Pollard Banknotes Productive Partnership with The Michigan
Lottery Continues with New Contract Extension
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, February 16,
2021 /CNW/ Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (Pollard
Banknote) is pleased to announce that it has been granted a one-year
extension to its instant ticket games and related services contract by the
Michigan Lottery (Lottery). Under this agreement Pollard Banknote
will continue to supply the Lottery with outstanding games and strategic
support through December 31, 2021.
Pollard Banknote has worked closely
with the Lottery for 25 years, offering strategic insights and recommendations
across a broad range of lottery products and services, including innovative
games, retail initiatives, and digital engagement. Over the course of the
current contract, which began on January 1, 2017, Pollard Banknote has printed
many of the Lotterys instant games. In addition to providing instant
tickets and related services, Pollard Banknote, together with its family of
companies, supplies the Lottery with ticket dispensing systems, digital games,
pull-tabs tickets and pull-tabs vending machines, and its award-winning
iLottery program.
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The Lottery has achieved exceptional
sales results since the start of the current agreement, including a 25%
increase in instant sales from FY 2017 to FY 2019, which is more than double
the rate of average growth among U.S. lotteries (11 %) over the same period. In
addition, the Lottery has earned consistent year-over-year instant sales growth
in the double-digits for the past seven years.
Over the years, Pollard Banknote has
helped the Lottery strengthen and complement its core games category with novel
play concepts, innovative printing methods, and digital game apps. For example,
5X Cashword, launched in February 2020, delighted players with a brand-new play
style and app-based second chance promotion, resulting in 10-week sales that
were 47 % higher than average sales for the Lotterys other $5 crossword
games since 2017.
Pollard Banknote also has played a
role in the incredible 49% sales growth of the Lotterys higher
price point ($20+) category from FY 2017 to FY 2019. Strong recent contributors
to this category were $50,000,000 Cash Blowout and Millionaire Wild Time, both
of which represented the inaugural $20 launch of a popular brand. Millionaire
Wild Time, which launched alongside the Lotterys redesigned Wild Time
app, contributed to a 12 % increase in $20 sales based on a comparison of sales
10 weeks before and after its launch.
We are proud of the strong
relationship weve cultivated with the Michigan Lottery, based on a shared
vision for success focused on outstanding games, retail excellence, and digital
innovation, said Donna Preziotti, Director, Sales & Marketing,
Pollard Banknote. This contract extension demonstrates the productive
nature of our collaborative partnership and we look forward to helping the
Lottery continue to deliver outstanding lottery experiences to its
players.
We strive to offer Michigan
players innovative and engaging products. Pollard Banknote routinely brings
exciting and innovative instant ticket games and strategies to the table. Many
of those games are manufactured in Pollard Banknotes Michigan facility by
Michiganders, having a positive economic impact on the state, said Glenn
Strong, Deputy Commissioner of Games and Marketing, Michigan Lottery. Our
partnership with Pollard Banknote has helped us achieve consistent,
record-breaking growth over the past four years and maximize our contributions
to the School Aid Fund.
About Pollard Banknote
Pollard Banknote is a leading
lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide, providing high quality
instant ticket products, licensed games, Schafer Systems and Fastrak retail
merchandising solutions, and a full suite of digital offerings, ranging from
world-class mkodo game apps to comprehensive player engagement and iLottery
solutions, including strategic marketing and management services. The company
is a proven innovator and has decades of experience helping lotteries to
maximize player engagement, sales, and proceeds for good causes. Pollard
Banknote also provides pull-tab tickets, bingo paper, and its Diamond Game and
Compliant Gaming electronic games and devices to charitable and other gaming
markets in North America. Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned
approximately 66.7% by the Pollard family and 33.3% by public shareholders, and
is publicly traded on the TSX (PBL). For more information, please visit our
website at www.pollardbanknote.com.
CONTACT:
Doug Pollard,
Co-Chief Executive
Officer,
Telephone: (204) 474-2323
E-mail: dpollard@pbl.ca
|
John Pollard,
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: (204) 474-2323
E-mail: jpollard@pbl.ca
|
Rob Rose,
Chief Financial Officer,
Telephone: (204) 474-2323
E-mail: rrose@pbl.ca |
SOURCE: Pollard Banknote
Limited.
IGT Extends Agreement with Global Payments to Provide Players with
Digital Access to Funds for Cashless Wagering
Seamless integration with
IGTPay funding gateway offers players secure access to bank accounts for
online, mobile, and land-based cashless gaming
LONDON, U.K. (February 16, 2021)
International Game Technology PLC (IGT) (NYSE: IGT) announced that its
subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation (IGT), has extended
its agreement with supplier Global Payments Gaming Solutions (Global
Payments) to continue enabling guaranteed Automated Clearing House (ACH)
bank funds transfers through seamless integration with IGTs proprietary
IGTPay payment gateway. The agreement extends IGTs previous
agreement with Global Payments to a minimum term of five years.
