British Columbia Lottery Corporation's Latest Crossword Instant Ticket Presents Extreme Value Proposition

WINNIPEG, Feb. 26, 2018 /CNW/ - Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) ("Pollard Banknote") congratulates the British Columbia Lottery Corporation ("BCLC") on the success of Crossword Extreme, the Lottery's first $20 Crossword ticket. The game was launched at the $20 price point in celebration of the 20^th Anniversary of the Lottery's successful Crossword category.

British Columbia Lottery Corporation's Crossword Extreme Ticket (CNW Group/Pollard Banknote Limited)

To entice players with an attractive value proposition, Crossword Extreme was printed utilizing Pollard Banknote's Jumbo Pop 'n' Play™ innovation, allowing for 13 games across the front, back, and inside of the ticket. Jumbo Pop 'n' Play™ tickets feature a perforated centre, inviting players to open the ticket and reveal a jumbo spread of games loaded with chances to win. BCLC is known for being an innovative lottery, so it is fitting that it is the first lottery to launch this innovation.

Crossword Extreme contributed to a remarkable 22% sales growth of the Crossword category (based on a comparison of sales 10 weeks before and after launch), with minimal cannibalization of current lower price point Crossword games. Crossword Extreme, with its unique play format, was so successful that the Lottery is launching a refreshed version in 2018.

To let players experience the incredible amount of gameplay in this unique ticket hands-on, the Lottery leveraged on-counter displays at select retail locations. These displays allowed players to touch and open the product to see the wealth of play grids on the front, as well as the inside of the ticket.

"We are happy to continue helping BCLC grow its Crossword category and enhance its instant ticket portfolio," said Brad Thompson, Director Sales and Marketing, Pollard Banknote. "For over three decades we have worked with the Lottery to help keep its instant ticket portfolio fresh by offering innovative products. We look forward to continuing to work with BCLC in order to help the Lottery offer new, exciting products to its players."

"Crossword Extreme, the Lottery's first $20 Crossword ticket, is a big success," said Heather Tryon, Senior Manager, Lottery Marketing, BCLC. "Pollard Banknote's Jumbo Pop 'n' Play™ innovation maximizes play area, offering players an unprecedented 13 puzzle grids, each enhanced by neon and multicolour translucent inks. Pollard Banknote's innovative products have helped us drive revenues in support of the province for over 30 years, and this game proves that we can still offer our players new Scratch & Win experiences."

The Province of British Columbia founded BCLC more than 30 years ago with the purpose of giving back to the citizens of BC and helping communities grow. Since 1985, the Lottery's players have helped invest $19 billion in health care, education and community programs, as $0.88 of every dollar spent on lottery products goes back into the province.  

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 a full suite of digital offerings ranging from game apps to comprehensive player engagement and iLottery solutions, including strategic marketing and management services. 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 providing pull-tab tickets, bingo paper and its Diamond Game and Oasis-branded electronic ticket machines to charitable and other gaming markets in North America. Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned approximately 67.6% by the Pollard family and 32.4% 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.

SOURCE Pollard Banknote Limited

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