| NZ Lotteries Marks 20th Birthday With Record
Performance NEW ZEALAND (November
5, 2007) -- Twenty years since its inception, NZ
Lotteries has marked the milestone by recording its best-ever sales result
of $744.8 million, coupled with a record transfer to the Lottery Grants Board
of $147.5 million, NZ Lotteries Chief Executive Todd McLeay, said
today. NZ Lotteries has had twenty memorable
years, and what better way to cap it all off, than with a record-breaking year
for sales and transferring more money than ever before to the Lottery Grants
Board, said Mr. McLeay.
Since NZ Lotteries
began, $5.6 billion has been won in prizes, and more than $2.3 billion has
benefited communities around New Zealand through lottery grants.
Mr. McLeay said that NZ Lotteries continued strong
business performance can be attributed to a number of strategy-driven changes
over recent years that came to fruition during 2006/2007.
Our midweek jackpotting game Big Wednesday, was
introduced in October 2005. 2006/2007 saw the first full year of sales
for the game, and it has played a key role in lifting sales.
We have also focussed on expanding and
refurbishing our retail network. This has resulted in more convenience
for customers, particularly in areas previously unserviced by a retail outlet,
and introduced a more economical store format for our outlet operators.
At the same time, we have invested significantly
in major technological upgrades to NZ Lotteries gaming system, corporate
system, terminals and networks. These have ensured greater business
efficiency and provide us with a strong platform for future business
developments, Mr. McLeay said. Over the
year, 140 players won Lotto First Division, fourteen of whom became instant
millionaires, and a further two lucky players became instant millionaires when
they spun and won $1 million on Lottos Winning Wheel. There was
also one Lotto Strike millionaire, and one lucky player from Devonport in
Auckland who won two $500,000 prizes in the same Keno draw, making him the
first-ever Keno millionaire. In NZ Lotteries big
jackpot games, Lotto Powerball First Division was won by thirteen people,
including eleven who won multi-million dollar prizes. And eleven players
won Big Wednesday First Division, with nine multi-millionaires among them.
SOURCE: NZ Lotteries.
INTRALOT IR
Team Wins Prestigious Award ATHENS, Greece (November 5th, 2007) --
INTRALOT has won the Highly
Commended Best Investor Relations by a Greek company award by
IR Magazines 2007 Annual Awards for Εxcellence in Investor Relations
in Continental Europe. The awards, judged by leading buy- and sell-side
analysts and portfolio managers across the industry, recognize the strength of
performance of the companies which took part and pay tribute to the
finalists on going investor relationship management strategy.
INTRALOT during the past years has
experienced the largest organic growth in the sector, with a pipeline of very
significant projects won recently and other soon to be expected.
Its investor relations team aims to achieve the highest
possible credibility, trustworthiness and increased awareness within the
investment community. Moreover, INTRALOTs investor relations team is
in a continuous effort to best communicate the Companys strategy, unique
offerings and characteristics that established it as a global leader and the
potential growth from the opportunities within the sector.
Elias Athanasiou, Director of Financial Analysis &
Investor Relations said: "We feel very honoured to receive this recognition
from such a prestigious publication like the IR magazine and it comes as an
acknowledgment of the strong efforts we have put in our work as an Investor
Relations Department at INTRALOT." About
INTRALOT (www.intralot.com)
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 over
than 40 countries, with more than 3,800 people and revenues of 791,4 m.
for 2006, INTRALOT has established its presence in all 5 continents.
For more information please CONTACT: Ms Persa Kartsoli,
Head Of Corporate Affairs, Phone: +30-210 6156000, Fax: +30-210 6106800, email:
kartsoli@intralot.com.
Scientific Games Awarded Contract with CIE in
Mexico 5-Year Deal to
Supply 1,500 Global Draw Terminals NEW YORK,
USA (November 2, 2007) -- Scientific
Games (Nasdaq: SGMS) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary The Global
Draw Ltd. was awarded a five-year contract to supply up to 1,500 of its
multi-game server based gaming terminals to Corporacion Interamericana de
Entretenimiento ("CIE") [BMV: CIE B] in Mexico. The contract is expected to
generate annual revenues of approximately $8 million, and was awarded after the
successful completion of a pilot program. CIE
currently has licenses to operate up to 65 gaming locations, including the
existing 45 Sports Books and numbers games outlets, branded sports betting and
electronic number based game activities, which include gaming machines of which
they have an installed base of approximately 7,000. "The Global Draw terminals have performed very well to
date and we look forward to expanding their installed base," said Gabriel
Lecumberri, General Manager of CIE Las Americas. "We have seen Global Draw
set the standard in the U.K. with its dual purpose, dual screen terminals.