Once a player registers with Global
Payments VIP Preferred® service via IGTPay, they can transfer funds
digitally between their bank account and Cashless Wagering Account in a single
step, without having to enter their information for each transaction.
Our solutions drive
industry-leading gaming experiences, said Christopher Justice, president,
Global Payments Gaming Solutions. This agreement enables IGT to access
our VIP Preferred network, the industrys premier way to provide gaming
patrons easy and convenient access to funding via bank accounts, providing a
seamless and frictionless way to access cash for gaming. More than 3.5 million
patrons rely on Global Payments VIP Preferred for simple, secure, and
responsible play.
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Players are more likely to
embrace cashless technology when the experience is simple, convenient, and
offers a wide range of funding sources, including direct, secure access to
their bank accounts, said Ryan Reddy, IGT Vice President, VLT, Systems
and Payments Products. As cashless adoption continues to grow in the
gaming industry, were proud to offer Global Payments trusted and
proven service to our customers and their patrons as an integrated feature of
our proprietary IGTPay funding gateway.
Global Payments, which processes
approximately $5 billion in transactions each year, provides IGT with one of
four types of funding sources available to players through the IGTPay gateway.
In addition to bank account access, players can also access credit card, debit
card, and eWallet accounts to fund their Cashless Wagering Accounts. The IGTPay
solution can include support from IGTs experienced Payments team, which
provides all aspects of payment-related services.
IGTs relationship with Global
Payments began in 2016 as a digital funding transfer method for IGTs
iLottery product offering. The relationship expanded in 2018 through its
integration with the IGTPay online payment gateway for its digital PlayLottery
offering and has since expanded across IGTs digital verticals. It is now
also available for land-based cashless gaming through IGTs turnkey Resort
Wallet product suite, part of the IGT ADVANTAGE® casino management
system product family.
IGTs Resort Wallet solution
offers two flexible variations of IGTs cashless offering for land-based
casinos: cardless and carded. The players PIN-protected Cashless Wagering
Account can fund both variations either digitally through bank accounts, credit
cards, debit cards, and eWallets via IGTPay, or through cash deposits at the
casino cashier, kiosks and slot machines.
With Resort Wallet cardless
cashless, players use a mobile app to access their Cashless Wagering Account,
tap their smartphone on a slot machine to card in, and transfer funds
electronically to the game. For carded cashless, players use a loyalty club
card to access their Cashless Wagering Account, insert their card into a slot
machine, and transfer the funds into the game. Funds in the Cashless Wagering
Account are securely maintained for the next play session or property visit,
and players can also transfer funds between slot machines onsite, as well as
between a casinos other properties.
For more information, visit
igt.com/cashless. Follow IGT on Facebook at facebook.com/IGT, follow us on
Twitter at twitter.com/IGTnews, or watch IGT videos on YouTube at
youtube.com/igt.
SOURCE: International Game
Technology PLC (IGT).
EL Congress & Trade Show 2021 Postponed - Looking
Forward to 2023
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (February 11,
2021) -- Due to the ongoing global health crisis and the unprecedented
situation, the impact on this years Congress and Trade show remains
unpredictable. With this in mind, the EL Executive Committee has decided to
follow the difficult but wise decision to postpone the 11th edition to
2023.
Since the start of the COVID-19
pandemic, EL has continued to adapt it work to serve its members from
digital working group meetings and webinars to a new e-learning platform and a
virtual Corporate University.
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Although the decision to postpone
the 2021 Congress was a hard one, EL looks forward to continuing its work with
the Croatian Lottery as the 2023 host.
On behalf of the
President, Executive Committee and EL team, I would like to thank the Croatian
Lottery and project team for their dedication, continuous openness, and
realistic approach over the past months. Cancelling this years Congress
and Trade show was not an easy decision but we are safe in the knowledge that
we are not taking any unnecessary risks. I am optimistic that we will have a
fantastic event together in 2023.
Arjan van t veer, Secretary
General, EL
The original theme of the
Congress Looking Forward is more relevant as ever as we look
towards a slow but none the less, a road to recovery, and the moment when we
can welcome you all to sunny Sibenik in 2023. Over the coming months and years,
we will seek to take stock of the most valuable lessons learned from the
pandemic and look forward to sharing our ideas and experiences together in
person.
Mario Musa, CEO, Croatian
Lottery.
This years EL General Assembly
(for EL Members only) will take place in a simpler format than usual, with a
short introductory programme including some interesting keynotes planned for
the original 2021 Congress.
SOURCE: The European Lotteries.
