ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AP) - US-based GTECH Holdings Corp the technology partner of Jamaica's lottery firm, Supreme Ventures, closed a US$40 million deal to buy an Antigua-based lottery company with contracts throughout the Caribbean.

The all-cash deal also gives the lottery giant licences to operate games in Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, St Kitts and Nevis, St Maarten and Saba and St Eustatius, and Turks and Caicos.

GTECH said the acquisition of Leeward Islands Lottery Holdings Company Inc would add between US$20 million and US$25 million to the company's $1 billion in annual gross revenues. Leeward should provide $6 million-$8 million in net revenues for the current fiscal year, GTECH said.

The purchase will "enhance our strategic foothold" in the Caribbean, CEO W Bruce Turner said in a statement Thursday.

Leeward Islands was founded by Robert Washington Jr, Robert Johnson, founder and chief executive officer of Black Entertainment Television, and Johnnie Cochran Jr, the nationally known defense attorney.

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