Rather than recycling games developed for the US market, they designed new
games tailored to the Mexican market that provide a unique approach to
attracting a higher value player."
"CIE is one of the
leading gaming operators in Mexico, and has been a valued customer of our
Racing business since 1997," said Lorne
Weil, Chairman and CEO of Scientific Games. "We believe our innovative
game design, quality of service and proven expertise will contribute to the
continued success of CIE and we are looking forward to growing with them in the
coming years. This is Global Draw's first major contract outside of the UK, and
we believe that our existing customer base will continue to provide
opportunities for the expansion of our Diversified Gaming business."
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.
About CIE Created in 1990,
Corporacion Interamericana de Entretenimiento, S.A.B. de C.V. (CIE), is today
the leading out-of-home entertainment company in Latin America. Through a
unique, vertically integrated structure, the Group participates in businesses
that provide recreational and entertainment services and products. These
services and products primarily include: the operation of entertainment venues,
the Las Americas Racetrack and amusement parks, the promotion and production of
a wide variety of events, the promotion of trade fairs and expositions, the
sale of sponsorships, advertising, and food and beverages for those events and
public entertainment venues. CIE is a public company whose shares have been
listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange since 1995 under the symbol "CIE B."
SOURCE: Scientific Games Corporation. CONTACT: Investor
Relations, Scientific Games, +1-212-754-2233. Svenska Spel and Boss Media Cooperates with a
State-Controlled Gaming Company on Poker
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (November 2, 2007) -- A state-controlled
gaming company who is a member of the World
Lottery Assocation (WLA) - has obtained permission from its
government to arrange Internet poker in cooperation with
Svenska Spel and Boss Media (STO:BOSS).
The WLA Company will use Svenska Spels and Boss Medias solutions
for security and supervision. This is a
great acknowledgement of our Internet poker, says Svenska Spel CEO
Jesper Kärrbrink.
The government of the WLA
Company follows the Swedish example and allows the state-controlled gaming
company to arrange Internet poker for its local citizens. Boss Media will
deliver and operate the technical gaming platform and Svenska Spels
solutions for responsible gaming, security and supervision shall be integrated
into the gaming platform that will be delivered by Boss Media. The delivery is
expected to be made early in 2008. It is
satisfying that we will deliver our products to yet another WLA-member. We are
particularly content over the cooperation with Svenska Spel who has helped us
develop the tools for responsible gaming which will be a fundamental part in
the gaming companies interactive gaming offers in the future,
says Markus Holm, executive vice president and head of business development at
Boss Media. The concession of the current government
to its controlled gaming company effectively states that the new net poker site
must be arranged in cooperation with state licensed members only. Thus Svenska
Spel serves an important role in regard of security and supervision. Svenska
Spel and Boss Media will be remunerated with a part of the rake which the
players will pay to the WLA Company. Svenska
Spels Internet poker and its solutions for responsible gaming have gained
widespread attention throughout the world. We have shown that it is possible to
combine an attractive net poker highly appreciated by the players paired with
extensive demands on responsibility. Our poker site quickly became the
undoubtedly biggest on the Swedish market, yet the number of problem players on
our site is half of that of other poker sites, says Jesper
Kärrbrink, CEO of Svenska Spel. The cooperation
entails that the poker players of the WLA Company, equal to the Swedish
players, before they can start playing, must set their own limits. Furthermore,
the WLA Company will have the right to use Svenska Spels responsible
gaming tool Play Scan, which predicts and warns a player who is starting to
develop an un-sound gaming behaviour. We are
very pleased to be able to offer the players in our country the possibility to
play poker on the Internet in a secure and orderly manner. We hope that the
circumstances will develop in such a way that our players and Swedish players
will soon be able to play against each other in the same poker
network, says a representative of the WLA Company.
About Boss Media AB Boss
Media AB (publ) is one of the worlds leading independent and total
suppliers of systems for digitally distributed gaming entertainment. Boss Media
develops gaming system solutions for such distribution channels as personal
computers/Internet, interactive gaming terminals and digital- TV. Licensees are
offered a customized gaming system, an integrated payment system and operator
related services. The Boss Media-share is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange
list (Small Cap/IT). More information about Boss Media is available at
www.bossmedia.com
CONTACT: Boss Media AB (publ), Michael Hallén,
President and CEO, +46 (0)470 70 30 000.