INTRALOT Announces the Sale of its Stake in Intralot de Peru and the
Extension of its Gaming Technology Contract
ATHENS, Greece (February 8, 2021) --
INTRALOT announces that it has reached a binding agreement with Nexus Group in
Peru to sell its entire stake of 20% in Intralot de Peru SA, an associate of
INTRALOT Group, which is consolidated through the Equity method, for a cash
consideration of US$21million (twenty-one million US$).
In addition, the Company has signed
a three-year extension of its current contract with Intralot de Peru SA through
2024, to continue to provide its gaming technology and support services.
Closing of this transaction is
subject to the completion of certain condition precedents standard for this
kind of transactions.
The Company will follow-up with
further announcements on the definite shares transfer and possible timing of
cash inflow, as required by regulation.
SOURCE: INTRALOT.
La Française des Jeux 2020 Results Preserved Despite the
Impact of the Health Crisis
- The good activity of the second half (stakes + 3%)
allowed to limit the annual decline in stakes (-7%, to 16 billion euros) and
turnover (-6%, to 1.9 billion euros). euros).
- Strategic investment in the digitalization of the
offer has accelerated the growth of digital bids, to nearly 10% of the Group's
bids.
- EBITDA [1] of 427 million euros, maintained at 2019
level thanks in particular to a savings plan of over 80 million euros, and net
income of 214 million euros.
- A strong, responsive and united Group.
BOULOGNE, France (February 12, 2021)
- La Française des Jeux (FDJ), the leading gambling operator in France,
publishes its 2020 results.
For Stéphane Pallez , CEO of
the FDJ group: 2020 has been an unprecedented and contrasting year,
during which FDJ has shown resilience and solidarity.
The health crisis had a strong
impact on our business, particularly in the first half of the year. But the
good recovery recorded in the second half of the year, combined with the
Group's responsiveness and the relevance of its digital strategy, have enabled
us to preserve our performance and our annual results.
I would like to thank the Group's
employees for their mobilization, and to renew our support for our network of
points of sale, some of which have been severely affected.
At the start of 2021, even if
uncertainties persist, FDJ remains confident in its prospects for sustainable
growth, in line with its raison d'être. "
In this document, the 2019 data are
restated, net of tax, of the new fiscal and regulatory framework effective
since early 2020, the impact of exceptional long lottery cycles, of Sporting
Group in a full year, as well as charges related to the privatization of the
Group.
Quarterly and half-yearly variations
are not restated for exceptional long lottery cycles in 2019.
In fiscal year 2020
After the significant impact of the
health crisis on stakes in the first half, which fell by -18%, the gradual
recovery observed during the summer was confirmed throughout the second half of
the year, with stakes up + 3%. Over the year, FDJ recorded bets of 16 billion
euros, down -7% compared to 2019.
- Loto and Euromillions are showing their resistance,
with an increase in stakes of + 6%, to 3.2 billion euros. Amigo, strongly
affected, in particular by his stop during the first confinement, fell by more
than 30%. The stakes of instant games, down -6% to 7.7 billion euros, are also
affected by the impact of the health crisis on point-of-sale traffic. In total,
the lottery stakes are down -6%, to 12.7 billion euros.
- Sports betting limited their decline over the year
to -10%, to 3.2 billion euros, thanks to growth of + 20% in the second half of
the year compared to the second half of 2019, after a decline of nearly -40 %
in the first half.
- Stakes in the network of points of sale were stable
in the second half of the year, after falling by more than -20% in the first
half. FDJ has accompanied and supported its distribution network, which is
maintained at nearly 30,000 points of sale.
- Digital stakes continued to grow strongly, with new
annual growth of nearly + 40%, driven by the digital lottery, up more than +
60% to more than 1.1 billion.
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Turnover fell by -6% to 1,920
million euros.
EBITDA came to 427 million euros,
representing an EBITDA margin on sales of 22.2%.
- EBITDA was preserved, in particular thanks to the
implementation of a savings plan of more than 80 million euros.
Net income came to 214 million
euros.
- It should be compared with 2019 net income of 202
million euros restated, net of tax, for the new fiscal and regulatory framework
effective since early 2020, the impact of exceptional long lottery cycles, of
Sporting Group in a full year, as well as expenses related to the privatization
of the Group.
- At the end of 2020, the Group strengthened its
financial strength, thanks to a conversion rate of EBITDA into cash maintained
at over 80%, with available cash exceeding 1 billion.
FDJ's board of directors will
propose to the general meeting of June 16, 2021 a dividend of 80% of
consolidated net income, as the Group committed to when it was floated on the
stock market. The dividend of 0.90 euros per share will be paid on June 23,
2021.
- Lottery: stable contribution margin and
33.6% margin rate.
- Drawing games: Loto and Euromillions stakes
+ 6%.
