Friday 8 March 2013

News as at Friday March 8, 2013



 
 
 
 
OLG Modernization of Gaming Continues to Proceed with Close of First Two RFPQs
TORONTO, Ontario (March 7, 2013) -- Nearly one year after the modernization of lottery and gaming in Ontario was announced, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) today marked the close of its Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) for the Ottawa Area and the Ontario East Gaming Bundle.
These two RFPQs were issued along with the RFPQ for the Ontario North Gaming Bundle on November 30, 2012, as part of OLG’s first wave of gaming RFPQs.
As a result of an addendum issued on March 4, 2013, the RFPQ closing date for the Ontario North Gaming Bundle has been extended to March 14, 2013.
With the close of the RFPQs today, we’re continuing with the modernization of lottery and gaming in Ontario,” said Rod Phillips, OLG President and CEO. “We will now undertake our due diligence in evaluating the RFPQ submissions.
Where the RFPQ was based on a Gaming Bundle, interested service providers were required to submit proposals for the entire Gaming Bundle as set out in the RFPQ, not for individual Gaming Zones or Gaming Sites contained within a Gaming Bundle. This means that service providers must demonstrate their ability to assume specific day-to-day operations of multiple facilities in a given region or geographic area of Ontario.
OLG will select service providers who are eligible to receive the Request for Proposal (RFP) document for the Ottawa Area, as well as the East and North Gaming Bundles.
As part of the RFP process, pre-qualified service providers will be able to propose the construction of a new gaming site anywhere within a Gaming Zone, where there is municipal support.
However, all successful proponents will need to work with their host municipalities on specifics about a gaming facility, including selecting a preferred location.
"Municipalities have a choice when it comes to the location of new or relocated gaming sites," said Phillips. "As part of its resolution, a municipality may indicate conditions of its approval, such as where the gaming site may or may not be located. Before any site is built or relocated, three parties will need to agree – the municipality, the service provider and OLG, on behalf of the Ontario government."
OLG has two impartial advisors providing oversight on the integrity and fairness of the procurement process.
While the new gaming model will include securing qualified service providers for the day-to-day operation of gaming, OLG will continue its role in conduct, management and oversight of lottery and gaming. OLG will also continue to help prevent and mitigate the effects of problem gambling through its Responsible Gambling program, which is recognized internationally by the World Lottery Association’s certification program, and at four gaming sites, by the Responsible Gambling Council of Canada’s RG Check program.
In the coming months, OLG will launch RFPQs for the remaining Gaming Zones – some in Gaming Bundles. All RFPQs will be available on MERXTM (www.merx.com/olg). MERXTM charges a fee to download this type of material.
On December 14, 2012, OLG also issued a RFPQ for the modernization of the province’s lottery industry. That RFPQ will close on April 4, 2013.
OLG contributes nearly $2 billion annually to the Ontario government. The vast majority of this funding is directed to hospitals and health care.
Once the modernization of lottery and gaming in Ontario is complete, OLG will have increased its net contribution to the province by $1.3 billion annually, while creating thousands of jobs and driving more than $3 billion in capital investment across Ontario.
SOURCE: OLG..
 
 

Malaysian Firm Urges PCSO to Stop Online Lotto Operations
MANILA, Philippines (March 6, 2013) – According to a local media report, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is being urged to put an end to an online betting operation in Luzon.
The ABS-CBN news service reports that in a statement, the Philippine Gaming Management Corp (PGMC) legal counsel Jose Bernas said a company named World Reliance Trading Corp. (WRTC) has been accepting bets through text messaging. WRTC's website shows that it is "authorized PCSO Lotto Operator"........................http://www.lotteryinsider.com/
 
UK Government Plans to Offer Huge Tax Concessions to Online Gambling Companies
LONDON, U.K. (March 7, 2013) -- After imposing taxes forcing online gambling firms overseas the UK government is now planning to lure them back with tax breaks..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com/
 
House passes Lottery Scam Bill
JAMAICA (March 7, 2013) -- The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) Bill, or the Lottery Scam Bill,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com/
 
Minister Calls for Establishment of a Lottery to Fund Sports Development
BAHAMAS (March 7, 2013) -- According to local media reports, Sports Minister Dr. Daniel Johnson yesterday called for the establishment of a lottery to fund sports development in the country during debate on the mid-year budget statement in the House of Assembly,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com/
 
