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IGT PlayDigital Announces Highly Successful Rollout of Wheel of
Fortune® Megaways™ Slots Game
IGT and Big Time Gaming
pair iconic Wheel of Fortune slots brand with proven Megaways mechanic to
create dynamic game for online and mobile slots players
LONDON, March 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/
-- International Game Technology PLC ("IGT") (NYSE: IGT) announced today that
it has successfully rolled out the highly anticipated Wheel of Fortune®
Megaways™ slots game on IGT PlayDigital's online game delivery
platform.
Wheel of Fortune Megaways first
launched in New Jersey, where the game set new performance records and drove
significant player acquisition and retention for IGT's customers. Earlier this
week, IGT also launched the game in approved jurisdictions throughout Europe,
with additional go-lives planned for 2021 in online gaming jurisdictions around
the world.
The Wheel of Fortune Megaways game
was built specifically for online and mobile play, and pairs the most popular
slots theme of all time, Wheel of Fortune slots, with Big Time Gaming's (BTG)
highly successful, patented Megaways game mechanic. The action-packed game
joins the IGT PlayDigital library of more than 140 exciting PlayCasino games
that entertain online and mobile players.
BetMGM was among the first online
casinos in New Jersey to offer IGT's Wheel of Fortune Megaways, developed by
BTG. The game quickly became one of the online casino's most popular games in
New Jersey based upon 2021 bets placed.
"BetMGM is committed to delivering a
consistent, world-class gaming experience to our players. Since the addition of
Wheel of Fortune Megaways to our gaming offering, it has catapulted to the top
of our performance charts," said Matthew Sunderland, BetMGM VP of Gaming.
"Particularly in combination with the Megaways mechanic, the quality and
attraction of the Wheel of Fortune slots brand remains appealing to players
across the United States."
"Big Time Gaming was honored to
collaborate with the IGT PlayDigital team to bring the Wheel of Fortune
Megaways online slots game to life," said Nik Robinson, Big Time Gaming CEO.
"Applying Big Time Gaming's leading slots mechanics and pioneering game design
to the iconic Wheel of Fortune slots brand that IGT has cultivated for more
than two decades was an exceptional experience that resulted in a superior
game."
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"In partnership with Big Time
Gaming, IGT PlayDigital created a spectacular online game by combining the
legendary Wheel of Fortune slots brand with the Megaways game mechanic, which
offers players one million ways to win in the Free Spins bonus," said Enrico
Drago, IGT PlayDigital Senior Vice President. "In a time when digital gaming
growth is critical to so many IGT customers around the world, delivering unique
games such as Wheel of Fortune Megaways helps our customers drive performance
and differentiate their game portfolios."
Wheel of Fortune Megaways is a
six-reel, high volatility game that gives players up to 117,649 ways to win and
an impressive one million ways to win in its Free Spins feature. During the
title's base game, players have the chance for any wild symbol to morph into a
Wild Megastack™ that is comprised of up to seven wilds that collectively
can fill the entire reel. The vibrant game leverages familiar Wheel of Fortune
sounds, symbols and imagery and gives players the chance to enjoy a new take on
the player-favorite WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE! Wheel Bonus.
For
more information and to watch Wheel of Fortune Megaways gameplay.
About IGT
IGT (NYSE: IGT) is the global leader
in gaming. We deliver entertaining and responsible gaming experiences for
players across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and
Lotteries to Sports Betting and Digital. Leveraging a wealth of compelling
content, substantial investment in innovation, player insights, operational
expertise, and leading-edge technology, our solutions deliver unrivaled gaming
experiences that engage players and drive growth. We have a well-established
local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than
100 countries around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest
standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has approximately
11,000 employees. For more information, please visit
www.igt.com
CONTACT:
Phil O'Shaughnessy, Global
Communications, toll free in U.S./Canada +1 (844) IGT-7452; outside U.S./Canada
+1 (401) 392-7452
Francesco Luti, +39 3485475493; for
Italian media inquiries
James Hurley, Investor Relations, +1
(401) 392-7190
SOURCE: International Game
Technology PLC.
Camelot Illinois Invests in Making Illinois a Better Place to Live
and Work
CHICAGO, Illinois (February 25,
2021) — Camelot Illinois today announced its latest series of grants to
support local community groups across Illinois, while celebrating recognition
of its positive impact on work culture through recent Built in Chicago
awards.
“Camelot strives to make a
positive difference in Illinois,” said Keith Horton, General Manager of
Camelot Illinois. “We invest in the communities where we live, work, and
play through the Camelot Illinois Grant Program and invest in our people by
providing a modern, flexible workplace.”
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The Camelot Illinois Grant Program
promotes community and neighborhood development by funding programs that foster
educational opportunities and support technology initiatives. Camelot Illinois
most recently awarded grant funds to the Association House of Chicago, Lost
Boyz Inc., and the Salvation Army.
The Association House of Chicago
will use this grant to provide much needed technological training in the
community during an uncertain time.
“Association House of Chicago
is proud to offer a virtual Technology Training Program that teaches
participants entry-level digital literacy skills that allows them to pursue
higher educational opportunities, and ultimately, secure long-term
employment,” said Julia Rodriguez, Vice President of Association House of
Chicago. “In a pandemic era that limits in-person interaction, this kind
of program is essential.”
Lost Boyz Inc. was awarded a grant
to support its efforts to address the social and emotional needs of
Chicago’s youth boys and girls through organized sports and
mentorship.
“Lost Boyz is tremendously
grateful to be a Camelot Illinois grant program recipient for the second
year,” said Lexus Jackson-Watkins, Administrative Assistant of Lost Boyz
Inc. “This support will further enhance our ability to positively
impact the lives of children on Chicago’s south and west sides.”
The Salvation Army is using the
grant to support its COVID-19 Emergency Financial Assistance Program, which
provides residents with food and housing supplies, financial assistance,
transportation and medical supplies.
“The health and safety of the
people we serve is our top priority,” said Commissioner Barry Swanson,
divisional commander for The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division.
“We are here to provide hope and help to our neighbors in Chicagoland
during this uncertain time.”
