Press Release

Iowa Lottery Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Launch Of Eco Scratch™ Instant Ticket

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, June 23, 2015 /CNW/ – Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (“Pollard Banknote”) is pleased to congratulate the Iowa Lottery Authority (“Iowa Lottery”) on 30 years of success generating revenue and maximizing proceeds to support good causes in the State of Iowa. To celebrate this exciting milestone, the Lottery launched its $5 30 Somethings instant ticket on May 4, 2015—the first Eco Scratch™ product to be released in North America and only the third worldwide! 

Eco Scratch™, a new product innovation available exclusively through Pollard Banknote, offers players an eco-friendly way to play and win! Eco Scratch™ paper stock is made from 60% recycled fibers (35% post-consumer) and resembles brown kraft paper, giving instant tickets a hand-crafted, nostalgic feel. The organic look and texture of this sustainable, alternative paper product creates an ideal canvas on which to commemorate the Iowa Lottery’s 30th anniversary. 

The Iowa Lottery has coupled its 30 Somethings instant ticket with an exciting promotion that allows players to enter non-winning tickets into its Play It Again® program for additional chances to win a range of 30-themed prizes. The cleverly named prize packages include a monthly Iowa seasonal artisan cheese package, 18 holes of golf at an Iowa course, the chance to win $1,000 cash, and more. The promotion continues into the summer months with new prize categories added every 30 days. Each entry also gives players a chance to win the grand prize of $30,000 to be drawn on August 3, 2015!

“On behalf of Pollard Banknote, we would like to take this opportunity to applaud the Iowa Lottery on 30 years of hard work and dedication in support of good causes within the State,” said Jennifer Westbury, Executive Vice President, Sales & Customer Development, Pollard Banknote. “The Lottery’s outstanding success and longevity can be attributed to its unwavering commitment to offering its players the best and most innovative instant tickets available. The Iowa Lottery has proven itself once again to be a trailblazer with the launch of its 30 Somethings instant ticket featuring our new Eco Scratch™ paper stock and we are confident that this trend will continue over the next 30 years.” 

“We have established a strong and successful working relationship with Pollard Banknote and we are pleased to partner with them to develop a truly unique and engaging instant ticket to mark the Iowa Lottery’s 30th anniversary celebration,” said Terry Rich, CEO of the Iowa Lottery. “Pollard Banknote’s new Eco Scratch™ product allows us to offer an environmentally-friendly instant ticket concept that is unlike any other product currently available at retail. The ticket, combined with exciting second chance draws provides an added element of fun and more value to our players.”

Since its inception in 1985, the Iowa Lottery has raised more than $1.6 billion for State programs that benefit all Iowans. Today, Lottery proceeds are allocated to three main causes: support for veterans, help for a variety of significant projects through the State General Fund, and backing for Vision Iowa – a program implemented to create tourism destinations and community attractions, and build and repair schools.

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.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Doug Pollard
Co-Chief Executive Officer         Telephone: (204) 474-2323
E-mail: dpollard@pbl.ca

John Pollard
Co-Chief Executive Officer         Telephone: (204) 474-2323
E-mail: jpollard@pbl.ca

Rob Rose
Chief Financial Officer         Telephone: (204) 474-2323
E-mail: rrose@pbl.ca