WINNIPEG, Jan. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) ("Pollard Banknote") is pleased to announce the sales success
of the Cyprus Government Lottery's €3 holiday game, Merry Christmas. Selling out in just five weeks, Merry Christmas has become the bestselling instant ticket in the Lottery's history. The
Lottery's reorder of Merry Christmas tickets had a very tight timeline for delivery and also sold very
quickly—within three weeks. The exceptional sales of Merry Christmas led to the ticket being featured in European Lotteries' December 2013
issue of EL Magazine.
Pollard Banknote partnered with the Lottery to breathe new life into its
annual holiday game. This festive instant game featured ticket art
developed and designed by Pollard Banknote and replaced the Lottery's
previous holiday game, which combined an instant scratch game with a
passive draw. Merry Christmas has a folded design that emulates a standard holiday card. The ticket
offers traditional Christmas imagery on the front, such as holly
berries, evergreen branches, Christmas balls and bows, and a fun,
bright winter scene with animals on the inside play area. Players also
enjoy the high entertainment value of 25 scratch areas and a broad
variety of festive play symbols such as presents, candy canes, sleighs,
and snowflakes.
"The demand for our Merry Christmas ticket exceeded our expectations," explained Marios Constantinou, Chief
Administrator of the Cyprus Government Lottery. "The re-order was sold
out by December 16, and I am sure we could have sold a third order by
the end of 2013!"
In 2010, the Cyprus Government Lottery awarded Pollard Banknote an
exclusive two-year contract and has exercised the option of two
additional one-year renewals. Under this contract, Pollard Banknote
supplies instant scratch tickets, including game design, ticket
production, marketing support and strategic planning.
"Pollard Banknote congratulates the Cyprus Government Lottery on setting
a new sales record with its Merry Christmas ticket," said Doug Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Pollard
Banknote. "Over the last few years, we have developed a strong
relationship with the Lottery and a solid understanding of the Cyprus
market. The success of this game exemplifies Pollard Banknote's ability
to introduce a new sales-driving ticket concept—such as the holiday
card format—and complement it with refreshing artwork."
The Cyprus Government Lottery was established shortly after the
Independence of Cyprus in 1960 and entered the instant ticket market in
1979. The Lottery operates in accordance with the Cyprus Government
Lotteries Law and Regulations. Net profit from Lottery operations is
transferred into the Consolidated Fund of the Government of Cyprus,
from which the government budget is financed.
About Pollard Banknote Limited
Pollard Banknote Limited is one of the world's leading full-service
lottery vendors and is a major supplier to North America's charitable
gaming industry. The company manufactures instant lottery tickets and
provides related programming, design, and marketing support. As well,
Pollard Banknote manufactures pull-tab tickets and bingo paper, and
supplies lottery management services (including warehousing and
distribution). Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned
approximately 73.5% by the Pollard family and 26.5% by public
shareholders and currently serves more than 50 lotteries worldwide,
including some of the largest and most respected lotteries in the
United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America. 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