Camelot is committed to building and
investing in the communities it works, which includes investing in its people.
Camelot promotes diversity and inclusion in its employment practices, offers
employees two volunteer days a year, and has provided support to enable all
employees to work remotely and stay connected to the business.
Camelot is proud to receive three
awards from Built In Chicago: Chicago’s Best Places to Work,
Chicago’s Best Small Companies to Work For, and Chicago’s Best Paying
Companies.
Built In determines winners for Best
Places to Work based on an algorithm, using company data about compensation,
benefits, and cultural programs. This year’s program weighted
certain criteria more heavily, like remote opportunities and programs for
diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“By investing in the community
we live in, our employees find ways to give back and also enjoy what they
do,“ says Keith Horton.
Sheridan Orr, Chief Marketing
Officer of Built In commented, “These companies raise the bar for cultural
excellence and the ability to adapt to meet changing needs of employees. The
2021 winners show a commitment not just to creating meaningful cultures but to
delivering talent needs as they change in a dynamic landscape.”
Tech professionals rely on Built
In’s Best Places to Work lists to discover employers that align with their
preferences, passions, and values. Since its inception three years ago,
the award has expanded in reach, from online views of tens of thousands to just
under one million views today.
About Camelot Illinois
Camelot Illinois is the private
manager of the Illinois Lottery. In partnership with the State, Camelot
operates a modern lottery that truly benefits the people of Illinois. Camelot
is dedicated to working with transparency, integrity, and responsibility to
grow the lottery and generate essential funding for education across the state.
The company’s innovative approach places consumers and social
responsibility at its core, providing funding for schools, capital projects,
and special causes. To learn more, visit www.camelotillinois.com.
About Built In
Built In, a revolution in tech
recruitment, serves more than 1,800 innovative companies of all sizes, from
startups to the enterprise, delivering content and digital recruitment
solutions that work. The platform amplifies companies’ brands as national,
local, or remote employers of choice, as well as leaders in DEI. Monthly, 2.5
million tech professionals rely on Built In to stay up on trends, grow in their
roles, and discover companies with missions they want to join. The platform
publishes stories about companies’ tech, culture, and people. This
activates sought-after professionals to apply to customers’ open roles.
https://www.builtin.com
SOURCE: Camelot Illinois.
Sächsische Lotto-GmbH Launch Thank you Campaign for Everyday
Heroes
1,000 Euros to be
Won.
Sachsenlotto
informs:
• Thank you campaign for
everyday heroes
• Win 1,000 euros
LEIPZIG, Germany (March 1, 2021) --
The past year has clearly shown that everyday heroes are important and
strengthen our coexistence. They often master difficult tasks unnoticed by the
public. Now there is a way to say thank you to the personal hero and make him a
winner.
Together with Morgenpost Sachsen,
Sachsenlotto is looking for people who are committed to helping others as a
matter of course.
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This commitment decisively shapes
our common good and deserves recognition.
With this campaign, everyone can
thank someone who helped them with their unselfish support during the Corona
period.
What distinguishes an everyday
hero?
Through many things. The spectrum of
everyday heroes is wide, ranging from caregivers in difficult situations to
caring neighbors.
Some people will be surprised that
they are seen as an everyday hero. For him it is his help, for others it is
part of his everyday life.
Participate and be there
All information and the link to the
registration form can be found at sachsenlotto.de/alltagshelden .
Every everyday hero and the story
associated with him has a chance of 1,000 euros. A total of five of these
prizes will be awarded by March 31.
The first 100 registrants each week
will each receive a “Diamant 7” scratch-off ticket during the
campaign period, the new EUR 20 premium ticket with the chance of winning
millions.
SOURCE: Sächsische Lotto-GmbH
(www.sachsenlotto.de).
CAIXA Lotteries Announce First Special Draw of the Year, Easter Duo
Has an Estimated Prize of R$30 Million
Tickets can be purchased starting
Monday (01/03)
BRAZIL (March 1, 2021) -- The bets
for the Easter Double, CAIXA Lotteries' first special contest in the year,
start this Monday (03/01). The prize is estimated at R $ 30 million and the
draw will be held on April 3.
As in other special contests, the
Easter Duo does not accumulate. If there are no winners in the main tier, the
prize will be divided among the winners of the corner of the first draw, and so
on. This is the 5th edition of the special competition of Dupla-Sena. The
biggest prize of the modality was paid in the Double Easter 2020, in which only
one bettor from Blumenau (SC) hit the six dozen and won R $ 30.8 million.
With just one Double Sena bet, the
bettor is twice as likely to win. There are two draws per contest and you win
by hitting 3, 4, 5 or 6 numbers in the first and / or second draws. The price
of the single bet, with 6 numbers, is R $ 2.50.
Bets can be placed on lotteries
across the country, through the special steering wheel, through the Loterias
CAIXA portal (www.loteriasonline.caixa.gov.br) and through the Loterias
CAIXA app, available to users of iOS and Android platforms.
The winner who chooses to invest the
R $ 30 million of the prize in CAIXA Savings will receive a monthly income of
approximately R $ 35 thousand. The prize money would also be enough to acquire
a fleet of 750 popular cars worth R $ 40,000 each.
Easter Double Draw:
To have more chances of winning in
the Double Sena, just form a group, choose the numbers, mark the number of
shares and place the bet in any of the lottery companies in the country. When
registered in the system, the bet generates a quota receipt for each
participant, who can redeem their share of the prize individually. The tickets
have a minimum value of R $ 10 and each installment must be at least R $ 2.50,
making it possible to make a installment of a minimum of two and a maximum of
50 installments.
The bettor can also purchase odds of
jackets organized by lottery companies. Just ask the attendant for the number
of shares you want and save the receipt to check the bet on the day of the
draw. In this case, an additional service fee of up to 35% of the quota value
may be charged, at the discretion of the lottery.
SOURCE: CAIXA Lotteries.
Massachusetts Lottery Increases Fiscal Year 2021 Net Profit
Projection
DORCHESTER, MA (March 1, 2021) --
The Massachusetts State Lottery today announced that it is increasing its net
profit projection for the 2021 fiscal year from $940 million to $985 million as
a result of its strong performance through the first seven months of the fiscal
year.