California
Lottery Announces Seventh Straight Year of $1 Billion in Supplemental Funding
to Education SACRAMENTO,
California, USA (November 1, 2007) -- Final sales figures for the 2006-07
fiscal year show the California Lottery
reached $3.3 billion in sales, the third highest year ever! The
California Lottery transferred more than $1.2 billion in supplemental funding
to public education, making this the seventh consecutive year the Lottery will
contribute more than $1 billion. California
Lottery employees are excited about creating new winners, engaging with
retailers and raising funds for our beneficiary, said Lottery
Director Joan Borucki.
This past fiscal year, we introduced 40 new Scratchers® games,
created 23 new millionaires and raised over a billion dollars for
education.
The highly popular
Scratchers® games brought in more than $1.8 billion in sales. Draw
games such as SuperLOTTO Plus, MEGA Millions, and other daily games posted
sales of $1.49 billion. Lottery officials attribute this years
sales figures to innovative products such as the Million Dollar Raffle and
holiday gift packs marketed throughout the state. Both of these products
were so successful, they will be reintroduced in fall 2007.
It was a winning year at the California Lottery as over
$1.7 billion in prize money was awarded! At a frequency of every other
day, a California Lottery player won a prize of $100,000 or more.
Finally, the California Lottery proudly created 23 millionaires in the 2006-07
fiscal year. California Lottery products are sold
through a retail network of over 19,000 retailers throughout the state.
For their efforts, these California Lottery retailers earned sales commission
and bonuses totaling $233 million. Over 95 cents of
every Lottery dollar is returned to the community in the form of contributions
to education, prizes and retail commissions. The California Lottery
contributes at least 34 cents of every dollar that players spend on Lottery
products to public education and returns more than 50 percent of sales to
players in the form of prizes. Since its inception in 1985, the Lottery has
contributed more than $19.6 billion to California schools out of total sales of
more than $53.25 billion. Retailers win too, earning $3.4 billion in
compensation since 1985. SOURCE: California
Lottery.  Long-Time Iowa Lottery Staffer Serves as Acting CEO Following
Retirement of Dr. Ed Stanek DES
MOINES, Iowa (November 1, 2007) -- Following Wednesday's retirement of
Iowa Lottery CEO
Dr. Ed Stanek, a long-time lottery
staffer will serve as acting chief executive officer until a permanent
successor is named.
Iowa law provides that in
the absence of the CEO, the executive vice president of the lottery will act as
its CEO. Ken Brickman of Des Moines has been the lottery's executive vice
president and chief operating officer since May 1995. Brickman, 67, had also
previously held comparable positions with the Illinois Lottery and Louisiana
Lottery Corp. He received a law degree in 1967 from the University of Missouri
and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Economics from
Culver-Stockton College. The Lottery CEO is appointed
by the governor and must be confirmed by the Iowa Senate. Stanek had been the
lottery's CEO since its inception in 1985. I
view my role as that of caretaker, Brickman said Thursday. I
will not tender my name as a candidate for the CEO position. Whomever the
governor appoints to fill the vacancy pending confirmation will need time to
settle in to the position and begin to develop policy for the future direction
the lottery will take. We will miss Ed
but we will not miss a beat in continuing with our mission. We are all members
of a winning team. The proof is in the proceeds we have transferred over the
years and our excellent reputation with the citizens of Iowa.
SOURCE: Iowa Lottery.
The California
Lotterys First Overture, Unique Partnership Makes Scratchers® Mad
Money! BEVERLY HILLS, California,
USA (November 5, 2007) -- Overture Films and the
California Lottery jointly announced today
they will partner to create a movie-themed Scratchers® game featuring
Overtures first release Mad Money. Directed by Oscar® winner Callie
Khouri, Mad Money stars Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, and Katie Holmes as three
female employees of the Federal Reserve who plot to steal money that is about
to be destroyed. These $1 Mad Money Scratchers® will be available at the
over 19,000 Lottery retail locations throughout the state starting in late
November. Mad Money hits theaters nationwide January 18, 2008.
Mad Money Scratchers®
will not only offer players the opportunity to win cash prizes ranging from $10
to $1,000, but will also include unique second chance prizes as well.
Second chance draw prizes include: a trip for two to the
Los Angeles premiere of Mad Money, a trip for two to a future Overture Films
movie premiere, a set visit for a future Overture Films production, a walk-on
role for an upcoming movie, Mad Money DVDs, autographed Mad Money movie
posters, and a Starz subscription. Odds of winning any prize are 1 in 5.45 and
odds of winning a cash prize are 1 in 11.96. When people think of California, they think of
Hollywood, which is why the California Lottery is thrilled to enter into a new
partnership with friends in the movie industry, Overture Films, said
Lottery Director Joan Borucki.
Mad Money is a great tie-in for our products!
Overture Films most recently acquired all North American
rights to Tom McCarthys The Visitor at the 2007 Toronto Film Festival.
