Industry News

“We’re the innovation tool of state government,” said Terry Rich, CEO, Iowa Lottery, who has spent most of his career leading private, entrepreneurial and non-profit businesses, where he has consistently improved revenues and balanced budgets.

The new state law is effective immediately. The state Lottery Division is discussing how to move Saratoga Gaming and Raceway to 8 a.m.-4 a.m. operation year-round. The hours likely will change in a few weeks after talks with machine vendors and a review of staffing is done, Lottery spokeswoman Jennifer Givner said. "We are in favor of the extra hours," Givner said. "We think it allows our racinos to be more competitive."

Tabcorp has asked the Government to sell it licences to unused machines which could be relocated to the casinos. This avoids any attempt to increase the number of machines the Government has allowed under its cap.  Tabcorp chief executive Elmer Funke Kupper said the company understood the "sensitivities" around poker machines, hence its attempt to buy existing machines.  "

“We launch many new games and promotions in a continuing effort to keep our games fresh and entertaining for players,” said Georgia Lottery Corp. President and CEO Margaret DeFrancisco. “Adding Georgia FIVE is an exciting opportunity to provide our players with more chances to win and to yield new revenue for lottery-funded HOPE Scholarships and Pre-K.”

“This State Lottery has a longstanding commitment to promoting responsible play and discouraging underage gambling of any kind,” said Acting Executive Director Carole Hedinger.  “We have an active partnership with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey and look forward to working with them for years to come on a myriad of responsible gaming outreach efforts.”

“Our goal and mission continue to be the positive impact we can have on education and, therefore, on the citizens of South Carolina,” said SCEL Executive Director Paula Harper Bethea. “All of us at the Lottery are committed to doing more with less, and we are committed to an organization underpinned with excellence and integrity. The remarkable team with whom I work each day is delivering for S.C. at a time when education dollars are needed most.”

“As the world’s leading lottery operator and technology solutions provider, GTECH understands the unique obligation that publicly-sponsored gaming programs have to protect players and provide gaming entertainment with the highest standards of social responsibility,” said GTECH President and CEO Jaymin B. Patel. “With this understanding, GTECH operates under a mission statement that pays respect to our core values of integrity and responsibility; the results of which can clearly be seen in our annual Social Report.”

“What a great way to add to the excitement that surrounds the beginning of football season,” said Rebecca Hargrove, President and CEO of the Tennessee Lottery. “Titans fans and lottery fans will have fun while raising valuable dollars for education, which creates a winning combination for everyone.”

‘ChiliPoker’ will be the first poker room to come available on Playtech’s new network, known as ‘iPoker’. Playtech expects this network will offer the same professional service that players receive in other countries. Commenting on the launch of iPoker, Playtech CEO Mor Weizer said he was “confident that it will develop to become one of the leading liquid networks in France... as the market expands in its regulated form, France has the potential to become a very substantial local market.”

“It is with genuine enthusiasm that the Committee unanimously recommends Genting New York as the winning vendor. Our strong recommendation, based on the merits of the proposal, was vastly reinforced by Genting's financial offer of $380 million as an upfront licensing fee, said Gordon Medenica, Director, NY Lottery in a letter to Governor Patterson today."

“The Hasbro brands represent the most powerful group of licensed properties in the lottery industry today,” said Scientific Games’ Chief Creative Officer Steve Saferin.  “From MONOPOLY to BATTLESHIP to SCRABBLE, the Hasbro brands are consistent top performers for lotteries and have produced over $4 billion in lottery sales since MDI began its association with Hasbro in 2004.  “The most intriguing aspect of our extension is our continued ability to offer these brands for lottery games on the internet, mobile devices and other digital applications.