Senate Committee Approves Gambling Expansion Plan
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (March 7, 2013) -- A new gambling expansion plan that calls for five new casinos and slot machines at Chicago airports won approval Thursday in the Illinois Senate Executive Committee,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
 
888 Holdings Recommended for Nevada Online Poker License
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (March 6, 2013) – The state Gaming Control Board conducted its monthly meeting today in Las Vegas.,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
 
Freedom to Dream: the "New" Hoosier Lottery Has Arrived
"Imagine That" Ad Campaign Signals Launch of New Brand; Campaign Begins Sunday
 INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (March 1, 2013) - The journey that will lead the Hoosier Lottery to create hundreds of millions of additional dollars for the people of Indiana is underway.
The "new" Hoosier Lottery has arrived.
Signaled by the launch of a new advertising campaign this weekend, the new Hoosier Lottery brand is rolling out across the state. This is the first major public implementation of a new business plan that will transform the Hoosier Lottery into one of the top-performing state lotteries in the U.S. during the next five years.
The new campaign, known as "Imagine That," invited real, everyday Hoosiers - not actors -- from around the state to share their dreams by answering a simple question: "What would you do if you won the Hoosier Lottery?"
After weeks of canvasing the state to gather those dreams, the Hoosier Lottery will begin featuring many of those dreams as it rolls out its new advertising campaign Sunday.
"Everyone has had those conversations at one time or another, talking about what they would do if they won the lottery," said Hoosier Lottery Executive Director Karl Browning. "We asked Hoosiers to tell us, in their own words, and they responded en masse with a generous and caring theme that is so representative of our citizens. Our new advertising campaign, and new brand overall, gives people the freedom to dream and we're sharing those dreams with Hoosiers across the state. This is now truly a brand for Hoosiers, by Hoosiers."
Additionally, the Hoosier Lottery is introducing a new logo and also completed a rebrand of its website, www.hoosierlottery.com, while incorporating functional enhancements into the home page to make it more user-friendly. More than 4,000 Hoosier Lottery retailers will also benefit from the brand transformation, as they receive new, more effective signage and point-of-sale materials designed to drive traffic into their locations.
"None of the dreams we've heard would be possible without purchasing a ticket from one of our valued retailers," said the Hoosier Lottery's Michele Argentieri. "We continue to be grateful for our retailers' outstanding customer service, our shared goal to drive traffic into their shops and their partnership with the Hoosier Lottery."
In order to produce the "homegrown" advertising campaign, the Hoosier Lottery hosted five casting calls in four cities across the state and also accepted dreams through its YouTube channel to ensure it heard from people who were unable to attend one of the casting calls. Overall, the Lottery heard and recorded hundreds of dreams, ranging from simple to extraordinary, from everyday Hoosiers.
After a thorough screening of all the dreams submitted, the Hoosier Lottery selected approximately 50 people who will be featured in various advertising formats including TV, radio, print and outdoor.
Beginning with the campaign launch on Sunday, five specific dreams will be highlighted in the new TV ad component of the campaign. "Dreamers" from Evansville, Jasper, Carmel and Fort Wayne will deliver their personal lottery dreams in a series of 15-second commercial spots that will air around the state.
Each TV shoot was done on location in the community where the featured "dreamer" resides. Indianapolis-based Road Pictures, working under the direction of local ad agency Mortenson Safar Kim, handled production for the series of commercials.
For more information, please contact Al Larsen at: alarsen@hoosierlottery.com or 317-264-4805.
SOURCE: Hoosier Lottery media release.
 
 
 
Lottery Offers Chance to Play Against Paul Pierce in Waltham
WALTHAM, Massachusetts (March 5, 2013) -- Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce will show six lucky fans what it’s like to face The Truth when they get the chance to play him in a game of H-O-R-S-E as part of an instant ticket promotion through the Lottery and the Celtics..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
 