Overture is currently in production on Traitor, a politically charged espionage
thriller starring Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce. The company is also in production
on Last Chance Harvey, starring Oscar® winners Dustin Hoffman and Emma
Thompson. Overture is domestically distributing the action-thriller Righteous
Kill, starring Oscar® winners Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, which is also
currently shooting. Earlier this year, Overture Films acquired all U.S. rights
to Sleepwalking, an emotional drama about a young girls search for
parental love, starring Oscar® winner Charlize Theron. Overture is also in
active development on 105 Degrees and Rising, an ensemble piece set against the
backdrop of the Fall of Saigon, to be directed by Jon Amiel.
ABOUT OVERTURE FILMS
Launched in the fall of
2006, Overture Films (overturefilms.net) develops, produces, acquires, and
distributes motion pictures worldwide. The studio
forms collaborative relationships with filmmakers and empowers them to produce
quality films that take creative risks and break new ground.
Its affiliated companies, Starz Home Entertainment and
Starz Entertainment, make the films available domestically to viewers via home
video, premium television, Internet and other outlets.
Overture Films is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which
in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation that is
attributed to Liberty Capital Corp. ABOUT THE
CALIFORNIA LOTTERY Over 95 cents of every Lottery
dollar is returned to the community in the form of contributions to education,
prizes and retail commissions. The California Lottery contributes at least 34
cents of every dollar that players spend on Lottery products to public
education and returns more than 50 percent of sales to players in the form of
prizes. Since its inception in 1985, the Lottery has contributed more than
$19.6 billion to California schools out of total sales of more than $53.25
billion. Retailers win too, earning $3.4 billion in compensation since 1985.
CONTACTS: Overture Films, Adam Keen, 424-204-4144 or
California Lottery, Olga Gallardo or Cathy Johnston, 916-324-9639.
German Lottery
Company Tipp24 AG Announce Quarter Results - Record Result in Third Quarter
2007 Tipp24 Expands
Foreign Business Launch in UK HAMBURG,
Deutschland (November 2007) -- Tipp24 is to
enter the UK market as a supplier of European lotteries under the web address
www.mylotto24.co.uk on 6 November
2007. With a unique business model, the company and its wholly-owned subsidiary
MyLotto24 Ltd. will offer the possibility of placing bets on
the outcome of European lotteries. MyLotto24 Ltd. will operate the business on
the basis of a UK licence acquired by the company in October. For customers in
the UK this means the chance of far greater winnings than the
National Lottery offers.
MyLotto24 offers customers
in the UK unique variants of core products, such as the possibility of betting
on the jackpot of the Italian SuperEnalotto and the European
EuroMillones. Even bets on the German
Glücksspirale are offered a new product in the UK. It is not
planned to enter the classic sports betting segment. After Germany, Spain and Italy, the new subsidiary means that
Tipp24 is now represented in a further major European gaming market and is thus
increasing its independence from the German market. A total of EUR 7.1 billion
was spent on lotteries in the UK in 2005. 70 percent of all citizens gamble or
bet on a regular basis. Tipp24 has also begun to set
up an international data centre in London. Compared with the previous locations
in Hamburg, the UK facility offers far better connections to the major
international internet nodes. All Tipp24 Group websites are to be operated from
here in the near future. 9-month report
Despite the ongoing regulatory uncertainty on the German
gaming market, Tipp24 AG continued its successful course once again in the
third quarter of 2007. In the first nine months of
the current fiscal year, revenues improved by 17.0 percent to EUR 28.5 (24.3)
million. Over the same period, billings mainly remitted stakes
grew by 17.1 percent to EUR 218.2 (186.4) million. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose by 2.4 percent
to EUR 5.2 (5.1) million in the first nine months. In the third quarter of the
current fiscal year Tipp24 posted a record EBIT result of EUR 2.9 million
well above expectations.
| Advertisement |
 |
Despite the
ongoing discussions about the German State Treaty on Gaming, we succeeded in
posting record earnings in the past quarter. Not even the additional costs
incurred for the foundation of our new wholly-owned subsidiary MyLotto24 Ltd.
in Great Britain could disturb this picture, says Jens Schumann,
founder and Executive Board member of Tipp24 AG. The
number of registered customers increased by 409 thousand to 1,990 (1,581)
thousand, compared with the same quarter last year. Of this total, 220 thousand
registered customers were gained in the first nine months of 2007 (same period
last year: 259 thousand). Outlook
Tipp24 AG confirms its economic outlook for the fiscal
year 2007: the company plans to gain a total of 300 thousand customers and
stabilize its market share of the dynamic online lottery market. Tipp24
continues to expect growth of around 20 percent in billings and revenues and a
slight year-on-year increase in EBIT.
