news from my desk Tuesday February 12, 2013 @ 5AM

Our BLOG Breaking News page is a means of keeping our readers informed on the latest news around the clock, the full release is not published below but will appear within an upcoming edition of the Daily News - we hope that our posts are enough to alert you to any breaking news within the Lottery & Gaming Industry

Scientific Games Completes System Conversion for Loteria Electronica de Puerto Rico as Part of Four-Year Contract Extension
ALPHARETTA, Georgia (February 11, 2013) -- Scientific Games Corporation (Nasdaq: SGMS) today announced the successful completion of an integrated lottery gaming system conversion for Loteria Electronica de Puerto Rico. The conversion was completed as part of a four-year extension agreement with Scientific Games for the operation of Loteria Electronica de Puerto Rico, as well as for marketing, distribution and other services

POLLARD BANKNOTE Awarded New Contract By Veikkaus (National Lottery Of Finland)
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, (February 11, 2013) -- Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (Pollard Banknote) is pleased to announce that it has signed a three-year contract to manufacture and supply instant lottery tickets to Veikkaus (National Lottery of Finland). This new agreement commenced January 1, 2013, and also provides the option for a one-year extension.

Bally Technologies and Amaya Gaming Sign Poker Content Agreement U.S. Partnership Will Also Include Other Online Casino Content
MONTREAL, Canada (February 11, 2013) -- Amaya Gaming Group Inc. (TSX.V: AYA) today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Bally Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BYI) to integrate Amaya's Ongame Poker Platform ("Ongame") and casino suite into Bally's award-winning iGaming Platform.

Quickspin signs agreement with Gala Interactive
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (February 8, 2013) -- Video slot producer Quickspin enters the UK market through a signed a multi-year agreement with Gala Interactive, enabling all of its brands to access content that is developed by Quickspin.

Paddy Power Pay Out On Manchester United Winning the Premier League Title
LONDON, UK (February 11, 2013) - There may still be 12 games to go in the Premier League but Paddy Power are convinced that Manchester United won't be stopped in their pursuit to reclaim the title from their local rivals and have settled all bets on Sir Alex Ferguson's side ending the season as winners

Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Moves Powerball/Mega Millions/Decades of Dollars Draw Partnership to 40/29 News
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (February 8, 2013) -- Attention Powerball, Mega Millions, and Decades of Dollars players in Northwest and West Arkansas! If you want to see the game drawings, tune in to television station KHBS/KHOG?TV (40/29 News) at 10 p.m. starting Friday, February 7, 2013

Growing Trend For Football Clubs To Be Sponsored By Casinos And Online Gambling Companies
NEW YORK, NY (February 11, 2013) -- For decades fans of football have been accustomed to seeing corporate sponsors on team jersey. Many of these sponsors are household names that are known worldwide such as Adidas, Nike, Ford, and others. However, in recent years there has been a growing trend by football clubs to sign sponsorship deals with casinos and online gambling companies.

Russia Opens 24 hour Assistance to Compulsive Gamblers
A St. Petersburg Clinic Will Open To Offer Round-The-Clock Assistance To Compulsive Gamblers
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (February 11, 2013) -- St. Petersburg-based Bekhterev Psychoneurological Research Institute plans to open a 24-hour clinic for gamblers

New Jersey Approves Online Gaming Governor Christie gave his approval to legislation that allows the state to move forward with online gaming
TRENTON, New Jersey (February 11, 2013) -- Last week New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie put forward a proposal that supports the implementation of Internet gaming in the state. According to the governor's website, Christie concludes that "now is the right time for the state to move forward and again lead the nation by becoming one of the first states" to allow online gaming.

Sports Book Back up and Running within Hours of Raid
TORONTO, Canada (February 11, 2013) -- York Regional Police said high-ranking members of organized crime groups were the target of a recent raid, which took place at the invitation-only event hosted by sports-betting website Platinum SB.

Governor Pushes For Internet Gambling
CARSON CITY, Nevada (February 11, 2013) - Governor Brian Sandoval is making a push for legal Internet gaming within Nevada's borders.

The Illinois Lottery launches 'The Good Life' Family Of Games
Four new instant games offer prizes of up to $10,000 a week for 20 years
CHICAGO, Illinois (February 11, 2013) -- A new, four-ticket family of Lottery instant games are available in all lottery retailers under a new brand positioning: "The Good Life" family of games. Top prize winners can win over $10.4 million in a 20-year payout.

Michigan Lottery Gives over 40,000 reasons to look forward to Tax Day!
LANSING, Michigan (February 11, 2013) -- The Michigan Lottery is launching the all-new $40,000 Tax-Free Raffle on February 11!

