La Française Des Jeux Dazzles With 5€ Saphir 250 000€ Instant Ticket Featuring Spectrum Scratch FX®

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, February 17, 2015 /CNW/ – Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (“Pollard Banknote”) is pleased to announce the launch of La Française des Jeux’s (the National Lottery of France, “FDJ^®”) new 5€ instant game, Saphir 250 000€, which features the sparkle and shine of Pollard Banknote’s patented Spectrum Scratch FX^®. The launch of Saphir 250 000€ in February 2015 will mark the expansion of instant ticket offerings at the Lottery’s popular 5€ price point.

Saphir 250 000€ leverages the striking glitter and glitz of Spectrum Scratch FX^® to highlight the game’s colourful, gem-themed design and draws attention to its enticing 250 000€ top prize. Spectrum Scratch FX^®—an enhancement to Pollard Banknote’s exclusive Scratch FX^® process—creates a vibrancy and excitement that stands out at retail. Its shiny silver and holographic shimmer effect, combined with a variety of colours, produces a visual impact that is sure to catch the eye of new and existing players across a variety of demographics. 

“FDJ^® is a long-valued client and we are pleased to have been selected to print this uniquely compelling and innovative product,” says Murielle Fontaine, Director, Sales & Marketing, Pollard Banknote. “The high-value look of Spectrum Scratch FX^®, a proven driver of instant ticket sales for lottery jurisdictions worldwide, is an ideal product to help introduce players to a new game at the 5€ price point. It adds dimension to the game’s eye-catching design to create additional interest for players.”

“The Saphir 250 000€ instant game exemplifies the ability of FDJ^® and Pollard Banknote to collaborate and develop a winning ticket concept that combines premium design elements with cutting-edge print technology,” Loïc Bonivin, Head of Instant Tickets, FDJ^®. 

Pollard Banknote’s Scratch FX^® products have generated over $7.5 billion in global retail sales since they were first introduced in 2007. To date, 40 lotteries worldwide have launched more than 400 Scratch FX^® offerings, with Pollard Banknote producing additional games each and every month. Initial launches of Scratch FX^® games have sold 40% higher than average games at the same price point. 

About La Française des Jeux – FDJ^®
La Française des Jeux is the fourth largest lottery worldwide, with almost €13 billion in bets in 2014. It offers its 27 million customers a range of lottery games and sports betting for the general public, through responsible and safe play. The Group, including its subsidiaries, Lotsys and LVS, relies on over 1,700 employees, a local network of 32,700 sales points and a multimedia channel which attracts one million players. In 2014, La Française des Jeux redistributed 95% of its bets. Specifically, €8.5 billion went to players, €3 billion to the authorities, including over €230 million to sport for all and charity, and more than €650 million for retailers.

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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