Gambling in the USA

Idaho Lottery’s 30th Anniversary Family Of Games Named NASPL’s Best New Instant Game Of 2019

Published

6 years ago

October 4, 2019

Pollard Banknote Limited is proud to recognize and congratulate the Idaho Lottery on its 30th Anniversary family of Scratch Games™ being awarded Best New Instant Game of 2019 by the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (“NASPL”).

The winner of the Best New Instant Game category was announced on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at NASPL’s annual conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. All entries were evaluated based on a variety of criteria including innovative aspects of the game, cost/benefit analysis results, strategic insight, and visual appeal.

The Idaho Lottery launched the 30th Anniversary family at the $5, $10, and—a first ever for the Lottery—$30 price points with a multitude of features and support that contributed to its tremendous success. Since 2019 marks the Idaho Lottery’s 30th anniversary, these three tickets led the celebration with their sparkling, colorful design centered around the Lottery’s anniversary logo to convey a fun party theme. The design was further enhanced by Pollard Banknote’s Scratch FX® innovation—a patented cold foil process that gives tickets a vibrant shine that cuts through retail clutter. In the spirit of innovation, this family of games was also supported by an omni-channel marketing approach including various social media, retail, and mass media campaigns, as well as an xtraplayGAMES™ experience powered by Pollard Banknote that offered an engaging 2nd chance opportunity through the Lottery’s app allowing players to take part in an interactive game for a chance to win cash prizes. Players appreciated the excitement and heightened entertainment provided by these games, which surpassed all of the Lottery’s engagement goals and together generated over $1 million in weekly sales for six straight weeks!

“We’re excited to see the 30th Anniversary family of games named NASPL’s Best New Instant Game,” said Doug Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Pollard Banknote. “Like Pollard Banknote, the Idaho Lottery is driven by innovation. This game is a perfect example of their dedication to creating outstanding player experiences for everyone. We have worked with the Lottery to provide many innovative games and look forward to continuing this successful partnership that will benefit Idahoans for years to come.”

“The 30th Anniversary family of games was an incredible success, surpassing all of our expectations,” said Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. “The Lottery’s anniversary gave us an opportunity to celebrate with three unique tickets featuring Pollard Banknote’s Scratch FX® print technology as well as utilizing their expertise in creating exceptional digital player experiences. In addition to connecting with our players on a great celebration, this family of games created $2.8 million in dividends for our beneficiaries, Idaho public schools and the state’s permanent facilities.”

The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides entertaining games with a high degree of integrity to maximize proceeds for education in Idaho. Since its inception in 1989, the Lottery has returned more than $906 million to the State’s Public School Building Account and the Permanent Building Fund. For more information, please visit www.idaholottery.com.

About Pollard Banknote:

Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide, providing high quality instant ticket products, licensed games, Schafer Systems and Fastrak retail merchandising solutions, 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 provides 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 67.5% by the Pollard family and 32.5% by public shareholders, and is publicly traded on the TSX (PBL). For more information, please visit our website at www.pollardbanknote.com.

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Gambling in the USA

Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel Unveils Expanded Non-Smoking Gaming Floor

Published

7 days ago

July 8, 2025

Niji Narayan

Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel has officially opened its newly expanded non-smoking gaming floor, marking a significant milestone in the property’s continued commitment to exceptional guest experiences.

Located adjacent to the hotel lobby, the new, larger non-smoking slot floor will feature nearly 400 of today’s most popular slot machines in a fresh, modern environment designed exclusively for non-smoking guests. This addition enhances the casino’s dedication to providing smoke-free gaming options in a luxury setting. For convenience and ease of access, non-smoking guests can also take advantage of the smoke-free entrance via the hotel’s valet parking.

This new space complements Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel’s existing fully enclosed, non-smoking slot area near Falls Buffet and Snoqualmie Café & Deli, offering guests even more choice and accessibility when it comes to their preferred gaming environment.

In addition to these gaming enhancements, all restaurants on property are 100% non-smoking, making Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel a premier destination for guests seeking an elevated, smoke-free entertainment and dining experience.