Key figures for the third quarter
2007
|
Q.III |
|
Q.III '07 |
Q.III '06 |
% Change |
|
Billings |
Mio. |
78.6 |
69 |
13.90% |
|
- Germany |
Mio. |
+ 73.6 |
+ 65.2 |
+ 12.8% |
|
- Abroad |
Mio. |
+ 5.0 |
+ 3.8 |
+ 32.8% |
|
Revenue |
Mio. |
+ 10.5 |
+ 9.0 |
+ 16.9% |
|
- Germany |
Mio. |
+ 9.3 |
+ 8.0 |
+ 16.5% |
|
- Abroad |
Mio. |
+ 1.2 |
+ 1.0 |
+ 19.7% |
|
Operating expenses |
Mio. |
+ 7.7 |
+ 6.9 |
+ 11.0% |
|
EBITDA |
Mio. |
+ 3.1 |
+ 2.3 |
+ 35.6% |
|
EBIT |
Mio. |
+ 2.9 |
+ 2.1 |
+ 36.6% |
|
EBT |
Mio. |
+ 3.5 |
+ 2.5 |
+ 37.9% |
|
Net Profit |
Mio. |
+ 1.9 |
+ 1.5 |
+ 26.8% |
|
Q.I-III |
|
Q.I-III '07 |
Q.III '06 |
% Change |
|
Billings |
Mio. |
+ 218.2 |
+ 186.4 |
+ 17.1% |
|
- Germany |
Mio. |
+ 203.7 |
+ 175.0 |
+ 16.4% |
|
- Abroad |
Mio. |
+ 14.5 |
+ 11.4 |
+ 27.0% |
|
Revenue |
Mio. |
+ 28.5 |
+ 24.3 |
+ 17.0% |
|
- Germany |
Mio. |
+ 25.0 |
+ 21.3 |
+ 17.2% |
|
- Abroad |
Mio. |
+ 3.5 |
+ 3.0 |
+ 15.6% |
|
Operating expenses |
Mio. |
- 22.7 |
- 18.7 |
+ 21.1% |
|
EBITDA |
Mio. |
+ 5.8 |
+ 5.6 |
+ 3.4% |
|
EBIT |
Mio. |
+ 5.2 |
+ 5.1 |
+ 2.4% |
|
EBT |
Mio. |
+ 6.9 |
+ 5.7 |
+ 20.5% |
|
Net Profit |
Mio. |
+ 3.9 |
+ 5.7 |
- 31.8% |
Rounding differences due to presentation of figures in
Euro million) About Tipp24 AG (www.tipp24.de) Tipp24
was established in 1999 and is now the market leader for lottery products in
the Internet on the basis of billings. The company has succeeded in achieving
impressive growth rates right from the start. Almost all state lottery products
are supplied. It only takes a few mouse clicks to buy a lottery ticket
round the clock, quickly and reliably. The ticket receipt is kept safely,
winners are notified about their prizes automatically by text message and
e-mail and prizes are credited automatically. Subsidiaries of Tipp24 (www.tipp24.de) are Ventura24 in Spain (www.ventura24.es), Puntogioco24 (www.puntogioco24.it) in Italy and
MyLotto24 (www.mylotto24.co.uk) in the
UK. CONTACT: Tipp24 AG, Andrea Fratini, Head of Media
and Public Relations , Phone: +49 40 32 55 33-660, Fax: +49 40 32 55 33-5600,
E-Mail: presse@tipp24.de
Pollard Banknote Granted Extension to the
Massachusetts Lottery Contract YPSILANTI, MI (November 5, 2007) --
Pollard Banknote was recently awarded a
one-year extension to its contract with the Massachusetts Lottery to supply
instant tickets and related services. Based on previous billings and current
trends, this supplementary term is expected to be worth approximately $2.5
million (US). This latest agreement extends the companys partnership with
the Lottery until August 2008, with an additional one-year extension still
possible. Its a point of real pride for
our company to be given the opportunity to continue building on the
relationship weve established with the Massachusetts Lottery over the
past few years, said Gordon Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer,
Pollard Banknote. Their premiere standing and successful business
model make it all the more significant that weve become so favorably
associated with this pioneering lottery.