- Instant games: decrease in stakes of
-6%.
- Sports betting: stability of the
contribution margin; margin rate of 27.7%
Click here to read/download the complete 2020 results (in
French & English).
SOURCE: La Française des
Jeux.
Arkansas Lottery Sales Set New Record
Strong Results Help
Increase Scholarship Net Proceeds
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (February 12,
2021) January sales for the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery set a new
monthly record with $62,935,697, which means increased net proceeds for
scholarships.
During the first seven months of
Fiscal Year 2021, more than $57.6 million has been raised for scholarships,
with $10.9 million of that occurring in January, which is the third highest in
lottery history. Since 2009, the lottery has helped fund more than 600,000
scholarships with more than $1 billion in net proceeds.
We are on track to reach or
exceed our FY21 net proceeds goal of $78.2 million, said ASL Director J.
Eric Hagler.
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Under the leadership of
Governor Hutchinson and the Department of Finance and Administration and along
with our staff, we have worked hard to continue to operate as lean as possible
and have been maximizing every opportunity to enhance proceeds responsibly,
which is our mission.
Last month instant (scratch-off)
ticket sales were $42,637,196 the second highest monthly sales in
Arkansas Lottery history. Cash 3 sales in January were also the second highest
monthly total of $976,581.
Sales for Cash 4 and Fast Play games
recorded in January were the highest for one month in Arkansas history at
$553,234 and $2,059,297, respectively.
Since 2009, the lottery has awarded
more than $3.5 billion in prizes to players, about $302 million in commissions
to retailers and more than $141 million in state and federal tax revenue.
To read the entire financial report
presented to the Arkansas Legislative Council Lottery Oversight Subcommittee
today, visit MyArkansasLottery.com and click on January 2021 Monthly
Disclosure Reports under LOC Reports. Link to Reports Page
Here
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, about $302 million in retailer commissions and 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: Arkansas Scholarship
Lottery.
QTech Games Launches Industry-First Network Progressive Jackpot
Feature
Leading distributor
cements its status across emerging markets with new cross-supplier rewards
feature, showcasing latest acquisition and retention toolbox
CURAÇAO (February 11, 2021) -
QTech Games, the leading games distributor for Asia and all emerging markets,
has rolled out Network Progressive Jackpot, an industry-first rewards feature
now on offer across allocated products from a host of renowned slot
developers.
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The new feature is currently
available with dedicated jackpot games from Blueprint Gaming, as QTech Games
continues to attract participating brands from both new and existing eligible
clients, always with the combined goal of optimizing premium content for
localised distribution.
Network Progressive Jackpot already
harnesses 28 dedicated jackpot games from Blueprint Gaming for ground-breaking
service, including Grand (Jackpot King), Major (Regal) and Mini (Royal)
progressive pots, which run off Blueprints signature Jackpot King Deluxe
system.
The inherent ability of jackpots to
drive acquisition and retention is firmly proven across worldwide markets.
However, this breakthrough innovation now allies QTechs pioneering
platform and machine-learning software to a supplier-by-supplier suite of
progressive products which deliver credible winning triggers. All of which
assists in building authenticity, trust and digital dwell-time with the end
user.
These progressive jackpots are
amassed by players contributions, whereby a small percentage of every
qualifying bet contributes towards the mounting prize pool. Furthermore,
Network Progressive Jackpots are shared among several eligible casinos to
ensure the jaw-dropping payouts that appeal to myriad players.
This game-changing, networked move
from QTech Games also opens up added possibilities for both established and
up-and-coming operators who can benefit from this pooled structure to pull up a
chair at the progressive-jackpot table without the need for bottomless
liquidity.
Intuitive back-office functionality
and reporting also allows partners to accurately unpack all jackpot details
pertaining to contributions and payout values, while QTechs unique API
lets managers effortlessly retrieve any jackpot ID, game or prize-pool info,
alongside real-time balances in any given currency.
Ulf Norder, CCO at QTech Games,
said: Were delighted to confirm that our new Network Progressive
Jackpot feature is really turning players heads and keeping them coming
back for repeat visits on a highly-playable portfolio of dedicated titles from
a range of popular suppliers.
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Operators large and small understand
that progressive jackpots are one of the most effective marketing tools around,
and now QTechs unique progressives are taking the notional
risk and administration out of jackpot provision.
QTech Games is already the
leader in Asia, while other key growth territories are following suit as well.
Our propriety technology means were the only aggregator which is not just
showcasing fantastic games but also adding engaging features (such as our
AI-powered recommendation engine, alongside other Tournament and Jackpot
elements) to confirm QTechs breakthrough position in the marketplace.
Network Progressive Jackpots represent just part of an innovative rewards tide
that is helping to lift all boats.
