Mr. Doug Pollard reports

POLLARD BANKNOTE CONGRATULATES SLOVAKIA'S NIKE ON RECORD-BREAKING INSTANT TICKET SALES

Pollard Banknote Ltd. has congratulated Nike, Slovakia's largest betting company, on its outstanding success in achieving record-breaking instant ticket sales over the last several years. Since 2018, Nike's instant ticket sales have grown by over 52 per cent -- making it one of the fastest-growing lotteries in Europe. Most recently, Nike attained consecutive record sales in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 and 2024 is set to surpass last year's impressive performance.

As Nike's exclusive instant ticket partner since 2013, Pollard Banknote collaborates closely with the lottery, offering expertise in portfolio management and a wide array of sales -- driving print innovations. Nike's continued success is propelled by a forward-thinking instant ticket marketing strategy that prioritizes the development of eye-catching games, delivering value to players, carefully planned portfolio design, and retail expansion.

By strategically incorporating Pollard Banknote's cutting-edge print innovations across all price points, Nike offers a rich portfolio of bold designs to maximize appeal to players. Nike leverages the company's industry-leading Scratch FX products, specialty inks and innovative concepts such as Jumbo Pop 'n' Play to effectively increase game visibility and drive sales. For instance, for the game Dvojita Vyhra (Double Win), the lottery used Spectrum Scratch FX Duos to produce a striking ticket design with two contrasting holographic patterns, which delivered great results -- it sold 20 per cent higher than the average non-holiday five-euro game. Nike has also utilized Pollard Banknote's digital printing capabilities to launch the highly successful Kapitan GECO (Captain GECO) series of games, distributed exclusively at GECO retailers and tied into GECO's loyalty program.

Pollard Banknote has worked closely with Nike to optimize its product portfolio -- increasing launches from 10 in 2017 to 25 in 2023, with a variety of options to ensure broad player appeal, including different play mechanics, price points, prize structures and ticket designs. Drawing on Pollard Banknote's strategic advice, in October, 2023, Nike launched its first-ever 30-euro game, Deluxe 30 -- a large, folded ticket featuring Spectrum Scratch FX, offering players 30 games inside -- and it became one of Nike's top-selling games during the 2023 holiday period. Nike also strategically expanded its holiday offerings in 2023 to include games at the 10-euro price point as well as released its first holiday family. Building on the sellout success of the 2022 five-euro holiday game Vianocny zreb (Christmas Ticket), Nike launched the Vianoce (Christmas) family of games at the two-euro, five-euro and 10-euro price points. The family's cute critters were once again embraced by Nike's players, with the 10-euro game featuring Scratch FX almost entirely sold through during the holiday season.

"We are thrilled with how successful our partnership has been and in particular with achieving two years in a row of record instant sales. Pollard Banknote has been an unwavering partner -- constantly bringing new ideas, captivating artistic design and portfolio recommendations that contribute to our success," said Marian Jamrich, lottery director, Nike. "We look forward to continuing to work together to provide innovative and fun games to our players."

"Congratulations to Nike, whose enthusiasm for innovation and implementation of proven growth strategies have led to impressive sales growth year after year," said Laura Kroeker, director, sales and marketing, Pollard Banknote. "It's always a pleasure to work with forward-thinking lotteries like Nike, and, in the coming years of our partnership, we look forward to delivering more outstanding games for Nike's players."

Founded in 1991, Nike is the oldest and largest betting and gaming company in Slovakia. With sales of more than 400 million euros per year, 1,000 employees and a network exceeding 900 branches, it ranks among the largest companies in the region.

About Pollard Banknote Ltd.

Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide, providing high-quality instant ticket products, licensed games, in-lane ticket options and sales-driving merchandising solutions from its Schafer Retail Solutions Plus portfolio. It also offers a full suite of digital offerings, ranging from world-class game apps to comprehensive player engagement and i-lottery 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, ticket vending machines, and its Diamond Game and Compliant Gaming electronic games and devices to charitable and other gaming markets in North America. Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned approximately 64 per cent by the Pollard family and 36 per cent by public shareholders and is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

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