"Even as we have continued to be
impacted by the pandemic, the Lottery team has exceeded expectations while
adapting operations to keep people safe. We recognize, especially now, how
important lottery resources are to the 351 cities and towns and will continue
to meet our mission of helping communities all over the state,” said State
Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts State Lottery
Commission.
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Lottery net profit is returned to
the Commonwealth for distribution of unrestricted local aid to all 351 cities
and towns in Massachusetts. The Lottery produced $986.9 million in net profit
in fiscal year 2020.
“I commend our team members for
their outstanding performance while adapting to the workplace dynamics that
have become necessary as a result of the pandemic,” said Michael Sweeney,
the Lottery’s Executive Director.
“We greatly appreciate the
support of Treasurer Goldberg and our Commissioners as we have made adjustments
to our operations in an effort to fulfill our mission to serve all cities and
towns in Massachusetts.”
The Lottery’s 2021 fiscal year
commenced July 1, 2020.
Through January 2021, total sales
for this fiscal year have increased 4.5 percent over fiscal year 2020 ($3.359
billion in the first seven months of FY 2021 compared to $3.215 billion in the
first seven months of FY 2020), due in part to a significant jump in sales of
Mega Millions and Powerball tickets. Sales of these games soared in January
2021 as the Mega Millions jackpot rose to $1 billion and the Powerball jackpot
reached $731.1 million.
The updated net profit projection is
factored upon a normal business environment from March 1 through the end of
June with the avoidance of any significant interruptions caused by the
pandemic.
Lottery officials will announce an
estimated net profit figure for the 2021 fiscal year in July, after the June 30
conclusion of the fiscal year.
The final net profit total is
anticipated to be announced in September upon completion of the fiscal year
2021 financial statement of operations.
SOURCE: The Massachusetts State
Lottery.
NJ Lottery Announces Annual Audited Results; Over $1 Billion in
Revenue Generated for the State
TRENTON, NJ (March 1, 2021) –
The New Jersey Lottery released its Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20)
today, marking the third consecutive year that the Lottery’s contribution
to support the State’s financial obligations is over $1 billion. The
report is available for review on the Lottery’s website.
For the fiscal year that ended on
June 30, 2020, the Lottery generated $3.215 billion in sales and contributed
$1.015 billion in revenue to the State, which is used to support New
Jersey’s public employee pension system for teachers, police, firefighters
and other public employees. While sales were down 7.7% compared to the prior
year, and the contribution to the State was down 8.1%, FY20 still produced the
fourth-highest contribution on record.
“Fiscal Year 2020 was
challenging in several ways, and the New Jersey Lottery stepped up to meet
those challenges. There was only one Jackpot that exceed the $300 million mark,
which restricted (or limited) the player excitement and media interest that
comes as jackpots roll higher and higher,” said Lottery Executive Director
James A. Carey, Jr.
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“In March 2020, the COVID-19
was declared a national emergency and lockdown measures put in place to combat
the pandemic impacted sales. After a difficult March and April, the Lottery
began to rebound in May and June and has continued to perform strongly
since.”
In addition to sales, the
contribution to the State was also bolstered by a payment from Northstar New
Jersey Lottery Group, the Lottery’s sales and marketing vendor. In May of
2019, the Lottery amended the services agreement with Northstar and increased
the performance targets that are used to calculate any incentive payment owed
to Northstar. If the net income targets for a given fiscal year are not met,
the incentive compensation is reduced or may be eliminated entirely, and
Northstar may owe a contribution shortfall payment to the Lottery. Northstar
did not meet the net income targets under the contract for Fiscal Year 2020 and
consequently owed a shortfall payment of $19,915,065, which became part of the
Lottery’s contribution to the State. By comparison, in Fiscal Year 2019,
the Lottery paid Northstar $26.1 million in incentive compensation paid.
The audit report released today also
details prize payments, which are the Lottery’s largest expense. In FY20,
New Jersey players won $1.970 billion. Additionally, a player from Middlesex
County won the February 11, 2020 Mega Millions jackpot of $202 million. Another
player from Middlesex County won the April 8, 2020 Powerball jackpot of $190
million. Seven players won second tier prizes of $1 million or more from
Powerball or Mega Millions. Three players hit the Pick-6 jackpot, and another
30 players won $500,000 or more from Scratch-Offs or Jersey Cash 5.
Additionally, the Lottery’s network of just under 7,000 retailers earned
$185 million in commissions during the fiscal year.
The audited results show an increase
to the State contribution from the press release dated July 30, 2020, which
contained unaudited numbers. That increase is due to a variety of factors
including: unclaimed prizes, unspent marketing money, funds saved in
anticipation of an incentive payment, and Northstar’s payment as a result
of the shortfall.
Since its inception in 1970, the
Lottery has contributed over $28 billion to the State, helping to bolster the
public employee pension system for teachers, police and fire personnel and
other public employees, as well as supporting businesses and communities
throughout New Jersey.
SOURCE: The New Jersey Lottery.
Sächsische Lotto-GmbH Looks Back on a Successful
Year
Highlights of the
Sächsische Lotto-GmbH 2020:
-- 328 million euros in stakes
-- 123 million euros for the common
good
-- 161 million euros for profits
LEIPZIG, Germany (February 24, 2021)
-- The Sächsische Lotto-GmbH can look back on a successful year. The
stakes increased by 6.5% to 328 million euros. On average, each Saxon invested
80 euros in 2020.
"That is the highest annual result
since the existence of the Saxon Lotto-GmbH", sums up Frank Schwarz, managing
director of the Saxon Lotto-GmbH. In the special year, which was shaped by the
COVID measures and the restrictions in trade, Sachsenlotto proved to be a
reliable partner. “This successful conclusion can be traced back to the
trust of our customers as well as to the extraordinary commitment of the around
4,000 employees in the Sachsenlotto retailers. We would like to express our
thanks to them for their loyalty. "
From tickets to scratch cards -
the stakes 2020
Last year, every Saxon person
averaged 1.52 euros per person per week for participating in LOTTO
6aus49, Spiel 77, SUPER 6, Eurojackpot, KENO and plus5, TOTO, the
GlücksSpirale or the instant lotteries (scratch cards and Playless)
invested. A total of 53 million game orders were placed or tickets played.
