WINNIPEG, July 22, 2014 /CNW/ - Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) ("Pollard Banknote") is pleased to congratulate the Missouri
Lottery on the outstanding success of its Lucky 7s PlayBook—a patented product concept provided exclusively by Pollard Banknote. During its first week of sales, the Lucky 7s PlayBook recorded the second-highest instant game sales of all time in Missouri!
After six weeks, it was the Lottery's top-selling instant game on the
market, boasting an incredible sales index of 291.
Launched on March 31, 2014, the dazzling, gem-themed PlayBook® features
six games for $20 in a one-of-a-kind booklet format—offering players a
unique play experience that lets them try a number of different games
at once. With more than 40 launches worldwide, the revenue-driving
PlayBook® product has proven effective in attracting new players, and
creating excitement among existing players. This product delivers
incredible value, and has helped lotteries increase contributions for
good causes—with first-time PlayBook® launches generating 56%
higher-than-average sales compared to other games at the same price
point.
While Pollard Banknote's PlayBook® provides tremendous value for
players, the use of custom-designed dispensers optimize sales by
enhancing both the display and visibility of the product. Missouri
Lottery retailers immediately recognized the benefits and sales
potential of this combined offering—product and
custom-dispenser—resulting in approximately 90% of retailers opting to
carry the PlayBook® product.
"Our PlayBook® concept has consistently demonstrated results in
achieving exceptional sales—particularly for first-time launches—and
the Missouri Lottery's Lucky 7s PlayBook is no exception," said Jennifer Westbury, Executive Vice President,
Sales & Customer Development, Pollard Banknote. "We are extremely
pleased with, not only the enthusiasm shown by Missouri's players in
response to this unique and innovative game, but the excitement
expressed by the Lottery's retailers as well. This product creates
added interest at retail that is effective in increasing traffic to
stores, with one retailer noting that the Lucky 7s PlayBook helped its stores earn an additional $11,281 in Lottery margin in the
month of April, versus the next closest ticket at $2,162!"
"Lucky 7s PlayBook has had a tremendously positive impact on overall Scratchers
sales—contributing to weekly sales reaching a record-breaking $18.3
million—and we are pleased with the exceptional value this product
offers to both our players and our retailers," said May Scheve Reardon,
Executive Director, Missouri Lottery. "This game is a testament to the
cooperative and collaborative effort put forth by the Missouri Lottery
and Pollard Banknote to create innovative products that appeal to a
broad range of players and, as a result, increase contributions to
education within the State of Missouri."
The Missouri Lottery was created in 1985, and since 1994 has used its
proceeds to help fund the State's public education programs, including
the A+ Scholarship Program, Virtual Schools, Special Education Excess
Costs, construction of college and university buildings, library
acquisitions, and educational scholarships. These programs and others
that receive Lottery proceeds provide the resources that help Missouri
students fulfill their individual dreams—dreams that define Missouri's
future and ultimately benefit all of Missouri residents. The total
proceeds contributed to public education in fiscal year 2014 were more
than $267 million.
About the Missouri Lottery (MOLottery.com)
In 1984, more than 70 percent of Missouri voters approved a
lottery. Currently, the Lottery is the sixth-largest source of state
income, and more than 95 cents of every dollar spent on the Lottery
benefits Missouri. Since sales started in 1986, the Missouri Lottery
has generated more than $4.8 billion for the state and public
education. Lottery players have won more than $10 billion in prizes,
and retailers have earned more than $1 billion in commissions. Each
year, the Lottery generates more than $267 million for vital education
programs, including A+ scholarships. When you play the Missouri
Lottery, you Play It Forward!
About Pollard Banknote
Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 50 lotteries
worldwide, providing high quality instant ticket products, licensed
games and strategic marketing and management services for both
traditional instant games and the emerging iLottery space of web,
mobile and social channels. The company is a proven innovator and has
decades of experience helping lotteries to maximize player engagement,
sales, and proceeds for good causes. Pollard Banknote also plays a
major role in the charitable pull-tab and bingo markets in North
America. Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned approximately
73.5% by the Pollard family and 26.5% by public shareholders and is
publicly traded on the TSX (PBL). For more information, please visit
our website at www.pollardbanknote.com.
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute
"forward-looking" statements and information, which involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual
results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from
any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements. When used in this document, such
statements include such words as "may," "will," "expect," "believe,"
"plan," and other similar terminology. These statements reflect
management's current expectations regarding future events and operating
performance and speak only as of the date of this document. There
should not be an expectation that such information will in all
circumstances be updated, supplemented, or revised whether as a result
of new information, changing circumstances, future events, or
otherwise.
SOURCE Pollard Banknote Limited
<p> Doug Pollard<br/> Co-Chief Executive Officer<br/> Telephone: (204) 474-2323<br/> E-mail: <a href="mailto:dpollard@pbl.ca">dpollard@pbl.ca</a> </p> <p> John Pollard<br/> Co-Chief Executive Officer<br/> Telephone: (204) 474-2323<br/> E-mail: <a href="mailto:jpollard@pbl.ca">jpollard@pbl.ca </a> </p> <p> Rob Rose<br/> Chief Financial Officer<br/> Telephone: (204) 474-2323<br/> E-mail: <a href="mailto:rrose@pbl.ca">rrose@pbl.ca</a> </p>