Gamestec Launches Tab Boxx Lottery Games In The UK

Instant-win lottery machines raise money for good causes.

Gamestec, the UK’s leading gaming machine operator in conjunction with Twylite Media Group, LLC and International Gamco of the US, has announced the launch of a new, instant-win lottery product which will help raise money for good causes and create a further income stream for pubs and bars.

The TabBOXX lottery ticket dispenser, which was co-pioneered in North America by Oasis Gaming a division of International Gamco and McIntire and Associates, the designer and manufacturer, offers players the chance to win a top prize of £1,000 as well as smaller prizes and promotional offers.

The first games, which will be prominently displayed in pubs with on-screen advertising and promotions, will initially be launched in the run up to Christmas through a number of leading pub companies with proceeds benefiting national charities.

Peter Davies, Business Development Director at Gamestec, said: “This is a very exciting development in the UK licensed retail sector. The success of the TabBOXX in North America means that we have a tried and tested product that benefits publicans and good causes.”

“We estimate that we will have a minimum of 4,000 units in British pubs and clubs within the next three years and, following our unveiling of TabBOXX at Preview 2010 held in London last week, the response from the leisure sector has been extremely exciting.  We have tested the product in a range of venues and are confident that the sale of lottery tickets doesn’t in anyway cannibalize other machine income in venue. With the ticket sales experienced during trials we fully expect the money raised for charity to exceed £6m per year with a typical licensee or venue earning upwards of £750 per machine per year.”

TabBOXX is a fully integrated dispensing device for “Pull Tab” lottery tickets – players pull open tabs to reveal whether they have won a prize. Each ticket will cost £1 with 20 per cent of ticket sales going directly to the nominated charity. The patented dispensing unit features a stunning 17” high definition touch screen interface which is highly visible, attractive, and extremely easy to use. The unit also incorporates a voucher printer for supplementary promotions and features both a note acceptor and coin acceptor, all in a relatively compact design. All units are monitored remotely in real time. Cash sales, ticket and voucher vends, and on screen activity are all tracked and reported ensuring units are always stocked with tickets and performing properly. The unit will also interface with Gamestec’s proprietary I-Assist machine management solution which was also unveiled at Preview 2010 and which provides further levels of security and performance management.

Scott Henneman, Vice President of Oasis Gaming commented “International Gamco is one of the worlds leading Pull Tab Lottery Ticket suppliers; we have researched the UK market extensively following the introduction of the Gambling Act 2005. This new legislation opened the way for TabBOXX to enter into the licensed retail sector. Given our extensive experience in bars in North America, together with the UK club market, we are certain we have found the right partner to introduce TabBOXX to UK pubs”.

“Gamestec ticks all the boxes, and are the natural choice, we are delighted with our exclusive partnership. The Gamestec team has fully embraced this opportunity and we are confident that we have the right ingredients to deliver exciting new revenue streams.”

“The combination of International Gamco’s game expertise, Twylite Media Group’s marketing and promotional savvy and Gamestec’s national sales and operational infrastructure provide a formidable team that will only stand to benefit charities, pub retailers and lottery players” added Jim Humphrey, Managing Director, Twylite Media Group UK.

“We are aware of similar products in the UK market, but we are certain the mixture of our technically innovative, multi platform approach combined with enhanced games benefiting national charity partners and all supported nationally by the UK’s largest operator will ensure TabBOXX is the preferred choice” stated Mr. Davies.

Mr. Davies added: “It is particularly apt that, in the first instance, the charity we are supporting is the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation as we believe many publicans will use TabBOXX to replace cigarette machines should the Government’s new UK Health Bill ban them.”

Alyson Wort, Director of Fundraising for The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said “We are absolutely delighted that this lottery will benefit our charity, as Roy Castle himself became a household name performing in pubs and clubs across the UK.  We are the only charity in the UK wholly dedicated to defeating lung cancer and the money raised will help us to ensure that we consign this dreadful disease to the history books.”

According to anti-smoking charity Ash, there are more than 90,000 cigarette vending machines in the UK.