Aside from being the premier
platform for emerging markets, QTech Games is now so much more than just a
leading platform, adding value and driving business at every consequential
juncture.
So, were delighted to open up
some of the fastest-growing and scalable jackpot games on the market to players
across multiple developing regions.
QTechs ever-expanding
reach, from Asia and Eastern Europe to LatAm, is taking engaging games to
players in increasingly diverse markets, whilst this pooled cumulative-jackpot
system will reliably boost acquisition and activity numbers for a wide variety
of operators.
SOURCE: QTech Games press
release.
Christina Kilström new Head of Sales and Marketing at Svenska
Spel Tur - with responsibility for brands such as Triss, Lotto, Eurojackpot and
Keno
VISBY, Sweden (February 15, 2021) --
Christina Kilström will be the new head of sales and marketing at Svenska
Spel Tur with responsibility for number games and lotteries, which means brands
such as Triss, Lotto, Eurojackpot and Keno.
She most recently came from a
position as Marketing and Communications Director for the Stockholm Fair. She
took up her new position at Svenska Spel Tur on 1 February 2021.
I am very happy to welcome
Christina Kilström to the dream factory Svenska Spel Tur.
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Her experience in customer
experience, digital development, sales and brands from Coca-Cola, ebay,
Vattenfall and most recently the Stockholm Fair will be a great asset.
It is an exciting time where strong
brands and the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing world and new customer
habits are more important than ever.
I also look forward to Christina
with her background in digital transformation to contribute with an agile and
inclusive leadership, says Anna Romboli, Business Area Manager Svenska
Spel Tur.
Svenska Spel is a very
exciting company and an inspiring and fun workplace.
With a strong position in the gaming
market where last year we had a record year in terms of the number of million
winnings to customers, our connection to sports, solid gaming responsibility
and strong brands such as Triss and Lotto, we realize both small and big
dreams, says Christina Kilström, Head of Sales and Marketing Swedish Games
Tour.
I really look forward to
working with my talented employees to lead and develop the gaming experience of
the future in a sustainable way, not least now at a stage where the outside
world and customer movements place demands on both our sales and marketing.
"It will be enormously exciting and
fun, says Christina Kilström.
SOURCE: Svenska Spel.
IGT Drives Evolution of Lottery in Mexico through Extension of
Full-Service Contract with LOTENAL
Facilities management
extension includes ongoing delivery of draw-based and instant tickets system,
lottery terminals, and associated services
LONDON, Feb. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/
-- International Game Technology PLC (IGT) (NYSE: IGT) announced that its
subsidiary, IGT México Lottery, S. de R.L. de C.V. ("IGT"), has extended
its agreement with La Lotería Nacional para la Asistencia Pública
("LOTENAL"), Mexico's national lottery, to continue providing an integrated
draw-based/instant ticket system, draw-based lottery terminals, a
communications network, and additional lottery products and ongoing services.
The agreement, effective Dec. 20, 2020, extends IGT's contract with the lottery
to March 2, 2022.
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.
"For the Lotería Nacional,
the extension of the contract with IGT contributes to the certainty and
security that we offer to our clients in a year of great challenges for all of
us, which has also been a year of transition and internal transformation," said
Mario Caballero Luna, LOTENAL Chief of Advisors.
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"For more than three decades, IGT
has provided our Lottery customer in Mexico with the expertise, technology, and
services it has needed to generate results, which ultimately benefit social and
health programs," said Jay Gendron, IGT Chief Operating Officer, Lottery. "As
LOTENAL navigates this transformational period, IGT's innovative, reliable, and
proven technology will continue to be a key driver of its evolution."
IGT's ongoing services to LOTENAL
include lottery game transactions and instant ticket distribution across 8,200
terminals nationwide. It also includes continuous development of new B2B retail
channels; installation, repair, maintenance and monitoring of its total base of
lottery terminals; retailer training; field service; call center operations and
hotline management; a fixed-odds sports betting retail network; and marketing
support to further enhance LOTENAL's overall product and game portfolio.
In 2019, LOTENAL merged with
Mexico's Pronósticos para la Asistencia Pública lottery, and the
combined new organization retained the LOTENAL name.
For more information, visit igt.com.
Follow IGT on Facebook at facebook.com/IGT, on Twitter at twitter.com/IGTnews,
or watch IGT videos on YouTube at youtube.com/igt.
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
Rhonda Whittaker, Global
Communications, +1 (506) 878-6471
SOURCE: International Game
Technology PLC.
Boyd Gaming and Aristocrat Technologies Announce BoydPay Digital
Wallet
LAS VEGAS, NV (February 15, 2021) --
Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) and Aristocrat Technologies today announced
the launch of "BoydPay," Boyd Gaming's new digital wallet product.