Pollard Banknote is
expected to print a number of games for the Massachusetts Lottery as part of
the current contract extension. Most recently, this relationship was expanded
with the introduction of extended play games featuring the companys
patented translucent marking system. These games form an integral part of the
Lotterys strategic plan to offer products capable of satisfying the
demands of a broader player base. Founded in 1971, the
Massachusetts Lottery distributes proceeds to local governments according to an
aid formula established by the states legislative body-funds that are
subsequently dispersed to whatever programs and services these municipalities
judge most in need. Last year, the Lotterys contribution totaled $761
million in direct assistance of this nature. About
Pollard Banknote Limited Partnership Pollard
Banknote Limited Partnership (Pollard Banknote) is one of the
worlds leading full-service lottery vendors and is a major supplier to
North Americas charitable gaming industry. The firm manufactures instant
tickets and provides related programming, design, and marketing support. As
well, Pollard Banknote manufactures ticket vending machines, pull tab tickets
and bingo paper, and supplies lottery management services (including
warehousing and distribution). Established in 1907, the firm is owned by the
Pollard family and the Pollard Banknote Income Fund and currently serves more
than 45 lotteries worldwide, including some of the largest and most respected
lotteries in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Central and South
America. About Pollard Banknote Income Fund
Pollard Banknote Income Fund (TSX: PBL.UN) is an
unincorporated, open-end trust which owns 26.7% of Pollard Holdings Limited
Partnership, which in turn owns Pollard Banknote Limited Partnership.
For further information: Gordon Pollard (gpollard@pbl.ca)
or John Pollard (jpollard@pbl.ca),
Co-Chief Executive Officers, Phone: (204) 474-2323, Web Site:
www.pollardbanknote.com
Petra von Strombeck New Head of Marketing at
Tipp24 AG HAMBURG, Germany
(November 7, 2007) -- Petra von Strombeck (38) has been appointed head of
marketing at Tipp24 AG with effect from 1
November. Von Strombeck is responsible for both the Marketing and Product
Management divisions. With the creation of this new position, the Hamburg-based
company aims to strengthen its online expertise in marketing.
In her previous position,
Petra von Strombeck headed a French subsidiary of Tchibo from 2004. From 1999
to 2004 she was responsible for Tchibos online sales as head of
e-commerce at Tchibo direct. Prior to this, she was responsible for advertising
at Premiere Medien. From 1993 to 1996 she worked for Danone as a product
manager. Von Strombeck graduated in international business administration from
the EAP and studied in Paris, Oxford and Berlin. About Tipp24 AG (www.tipp24.de) Tipp24
was established in 1999 and is now the market leader for lottery products in
the Internet on the basis of billings. The company has succeeded in achieving
impressive growth rates right from the start. Almost all state lottery products
are supplied. It only takes a few mouse clicks to buy a lottery ticket
round the clock, quickly and reliably. The ticket receipt is kept safely,
winners are notified about their prizes automatically by text message and
e-mail and prizes are credited automatically. Subsidiaries of Tipp24 (www.tipp24.de)
are Ventura24 in Spain (www.ventura24.es), Puntogioco24 (www.puntogioco24.it) in Italy and
MyLotto24 (www.mylotto24.co.uk) in
the UK. CONTACT: Tipp24 AG, Andrea Fratini
Head of Media and Public Relations, Phone: +49 40 32 55
33-660, Fax: +49 40 32 55 33-5600.
MDI/Scientific
Games Add 21 Brands from The Hershey Company to Properties
Portfolio Lotteries Expect
Sweet Success with Hershey®s ALPHARETTA, Georgia, USA (November 7, 2007) -- Lotteries will
soon experience sweet returns on their investment now that
MDI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ:
SGMS), has added 21 of Americas favorite brands from The Hershey
Companys line of products to its line of lottery products. The new games
will draw on the candies vivid colors, packaging, imagery and even
scents. There are so many creative
opportunities to make this fun for lottery players, said Steve
Saferin, MDI president. When you combine high-tech printing techniques
such as our scratch-and-sniff inks with the nostalgia people attach to
long-time candy favorites, lotteries can expect big results.
MDI/Scientific Games plan
to have scratch tickets for these exciting brands in stores by January 1, 2008:
Hersheys, Hersheys Kisses, Hersheys Kissables, Reeses,
Reeses Pieces, Twizzlers, Jolly Rancher, Mounds, Almond Joy,
Hersheys SMores, Ice Breakers, York, Whoppers, Milk Duds, Heath,
Zero, Bubble Yum, Take 5, PayDay, Good & Plenty, and Good & Fruity.
MDIs alliance with The Hershey Company is a
multi-year, exclusive licensing agreement that gives lotteries special rights,
through MDI/Scientific Games, to use official product logos, artwork,
trademarks, etc., to more effectively market their products. The games will be
rolled out first in the U.S. with plans to enter the Canadian lottery market
later. The Hershey Company is one of the
oldest confectionery companies in the U.S., and an American icon,
said Jeff Lotman, CEO of Global Icons licensing agent for The Hershey
Company. Building on the brand recognition Hersheys has established
over the past century is a genius business move for lotteries.
