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Operators rally for US national and state lotteries to go digital
From Oregan to Maryland, state lottery operators are rallying their respective officials to allow online ticket sales as a new normal of decreased retail footfall descends on towns and cities across the US. After helping many national lotteries around the world go digital over the past few months, Ade Repcenko, CEO of Spinola Gaming, believes that an upgrade to online sales is indeed the only way forward for the US lottery sector.
Lottery operators across the US are calling for their state officials to digitise the sale of tickets in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over the last few months, only a handful of states were able to legally offer digital lottery ticket sales during their respective lockdowns: Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Virginia. Many of these states revealed that they experienced a surge in online ticket sales, with New Hampshire registering a 38 percent jump in first-time online players during this period. All other states require players to purchase a lottery ticket in person from a retail outlet, and all saw sales and revenues tumble drastically during the pandemic.
Despite a determination to go digital now being shared by a majority of key lottery figures in the US, state operators still require regulatory changes to take place before they can make the shift. Unless these regulatory changes happen fast, the US market will lag behind the rest of the world, as LATAM, Africa, Asia and Australia all already possess the legal ability to sell online. The online commercialisation of US government and state lotteries is long overdue, and Covid-19 has given those in favour of digitization real tangible data to support their long-standing arguments. State lottery operators’ interest in going digital is now stronger than ever, as the pandemic clearly highlighted the severe limitations of the retail lottery business model.
Barry Pack, director of the Oregon State Lottery, stated that retailers in Oregon lost 70 percent of their customers due to the lockdown. “The recovery from this pandemic is going to force a digital transformation in our industry a whole lot more quickly than we might normally have seen it come,” he said. “When the legislature reconvenes next week, they’re facing a billion-dollar shortfall. Their opinions about mobile gaming will change. I think there will be less resistance.”
Gordon Medenica, director of the Maryland Lottery shares Pack’s views: “We’ve been pushing a digital transformation and online selling ever since I’ve been in this industry, over the past 10 to 15 years,” he said. “In Maryland, they passed a law three years ago banning sales on the internet. I think we’ll see a dramatic change and I’m looking forward to it.”
And in a Lottery Commission meeting, Massachusetts Lottery Executive Director Michael Sweeney said their lottery faced “a significant threat of becoming somewhat obsolete”.
The extreme drop in lottery sales due to the pandemic and shelter-in-place orders was also a key pain point for most participants of the SBC Digital Summit’s lottery discussion titled, “State of Play – US Lotteries During the Coronavirus.” Many state lottery veterans shared the opinion that the pandemic should be a wake-up call for lottery officials and state legislatures, with one participant stating that the pandemic exposed state lottery’s inadequate retail business model and that it might not be sufficient for the new normal. Speaking recently Ade Repecnko, CEO of Spinola Gaming, agreed with that assessment. His company has helped many national lotteries around the world go digital over the past few months, giving them a steady stream of income to sustain their operations during the pandemic.
“Retail operators need to take a look at the post-Covid19 world and its impact on player needs and expectations, and think about what it means for the future of lotteries.” said Ade Repcenko, CEO of Spinola Gaming. “Digital is the way forward and is set to play a huge part in our industry over the coming years. Solutions like the ones offered by Spinola Gaming provide land-based operators with a holistic solution that helps operators make the move to digital, while still maintaining their traditional retail operations through one seamless interface. The software allows operators to monitor all lottery ticket sales and track all online and offline purchases in real-time, complete with a myriad of marketing functions and analytics available at the touch of a button. The system is available across all markets, currencies and languages and is fully customisable.”
Trust Mode feature reduces unnecessary location checks by over 20%
Xpoint, a leader in geolocation security solutions, has unveiled its proprietary Trust Mode feature, a patent-pending product that allows online gaming operators to realize previously unattainable efficiencies while remaining compliant with all state regulations and enhancing player satisfaction.
Trust Mode is a product feature that decreases geolocation checks while complying with state-mandated check frequencies by minimizing location checks when a player is connected to a residential or office WiFi, even if they are near the border. Results have shown that Trust Mode reduces geolocation service checks by over 20%, allowing Xpoint customers to realize significant cost savings compared to legacy industry technologies.
