Lottery
Pollard Banknote Awarded Five-Year Primary Contract by Michigan Lottery for Instant Game Tickets
Pollard Banknote Limited is pleased to announce that, following a competitive procurement process, it has been awarded a primary contract from the Michigan Lottery (“the Lottery”) to provide instant game tickets. This marks the extension of a long-standing partnership between Pollard Banknote and the Michigan Lottery. Under this most recent agreement, Pollard Banknote will provide approximately 90% of the Lottery’s instant tickets per contract year. The initial contract term is five years, with the option to renew in one-year increments for up to five additional years. In addition to instant game tickets, the Lottery also awarded Pollard Banknote a contract to supply validation pull-tab tickets.
As a partner to the Michigan Lottery since 1996, Pollard Banknote is immensely proud of the role it has played in supporting the Lottery over the years, providing a wide range of instant games, retail solutions, and omnichannel products. From fiscal year (“FY”) 2013 to FY 2023, Pollard Banknote printed approximately 90% of the Lottery’s instant games. The Lottery earned the distinction of the fastest-growing U.S. lottery in terms of instant ticket sales per capita, with a phenomenal 182% increase during that time; this is particularly impressive when compared to the average U.S. lottery growth of 66% in instant ticket sales per capita. This growth catapulted the Lottery’s per capita sales ranking to seventh among U.S. lotteries over the same 10-year period.
Combining their years of expertise, Pollard Banknote has collaborated with the Michigan Lottery to curate an outstanding portfolio of games. In 2022, the Lottery’s first $50 game, $300,000,000 Diamond Riches, leveraged Scratch FXŸ to bring vibrancy to its diamond theme, helping drive strong sales and engagement with players. In addition, Pollard Banknote has worked closely with the Lottery to optimize its $20 price point to offer a diverse selection of games, including a variety of unique print innovations and enticing prize structures, to appeal to a broad spectrum of players. As a result, the Lottery’s $20 price point has grown a remarkable 385% from FY 2013 to FY 2023, making it the fastest growing among U.S. lotteries. Pollard Banknote has also been instrumental in the strategic development of the Lottery’s core game category, including Cashword and Wild Time, leading to a 106% increase in Cashword sales and a 204% increase in Wild Time sales from FY 2013 to FY 2023.
Pollard Banknote has also supported many retail initiatives over the years. The Lottery utilizes a variety of innovative products from Pollard Banknote’s Schafer Retail Solutions + (“SRS+”) portfolio to strengthen its retail footprint throughout the state, including over 2,300 Lighted Ticket Menu Boards and All-in-Ones, Outdoor Fuel Menu Boards, and a variety of dispensers.
The partnership between Pollard Banknote and the Lottery is further solidified by the company’s deep roots in Michigan. With an established and robust footprint in the state, including a full instant ticket manufacturing facility in Ypsilanti and nearly 350 Michigan based employees, Pollard Banknote plays an active role in creating job opportunities, generating tax revenue, and supporting other local businesses, which contributes to positive economic growth. In fact, according to a recent economic report by East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group, in 2022 alone, Pollard Banknote created 475 jobs in the state and spent more than $92.6 million USD operating and investing in its Michigan facilities, generating a total of $51.7 million USD in economic activity.
At its manufacturing plant in Ypsilanti, Pollard Banknote produced approximately seven billion ESS (equivalent single size or 2″ by 4″) instant tickets for lotteries around the globe in 2023, including the majority of the Michigan Lottery’s tickets. As evidence of the company’s commitment to continuous improvement, between 2015 and 2022, Pollard Banknote made nearly $30 million USD worth of major capital investments at this facility, including a $20-million state-of-the-art TRESU press.
“We are honored to be selected as the primary supplier of instant game tickets to the Michigan Lottery,” said Doug Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Pollard Banknote. “We deeply value the relationship we have built with both the Michigan Lottery and the communities in which we operate within the state. As a testament to our successful collaboration and efforts to deliver outstanding games and innovative retail solutions into the Michigan market, we take pride in having contributed to four-fold sales growth since the start of our partnership almost 30 years ago. We look forward to continued success and growth in the years to come.”