About Scientific Games: (www.scientificgames.com)
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. About
Global Icons: (www.globalicons.com)
Global Icons is the premier licensing and brand
merchandising agency specializing in the development and extension of corporate
brands and trademarks. On behalf of its ever-expanding roster of clients, the
company's goal is to increase brand awareness and revenue through the
establishment of new products, distribution channels and revenue streams.
Select clients include American Honda Motor, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Chevron,
Chuck E Cheese's, Cold Stone Creamery, Cutex, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Gulf,
The Hershey Company, Hollywood, Humvee, Igloo, Mrs. Fields, Tonino Lamborghini,
Make-A-Wish, Miso Pretty, Spic and Span, Texaco, and UPS, among others.
SOURCE: MDI. CONTACT: Max Montgomery, 770-664-3807.
Lottomatica Announces 2007 Results For The
Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2007
Revenues of 1.22 billion, compared to
566 million from nine months of Lottomaticas Italian stand-alone
operations with only one month of GTECH operations in 2006
EBITDA of 541 million and Operating Income
of 324 million for the nine months of 2007 compared to 270 million
and 200 million, respectively, for the nine months of
2006 Net Income of 72 million,
compared to 39 million in 2006 Provides Updated Guidance for 2007 and Preliminary
Guidance for 2008 Leadership Changes
Announced ROME (ITALY) - PROVIDENCE, RHODE
ISLAND (US) (November 08, 2007) The Board of Directors of
Lottomatica S.p.A., chaired by
Mr. Lorenzo Pellicioli, approved today the consolidated accounts of Lottomatica
Group for the first nine months of 2007, which ended September 30, 2007.
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Lottomaticas
financial performance was good, and the fundamentals of our core business
continue to experience positive growth, said W. Bruce Turner, CEO of
Lottomatica Group. GTECH has had positive results with the
implementation of a program to enhance same store revenues. Our Italian
operations experienced continued growth. With a first-to-market rollout of our
sports betting brand, we are generating significant player interest that we
believe will be sustainable. And, the Italian scratch and win segment continues
to perform at record levels. Our financial results are positive and in line
with our guidance, despite some unfavorable market conditions, said
Stefano Bortoli, CFO of Lottomatica Group. We experienced overall
sustainable high margins, and as we continue to move forward with our
disciplined execution of numerous initiatives, we believe we will improve our
financial position through cash flow generation.
Lottomatica Group 2007 First Nine Months Results
Revenues for the first nine months of 2007
totaled 1.22 billion, including approximately 623.0 million from
GTECH operations and 598.7 million from Italian operations. For the same
period in 2006, total revenues were 566.0 million, including
approximately 492.4 million from Italian operations and 73.6
million from GTECHs operations. Overall, revenues grew 115.9%
year-over-year, while revenue from Italian operations grew 21.6%
year-over-year. EBITDA was 541.5 million with
an EBITDA margin of 44.3%. Operating income was
324.2 million for the first nine months of 2007, with a 26.5% margin.
Net income was 72.4 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 2007, compared to 38.8 million for the same period
last year, up 86.5%. Net income attributable to equity
holders of the parent for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was
46.9 million, compared to 32.8 million for the same period last
year. GTECH Operating Results and Business
Highlights Revenues for the first nine months of
2007 were 623.0 million, with approximately 554.0 million from the
Lottery segment, 47.0 million from Gaming Solutions, and approximately
22.0 million from Commercial Services. During
this period, GTECH continued to focus its efforts on the core lottery business
and expanding its Gaming Solutions business. The Company secured
contracts in the United Kingdom and Kansas, and received a contract extension
in New York. Over the life of the U.K. contract, GTECH expects to receive
revenues of more than 600 million, with the Kansas contract expected to
generate revenues for GTECH of approximately 60 million. The New York
extension is expected to generate revenues to GTECH of approximately 147
million. Additionally, customers in Denmark, Belgium,
and Western Canada awarded GTECH product sale agreements for new lottery
terminals. In the Gaming Solutions vertical,
GTECH was chosen to provide a new server-based gaming system and interactive
video terminals to Svenska Spel in Sweden. GTECHs subsidiary, Spielo, was selected to provide
Manitoba Lotteries Corporation with new slot/bingo gaming terminals. Both
contracts combined are expected to generate total revenues to GTECH of
approximately 50 million.
