NeoPollard Interactive and N.C. Education Lottery Expand Online Play Partnership to Drive Greater Returns for Education
NeoPollard Interactive LLC, jointly owned by Pollard Banknote Limited and Aristocrat Interactive, announced that the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) has extended its contract with NPi for the continued provision of its Online Play System, Player Loyalty Program and Related Services. Under the terms of the amended agreement, NCEL will extend its partnership with NPi through two one-year renewal periods until June 30, 2028, with the option to exercise an additional one-year extension at the Lottery’s discretion.
Since 2019, NPi has been a trusted partner in powering NCEL’s Online Play program, delivering a comprehensive suite of digital solutions that includes a robust Online Play platform, a fully integrated player loyalty program, a user-friendly mobile application, and industry-leading player engagement strategies. This strategic collaboration has driven remarkable growth, with gross gaming revenue from the program doubling over the past two years with the introduction of digital instant games—underscoring the strength of the partnership and the effectiveness of NPi’s digital offerings.
With the renewal, NPi will implement Aristocrat Interactive’s Fusion content aggregation platform to significantly expand NCEL’s game offerings. This platform will continue to deliver exciting games from Aristocrat Interactive’s NeoGames Studio, in addition to providing engaging new titles from the Pollard Digital Games Studio. Additional third-party games will be introduced annually, ensuring a continually refreshed and dynamic game portfolio. In addition to expanding the Lottery’s game offerings, NPi will enhance its player support services, providing 24/7 assistance via phone, chat, and email to deliver a seamless and convenient experience for players across North Carolina.
“We are pleased with the success we’ve achieved with our Online Play program and the collaboration with NeoPollard Interactive. This renewal reflects our confidence in NPi’s ability to help us grow and innovate with a strong commitment to responsible play. We look forward to continuing our partnership to deliver even more value to our players,” said Mark Michalko, Chief Executive Officer of North Carolina Education Lottery.
“The North Carolina Education Lottery is a valued partner, and we are proud to continue supporting its mission to generate revenue for education in North Carolina. This renewal attests to our shared commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional digital lottery experiences. By continuously advancing our technology and expanding our selection of games, we are confident that we can help NCEL deepen player engagement and enhance overall player satisfaction—ultimately generating strong returns for the state,” said Colin Hadden, Vice President & General Manager of NeoPollard Interactive.
Since its inception in 2006, the NCEL has raised more than $12.4 billion for education programs across all 100 counties in North Carolina. In fiscal year 2025, the Lottery raised more than $1 billion for education for the third year in a row and generated the second highest gross sales per capita in the US.
