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GTECH Signs Contract with Finnish Lottery20 December 2004RHODE ISLAND – (PRESS RELEASE) -- GTECH Holdings Corporation (NYSE: GTK) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, GTECH Global Services Corporation, has signed a five-year contract with Veikkaus Oy, the operator of the Finnish national lottery. The contract also includes automatic provisions for two, two-year extensions which would extend the contract until 2013. This contract signing follows a highly competitive procurement process, which involved a number of bidders. "Europe has remained one of the most progressive markets for GTECH, and to join Veikkaus Oy in their vision of creating a platform on which they can deliver a broad range of entertainment and gaming content converges nicely with the proposition on which GTECH developed the Enterprise Series (ES) solution," said GTECH President and CEO W. Bruce Turner. "This partnership with Veikkaus is a strong indication of the value and validation of GTECH's ES solution package. ES will support Veikkaus' current distribution channels and games and provide them with an integrated and open platform for the future." During the term of the contract, GTECH will replace the existing gaming solution with a new integrated gaming system based on the Company's Enterprise Series(TM) architecture. This will include an Interactive Gaming solution as well as a new integrated online and instant lottery system, and the latest generation of GTECH Altura(R) terminals. In addition to the implementation of the new gaming system, GTECH will provide ongoing services to Veikkaus over the life of the contract. Veikkaus and GTECH will be uniquely positioned to change the gaming and entertainment landscape, extend the reach of leading-edge technologies and game concepts, while creating new market penetrations in a diverse range of venues. "We are extremely pleased that Veikkaus recognized the tremendous value afforded by GTECH and our new software partner, HiQ International," continued Mr. Turner. "HiQ's subsidiary, HiQ Softplan, has been collaborating with Veikkaus in the development of the current Veikkaus interactive solution since 1996, and we look forward to utilizing their experience in this expanding lottery channel." HiQ International is an information technology (IT) and management consulting firm that focuses on high-tech solutions in the fields of communication, software development, and simulation technology. HiQ employs approximately 500 people in its offices in Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. Veikkaus has been a valued GTECH customer since 1990. With respect to its contract with Veikkaus, GTECH expects to generate revenues of approximately $38 million to $40 million for the implementation of the new gaming system. In addition, GTECH will generate incremental revenue related to the ongoing software and consultancy services provided to Veikkaus in the range of $25 million to $27 million over the five years. |