Zynga Stock Continues To Rise Due To Potential New Jersey Online Gambling Bill
SAN FRANCISCO (February 11, 2013) -- Zynga's stock is on the rise, an upward trend likely tied to the possibility of a bill in New Jersey that would legalize online gambling.

Inspired Sells UK Amusement Division
LONDON, UK (February 11, 2013) -- The Inspired Gaming Group has sold its amusement and leisure division to Playnation, a private equity-backed management buy-out.

Special Letter to Shareholders; SeanieMac.com to Launch Wagering Operations Next Month
HUNTINGTON, New York ( February 11, 2013) - Compliance Systems Corp (OTCQB: COPI), doing business as SeanieMac Limited, parent company of the all-Irish online sports & casino wagering website www.SeanieMac.com, today issued the following Special Letter to Shareholders from its Chairman of the Board of Directors and Co-Founder Sean McEniff.

National Lottery Operator Appoints Head of Insight
LONDON, UK (February 10, 2013) -- The mobile industry is losing another executive to Camelot with the departure of EE's market and customer insight director Nick Bonney, who will join the National Lottery operator as head of insight

LGA hosts 100 Meetings At Three-Day ICE
MALTA (February 11, 2013) - Around 100 meetings were hosted over three days at the Lotteries and Gaming Authority's stand at a major igaming trade event in London last week. For the 10th year, Malta's regulator was present at ICE at London's Excel Conference Centre between Tuesday and Thursday, and proved yet again to be among the major attractions. ICE hosted a total of more than 40,000 visitors.

Bill to Propose Slots at Airport
LINTHICUM, Maryland (February 9, 2013) -- A new proposal in Annapolis would bring slot machines to the airport. Some say a special slots section inside the airport is a perfect opportunity for a state that is desperate for more transportation dollars.

Online Gaming Firms show Strong Results in light of Lucrative Market Changes
LONDON, UK (February 9, 2013) -- Britain's online gambling firms have been seen to have hit the jackpot after a landmark US ruling paved the way for a lucrative market to be reopened. Almost half a billion pounds was added to the stock market value of firms that could benefit from the changes in the law, which would see online poker and casino games legalised in the state of New Jersey as early as next month.

Montana Gaming Industry sees Seventh Consecutive Quarter of Growth
MISSOULA, Montana (February 10, 2013) -- Montana's gaming industry continues to climb out of the doldrums, with its seventh consecutive quarter of growth, and Missoula County is leading the way

Nevada Casinos Finish Month with Double Digit Increase
CARSON CITY, Nevada (February 10, 2013) - Nevada casinos finished 2012 with a double-digit increase in win, pushing the calendar year's total win to $10.86 billion.

Poker Players Compete for $130,000 in Prizes in Titan Poker's Grand Battle
Parallel races pit players in weekly, monthly, and quarterly competitions; players win prizes as they play poker at Titan Poker's tables and tournaments.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (February 10, 2013) - Poker players are now competing for a share of $130,000 in prizes at Titanpoker.com, the leading online poker room in Europe

Premier Calls for Halt on Betting In Sports
PERTH, Western Australia (February 10, 2013) -- Premier Colin Barnett says there is too much betting in sport and wants tougher controls on gambling, saying he has had enough of betting agencies and bookmakers "bombarding" fans and children.

Claims Facebook Gambling Advertisements are Targeting Minors
LONDON, UK (February 10, 2013) -- Children as young as 13 are being bombarded by gambling firms on Facebook.

Crowns Media Campaign an Outstanding Success
SYDNEY, Australia (February 10, 2013) - The media is today claiming that Team Packer has blitzed all possible entries in any Public Relations Award, with the latest media campaign launched this week.

Arcade Games that Resemble Poker Machines to be Banned
ADELAIDE, South Australia (February 10, 2013) -- Arcade games that resemble poker machines will be banned under proposed laws announced by the State Government today. Print news publication 'The Advertiser' reports that the laws are designed to protect children from "soft gambling" and forming habits that could lead to a gambling addiction, Attorney-General John Rau said.

Calls for Mid-Week Lotto Numbers to be changed to avoid Superstitious Players Feeling Trapped by Ticket Price Rise
GLASGOW, Scotland (February 11, 2013) -- An angered Scots MP has urged grasping lottery executives to re-number the midweek draw's balls from 50-99 - so cash-strapped players won't feel locked in when ticket prices double.

Singapore Pools Conducts Special draws to usher in Chinese New Year
SINGAPORE CITY, Singapore (February 7, 2013) - The Singapore Pools is conducting two draws to usher in Chinese New Year. The Reunion Draw on Friday, comes with a cash prize of $5 million. A $10 million Hong Bao Draw will be held on Feb 22.