News from my desk Thursday January 17, 2013

For the latest news please head to our dedicated breaking news site

http://www.lotteryinsider.com/news/blog_Headlines/breaking_news.htm



The Public Supports the Karunya Lottery Referred to as The Jewel In The Crown
State Lottery Department's turnover crosses Rs.2,000 crores; Karunya's net profit was Rs.112 crore
TRIVANDRUM. India (January 16, 2013) -- Kerala's state lottery sale crossed Rs. 2,000 crores just a few days back. To put in perspective this is the first time since 1967 that the state has crossed this milestone, a good three months before completion of the financial year. Last year, in the same period, the net turnover was around Rs.774 crores. The profit, this year is more than two times the last financial year.

The Belgian Betting Association Attacks the Monopoly of The National Lottery
BRUSSELS. Belgium (January 16, 2013) -- Members of the Belgian Betting Association (BBA), Stanleybet Bingoal and Betfirst, asked the Belgian Council of State to suspend the decision of the Commission of gambling to grant approval of paris sports exclusive Lottery national country

Plan to Limit Tax Charged on Companies that Provide Major Betting Services
FARGO, North Dakota (January 17, 2013) -- A plan by the North Dakota Racing Commission would limit the taxes charged on companies that provide major betting services. That includes one outfit that expects to do $300 million in so-called account deposit wagering, in which gamblers usually pay a significant amount of money up-front for bets

Lagging Pull-Tab Revenue Draws State Capitol Scrutiny
ST PAUL, Minnesota (January 16, 2013) - The financing plan for the new stadium was always off to a slow start creating a lot of debate, but this week will see the House Commerce Committee assess its progress at the Capitol. Minnesota Public radio reports that Shoreview company, 3 Diamond Gaming Supplies, is the biggest pull-tab supplier in Minnesota, and one of two currently licensed to distribute new electronic pull-tabs and bingo.

Lotteries Instrumental in Restoration for Anniversary of the Travellers Sweepstakes Draw
LLEIDA, Catalonia, Spain (January 16, 2013) -- State Lotteries have revived the ancient Drums once utilized for the 'travelers sweepstakes' draw of 1964, the drums which are 50 years old and no longer used were restored in a project that commenced some five years ago with Lotteries President José Miguel Martínez suggesting the use in the draw for Cadiz, which celebrates 200 years of the draw.

Playtech Limited: Notice of Q4 KPIs and trading update Notice of Q4 Key Performance Indicators and trading update
LONDON, UK (January 16, 2013) -- Playtech, (LSE: PTEC) the international designer, developer, licensor and provider of software and services for the online, mobile, TV and land-based gaming industry, announces that it will issue its Q4 Key Performance Indicators and trading update for the quarter ended 31 December 2012, on Thursday 7 February 2013.

City Officials Are Ready To Welcome Electronic Bingo Following a meeting with local organizations, the City Council appears ready to allow the devices in Hopkins establishments.
HOPKINS, Minnesota (January 16, 2013) -- City officials are ready to welcome electronic bingo to Hopkins following a meeting Tuesday night with local charitable gambling managers and the businesses that host their organizations

Former Zynga GM Jonathan Flesher joins Betable Team
NEW YORK, NY (January 16, 2013) -- Real money gaming platform Betable today announced it had hired Jonathan Flesher as its new Executive Vice President of Business Development. Online news source reports that Flesher comes to Betable most recently from Zynga, where he was the company's Vice President and General Manager of Business Development. Prior to Zynga, Flesher worked at companies like JP Morgan.

Bidder Calls Pennsylvania Lottery Contract Process Unfair
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (January 17, 2013) -- One of the two companies that dropped its pursuit of a contract to manage the Pennsylvania Lottery says it was unable to get all of its questions answered by Governor Corbett's administration

Plan to Limit Tax Charged on Companies that provide Major Betting Services
FARGO, North Dakota (January 17, 2013) -- A plan by the North Dakota Racing Commission would limit the taxes charged on companies that provide major betting services. That includes one outfit that expects to do $300 million in so-called account deposit wagering, in which gamblers usually pay a significant amount of money up-front for bets.

SBTech Signs Deal with Albania's Biggest Land Based Operator
LONDON, UK (January 16, 2013) -- SBTech, provider of award-winning turnkey sports betting solutions, has signed an exclusive, multi-year deal with Albanian land based operator Xhoilloto. Licensed and regulated in Albania, Xhoilloto is the biggest land based sports betting operator in the region, boasting over 500 betting shops

Konami Gaming, Inc. secures license with Hasbro, Inc. for Dungeons & Dragons branded slot machines
LAS VEGAS (January 16, 2013) -- Konami Gaming, Inc., one of the largest designers and manufacturers of slot machines and casino management systems, is pleased to announce the completion of a licensing agreement with Hasbro, Inc. and Hasbro International, Inc. whereby Konami has the rights to design and manufacture slot machines using the popular Dungeons & Dragons brand.