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LOTTO 6aus49 is the most
popular product. With an increase of 9.5%, the stake is 183 million euros. This
means that over half of all stakes (55.8%) go to the classic. The high jackpot
phases and the product change, which was successfully implemented in September
2020, had a positive effect here. The new winning plan at LOTTO 6aus49
strengthens the individual prize categories and leads to a faster growth of the
jackpot.
“Eurojackpot is in second place
on the popularity scale. One reason for the good development are several
jackpot phases over a longer period,” says Frank Schwarz.
The lottery offered in 18 European
countries recorded a stake of 46.4 million euros in Saxony with an increase of
12.3%.
The scratch cards also developed
positively. They have secured their success at a very high level and achieved a
stake of 29.6 million euros with a plus of 10.9%.
Over the past few years, scratch
cards have developed steadily. In addition to the year-round offer of tickets
with different price points, there is the two seasonless lucky rocket and
scratch calendar. You also ended the year with a plus.
With 383 707 scratch-off calendars,
45 778 scratch-off calendars were sold more than in the previous year. That is
an increase of 13.5%. 416,582 lucky rocket tickets were also sold. As a result,
sales increased by 8,567 lots or 2.1% over the previous year.
123 million euros paid for the
common good
The transfers made by the Saxon
Lotto Society to the Free State rose over 4% to a total of 122 million euros
for the past year. The total amount consists of 65 million euros in net income
and 57 million euros in lottery and sports betting tax. In addition, a good 1
million euros from the income from the GlücksSpirale pension lottery will
be donated in equal parts to the Federal Working Group for Free Welfare, the
German Olympic Sports Association, the German Foundation for Monument
Protection and the Saxon State Foundation for Nature and Environment.
“In the 30 years of its
existence, the Sächsische Lotto-GmbH has made more than 3 billion euros
available to the Free State for the community. These amounts reliably benefit
the country and its people,” says Frank Schwarz.
The non-profit use of net income in
the Free State in the areas of addiction prevention, sport, culture, the
environment, youth and welfare is set out in the Saxon Implementation Act for
the State Treaty on Gaming. In the draft for the Saxon double budget 2021/2022,
section 15 - General Financial Management - lists the evidence of the
appropriate use of the net income.
The following examples can be
found for the year 2021:
- Subsidies for “Other grants for current
purposes in Germany (general arts and culture funding)”: 4.3 million
euros.
- Subsidies for music schools: 2.9 million
euros.
- Grants for the State Office for Archeology: 2.9
million euros.
Source: Saxon
Budget 2021/2022 / Section 15 / General Financial Management; Page
70ff.
"That is the" LOTTO principle ":
Through the targeted charitable use via the state budget, every citizen in
Saxony benefits directly or indirectly from the transfers of the Saxon Lotto
GmbH", emphasizes Frank Schwarz.
161 million euros made available
for profits
The total profit distribution has
also increased: The profit amount provided grew by 5.6% to 160.7 million euros.
There were a total of 54 high prizes from 50,000 euros, 35 of them are over
100,000 euros.
At the top of all last year's
winners are four million prizes. With a total winnings of 15,070,227 euros , a
syndicate in Dresden achieved the second highest profit in the history of the
Saxon Lotto GmbH. In December, “6 correct ones” at LOTTO 6aus49
brought this profit in a system tip.
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With 9,789,331 euros , the
second-highest Saxon million profit of the year was achieved in August in the
Ore Mountains . This is followed in the statistics by a LOTTO win in Leipzig of
1,683,496 euros (February) and one in Chemnitz, also in February, with a profit
of 1,050,000 euros on the GlücksSpirale.
The safe range of games on
sachsenlotto.de, via the app and in the acceptance points
The trend towards online gaming
continued in 2020. The stakes grew by 43.4% to 25.8 million euros. Over 100,000
customers have now registered to participate on sachsenlotto.de or via the
Sachsenlotto app.
“It is important to offer
customers safe and modern gaming online too. Our service at the acceptance
points is supplemented by continuous play, online play and mobile play via the
app. Both customers and acceptance points benefit from the link, ”says
Frank Schwarz.
As before, the 1,200 acceptance
points with a total of around 4,000 employees are at the heart of Sachsenlotto.
Around 78% of the stakes in 2020 were handed in at the retailers
“The Sachsen Lotto retailers
play an important role. In rural areas in particular, they make a valuable
contribution to infrastructure and local supply. All employees showed an
outstanding commitment in this difficult year,” emphasizes Frank
Schwarz.
The Sächsische Lotto-GmbH
supports the acceptance points even in the corona pandemic and supports them
financially as well as in the implementation of hygiene measures.
New tasks and tried and tested
things in the new year
The further development of the games
and services offered by Sächsische Lotto-GmbH is important for the
development of the company, for the acceptance points and for our customers.
You can all be sure that the Sachsenlotto will remain a reliable,
future-oriented partner. Innovations in the online game offer or the
optimization of the Sachsenlotto app are just as important as the strengthening
of the acceptance points. Here, too, contemporary forms of distribution are
implemented. A current example are the scratch card machines that are currently
being tested in selected acceptance points. They meet the requirements of
modern terrestrial sales and take into account the increasing digitization of
everyday life.
“Sächsische Lotto-GmbH
will also offer a safe and attractive lottery game in 2021, support the
acceptance points and act as a partner for the common good for the Free
State,” says Frank Schwarz.
SOURCE: Sächsische
Lotto-GmbH.
Florida Lottery Sets National Record for Highest Scratch-Off Sales
Week
TALLAHASSEE, Florida (March 2, 2021)
– Today, the Florida Lottery announced that Scratch-Off ticket sales for
the week ending February 28, 2021, exceeded $193.5 million, setting a new
industry record for the highest single-week Scratch-Off sales of any Lottery in
the country! This record-breaking Scratch-Off sales week resulted in more than
$35.7 million generated for the benefit of Florida students and schools.
