Pollard Banknote Pumps Up Its Retro Arcade Game Suite with DIG DUG(TM)

25/08/2020 08:38

WINNIPEG, MB, Aug. 25, 2020 /CNW/ - Pollard Banknote Limited (TSX: PBL) ("Pollard Banknote") a leading lottery partner that provides instant tickets, interactive programs, retail solutions, and full marketing support, is pleased to announce the addition of DIG DUG™—the classic arcade game—to its robust portfolio of licensed games. Under an agreement with BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., Pollard Banknote is excited to introduce the DIG DUG™ brand to the lottery industry, facilitating its first appearance on instant tickets.

DIG DUG™ has been a prominent maze-style arcade game since its first release in the early 1980s, well-received for its simple, yet strategic, mechanics. Unlike maze games that came before it, DIG DUG™ allows players to create their own maze in each round. Players direct the main character, DIG DUG™, through the ground to eliminate subterranean monsters by crushing them under boulders or inflating them until they explode—hence, the game's catchphrase, "Crush and inflate!". With its amusing characters and entertaining gameplay, DIG DUG™ quickly achieved commercial success, grossing over $46.3 million in revenue in its first year alone. DIG DUG™'s influence has never waned. In fact, it has been named the sixth most popular video game of all time by the International Arcade Museum®.

As one of the founding titles of the golden age of retro arcade games, DIG DUG™ is the perfect addition to Pollard Banknote's licensed games portfolio, joining other iconic arcade game brands from this era—PAC-MAN®, GALAGA™, Frogger, and Tetris®. This brand offers a natural next step for lotteries looking to launch the next nostalgic arcade brand.

"Pollard Banknote's suite of retro brands has proven to perform exceptionally well across the lottery market," said Brad Thompson, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Pollard Banknote. "We are thrilled to build on this momentum by endorsing DIG DUG™ as a new option for lotteries that want to launch their next classic video game brand, or as a remarkable first-time introduction of a video game-themed instant ticket. We can also pair DIG DUG™ with one or more of our other classic video game properties for a retro-packed instant ticket with a real arcade feel. The popularity of the DIG DUG™ brand combined with fun, vivid ticket art and engaging play styles will help lotteries attract a wide player base."

DIGDUG™ & ©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

About Pollard Banknote

Pollard Banknote is a leading lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide, providing high quality instant ticket products, licensed games, Schafer Systems and Fastrak retail merchandising solutions, and a full suite of digital offerings, ranging from world-class mkodo game apps to comprehensive player engagement and iLottery 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, and its Diamond Game and Oasis-branded electronic ticket machines to charitable and other gaming markets in North America. Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned approximately 67.5% by the Pollard family and 32.5% by public shareholders, and is publicly traded on the TSX (PBL). For more information, please visit our website at www.pollardbanknote.com.

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