“We’re thrilled to offer our guests even more smoke-free options. The expansion of our non-smoking gaming floor reflects our ongoing efforts to listen to our guests and create an atmosphere that’s both exciting and comfortable for everyone,” said Mary Lou Patterson, CEO of Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel.

Gambling in the USA

Abbiati Casino Equipment and Hawkins Holdings Form Strategic Alliance to Expand Presence Across the Americas

Published

2 weeks ago

July 4, 2025

Niji Narayan

Abbiati Casino Equipment, a globally recognised leader in premium casino equipment and technologies, announced a strategic partnership with Hawkins Holdings to strengthen its presence across North and South America. As part of this initiative, seasoned gaming executive Roger Hawkins has been appointed Brand Ambassador and Strategic Consultant for the Americas.

With more than 20 years of executive leadership in the global casino and gaming industry, Hawkins will spearhead the company’s efforts to expand its footprint throughout the Western Hemisphere. His role will include market development, strategic partnerships, regulatory positioning, and the promotion of Abbiati’s legacy of Italian innovation, craftsmanship, and integrity.

“This partnership is about more than market entry – it’s about building deeper awareness, driving product adoption, and reinforcing Abbiati’s commitment to quality across every pit and poker room in the hemisphere,” said Hawkins.

Giorgio Abbiati, CEO of Abbiati Casino Equipment, said: “We have proudly served clients in the Americas for many years, but the time is right to deepen our focus. Roger’s knowledge of our products and his insight into the market make him the ideal partner to lead this next phase.”

Gambling in the USA

Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort Rising in Kings Mountain as First Year of Construction is Completed

Published

3 weeks ago

June 23, 2025

Niji Narayan

Significant construction has been completed during the first year of work on the $1 billion Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, N.C., a site off Interstate-85 only 35 miles from Charlotte and close to the South Carolina border.

Construction on all aspects of the project is in full swing, with the foundations for the casino complex and hotel completed several months ago, the casino complex at its full height and expanding horizontally, and steel continuing to rise for the 24-story, 385-room hotel. The hotel tower framing is now 10 stories high, with an additional floor being added nearly every week. At completion, the hotel will be connected to the casino complex.

The casino complex includes the introductory casino on the first level, three levels of covered parking, a back-of-house level and top level with the main casino floor and restaurants. The introductory casino, set to open in spring 2026, will include 1350 slot machines, 20 table games, a 40-seat restaurant, a bar, sports betting kiosks, and Lucky North Rewards desk.

The introductory casino will replace the current temporary (prelaunch) casino, which continues to grow in popularity as it nears its fourth anniversary on July 1.

The main casino complex is targeted to open in 2027. It will be about 2 million square feet and feature:

• 4300 slot machines

• 100 table games

• 11 dining outlets, including a steakhouse, Italian restaurant, marketplace with six venues, café, and grab-and-go outlet

• A players lounge

• 11 bars, including a center bar and sports bar

• A 2700-space parking garage built under the casino complex and 800 surface parking spaces

The project has created hundreds of construction jobs. Upon completion, the casino resort will employ an estimated 2200 regional residents and citizens of the Catawba Nation.

“This casino resort will be an economic game changer for Catawba citizens and a force to drive the economy of Cleveland County and the City of Kings Mountain. This project is a testament to our resilience, our commitment to self-sufficiency, and our determination to build a better future for ourselves and our future generations,” Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris said.

Harris noted the temporary casino is contributing to many community and charitable organizations in the region, and that will only increase as the full casino resort opens.

The project is being led by the Catawba Nation Gaming Authority under Vice President Trent Troxel, with Yates-Metcon as the construction general contractor; Delaware North as the gaming management, development and hospitality consultant; and SOSHNY Design architects.

“Once again, I want to thank the Cleveland County, City of Kings Mountain, federal and state leaders who have supported the Catawba Nation’s efforts develop the casino resort in its ancestral lands in North Carolina,” Harris said.

Work has also been completed on two key infrastructure projects for development of the permanent casino resort that were funded by the Catawba Nation: doubling the size of the Dixon School Road Bridge over I-85 near the casino entrance and installing new sewer lines near the casino.