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Last week’s record-breaking
sales surpassed the previous single-week Scratch-Off sales record, also held by
the Florida Lottery, of $149.8 million for the week ending March 1, 2020.
“By launching new Scratch-Off
games with a variety of play styles and price points, we are giving our players
what they want, and the results speak for themselves,” said Florida
Lottery Secretary John F. Davis. “This means that our players have more
winning opportunities, retailers are earning higher commissions, and most
importantly, more revenue is being generated for education in
Florida.”
Last week’s sales were led by
the new $30 BILLION DOLLAR GOLD RUSH SUPREME Scratch-Off game, with more than
$25.5 million in sales, followed by the $10 GOLD RUSH SUPREME Scratch-Off game,
with more than $15 million in sales.
Scratch-Off games are an important
part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 75
percent of ticket sales and generating more than $1.1 billion for the
Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2019-20.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY
The Florida Lottery is responsible
for contributing more than $38 billion to education and sending more than
880,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The
Florida Lottery reinvests 99 percent of its revenue back into Florida’s
economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,000 Florida
retailers and transfers to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have
paid more than $72.5 billion in prizes and made nearly 3,000 people
millionaires. For more information, please visit
www.flalottery.com.
SOURCE: The Florida Lottery.
Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Launches Website to Promote Responsible
Play
LITTLE ROCK, AR (March 2, 2021) --
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) launched a new microsite today designed
to help educate players on how to participate responsibly, understand game odds
and get any needed help for problem gambling.
The unveiling of the new
Player’s Hub microsite at MyArkansasLottery.com/PlayersHub coincides with
Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March, which highlights resources available
to help those who may have issues with gambling.
“We want people to enjoy the
fun and excitement that comes with playing the Arkansas Scholarship
Lottery,” said ASL Director J. Eric Hagler. “But we also understand
that for some people, it stops being fun and becomes an addiction that can lead
to other issues. For that reason, we have developed the Player’s Hub as an
additional resource to help people overcome problem gambling.”
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ASL has the Responsible Gambling
Certification from the North American Association of State and Provincial
Lotteries (NASPL) and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). The
certification is awarded to lottery organizations that demonstrate best
practices for training lottery employees and retailers on problem gambling
issues and on resources provided to the playing public.
The NCPG estimates that
approximately two million adults in the U.S. – or about 1% of the
population – meet the criteria for gambling disorder, which can result in
financial distress, legal issues and negative impacts on family and
professional life.
If gambling is causing a problem for
you or someone you know, help is available. Call or text the 24-hour,
confidential National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. You can also
visit ncpgambling.org or contact Gamblers Anonymous at
gamblersanonymous.org.
About the Arkansas Scholarship
Lottery
More than 92 cents of every dollar
of ASL revenue goes to prizes, scholarships, retailer commissions, and other
expenses in Arkansas. Since 2009, the lottery has raised more than $1 billion
in proceeds for scholarships. More than 600,000 college scholarships have been
awarded to Arkansans. The lottery has awarded more than $3.5 billion in prizes
to players as well as $302 million in retailer commissions. The lottery has
provided more than $141 million in state and federal tax revenue.
Follow the Arkansas Scholarship
Lottery on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Visit MyArkansasLottery.com for
more information on scholarships, winners, games, odds, promotions – and
to join The Club for free. To hear winning numbers, call the Winning Numbers
Hotline at 501-682-IWON (4966). To get help with problem gambling, contact the
National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
SOURCE: The Arkansas Scholarship
Lottery
PA Gaming Control Board Recognizes March as Problem Gambling
Awareness Month
HARRISBURG, PA (February 26, 2021)
-- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) recognized March as Problem
Gambling Awareness Month in order to promote resources intended to help
individuals with a gambling problem.
On Monday, March 1, 2021,
representatives of the PGCB’s Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling
will participate in a virtual kickoff of Problem Gambling Awareness
Month. Throughout March, the PGCB will be joining the Department of Drug
and Alcohol Programs, the Pennsylvania Lottery, the Council on Compulsive
Gambling of Pennsylvania and other organizations to educate Pennsylvanians
about the effects of gambling disorders, provide tools necessary to identify
this addiction and to recognize access to services that help minimize the
consequences of disordered gambling.
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Elizabeth Lanza, Director of the
PGCB’s Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling, stressed that, under
normal circumstances, problem gambling is a known issue that can affect
Pennsylvanians. It is even more vital this year to call attention to
these issues and ensure the citizens of Pennsylvania know that help is
available.
“The goal of Problem Gambling
Awareness Month is to spotlight the issues and educate the general public about
the warning signs of problem gambling, as well as raise awareness about
treatment and other programs that are available both locally and
nationally,” Lanza says.
Kevin O’Toole, PGCB Executive
Director, says the Board and the PA gaming industry recognizes the importance
of gambling addiction programs to help individuals and hopes that during the
month of March we can provide education, outreach and prevention options to
anyone that may be affected by a gambling disorder.
The Board’s Office of
Compulsive and Problem Gambling works with both state and national problem
gambling organizations, and with gaming license holders in Pennsylvania, to
ensure its ability to provide useful methods and resources to deal with issues
surrounding gambling addiction are available.
O’Toole adds that the PGCB has
worked on expanding and enhancing tools for problem gambling as additional
forms of gaming have been added throughout the Commonwealth and online.
These tools are in addition to the successful casino Self-Exclusion program,
which has been expanded to allow individuals to ban themselves from iGaming,
Fantasy Contests, and Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs). Pennsylvania’s
Self-Exclusion Program has aided thousands of persons by agreeing to stay out
of Pennsylvania casinos or face penalties. To date, over 16,000 persons
have signed up and taken advantage of this program to self-ban from casinos for
1-year, 5-years or a lifetime.
In addition to the Self-Exclusion
program, O’Toole notes some additional problem gambling tools the PGCB has
recently made available:
- www.ResponsiblePlay.pa.gov a new website
dedicated to problem gambling, which provides information and links to assist
persons in identifying a potential gambling problem and finding help;
- The first U.S. gaming jurisdiction to adopt the
PlayPause program, which allows for individuals to ban themselves from online
iGaming sites in all jurisdictions that also participate in the program;
and,
- Options for participants to limit their online play
or spend in fantasy contests, online casino games, online poker, and/or online
sports wagering.
