Issue N50, 2008
December 12, 2008
South Australian Lotteries Signs up with G-Tech
A lucrative new deal has been signed between one of the largest lotteries Down Under, South Australian Lotteries and the US-based service provider, G-Tech. According to the terms of the deal, G-Tech will supply South Australian Lotteries will a brand new central lottery system and will provide support. It is believed that G-Tech will earn itself a massive $12-million under the 7 year deal. South Australian Lotteries has been working with G-Tech since the 1980s on various projects.
“We look forward to working with GTECH to deliver a system with enhanced functionality to enable SA Lotteries to meet the expectations of South Australian players over the next decade,” said June Roache, Chief Executive of South Australian Lotteries. “GTECH's innovative system solution and state of the art equipment will provide a flexible platform for SA Lotteries to deliver a remarkable point of sale experience on both sides of the retail counter while facilitating sales of Lotto, Oz Lotto, Powerball, Instant Scratchies, fast draw Keno, Super 66 and the pools.”
In response, the Chief Executive Operator of G-Tech, Jaymin B. Patel said: “South Australia Lotteries is one of Australia's most progressive lotteries, with an excellent track record as a highly successful Keno operator and we are privileged to be given the opportunity to work even more closely with them over the next seven years to energize lottery sales to continue providing vital funds for South Australia's public hospitals.”
Tipp24 Halts Online Gambling Advertising
The European gaming company, Tipp24, has stated that as from the first of the year it will not be advertising or promoting online gaming options in Germany, except in Berlin. The company said that the controversial German State Treaty of Gambling forbids it from promoting its products, including the brokerage of German lotteries.
Tipp24, which has provided over 200 million Euro in taxes to the German government in the past two years, has promised to continue fighting the German State Treaty of Gambling. The company continues to operate in Berlin, where a court has ruled that the Treaty in fact contravenes European Union laws.
“It is particularly regrettable that despite the current economic crisis our politicians are clinging on to symbolic policies which not only massively hinder directly affected companies, such as Tipp24, but also have considerable knock on effects”, said the Chairman of Tipp24 AG, Jens Schumann. “The online advertising industry, for example, which recently had to drastically downscale its forecasts for 2009 as a result of the weakening economy, will lose several million Euros at a stroke.”
Bavarian Wins Beer for a Year
In a comic twist of fate, the winner of an online casino competition that awarded beer for a year to one lucky player, hails from Bavaria – the home of the Oktoberfest beer festival on which the competition was based. When VegasRed.com launched its Beer for a Year promotion, it made sure that it coincided with the Oktoberfest in order to get its players into the spirit of things. But even VegasRed casino could not have managed to imagine a more appropriate or deserving winner than Joerg S. who was stunned with his windfall.
The Beer for a Year promotion attracted a record number of players vying for the prize of having an impressive amount of beer delivered to their front door every month for the entire duration of 2009. But Joerg S. was not surprised by the excitement that the competition generated. “This contest was a nice idea!” he said about his victory. “This and VegasRed's trustworthiness are why I would recommend Vegas Red to other players.”
Sarah Banks, the casino manager at VegasRed.com, said about the win: “We really enjoyed running this contest and seeing the huge positive response it received. We're currently planning many more exciting contests with big prizes for our members over the next year. After all, this is what they have come to expect from VegasRed!”
Social Network Signs Deal with Jadestone
The Swedish online games provider, Jadestone, has announced a lucrative new deal signed with one of Europe’s largest social networking sites, Net Log. With 30 million members registered on its network, Net Log is always after potential new ways to keep them entertained, and it is believed that Jadestone’s superior selection of online casino games can do just that.
Under the terms of the deal, Jadestone will supply Net Log with a suite of unique games that can be played directly off the network, the first being Scarab Solitaire – a multiplayer game of skill that has already taken the industry by storm.
“Scarab Solitaire is one of our most popular games,” said Robert Henrysson, the Chief Executive Officer for Jadestone. “NetLog.com is one of the fastest growing social networks in Europe and around the world, and is constantly improving the online experience of its young and dynamic community. It is also a place where users can have fun and we're delighted to be able to enrich their experience.”
“We are very happy to work with Jadestone to make NetLog.com a place where members can spend even more time having fun,” said Lorenz Bogaert of Net Log. “Jadestone is a creative company with plenty of experience in social gaming so we're pleased they can share their games with our users.”