“Trust Mode is a clear example of how competition fosters innovation,” the Chief Executive Officer for Xpoint, Manu Gambhir, said. “There is no need to frequently re-check the location of a bettor connected to Wi-Fi at their home despite being located near a state border.
“As well as benefiting operators, end users also benefit from Trust Mode as their battery usage will decrease due to the operator’s ability to reduce the number of location checks for players without accuracy being sacrificed. This technology will serve as a game-changer for operators looking to get the most out of their geolocation service provider.”
Xpoint is licensed and authorized in 20 states and the District of Columbia across its current customer portfolio including names such as Bet365 and PrizePicks. Trust Mode delivers efficiencies to an industry that has remained largely static due to previously low levels of competition. Trust Mode saves iGaming operators money while enhancing user experience. Roll-out for the service is expected later this year.
The company’s flagship geolocation platform for iGaming, Xpoint Verify, is an advanced toolset for geo-compliance. The service is focused on being the most accurate, allowing players in permitted locations and denying all others including those attempting to spoof their location. Xpoint Verify detects and prevents fraud while providing valuable marketing insights to operator customers.
The 2024 SBC Summit North America is set to bring a diverse array of stages, sessions, and esteemed speakers, in an event that promises to deliver numerous opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration. Let’s delve into the highlights from each day of this groundbreaking summit:
Day 1: The Prelude to Insight
As the curtains rise on the inaugural day of the summit, attendees are greeted with a plethora of engaging sessions spanning regulatory compliance, responsible gambling initiatives, and the latest technological innovations. The stage is set for dynamic discussions and thought-provoking insights as industry leaders converge to explore the intersection of regulation and commercial growth.
Day 2: Navigating the Regulatory Maze
Against the backdrop of New York’s iconic Tribeca 360, day two of the summit takes center stage with a focus on regulatory compliance and responsible gaming practices. Attendees can anticipate deep dives into the complexities of mergers and acquisitions, the role of AI and big data in betting, and the imperative of responsible gambling technology. With expert speakers offering guidance and expertise, participants are empowered to navigate the regulatory maze with confidence and clarity.
Day 3: Charting the Course for Growth
As the summit enters its penultimate day, the spotlight shines on strategies for sustainable growth and innovation in the gaming industry. From exploring the symbiotic relationship between responsible gambling initiatives and long-term profitability to harnessing the power of emerging technologies, attendees are treated to a wealth of insights designed to drive commercial success while upholding the highest standards of integrity and compliance.
Day 4: The Grand Finale
As the final day dawns, anticipation mounts for the grand finale of the SBC Summit North America. Attendees can look forward to a culmination of key insights, actionable strategies, and memorable moments as the industry’s brightest minds come together for one last day of inspiration and collaboration. From live editions of the Safe Bet Show to dedicated conference tracks covering sports betting, iGaming, and leadership, the summit concludes on a high note, leaving attendees energized and empowered to chart the course for the future of gaming.
In summary, the SBC Summit North America emerges as a transformative event, offering a platform for dialogue, innovation, and progress in the gaming industry. With stages brimming with thought-provoking sessions and speakers at the forefront of their fields, the summit sets the stage for a future defined by compliance, responsibility, and sustainable growth.
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Augustine Casino Ups Their Game with QCI Slots: A New Era of Data-Driven Gaming Innovation Begins
Augustine Casino, a prominent name in the Coachella Valley gaming scene, is taking its commitment to guest satisfaction to new heights with the adoption of QCI Slots, the latest innovation from Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI). Building on the success of its partnership with QCI Host, Augustine Casino is poised to revolutionize the gaming experience for its patrons.
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This strategic move follows Augustine Casino’s successful implementation of the QCI Platform, including the QCI Host solution, which has already enhanced the casino’s ability to connect with its clientele on a deeper level. Now, with the addition of QCI Slots, Augustine Casino is poised to set new standards for excellence in the industry.
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