As Pennsylvania’s gambling
industry continues to grow, it is important for the PGCB to continue to raise
awareness, through events such as Problem Gambling Awareness Month, Lanza says.
“It is important for the PGCB to raise awareness on the effects of
gambling addiction and showcase what resources are available to help the
citizens of Pennsylvania.
The public needs to know that
problem gambling tools are out there, and that gambling addiction treatment is
not only available but has proven to be effective.”
About
the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control
Board is tasked to oversee all aspects of gambling at 14 land-based casinos,
online casino games, retail and online sports wagering, and Video Gaming
Terminals (VGTs) at qualified truck stops, along with the regulation of online
fantasy sports contests.
The land-based casino industry in
Pennsylvania consists of six racetrack (Category 1) casinos, five stand-alone
(Category 2) casinos, two resort (Category 3) casinos and one mini-casino
(Category 4).
Casino expansion will continue over
the next couple of years with the anticipated openings of up to four additional
Category 4 casinos.
A significant job generator in the
Commonwealth, casinos and the other types of Board-regulated gaming annually
generate over $1.5 billion in tax revenue.
Additional information about both
the PGCB’s gaming regulatory efforts and Pennsylvania’s gaming
industry can be found at
https://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/.
You can also follow the agency on
Twitter by choosing @PAGamingControl.
SOURCE: The Pennsylvania Gaming
Control Board.
Committee Proposes Ukraine Adopt Revised Taxation of Income from the
Organization and Conduct of Gambling and Lotteries
Ukraine committee
approves 10% tax rate for all forms of gambling
UKRAINE (February 25, 2021) -- On
February 25, the Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy met by video
conference.
The Committee revised its decision
of 17 June 2020 on the draft Law “On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine
on Taxation of Income from the Organization and Conduct of Gambling and
Lotteries” (№ 2713-d), which proposed to develop a new bill on the
basis of The Verkhovna Rada to adopt it as a basis.
The revised version of the project
№ 2713-d was presented by the Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Organization and Taxation of Gambling Business of the Committee on Finance, Tax
and Customs Policy Oleh Marusyak.
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The bill, in particular, proposes to
establish a single tax rate on income from the organization and conduct of
gambling, issuance and conduct of lotteries in the amount of 10%.
In addition to income tax, the bill
stipulates that business entities engaged in the organization and conduct of
gambling will pay income tax at a total rate of 18%.
In this case, the tax charged by the
entity on income from such activities is the difference and reduces the
financial result before taxation of such entity
When gambling organizers carry out
other activities, they are expected to accrue and pay income tax at the basic
(basic) tax rate.
In addition, the project stipulates
that large winnings in gambling and lotteries (more than eight minimum wages)
are subject to personal income tax and military duty.
It is also proposed to abolish the
triple fee for licenses to organize and conduct bookmaking, gambling in
casinos, the Internet and slot machines.
Instead, it is envisaged not to
introduce a zero income tax rate.
During the discussion, MPs stressed
the need to ensure state budget revenues from the organization and conduct of
gambling and lotteries and, at the same time, the transparency of tax
assessment in order to legalize and de-shadow this area of activity.
The Committee decided to withdraw
the previously proposed bill and instead introduce a new text of the bill
№2713-d and recommend to the Verkhovna Rada to adopt it as a basis and in
general.
See the
complete original article.
SOURCE: Information Department of
the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Austria’s Online Gambling Regulation Needs the Right
Instruments
VIENNA, Austria (February 18, 2021)
-- Today we’re seeing EU policymakers begin to adapt their regulatory
rulebooks to the new realities of the digital age, including measures to better
regulate the near monopoly power of various US tech giants. But at the same
time, we should also not forget the monopolies which still persist in
Europe’s own internet backyard, including in Austria’s gambling
market.
Across the EU, consumers are
increasingly looking towards the internet for their entertainment and Austria
is no different. For the gambling sector, this means more people are choosing
to bet on sport, play poker or spin a roulette wheel online. More than a
quarter (26.5%) of Austria’s gambling is now being done online and will
grow further in the coming years. Yet this trend has been in spite of
Austria’s online gambling regulation, which still maintains a monopoly
which naturally restricts consumer choice.
You can’t limit the
internet
If the online era has taught us
anything, it’s that there are endless alternatives on the internet and
gamblers have always got somewhere else to go. That’s why online
monopolies, particularly in price-sensitive markets like gambling, simply
don’t work. Like it or not, but choice is king. All it takes is a few
clicks of a mouse and gamblers can easily access gambling websites across the
world, including unsafe or unregulated websites based outside the EU (e.g. Asia
or the Caribbean).
That’s why it’s important
for Austria’s online gambling to take place in a safe and regulated
environment and this environment should be sufficiently attractive to attract
the country’s gamblers. But this task is undermined by having a monopoly
which restricts choice and pushes a significant number of players to look
elsewhere for alternatives. Monopolies don’t work online, and that’s
the reason why nearly all EU countries have now introduced multi-licensing
regulation for online gambling.[1]
Austria still has an online poker
and casino monopoly
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But in Austria, multi-licensing is
limited to sports betting. Because, unlike in most other European countries,
the Austrian Gambling Act permits only one company – a monopoly – to
offer online poker and online casino. This monopoly has been subject to
criticism in recent times and its compatibility with EU law is questionable.
With poker and casino making up 40% of the country’s online gambling
market,[2] that’s a large chunk of the market where there is no
competition or choice, leading many online poker and casino gamblers to look
beyond the monopoly for the choice they want.
To fix this, the Austrian
authorities should take inspiration from the classical orchestras which the
country is so famous for. Maintaining a monopoly for online poker or casino is
the equivalent of having the potential of a top-quality orchestra but instead
limiting it to only one cello artist who can never be replaced, even if they
aren’t good enough compared to other cello artists elsewhere. That is
exactly what an online casino or poker monopoly does: and the real loser is the
audience or consumer.
