, is operating in conjunction
with the biggest Spanish sales partner for tickets for the Christmas lottery,
La Bruixa D'Or. DigiDis' role in the partnership is to handle online ticket
sales.
Drawn every year on December 22,
Spain's "Sorteto de Navidad" captures the attention of the whole nation and
brings in around EUR 3 billion for the national state lottery. 70 percent of
the takings are distributed in the form of winnings, with the main prize alone
- known as "El Gordo" ("The Fat One") –
amounting to almost half a billion euros. Small wonder, then, that according to
newspaper reports virtually everyone in Spain buys a share in a ticket for the
"Sorteo de Navidad", with the average spend amounting to around EUR 90. The
draws on December 22 are broadcast live on virtually every television
station.
"For FLUXX, the legendary Spanish
'Sorteo' provides the icing on the cake at the end of an extremely successful
fourth quarter of 2007," assessed Rainer Jacken, founder and Management
Board spokesman of FLUXX AG. "Hot on the heels of the high sales that the
German lottery's 45 million euro jackpot brought us, our business in Spain now
brings the year to a highly satisfactory close. We have stepped up our
marketing activities towards the end of the year in order to translate the
Christmas lottery's appeal into a large number of registrations of first-time
customers. The high sales combined with the significantly expanded customer
base provide an excellent starting point for safeguarding our profitability
next year."
The FLUXX subsidiary DigiDis SL is
one of several FLUXX AG companies in other countries; it develops successful
business models and concepts for the world of games & gambling and promotes
the lottery products of several of Spain's biggest service providers. These
include the telephone company Telefónica and its internet service
terra.es, as well as the online portal Yahoo! España. DigiDis also
operates its own lottery service under the name of "Serviapuestas".
SOURCE: FLUXX AG IR Release.
Tabcorp Sells Interest in China Keno
VICTORIA, Australia (December, 20
2007) -- Tabcorp Holdings Limited today
confirmed the sale of its interest in the China Keno business to
China Lot Synergy, its joint venture partner,
for A$15 million.
In order to achieve a smooth
transition, Tabcorp will be available to provide limited technical assistance
to the China Keno customer, Beijing Lottery Online Technology Co Ltd, during
the next 12 months.
The sale allows Tabcorp to achieve a
clean exit from the China Keno business without any impact on its bottom line.
Tabcorp’s Chief Executive
Officer, Elmer Funke Kupper, said: “This decision is consistent with
Tabcorp’s focus on improving the performance and growth of its Australian
casino, wagering and gaming businesses.
“The technical trial has
been successful with terminals operating in 28 provinces across China. It is
the right time for Tabcorp to exit the business,” Mr. Funke Kupper
said.
For further information
CONTACT:
Bruce Tobin , Tabcorp Group General Manager Corporate Affairs +61 3 9868
2508.
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