Public Gaming Magazine July/August 2020

57 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • JULY/AUGUST 2020 In addition to introducing its PlayRGS (remote game server) solution and PlayCasino content, IGT provides Svenska Spel with its PlayPoker (online poker), INTELLIGEN™ VLT (Video Lot- tery Terminal) central system, VLTs and content, as well as land-based casino cabinets and content. IGT also recently announced the introduction of IGTPay cashless technology for VLTs operated by Svenska Spel. IGT PlayDigital's PlayRGS solution powers sites for more than 100 customers around the globe for both lottery and commercial operators. In ad- dition to Svenska Spel, IGT supplies its PlayRGS solution to World Lottery Association (WLA) customers including Norsk Tipping in Norway, Veikkaus in Finland, Loterie Nationale in Bel- gium, and Lottomatica in Italy. IGT also supplies PlayRGS to Canadian members Loto Québec, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. In addition, IGT supplies Danske Spil in Denmark with its PlayRGS solution through a third party. IGT Raises the Bar with Launch of PeakBarTop Cabinet Jumbo Interactive extends agree- ment with Tabcorp Digital lottery company Jumbo Interactive (JIN) has extended its 15-year relationship with Tabcorp (TAB) for a further 10 years. is extension will apply to all States and Territories, except Western Australia and Queensland Jumbo is currently in discussions with Lotterywest for its WA customers, but there is no certainty that any agreement will be reached. For this 10-year extension, Jumbo will pay an upfront fee of $15 million to Tabcorp, and a service fee of 4.65 per cent based on the ticket subscription price. Jumbo has also rea rmed its FY20 guidance, announcing that there will be 39 large jackpots in FY20 with a value of $1.57 billion. " e next 10 years will see a lot of advances in the lottery industry both in Australia and abroad. e new 10-year reseller agreements are the longest ever term in Jumbo's history and provide a basis for continuing expansion," CEO and Founder Mike Veverka commented. "In addition, grow- ing the Australian online lotteries business with continued access to Tabcorp's existing successful portfolio of lottery games, Jumbo will continue to pursue international lottery opportunities, leverag- ing Jumbo's lottery software-as-a-service (SaaS)," he added. From FY21 to FY23, and when the subscriptions exceed $400 million per year, Jumbo will pay an additional 4.65 per cent of the exceed value. If Jumbo fails to meet or perform any of its obliga- tions, then Tabcorp may terminate with 30 days' notice. EL PUBLISHES 2019 ANNUAL REPORT At the time of writing the 2019 Annual Report, the world faced the pandemic spread of Covid-19. In only a few weeks, businesses, and society came to a near full standstill in an attempt to halt the vi- rus. e consequences, as well as the never before seen measures to deal with this situation, were felt by lotteries, and no doubt case a shadow over the 2020 developments in the sector. Nonetheless, EL re ects on a successful 2019 and is pleased to pres- ent an overview of its activities, which would not have been possible without the ongoing support of EL Members. 2019 saw the 10th EL Congress and Trade Show in Antwerp, hosted by the Nationale Loterij/ Loterie Nationale of Belgium, bringing together over 800 attendees. United in their core values, the Congress paid homage to that one element that is at the core base of the lottery sector; chance, and more speci cally, the ‘‘Success of Chance’’. During the General Assembly, EL Members elected a new Executive Committee and the re-appointment of Hansjörg Höltkemeier as EL President (2019-2021). EL Members also adopted the Antwerp Resolution calling for a risk-based approach towards advertisement restrictions for games a chance – a hot topic for 2019. In parallel to the General Assembly, a new European Parliament was elected with a new European Commission taking o cer later in the year, headed by President von der Leyen. roughout 2019 EL, in close collaboration with the Public A airs Coordination (PAC) Working Group updated relevant advocacy materials for policymakers. Relevant EU dossiers were followed, with EL’s advocacy role continuously based on the importance of a sustainable lottery model for the bene t of society and the principle of subsidiarity. EL also supported various Members with regula- tory discussions at national level. Looking back at 2019, EL is proud of its many activities and achievements as an Association. Lot- tery professionals had the chance to participate in all sectors of interest from marketing, innovation, sports betting to responsible gaming, legal and retail. e EL education programme continued with the rst-ever Executive Module of the EL Corporate University (ELCU), and EL launched the Women’s Lottery Leadership (WiLL) Mentor- ing Pilot Programme in Europe. 2019 saw the historic entry into force of the Council of Europe (CoE) Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions (Macolin Convention). Since the conceptualisation and drafting phase of the Convention, the global lot- tery community – through EL, together with the Global Lotteries Monitoring System (GLMS) and the World Lottery Association (WLA) – has fully supported the initiative and assisted the CoE in its e ort to promote the Convention. National lotter- ies have always been historic partners of sport and EL works to ght match xing and to safeguard these values. During the year, EL took further steps regard- ing corporate social responsibility (CSR) with its newly published CSR Guidelines. On responsible gaming, 63% of Members were certi ed in 2019 with the Commitment Level bringing newly certi- ed EL Members. On innovation, EL conducted a study on blockchain developments and to further improve the knowledge and data sharing, a Socio- economic impact study was issued, the legal study was updated, and a study was done on the various taxation models under the EL Members. e ght against illegal operators is a priority for EL and 2019 saw a newly formed Taskforce on Illegal Gambling. EL continued with important partnerships includ- ing with ENGSO, GLMS, WLA, the European Commission led-initiative European Week of Sport, the ASPIRE project and the Annual Holi- day Lottery Responsible Gaming Campaign. e Association also stepped up its communications e orts with a revival of its social media channels, a weekly EL News Brie ng for Members, and an increase in engagement with the EL website, digital magazine, and media outlets. is is the second EL Annual Report, which thanks again EL Members, the Executive Com- mittee, Working Groups, the EL team and Partners for all their support in 2019. It was an exciting year and we hope you enjoy reading about our activities, with always one motto in mind –for the bene t of society! Happy reading! Peter Christensen has been ap- pointed by the Minister of Finance as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of Danske Spil In addition to experience from the private sector as well as many years of experience from the political system, Peter Christensen also has knowledge of the gaming market from his post as chairman of the board of directors of Det Danske Klasselotteri A / S. Danske Spil Appoints Nikolas Lyhne-Knudsen as its New CEO Danish national lottery and gaming operator Danske Spil has appointed Nikolas Lyhne-