Through BoydPay, Boyd Gaming
customers will have the ability to create a cashless digital wallet that can be
conveniently linked to third-party funding sources driven by Sightline
Payments.
BoydPay is now live at Blue Chip
Casino Resort Spa in Michigan City, Indiana, Belterra Park in Cincinnati, Ohio,
and in field trial at Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa in North Las Vegas,
Nevada.
During its initial phase, the
BoydPay digital wallet is linked to a player's B Connected card (Boyd Gaming's
player loyalty program) and used to play or cash out on slot titles, also in
partnership with Aristocrat. Pending regulatory approvals, Boyd Gaming
anticipates deploying this product at all of its casino properties nationwide
by this summer.
During future phases, and pending
regulatory approval, Boyd Gaming will utilize Aristocrat technology to link the
BoydPay wallet to its B Connected Mobile app, creating a contactless experience
that will allow customers to use their smartphones to play and cash out on
casino games and pay for amenities throughout the property.
"BoydPay is all about enhancing the
guest experience," said Blake Rampmaier, Senior Vice President and Chief
Information Officer for Boyd Gaming. "Through our innovative partnership with
Aristocrat, we will create a unique and seamless payment experience for Boyd
Gaming customers, allowing them to use their smartphones to play casino games,
cash out, and pay for restaurant meals, show tickets or hotel rooms. By
going cashless, our customers will be able to avoid the wait times and
inconveniences associated with using cash and focus on enjoying their visit to
our properties."
"BoydPay is the latest product of
our partnership with Boyd and the foundation of a memorable customer journey,"
said Cath Burns, Executive Vice President of Customer Experience Solutions for
Aristocrat. "We have the industry's best people making the most innovative
products that enhance the guest experience."
CONTACT: Paul Speirs-Hernandez,
Aristocrat Gaming, E paul@steinbeckcommunications.com.
SOURCE: Boyd Gaming Corporation.
Svenska Spel New Main Sponsor of the Swedish Ski
Association
VISBY, Sweden (February 15, 2021) --
Svenska Spel is the new main sponsor of the Swedish Ski Association. The
agreement will take effect on 1 July.
Svenska Spel and the Swedish Ski
Association sign a new agreement. From the 1 July 2021, Swedish Games new main
sponsor of the Swedish Ski Association. The five-year agreement includes, among
other things, a continued investment in young talent and is worth just over SEK
125 million.
Svenska Spel has a long-term
and large commitment to Swedish sports. Therefore, it feels very good to
continue the collaboration that makes it possible to strengthen the Swedish Ski
Association's all ten branches. In Svenska Spel, we have a partner who will do
everything to create the right conditions for our active members, says
Ola Strömberg, federal director of the Swedish Ski Association.
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The new agreement enables continued
investment in young talent. The plan is to create development national teams,
so-called Team Svenska Spel, where money is earmarked to create the best
possible opportunities for training and development. In addition, both Svenska
Spel and the Swedish Ski Association agree to continue working for an equal
sport and to get more people moving.
We are happy and proud to
collaborate with the Swedish Ski Association. Skiing and snowboarding are
popular and stand for many positive values. Here we find many of our most
beloved national teams and athletes. As the country's largest sports sponsor
from grassroots to elite, we want to be involved and contribute to our national
team skiers continuing to be successful and enable young talents to
develop, says Patrik Hofbauer, President and CEO of Svenska Spel.
It is gratifying to be able to
expand the collaboration with Svenska Spel, after getting to know each other
for two years. We know that Svenska Spel works hard to get more children and
young people moving and on snow, and that is exactly what we and our activists
are also passionate about. With a strong partner, we get an even better
opportunity to reach out and inspire more people to experience real snow
joy, says Karin Mattsson, chairman of the Swedish Ski Association.
On July 1, 2019, Svenska Spel joined
as a presenting partner for the Swedish cross-country national team. That
agreement now expires and is replaced by a new main sponsorship agreement that
applies from 1 July this year to 30 June 2026. The Swedish Ski Association
includes the disciplines alpine, ski jumping, cross-country skiing, freeski,
hump, roller skis, skicross, snowboard, speedski and telemark.
All forms of skiing are
appreciated sports in Sweden and therefore we are extra happy about this
collaboration. Through the agreement, we can participate and contribute to all
branches of Swedish skiing and snowboarding continue to develop, says Erik
Strand , Chairman of the Board of Svenska Spel.
SOURCE: Svenska Spel.
NeoPollard Interactive iLottery Network Scales to $2 Billion in
FY2020
LANSING, Michigan, February 17,
2021 NeoPollard Interactive LLC (NeoPollard Interactive or
NPi), jointly owned by Pollard Banknote Limited (Pollard
Banknote; TSX: PBL) and NeoGames S.A. (Nasdaq: NGMS), congratulates its
customer network on exceptional Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) results.
