WINNIPEG, Manitoba, July 24, 2017 /CNW/ – Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) (“Pollard Banknote”) congratulates Washington’s Lottery on the outstanding success of its $5 PAC-MAN® instant ticket. Launched on April 19, 2017, the game’s 10-week average sales were 55% higher than the average 10-week sales of all other $5 games launched by the Lottery since 2014, confirming the enduring appeal of the PAC-MAN® brand.
The PAC-MAN® arcade game was an instant hit with players when it launched in North America in 1980, and the brightly-colored mascot quickly became one of the most iconic video game characters of all time. Combining the nostalgic flair of the video game with the proven high appeal of PAC-MAN® ticket designs, it is easy to see why sales are yielding ‘a-maze-ing’ results.
To increase awareness and engagement, the Lottery wrapped the exterior of a Washington State Transit Association train with PAC-MAN® instant ticket advertising, asking players to “nom-nom-nom your way to $50K.” For maximum excitement, in addition to the chance of winning up to $50,000, the Lottery gave players the opportunity to instantly win one of four retro PAC-MAN® game consoles.
“In the first few weeks after launch, it became apparent the game would be a huge success,” said Ron Smerer, Sales & Marketing Director, Washington’s Lottery. “We work diligently to bring our players the best instant games that the industry has to offer and we look forward to continuing to work with Pollard Banknote to explore new, innovative, and fun instant game ideas and initiatives in the years to come.”
“The sales performance of the Lottery’s PAC-MAN® game adds to the many North American success stories to date,” said Sina Aiello, Vice President, Marketing at Pollard Banknote. “The powerful, well-recognized PAC-MAN® brand, with its familiar “arcade” theme and strong social presence, allows us to implement robust marketing campaigns that engage players and drive sales at retail.”
Created in 1982, Washington’s Lottery was established to generate revenues for state programs through the sale of lottery products. Presently, Washington’s Lottery offers five draw games and various scratch games that are launched as frequently as once a month. The Washington Opportunity Pathways Account (WOPA) is the primary beneficiary of the Lottery. In 2016, it received $128.8 million in proceeds to support education programs and scholarships. The Lottery also makes contributions to stadium funding and problem gambling prevention and treatment.
PAC-MAN®&©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
About Pollard Banknote
Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 60 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:
Sina Aiello
Vice President, Marketing
Email: saiello@pbl.ca
Pollard Banknote Limited
Telephone: (204) 474-2323
