Pollard Banknote announces acquistition of American Games, Inc.
January 8, 2002

Winnipeg, Canada – Pollard Banknote Limited (Pollard Banknote) is pleased to announce that we have completed an agreement to purchase the assets of American Games, Inc. (AGI), effective January 1, 2002.

Based in Council Bluffs, Iowa, American Games is a major manufacturer of pull tab tickets, pull tab ticket vending machines and instant ticket vending machines (ITVMs), bingo paper and bingo consoles. The company was founded in 1985 and currently has approximately 225 employees to service clients across the United States. American Games will continue to operate in Council Bluffs.

The acquisition provides several significant advantages for Pollard Banknote, including:

• extending its product line to offer pull tab ticket vending machines and instant ticket vending machines and bingo products;
•¯ expanding its market for pull tabs to include numerous fundraising and charitable organizations across the United States.

For American Games, being part of the Pollard Banknote family will offer access to an extensive network of contacts in the international lottery industry.
"From a strategic perspective, the expertise in pull tab and ITVM production that American Games brings to Pollard Banknote is a logical enhancement of our current services,"said Gordon Pollard, Co-CEO. "This is an important step in the continuing growth of our company."

Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is one of the world's leading full-service lottery suppliers, providing tickets and related services to more than 45 lotteries, including some of the largest and most respected operators in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America.