Pollard Banknote Announces Tetris® Brand Instant Ticket Game To Launch In Western Canada

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, October 24, 2011 /CNW/ –  Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (Pollard Banknote), a global leader in the production and merchandising of instant lottery tickets, along with  the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) and The Tetris Company, LLC have teamed up to launch a new Tetris® themed instant lottery ticket.  The announcement comes as the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) conference kicks off in Indianapolis, Indiana.  The new ticket will be available to Canadians in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Launched today, WCLC’s $4 Tetris scratch and win game will offer players six chances to instantly win up to $75,000.

“The Tetris brand has reached far beyond casual gamers, as success with the other Pollard Banknote Tetris lottery tickets have shown.  We are thrilled to introduce the first Tetristhemed instant lottery ticket of its kind in Western Canada,” said Henk Rogers, Managing Director of The Tetris Company.  

As one of the most popular casual video games of all time, Tetris boasts more than 132 million paid mobile downloads worldwide and has been published on over 50 different platforms. Loved by all ages and cultures, no other game has demonstrated the longevity and universal appeal like the Tetris game. Since the game’s creation over 27 years ago, the Tetris brand has expanded into merchandise licensing with products ranging from clothing, wall graphics, tabletop games to lottery tickets.  

“The Tetris brand has really caught on in the lottery world. WCLC’s Tetris game is the second Canadian lunch over the past month and the third game to be launched in North America over the past eight weeks.” stated Sina Aiello, Vice President, Licensed Products, Pollard Banknote. “The interest shown by our clients is a testament to the attractiveness of Tetris—it’s immediately recognized and associated with fun. We are excited to work with WCLC in bringing this game to Western Canadians.”  Aiello adds that visitors to NASPL can visit them at booth # 226. 

Pollard Banknote’s Licensed Products Division offers a turnkey integrated marketing support solution for the success of licensed games, including online focus testing, ticket design, prize structure consultation, online contests, interactive games, second chance draws, special event and street team management, digital and social media campaigns, point-of-sale merchandising support, and in-depth post-game analysis.

About the Tetris® Brand 
The Tetris® brand is one of the leading and most distinctive video game brands and franchises in the world. In the game’s 25+-year history, hundreds of millions of players have experienced the Tetris Effect. Tetris has reached over 132 million paid mobile downloads. Loved globally by people of all ages and all cultures, the Tetris game continues to be one of the most widely recognized video games of all time. Tetris Holding, LLC is the owner of Tetris rights worldwide and The Tetris Company, LLC is its exclusive licensee. For the latest information about the Tetris brand and Tetris products, please visit www.Tetris.com.

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 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.

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 which 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Monica Caires
Grayling Connecting Point for the Tetris® Brand
Phone: (415) 442-4027
monica.caires@graylingcp.com