NPi's iLottery partners, including the Michigan, Virginia, New Hampshire, and
North Carolina Education Lotteries, achieved topline sales totaling a
collective $2 billion. Just as impressive as this milestone achievement is the
fact that these lotteries grew topline sales by a remarkable 89% from the
previous fiscal year. FY20 is defined as the twelve-month period ending June
30, 2020 for each state except Michigan, which concluded FY20 on September 30,
2020; all four lotteries have continued to achieve significant growth in the
current fiscal year.
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Across NPis U.S. customer
network, all iLottery programs experienced significant growth over FY19. The
Michigan Lottery achieved a total sales increase of 86% and since launch, have
contributed over half a billion dollars before operating expenses to the
Michigan School Aid Fund. The Virginia Lottery saw 29% growth in FY20
eSubscription sales. FY20 marked the New Hampshire Lotterys first full
fiscal year of iLottery operations, recording over 142% growth in sales in
support of funds for education in New Hampshire. North Carolinas program,
which NPi converted from the Lotterys previous program that enabled the
sale of draw games online, was live for only eight months in FY20 and surpassed
topline sales from the entire prior fiscal year by 57%.
Since its inception, NPi has
been dedicated to delivering the most entertaining, engaging, and profitable
iLottery programs to our customers, said Liz Siver, General Manager,
NeoPollard Interactive. Covid-19 has highlighted the importance for
lotteries to diversify their sales channels. At NPi our mission is to enable
lotteries to generate revenue through online channels and FY20 proved the
significance of this channel to grow our customers overall lottery sales
performance. We are proud that our industry-leading products and services have
helped our iLottery partners continue to drive sales, engage with players, and
maximize revenue for the many good causes they support.
NPis focused approach and
operational expertise have made the company the partner of choice for lotteries
looking to expand the way they interact with players through digital channels
and engaging, revenue driving games. NPis iLottery partners consistently
experience significant year-over-year incremental revenue increases through the
online channel, while simultaneously driving growth at retail. In fact, NPi
customers with a full iLottery offering have seen significant growth in retail
instant sales after launching iLottery programs. The Michigan Lottery has seen
150% growth in retail instant sales since Fiscal Year 2013. In New Hampshire,
the Lotterys retail instant category has grown by 21% since Fiscal Year
2018.
About NeoPollard Interactive
Born in the digital domain,
NeoPollard Interactive LLC (NPi) is an award-winning supplier of
best-in-class iLottery solutions to the North American lottery market. Serving
the largest share of U.S. lotteries that currently sell online, NPi helped
pioneer the successful introduction of iLottery in the U.S. and, is North
Americas proven partner of choice to enable regulated lotteries to design
and deploy complex gaming solutions in support of generating incremental
revenue for good causes through the online channel. NPi offers cutting-edge
technology, a full suite of managed services, and the industrys top
performing game content, as part of its innovative and comprehensive approach
to partnering for iLottery success. Jointly owned by Pollard Banknote Limited
(TSX: PBL) and NeoGames S.A. (Nasdaq: NGMS)both globally recognized
industry leadersNPi powers the most profitable iLottery programs. Visit
us at www.neopollard.com.
For More Information About
Neopollard Interactive, CONTACT:
Liz Siver
General Manager
E-mail: liz.siver@neopollard.com
About Pollard Banknote
Pollard Banknote is a leading
lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide, providing high quality
instant ticket products, licensed games, Schafer Systems and Fastrak retail
merchandising solutions, and a full suite of digital offerings, ranging from
world-class mkodo game apps to comprehensive player engagement and iLottery
solutions, including strategic marketing and management services. The company
is a proven innovator and has decades of experience helping lotteries to
maximize player engagement, sales, and proceeds for good causes. Pollard
Banknote also provides pull-tab tickets, bingo paper, and its Diamond Game and
Compliant Gaming electronic games and devices to charitable and other gaming
markets in North America. Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned
approximately 66.7% by the Pollard family and 33.3% by public shareholders, and
is publicly traded on the TSX (PBL). For more information, please visit our
website at www.pollardbanknote.com.
For More Information About Pollard
Banknote, CONTACT:
Doug Pollard
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: 204-474-2323
E-mail: doug.pollard@neopollard.com
About NeoGames
NeoGames (Nasdaq: NGMS) is a
technology-driven innovator and a global provider of iLottery solutions for
national and state-regulated lotteries. NeoGames full-service solution
combines proprietary technology platforms with the experience and expertise
required for successful iLottery operations. NeoGames pioneering game
studio encompasses an extensive portfolio of engaging online lottery games that
deliver an entertaining player experience. As a trusted partner to lotteries
worldwide, the company works with its customers to maximize their success,
offering a comprehensive solution that empowers them to deliver enjoyable and
profitable iLottery programs to their players, generate more revenue, and
direct proceeds to good causes. For more information visit
www.neogames.com.
