Pacific Lottery has received exclusive approval to broadcast the 30-minute Hanoi Lottery Draw nightly beginning from Monday on State-run television. The programme will use the Calgary-based firm’s national online lottery technology to present the winning combinations for the various games offered by the State-owned Lottery Corporation.

The Canadian firm revealed that its marketing personnel would also assist the government with the development, launch and ongoing production of this new prime-time televised lottery show. It also stated that it expects to ‘significantly increase’ its national marketing efforts in Vietnam’s only State-authorised online lottery programme.

“We are extremely gratified by the continuing confidence the government has shown in us through its ongoing strong support of the nation’s only online lottery programme,” said David Aftergood, founder of Pacific Lottery.

“This development marks a major milestone in the ongoing progress of the Vietnamese lottery programme and will also significantly assist in the boosting of our brand nationally in Vietnam and regionally throughout South East Asia.”

Pacific Lottery stated that it had purchased a new ball draw machine from SmartPlay International Incorporated of New Jersey to use during the Vietnam show.

In addition, it revealed that the Lottery Corporation is to start selling its new Two Digit/Pair proprietary online lottery game in order to combat an illegal lottery. Pacific Lottery stated that this is the first time that a game similar to the illegal lottery has been authorised for use by the Vietnamese public and it expects that the new title will directly compete with the unauthorised but well-known version.

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Million-2-1 is a subsidiary of International Game Technology (IGT), the Reno-based designer and manufacturer of computerised gaming equipment, and stated that the deal will also see it offer Riley customers the very best in mobile and online casino gaming content.

The agreement will see the Manchester-based developer organise exclusive competition prize draws for Rileys customers while also informing them of any special offers at their nearest clubs. In addition, Rileys members will be able to take advantage of exclusive offers and bonuses available both online and through its mobile platform.

“Rileys realises the importance of the mobile market and this agreement allows us to reach our customers using a fresh and innovative platform,” said Peter Hooker, Operations And Commercial Director for Rileys.

Rileys’ customers will be able to play top titles including Elvis Top 20, Hi-5 and Ooh Aah Dracula and this selection could increase in the future with the addition of games such as Rainbow Riches, Cleopatra, Monopoly and Cluedo.

Members of Rileys will also have access to a host of online casino games including poker, blackjack and roulette along with slots such as Battleship: Search and Destroy, Da Vinci Diamonds and Triple Fortune Dragon.

“This partnership demonstrates the versatility of Million-2-1,” said Simon Murphy, Commercial Director for Million-2-1.

“We are able to offer Rileys unrivalled experience and expertise in mobile marketing as well as allowing its members access to the very best in mobile and online gaming.”

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Intertops.com had previously been powered by software from Microgaming but the Isle Of Man-based gaming solutions provider revealed that it did not wish to operate in the US with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act still on the books.

“Intertops.com is proud to have been powered by such a reputable and market-leading gaming software provider over the past decade,” said Michl Posch, Head Of Marketing for Intertops.com.

“The assistance that Microgaming has provided in the change process has been extremely helpful.”

Antigua and Kahnawake-licensed Intertops.com launched the world’s first online sportsbook in 1996 before going on to debut a virtual casino in 1998 with software from Microgaming.

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Intralot Australia was awarded a ten-year license in 2007 to run a live, state-wide bingo game with tickets sold at retailers. Numbers were due to be drawn on television at eight o’clock in the evening on Sundays but the game was moved to Melbourne radio station 3AW last weekend after no commercial television network could be found to show the programme.

“The Victorian Commission On Gambling Regulation determined Intralot breached its licence for failing to broadcast the drawing of ‘TV Bingo’ and has recommended that the Government take disciplinary action,” said Tony Robinson, Gaming Minister for Victoria.

“By failing to broadcast the ‘TV Bingo’ draw on television, Intralot is conducting a public lottery that is different to that authorised by the licence.”

Intralot is also set to receive a letter of censure for failing to comply with the conditions of its licence while Robinson revealed that the licence conditions would be amended to prevent ongoing contraventions by removing the obligation to televise the game.

“This is the first time in Victoria the Government has ever fined a lottery licence holder,’ said Robinson.

‘We regard this as a significant breach of the licence condition.’

This is the latest problem for Intralot since its entry into the Victorian market last year. Retailers have complained of lost revenues through faulty technology, complicated games and poor marketing while the government is set to receive $265 million in tax this financial year from lottery games, which is $8.5 million less than under previous operator Tattersall’s.

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The contract was awarded following a competitive procurement process and will see GTech deploy its latest ES New Media solution beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009 alongside four years of ongoing support services.

The Providence-based firm revealed that its system would offer traditional lottery-style games such as EuroMillions and Swiss Lotto alongside fixed-odds, horseracing and other sportsbetting titles in a multi-phased rollout. Initially launching online, the system will also support the expansion of services across interactive television and mobile channels in the future.

‘LoRo has been a valued customer since 1994 and we have developed a partnership that has brought about mutually-beneficial innovations and increased revenues to support the good causes in the Romande region of Switzerland,’ said Jaymin Patel, President and Chief Executive Officer for GTech.

‘Over the past five years, GTech has invested significant resources to develop a flexible, end-to-end eCommerce solution that positions lotteries for the future direction of interactive channels. ES New Media combines the expertise from the commercial gaming sector gained through the acquisition of Finsoft with GTech’s proficiency in world-wide lottery technologies. We are grateful that LoRo continues to view us as a true partner as they enter the emerging new media market segment.’

GTech stated that proceeds generated from the new interactive system would increase the contributions LoRo provides to the cantons, which aid causes benefiting the environment, among others.

‘GTech’s proposal offered a clear understanding of the issues in deploying a new media platform,’ said Jean-Luc Moner-Banet, Managing Director for LoRo.

‘It proposed an eCommerce lottery solution that the assessment panel felt accurately addressed our needs and demonstrated a thorough comprehension of our new media marketing business development plans and corporate social responsibility objectives.’

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