Belgium National Lottery Embraces Kraft Paper Trend with Pollard Banknote's Eco Scratch™ Instant Tickets

WINNIPEG, June 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) ("Pollard Banknote") is pleased to announce that the Belgium National Lottery (Loterie Nationale) has launched an instant ticket featuring one of Pollard Banknote's latest innovations—Eco Scratch™. This product is generating excitement among lotteries and players worldwide for its unique appearance and use of environmentally sustainable materials.

The game's name—Love Nature—ties in with the natural look of Eco Scratch™. This €2 ticket is adorned with playful art of a cartoon sheep that is knitting. The nature theme is also evident under the scratch-off material—play symbols include plants, animals, and a recycle logo.

Pollard Banknote's Eco Scratch™ capitalizes on the latest package design trends—the use of kraft paper and a shift towards clean, simple design. Although the organic, recycled look and feel of Eco Scratch™ is perfect for vintage designs, it is also suitable for creating striking modern designs.

Pollard Banknote's Eco Scratch™ paper stock is not only creating a stir among lottery players for its appealing and trendy 'green' look, but also the fact that the product itself is environmentally-friendly, containing 60% recycled fibers (35% post-consumer).

"Pollard Banknote's Eco Scratch™ is perfect for the eco-friendly design of our Love Nature ticket. Eco Scratch™, with its natural, unrefined appearance is a fresh concept in the instant ticket world that stands out at retail," explained Stéphane Lefebvre, Director of Product Development, Loterie Nationale. "We are proud to be among the first lotteries worldwide to launch this product. We have leveraged our exclusive partnership with Pollard Banknote to bring our players new, unique instant products."

"Pollard Banknote's Eco Scratch™ tickets offer a one-of-a-kind appearance unlike anything else offered in the instant ticket market, while also catering to environmentally conscious players," said Nancy Bettcher, Vice President, Product Innovation & Development, Pollard Banknote. "More and more lotteries are joining Loterie Nationale in adding Eco Scratch™ to their instant ticket offerings. Eco Scratch™ is one of many Pollard Banknote innovative offerings that help lotteries raise revenues to support good causes."

Loterie Nationale started in 1934 under the name 'Colonial Lottery' with the mandate of financing humanitarian and welfare work in Congo, Belgium's former colony. In 1962, the name was changed to Loterie Nationale and placed under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, Loterie Nationale is state-owned, and aims to offer entertaining and socially responsible games that appeal to a broad audience. Loterie Nationale allocates revenues to support various state activities such as sports, culture, and local social projects.

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

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SOURCE Pollard Banknote Limited

Image with caption: "Pollard Banknote's Eco Scratch™ Instant Ticket (CNW Group/Pollard Banknote Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150630_C5794_PHOTO_EN_430762.jpg

Doug Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; John Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Rob Rose, Chief Financial Officer, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]