International Game Technology (IGT) has announced that its subsidiary GTECH Corporation has signed a contract with the Minnesota State Lottery to provide a wide range of lottery software and services.

IGT’s 7.5 year integrated services contract with the Lottery, which runs through August 9, 2023, contains three renewal options of one year each, or up to one renewal of three years. The deal is the continuation of GTECH’s relationship with Minnesota State Lottery since 2003.

Under the terms of the contract, IGT will provide the Minnesota State Lottery with innovative, expandable technology, a flexible set of retail solutions, and data-driven, decision-making tools to help increase revenues to the State of Minnesota.

IGT will also replace the Lottery’s existing central system with the latest version of Enterprise Series (ES) and existing terminal base with approximately 3,200 new Altura® GT1200 terminals, stimulating increased brand awareness, winner awareness, and player recognition of jackpots and game activities, directly at the point-of-sale, as well as Ticket-Scan® Plus self-service ticket checkers for players.

Swedish online gambling software provider NYX Gaming Group has reported full-year revenue amounted to $27.3 million (€25.3 million), a 46% increase on the $18.7 million posted in 2013.

The increase in revenue was mainly attributable to the growth in new customers, as well as the existing customer base, the introduction of new games and revenue related to the acquisition of Ongame.

“It is with great pleasure that we release our first quarterly financial results as a public company,” NYX CEO Matt Davey said. “Our expertise in the gaming industry combined with our proven acquisition and integration strategy positions us well for future growth.”

Gross profit also jumped 49% to $24.1 million, a result of better gaming revenue mix among NYX-owned content and third-party games offered through its platform.

Vicky Coren-Mitchell’s hosting slot on the BBC1 show Have I Got News For You attracted an average of 4.6 million viewers, making it the highest rating TV show of the night, aside from the soap operas.

When Victoria Coren-Mitchell created history by becoming the first player to win two European Poker Tour (EPT) Main Event titles, I said that she was one of the most important signings that PokerStars had ever made.

Her role as an author and TV broadcaster, in the UK, resulted in her profile, and PokerStars logo, being seen all over the world. And we’re not just talking about poker news outlets. We are talking about the mainstream press.

This is why online poker organizations hire such people. It’s all in the exposure. But the difference between Coren-Mitchell and, let’s say, Rafael Nadal, is the whole world gets to know that the former is connected with PokerStars. She was never shy about her relationship with PokerStars. She was very proud to be associated with them. Have you ever seen Nadal mentioned outside of a poker news site regarding his sponsorship deal with Stars? Have you ever seen him wearing the Red Spade other than at a poker event?

Wesley Wiegand has defeated Anad Kumar, in heads-up action, to take the first prize in the World Poker Tour National Series Main Event in Johannesburg.

I have been to South Africa twice in my life. On both occasions I was working for the World Poker Tour (WPT) at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.

I have plenty of memories of South Africa. Most of them involve lions, rhinos, hippos, and then there is the odd shark. The one shark that I remember more than any other is Wesley Wiegand. He made the final table the first time that I visited, finishing fourth, and he made the final table the second time I visited, finishing fifth. I think I must have been his curse. I wasn’t there for the WPT National Series Main Event, and he has gone and won it.

Wiegand picks up $81,026 after defeating Anad Kumar in the heads-up phase of an event that lasted three days. The final day began with 14-players still left in the hunt, and all eyes were on Davor Dadic, who was looking to defend the title he won the last time the National Series trophy was up for grabs.

PokerStars have increased their online casino game offerings, on both desktop and mobile devices, with over 25 new titles available on one or the other.

When PokerStars unveiled plans to offer online casino games to their online poker brethren, it was met with mixed emotions, both internally and externally.

The most high profile of these dissenters was former PokerStars Team Pro, and two-time European Poker Tour (EPT) Main Event champion, Victoria Coren-Mitchell, who promptly resigned from her position over the move.

“I cannot professionally and publicly endorse it.” Said Coren-Mitchell. “Poker is the game I love, poker is what I signed up to promote.”

Asher Conniff wins the opening event of the Borgata Spring Poker Open, after beating his friend Matt Stout in heads-up action, in the $1m guaranteed event.

[Image Credit: Spring Poker Open Blog]

The 2015 Borgata Spring Poker Open, in Atlantic City, has kicked off in fine fettle, after Asher Conniff defeated 2,408 entrants to take the first prize of $203,231.

Conniff cut a deal with Matt Stout, and the reigning champion Carlos Alvarado, before going on to capture the first prize, the trophy, and all the plaudits. We don’t have the full details of the deal, but know that Stout picked up $140,000, and there was $20,000 left to play for.

Australian star Jonathan Karamalikis has taken down the $1,600 Poker SA Classic Series Main Event at the Maylands Hotel, Adelaide, Australia, after beating Jamie Spencer in heads-up action.

[Image Credit: Pokerasiapacific]

Jonathan Karamalikis has won the top prize in the $1,600 Poker SA Classic Series Main Event, and every single cent is 100% rake free courtesy of one of the classiest joints in the world.

Karamalikis defeated his fellow countryman, Jamie Spencer, in heads-up action, to take the first prize of $42,980, at the end of a vibrant five-day festival held at the St Maylands Hotel, Adelaide.