Italian Operating
Results and Business Highlights For the first
nine months of 2007, revenues from Italian operations grew approximately 21.6%
to 598.7 million, from 492.4 million in the first nine months of
2006. Lotto and instant ticket wagers grew
approximately 38.3% to 10.6 billion in the first nine months of 2007,
from 7.7 billion for the same period last year, as strong Instants
lottery performance more than offset the slight decrease in Lotto.
Total Lotto wagers reached 4.7 billion, down
slightly against 5.0 billion in the first nine months of 2006. Wagers in
the first nine months of 2006 included a record late number, Cagliari 34. Core
wagers were comparable to the same period last year at 3.9 billion. Lotto
revenues were 302.9 million, compared to 323.7 million in the same
period last year. The continued strong performance of
instant tickets, resulted in sales of approximately 5.9 billion, compared
to sales of approximately 2.7 billion, in the first nine months of 2006,
an increase of 123.6% year-over-year. Approximately 1.7 billion Scratch
& Win tickets were sold in the first nine months of 2007, compared to 1.1
billion in the same period last year. The average price point grew from
2.3 to 3.4, driven principally by the introduction of the 10
lottery ticket in January 2007, which generated new sales of 1.8 billion
during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Revenues for the Instant
Lottery business totaled 207.9 million compared to 94.4 million
during the first nine months of 2006, an increase of 120.3%.
Sports betting wagers, with over 1,000 locations in
operation, were approximately 26.7 million, for the months of August and
September. Revenues from sports betting were approximately 5.2 million,
equal to gross wagers net of prize payouts. Revenues
from Gaming Solutions were up 163.9% over the same period last year, driven by
the increased placement of Amusement with Prizes (AWP) machines, from
approximately 10,000 machines installed at the end of 2006, to approximately
21,000 machines installed as of the end of September 2007.
Revenues from Commercial Services were stable compared to
the same period last year, despite the negative impact of regulatory
changes. Consolidated Cash Flow and Net Financial
Position At September 30, 2007, Lottomatica Group had
a Net Financial Position of 2.31 billion, with Cash and Cash Equivalents
of approximately 444.2 million at the end of period. During the nine
months ended September 30, 2007, the Group generated 369.3 million of net
cash flows from operating activities, compared to 106.2 million in the
same period last year. Consolidated
Shareholders' Equity Consolidated shareholders'
equity totaled 1.77 billion. Additional
Information Third-Quarter Financial Results
Revenues for the third quarter ended September
30, 2007 totaled 386.2 million, including approximately 195.3
million from GTECH operations and 190.9 million from Italian
operations. Overall, revenues grew 71.3% year-over-year, with one month
of contribution from GTECH operations in the third quarter of last year.
EBITDA was 160.8 million with an EBITDA margin of
41.6%. Operating Income was 84.8 million for the quarter, and Net income
was 4.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, compared to Net
income of 6.9 million in the third quarter of 2006.
Revenues for the third quarter of 2007 include 195.3
million from GTECH operations, with approximately 173.9 million from the
Lottery segment, 18.0 million from Gaming Solutions, and approximately
3.4 million from Commercial Services. During the
quarter, GTECH secured a 19 month contract extension with the New Jersey
Lottery. After the close of the third quarter, GTECH signed a long-term
contract in Oregon, valued at 50 million, and also extended its contract
with the Illinois Lottery for an additional year through October 16, 2008, with
expected revenues to GTECH of approximately 24 million over the one-year
extension period. Revenues from Italian operations
grew approximately 25.7% to 190.9 million, from 151.9 million in
the third quarter of 2006. Lotto wagers were stable at 1.53 billion while
Instant ticket sales were approximately 1.72 billion, compared to sales
of approximately 883 million in the third quarter of 2006.
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Leadership Changes
Also at the Board of Directors meeting, it was
announced that W. Bruce Turner, Chief Executive Officer of Lottomatica S.p.A.
and GTECH Corporation, has tendered his resignation effective from December 31,
2007 at the latest. Citing his intent to pursue an opportunity to start an
investment firm, Mr. Turner noted that he has overseen the successful
integration of GTECH and Lottomatica and positioned the Company well for future
growth. The Board of Directors accepted Mr. Turner's resignation and
thanked him for his service. Upon Mr. Turner's
departure, Lorenzo Pellicioli, Chairman of Lottomatica S.p.A., will take on the
additional responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer of Lottomatica
Group. In addition, Jaymin Patel, currently President and Chief Operating
Officer of GTECH, will become Chief Executive Officer of GTECH Corporation.
Commenting on the changes, Mr. Pellicioli said, "I am
confident in Lottomatica's growth plan and committed to driving its continued
success. I look forward to working with our operational leaders, Marco
Sala Managing Director for the Italian operations - and Jaymin
Patel, to ensure that we are successful in taking advantage of the significant
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