Betware Signs Sponsorship Agreement with the IE Law School of Executive Education in Madrid
Betware Sponsors the “EI Sector del Juego Program” from the IE Law School of Executive Education
 MADRID, Spain (March 5, 2013) -- Betware has signed a sponsorship agreement with the IE Law School of Executive Education in Madrid. The program “El Sector del Juego” will address the most important issues in the gaming industry and will provide an in depth business knowledge for its participants.
It is targeted towards employees of gaming companies, lawyers, consultants, managers and entrepreneurs coming from Spain and Latin America wishing to pursue a career in the gaming industry.
The executive program includes modules covering the entire spectrum of the regulated gaming market from gaming regulations, marketing and finance to strategy related topics.
Miguel Angel Abreu Ferrer, Regional Director of Betware Spain will be among the speakers during the official opening ceremony and will also participate in a responsible gaming panel during the program.
Being a pioneer in the gaming market, working with regulated operators in different jurisdictions, Betware believes that sharing the specific knowledge among the professionals within industry can help stimulate extensive market growth and expansion.
IE Law School of Executive Education is a division of the IE Business School and offers world class training for professionals and creates a unique forum in the business environment.
The “El Sector del Juego” program will take place from the 5th of March to 18th of April.
Full details about the program (in Spanish) can be found by viewing the El Sector del Juego program brochure. http://www.betware.com/wp-content/uploads/El-Sector-del-Juego_IE_2013.pdf
SOURCE: Betware.
 
 
 
INTRALOT Italia Adds Virtual Games to Its Retail Portfolio
 ITALY (March 7, 2013) -- INTRALOT Italia is pleased to announce its entrance into the Virtual Gaming market, with the introduction of its Virtual Games service, powered by two leading virtual games providers, Kiron Interactive and Inspired Gaming Group.
INTRALOT Italia has assigned to Vermantia Media Group the management, operation and delivery of the service throughout the retail network of INTRALOT Italia and its website intralot.it. With this new addition to INTRALOT Italia’s product portfolio, players will be able to experience exciting, new games. INTRALOT Italia retail shops are progressing even further to become entertainment centers that offer players a complete gaming portfolio ranging from sports betting, AWP, VLT and Virtual Games
Vermantia, as a leading service provider to the Gaming and Sports Betting Industry, with a global portfolio of services currently being delivered in Greece, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Poland, Russia, Peru, and Brazil, will undertake the human voice over in the local language, the localization, creation, and design of the service. Vermantia’ s experience in the delivery of services worldwide will allow INTRALOT Italia to provide a fully customized service that is tailored to the specific retail needs of the company’s network and the local market.
About INTRALOT Italia (www.intralot.it)
INTRALOT Italia, a joint stock company, is a subsidiary of the INTRALOT Group, a global leader in the gaming market and listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. INTRALOT Italia was established in December 2006 and participated in the public tender for the licensing of the retailing of public gaming announced by AAMS. INTRALOT Italia was awarded licenses to operate fixed odds betting on sports events in a licensed retail network and through internet, as well as horse racing. INTRALOT Italia retail network is made up of more than 600 points of sale. With presence in all the Italian regions, its technology and professionalism, INTRALOT Italia offers services based on efficient and secure systems of on-line data transmission to its customers.
For more information: Ms Isabella Degani, Communications & Media Relations Specialist Phone: +39 06 4147, email: degani@intralot.it.
SOURCE: INTRALOT Italia.
 
 
 
N.C.A.A. Drops Ban of Games in New Jersey
MONTCLAIR, New Jersey. (March 6, 2013) - The N.C.A.A. has lifted a recent ban against New Jersey colleges, allowing them to host tournament games or championships..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
 
 
Leading Bookmaker Suspends Betting on Origin Over ASADA Probe
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia (March 7, 2013) - According to local media reports leading Australian bookmaker Betstar has suspended betting on rugby league's showpiece event, State of Origin series..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
 
Leagues Maintain the Integrity of the Game is Paramount and the Basis of Disdain for Sportsbetting Push
SACRAMENTO, California (March 6, 2013) -- There’s a belief among the gambling community that the NFL’s disdain for sports betting is more about money than protecting the integrity of the game..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
 
Betting Monopoly OPAP 2012 Profit Down 6 Pct
ATHENS, Greece (March 7, 2013) - Reuters report Greece's betting monopoly OPAP , a flagship asset in the country's privatisation plan, said on Thursday 2012 profit fell by 6 percent, hit by recession at home..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
 
Fortuna FY Earnings Beat Estimates, Considers Extra Dividend
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (March 7, 2013) -- Fortuna Entertainment Group NV (FORTUNA) rose for a third day, with the number of shares traded almost double the stock’s three-month average after the Czech bookmaker said it may pay an extra dividend..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
 
Betfair on Track to Meet FY Forecasts
LONDON, U.K. (March 7, 2013) -- Betfair remains confident that full-year results will be in-line with previous guidance..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
 
 
 


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