Because a full multi-licensing
system – much like GGR-based taxation, high consumer protections, and a
full suite of gambling products – is an essential instrument of the
regulatory orchestra. Individually, these instruments aren’t sufficient to
create a symphony but together, playing in concert, they can create a
regulatory masterpiece, and, in gambling’s case, this means a
well-regulated market which encourages the vast majority of Austria’s
online gambling, including casino and poker, to stay with the country’s
licensed companies.
It’s a myth that
gamblers are better protected by a monopoly.
Monopolies have often been justified
under the belief that the state is better placed to protect its gamblers. But
that’s why countries should have stringent consumer protection rules:
it’s the rules that protect the consumer, not whether there is a monopoly
or not.
For example, Finland, which is the
only EU country that still has a full online gambling monopoly, has a problem
gambling prevalence rate of 3% of its population, while Denmark has full
multi-licensing regulation and a problem gambling rate of around 0.7%.
There is no compelling evidence that
gamblers are in any way better protected by a monopoly.
Austria is still in a fortunate
position that many of the reputable companies licensed there, working on the
basis of the Freedom to Provide Services, pay a significant amount of taxes and
sustain jobs in the country and provide much-needed financial support for its
sports.
In 2019 alone, these companies paid
€123 million in gambling levies. This cannot be ignored, nor can they be
expected to endlessly contribute to the system while the Austrian government
keeps a questionable monopoly in place. If these companies leave the market,
their tax revenues, jobs and sports sponsorships will leave as well –
along with many of their loyal Austrian customers.
It’s now time for the Austrian
authorities to revisit the Gambling Act and make it consistent with the
objective to protect consumers in an increasingly digital, global and
consumer-driven marketplace which is full of choice.
The best way to achieve this is to
extend multi-licensing to all online gambling products in the country,
including poker and casino games. Nearly all other EU countries have already
done this.
The time has come for Austria to
take a step forward in its internet regulation and do the same.
[1]
Multi-licensing allows different private companies to obtain a license to offer
online gambling in a country. It is the most effective way to regulate online
gambling because it enables enough competition and choice to encourage a
country’s online gamblers to use the licensed and regulated websites in
their country, rather than those outside it.
[2] Based on the
country’s 2019 online gambling market data, H2 Gambling Capital
(2020).
SOURCE: The Austrian Association for
Betting and Gambling (OVWG).
NJ Lottery Anonymity and Prize Information
TRENTON, NJ (February 25, 2021)
– The New Jersey Lottery today presents all prizes over $1 million that
have been claimed since legislation was enacted on January 21, 2020 through the
end of 2020 to allow winners to choose to remain anonymous.
Since the law was enacted, 26
players have claimed prizes ranging from $1 million to $202 million in New
Jersey. All 26 of them chose to remain anonymous.
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The millionaire list includes
winners from the following games: three from Cash4Life; three from Pick-6;
three from Powerball; five from Jersey Cash 5; six from Mega Millions; and six
from Scratch-Offs.
Two of the Mega Millions winners won
jackpot prizes of $202 million and $124 million respectively, and a Powerball
player won a $190 million jackpot.
Players who win $599.99 or less from
the New Jersey Lottery can claim their prize at any of the Lottery’s
nearly 7,000 retailers and be paid immediately in cash. Players who win
$600.00 or more must file a claim with the Lottery. Each month, the New
Jersey Lottery receives approximately 4,000 claims.
On January 21, 2020, Governor Murphy
signed P.L. 2019, c. 402, which amended the New Jersey Lottery Law, N.J.S.A.
5:9-7b, to provide that winners could choose to remain anonymous indefinitely,
and the identity of winners shall not be included in materials available to
public inspection under the State’s Open Public Records Act.
Players claiming Lottery prizes
worth $600.00 or more must still provide their identity to Lottery officials in
order to claim a prize.
The New Jersey Lottery is still
required by law to withhold state and federal taxes from certain prizes
awarded. The New Jersey Lottery also shares the identity of winners with
other State agencies, and claims are reviewed for collection of unpaid
obligations such as child support, student loan arrearages, and back taxes.
Claim updates will be provided on a
monthly basis and can be found at www.njlottery.com. The intent of these
updates is to keep the general public aware of top-tier prize claims.
SOURCE: The New Jersey Lottery.
Betting and Gaming Council Pledges to ‘Keep Up the
Momentum’ as New Report Suggests Problem and At-Risk Gambling Rates Are
Falling
LONDON, U.K. (February 24, 2021) --
The Betting and Gaming Council has pledged to “keep up the momentum”
in its quest to raise standards after a new report suggested that problem and
at-risk gambling rates are falling.
A survey by the Gambling Commission
showed that the rate of problem gambling in 2020 was 0.3 per cent – down
from 0.6 per cent in 2019.
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Although the regulator said the fall
was not “statistically significant”, it does suggest that the
BGC’s work over the past 12 months on promoting safer gambling is having
an impact.
The study also showed that the rate
of those gamblers classed as being at ‘moderate risk’ of harm fell
from 1.2 per cent to 0.9 per cent between 2019 and 2020.
Meanwhile, the ‘low risk’
rate showed a “significant decrease” from 2.7 per cent to 2.0 per
cent over the same period.
According to the Government, the
problem gambling rate is 0.5 per cent and has been stable for the past 20
years.
The Gambling Commission study was
based on a survey of 4,007 UK adults between March and December last year.
Wes Himes, the BGC’s executive
director for standards and innovation, said: “Since being established in
2019, we have worked tirelessly to drive up standards in the regulated betting
and gaming industry and promote safer gambling.
“Our initiatives have included
encouraging deposit limits, investing more in research, education and
treatment, and introducing tough new rules on VIP schemes and game design.
“One problem gambler is one too
many, however, and we are determined to keep up the momentum in the months
ahead.
“For example, we’re
looking at how we extend filtering for online ads, and are working with online
platforms on opt outs for betting advertising.
“We look forward to engaging
with the Government’s Gambling Review to ensure a safer gambling
environment for our millions of customers.”
SOURCE: Betting and Gaming
Council.
