Mr. Doug Pollard reports

MARYLAND LOTTERY LAUNCHES $30 SCRATCH-OFF GAME FEATURING POLLARD BANKNOTE INNOVATION

Pollard Banknote Ltd. is congratulating the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency on the launch of its first $30 instant ticket, $2,000,000 Fortune, which was launched on Feb. 27, 2017.

The lottery has had success with instant games at the $20 price point, and its premier $30 ticket is also proving to drive sales. A comparison of the five weeks before and after the launch of $2,000,000 Fortune shows that the lottery's overall scratch-off ticket sales increased by 23 per cent following its launch. Additionally, when comparing the game's first five weeks in the market with the same period the previous year, scratch-off sales are an incredible 24 per cent higher.

Higher-price-point tickets often attract players looking for a premium play experience, and this four-inch-by-11-inch ticket is enhanced by Pollard Banknote's patented Scratch FX innovation, giving the game a vibrant gold shimmer. The design leverages the popular cash theme, with cash symbols in the gameplay area and images of money flying in the background.

To further entice players, $2,000,000 Fortune features exciting prize options, with an alluring $2-million top prize, highlighted in a bright callout that is outlined with Scratch FX. The ticket also features additional callouts promoting 40 chances to win and over $90-million in total cash prizes. In addition, the game is supported by point-of-sale (POS) materials promoting these exciting prize opportunities.

"Pollard Banknote is excited to continue working with the Maryland lottery to expand its instant game portfolio with the introduction of a $30 price point," said Matthew Isaac, director, sales and retail development, Pollard Banknote. "Our Scratch FX innovation is a proven driver of sales at all price points, and, though we've been the lottery's primary instant ticket contractor for over 10 years, we're happy to be able to offer the lottery our continued support with new strategies and innovative products that help the lottery drive sales that support good causes."

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency generates revenue to help support good causes within Maryland. Since its inception in 1973, the lottery has generated $15-billion in revenue to the state and awarded more than $23.3-billion in prizes to players. In fiscal year 2016, the Maryland lottery contributed $569.8-million in revenue to the state's general fund, which supports education, public health, public safety, human resources and the environment.

About Pollard Banknote Ltd.

Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries around the world, providing high-quality instant ticket products, licensed games, and strategic marketing and management services for both traditional instant games and the emerging i-lottery space of Web, mobile and social channels.

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