For More Information About Neogames,
CONTACT:
Moti Malul
Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: ir@neogames.com
SOURCE: NeoPollard Interactive.
V1 Group Leads the Trillion-Yuan Sports Industry in
China
Sports platform in Hainan
and green channel in Beijing secure Drives the goal of becoming the most
bullish stock for the Year of the Bull.
HONG KONG, Feb. 10, 2021 -- V1 Group
Limited, ("V1 Group" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the
"Group"; stock code: 00082.HK) announces that the Group's business
reorganization has completed. Its new members of the Board of Directors had
undergone a smooth transition in early January. The Group is now concentrating
its resources on developing sports lottery information services and offline
lottery retail terminal business for Crazy Sports in pursuit of its goal of
becoming the largest sports lottery and entertainment community operator in
China. It aspires to become the most bullish stock in the Year of the Bull!
Since initiating its business
restructuring, the Group has been accomplishing one major milestone development
after another. At the beginning of 2021 Crazy Sports secured an approval from
authorities to establish in Hainan a sports tournament platform and reward
points system, through which quiz games on major sports events are conducted
and winners will receive reward points to be redeemed into goods and services
to stimulate tourism consumption in Hainan.
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Crazy Sports later secured official
authorization from Fédération International de Footballeurs
Professionels (FIFPro) to launch a soccer E-sports mobile game "Ace Soccer"
featuring renowned international star soccer players from 54 countries and
leagues, and names and portraits of professional players, attracting
reservations from more than 1 million users. With the IP official authorization
for China Super League secured earlier, Crazy Sports leveraged edges from the
sport tournament platform in Hainan and launched a "Dream Super League" game
under the "Fantasy" football game community. These are populating into a
collection of excellent sports games in football, basketball, tennis, bowling,
motor racing, etc., contributing to nurturing of Crazy Sports' leadership in
feature sports IPs, core fan base and sports channel interconnectivity and
global sports game development support system.
By end-January, Crazy Sports reached
strategic cooperation with Lakala (Beijing) E-Billing Technology & Service
Co., Ltd. ("E-Billing"). In the next three years, E-Billing will become a
cooperation partner of Crazy Sports' sports lottery sales business, accelerates
landing of Crazy Sports' new lottery retail business on brick-and-mortar retail
points of sales, but also provides more convenient and intelligent lottery
purchase services for the large lottery user base in China. Boosting Crazy
Sport's reach to more than tens of thousands retail outlets, installation of
sports lottery terminals will gather pace in convenience stores in different
provinces and cities to offer lottery players more convenient access to the
services.
In early February, Crazy Sports
participated in the signing of the "two districts" under Beijing Economic and
Technological Development Zone and thereby becomes a key enterprise introduced
to the science and culture integration project segment of the "two districts"
(namely "Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone National Service
Industry Expansion and Opening Comprehensive Demonstration Zone" and "China
(Beijing) Free Trade High-End Industrial Pilot Zone"). It is eligible for
special financial support and green channel treatment for game version number
registration from the Beijing Economic Development Zone's technological
innovation research, key equipment research and development, and high-end
talent introduction. This accomplishment injects momentum into further
development of Crazy Sports' businesses.
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Crazy Sports has developed a sports
community and lottery business ecosystem that comprises Crazy Red Insights APP
and Crazy Sports APP online and that integrate streaming dataflows and data
sources to constitute an online content entertainment platform spanning the
three major areas of sports, games, and lottery, serving a base of more than
200 million users. For offline presence, on the foundation of traditional
specialty retail outlets, Crazy Sports continues to expand its network of chain
convenience stores bundling terminal installation in pursuit of asset-light
operation. The goal is to reach more younger lottery players and establish a
closed loop of online sports lottery and entertainment services.
The Group will continue to
accelerate the establishment of its nationwide network of sports lottery retail
outlets; strengthen its leading position in paid content; leverage its core
platform edges to develop new online games; invest in technology and data
capabilities; implement marketing strategies to increase the brand awareness of
Crazy Sports; and cross-selling between online and offline sports community
lottery e-commerce ecosystems to improve cash conversion. Combining with big
data accumulation of the Group's sports lottery entertainment community, Crazy
Sports is set to secure a leading position in the trillion-yuan sports l market
in China, with robust profitability for 2021. It is set to become the most
bullish stock in the Year of the Bull!
The renaming of the Group as Crazy
Sports Group Limited is expected to be approved in a forthcoming shareholder
meeting in May, setting a strong note for its businesses and profitability to
escalate to the next level in the years of major international sports events in
2021 and 2022.
SOURCE: V1 Group.

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