International Game Technology PLC Reports Fourth Quarter And Full
Year 2020 Results
Fourth Quarter:
- $885 million in revenue and $96 million in
operating income from continuing operations includes highest Global Lottery
revenue and profit performance in two years
- Cash from operating activities of $255 million;
combined free cash flow of $191 million in line with prior-year level
- Net loss of $220 million, includes $155 million
non-cash foreign exchange loss; combined Adjusted EBITDA of $321 million driven
by high profit flow-through of Global Lottery same-store sales growth and
benefit from cost-saving actions
Full Year:
- 2020 revenue from continuing operations of $3.12
billion reflects resilience of Global Lottery, including double-digit
same-store sales growth in North America in the second half of the year and
growing contribution from Digital & Betting activities
- Cash from operating activities totaled $866 million
and combined free cash flow was $576 million, among the highest levels in five
years
- Reduced net debt by $71 million as reported, $433
million excluding unfavorable foreign currency impact
LONDON, March 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/
-- International Game Technology PLC ("IGT") (NYSE:IGT) today reported
financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.
Today, at 8:00 a.m. EST, management will host a conference call and webcast to
present the results; access details are provided below.
IGT (NYSE:IGT) is the global
leader in gaming.
We deliver entertaining and
responsible gaming experiences for players across all channels and regulated
segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Sports Betting and Digital.
Leveraging a wealth of compelling content, substantial investment in
innovation, player insights, operational expertise, and leading-edge
technology, our solutions deliver unrivaled gaming experiences that engage
players and drive growth.
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We have a well-established local
presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100
countries around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest
standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has approximately
11,000 employees. For more information, please visit
www.igt.com.
"The solid results we achieved for
this pandemic-impacted year have given us momentum into 2021. They are a result
of the vision, agility, and discipline of the IGT team as well as the distinct
advantages of our diverse portfolio," said Marco Sala, CEO of IGT. "We also
made important strategic progress.
The Company undertook a
comprehensive reorganization to sharpen our focus on our core competencies and
drive structural operational efficiencies.
This provides a clear path to
increasing shareholder value as we build on our leadership positions with a
stronger revenue and profit growth profile."
"We generated $866 million in cash
from operating activities during the year, among the highest level in five
years, primarily driven by resilient Global Lottery performance and rigorous
cost and invested capital controls," said Max Chiara, CFO of IGT. "Liquidity
improved more than $300 million to over $2.7 billion. As a leaner, stronger
Company, we expect leverage to return to pre-pandemic levels in the next 12-18
months."
Click here to read the report for Fourth Quarter And Full Year
2020 Results
SOURCE: International Game
Technology PLC.
The National Commission to Combat the Manipulation of Sports
Competitions and Betting Fraud Celebrates Its First Plenary Session of the
Year
SPAIN (February 26, 2021) -- On
February 24, the first meeting of the year by the Plenary of the National
Commission to combat the manipulation of sports competitions and betting fraud
(hereinafter CONFAD) took place, which has as main purpose to prevent and
combat the manipulation of sports competitions and betting fraud through
coordinated action among all its members.
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In this CONFAD session, chaired by
the General Director of Sports (CSD), Joaquín de Arístegui, the
Guide for the design and implementation of secure channels for the transmission
of information on the manipulation of sports competitions has been presented,
which seeks to provide the establishment of secure channels to which any person
can go to transmit information that could be relevant in relation to the
manipulation of sports competitions.
Likewise, the plenary session has
unanimously approved recommending to all organizations or entities that have a
relevant connection with the world of sports and sports betting, the adoption
of a channel of this type and has committed to its dissemination, especially
the CSD.
On the other hand, the
Sub-Directorate General for Inspection of the Directorate General for the
Regulation of Gambling has presented an update of the existing analysis on
fraud and criminality risks associated with the world of gambling.
Next, several members of CONFAD
(National Police, Civil Guard, Association of Spanish Footballers, La Liga, the
Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation) have
exposed, to the rest of the attendees, some of their good practices ,
fundamentally in the field of prevention, training and dissemination. Knowledge
of these practices, carried out by entities that are already working
efficiently in this field, is essential to aim, in the future, to locate points
of improvement in preventing fraud in the sector.
Finally, information was provided on
the participation of the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling in
the meetings and working groups of the Copenhagen Group.
SOURCE: Dirección General de
Ordenación del Juego.
BCLC Becomes Fifth Lottery to Launch IWG’s Jackpot-enabled
e-Instants
U.K. (March 3 2021) – Instant
Win Gaming (IWG), the leading supplier of digital e-Instant games to
NASPL/WLA-member lotteries, has strengthened its partnership with long-term
customer British Colombia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) with the delivery of its
highly successful InstantJackpots™ module.
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BCLC is now the fifth North American
lottery to launch IWG’s Jungle Tumble Jackpots, the first game available
with the supplier’s InstantJackpots technology. The lottery’s
PlayNow.com customer base now has access to the game that already has a strong
following across Atlantic Canada, as well as New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and
Virginia in the US. A growing top prize, that is well established as a popular
draw game feature, has proven to fuel excitement with a broad base of e-Instant
players.
IWG first partnered with BCLC in
2018 and is the primary vendor of e-Instant games to the lottery. This latest
game launch significantly enhances the PlayNow.com instants offering and
demonstrates IWG’s commitment to providing BCLC with fresh and engaging
content on a regular basis.
The progressive jackpot module is
completely contained within IWG’s InstantRGS™ (Remote Game Server),
allowing lotteries to launch progressive jackpot enabled games just as
seamlessly as other e-Instant titles. The supplier is set to unveil a new title
featuring the technology in Q2 2021.
Rhydian Fisher, IWG CEO, said:
“Having worked alongside BCLC since 2018, we couldn’t be happier to
launch Jungle Tumble Jackpots with the lottery and its PlayNow.com site. The
game is an important addition to what is already a strong offering.
“Our InstantJackpots technology
is our latest innovation for the e-Instant category and is resonating with
players across North America. We’re excited to bring the next wave of
games that feature the module and build further momentum in the months
ahead.”
SOURCE: Instant Win Gaming
(IWG).
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