The Michigan Lottery announced that it will transition to the National Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-GAMBLER for responsible gaming support. This aligns the agency with the Michigan Gaming Control Board and other online gaming platforms operating in Michigan in promoting 1-800-GAMBLER. The 1-800-GAMBLER helpline will replace the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline currently in circulation (1-800-270-7117), although the previous number will remain in operation.
âThe Lottery is committed to providing Michiganders with easy access to resources that support responsible gaming. By transitioning to 1-800-GAMBLER, we are able to ensure that Michigan residents can reach specially trained staff who can provide confidential professional support, local referrals, and resources to those who may have a gambling problem,â said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli.
Operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), 1-800-GAMBLER is the worldâs largest problem gambling helpline network by call volume, population served, and geographic area covered. The helpline connects people and families impacted by problem gambling with professional support, local referrals, and resources.
Calls made to 1-800-GAMBLER from Michigan will be routed to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The helpline can also be reached by texting 800GAM or chatting online at 1800gamblerchat.org. Trained contact center staff are available 24/7, 365 days a year to provide support, guidance, and relevant information to anyone seeking help related to problem gambling. Additionally, players or their family members may connect to support resources such as live chat, text, and the helpline number by selecting the links in the footer of the Lotteryâs website.
The Michigan Lottery was the first lottery in the US to achieve the Internet Responsible Gambling Compliance Assessment Program certification through NCPG in October 2015. The NCPG evaluated the Lotteryâs compliance with Internet Responsible Gaming (IRG) standards developed based on best practices from jurisdictions around the world. IRG standards are the highest standards for online responsible gaming in the nation.
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Light & Wonder Expands Presence in Oregon with Additional Placements of KASCADA Dual Screen Multi-Games
Light & Wonder Inc. announced that the Oregon Lottery has purchased more than 1200 additional Video Lottery Terminals (VLT). This comes less than a year after the Oregon Lottery purchased 1175 VLTs following the successful trial phase in the state.
The gaming machines will house diverse player-favorite games such as BLAZING HOT CELEBRATIONS, LIGHTNING TUSKS, AMERICAN ORIGINAL, BIER HAUS, AMERICAN ORIGINAL STARS & BARS, QUICK HIT MONEY WHEEL, TREASURE FRUITS, FLUSH FRENZY Poker, and more.
âWe are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Oregon Lottery and to provide their players with our state-of-the-art KASCADA Dual Screen Multi-Games. The additional placement of over 1,200 VLTs is a testament to the success and popularity of our games in the region. We are committed to delivering innovative and engaging gaming experiences that enhance player enjoyment and drive growth for our customers,â said Niaz Nejad, Managing Director – Americas, Gaming at Light & Wonder.
âWeâre excited to continue our partnership in bringing Light & Wonderâs popular games and product expertise to our Video Lottery players. They consistently use our feedback to deliver quality products that benefit our team and customers,â said Sar Richards, Oregon Lotteryâs Manager of Video Gaming Products.
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EQL Games Launches Team USA Omni-Channel Lottery Games in Virginia Ahead of Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024
EQL Games recently unveiled an unparalleled gaming experience with the debut of its omni-channel Team USA games, exclusively tailored for the Virginia Lottery. Whether purchasing a Team USA scratcher or playing the Team USA iLottery game online through the Virginia Lotteryâs website or mobile app, players can get into the spirit of the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games leading up to opening ceremonies later this month in Paris.
âWe are excited for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 in July and the launch of these two engaging lottery products. The Virginia Lottery is among the most innovative lotteries in the world, and it has been a pleasure collaborating to bring these two games to market. Thanks to our partnership with Team USA, Virginia Lottery players can now participate in the omni-channel Olympic and Paralympic action,â said EQL Games CEO Brad Cummings.
EQL Games partnered with game studio 916 Gaming to create a unique digital game that allows players to live out their Olympic and Paralympic dreams. Lottery players play the role of a Team USA archer, track star or gymnast with just a tap of their fingers. This first-of-its-kind product combines the lottery online playing experience with games that feel more like playing a video game.
âThe opportunity to offer games that align with the start of the Olympics and Paralympics only happens every two years, and the Lottery saw this as a great chance to engage with fans. EQL and 916 Gaming have created fantastic games that our players can enjoy as they cheer on Team USA athletes,â said Virginia Lottery Director of Marketing Scott Kenyon.
The $2 Team USA scratcher will help drive sales of the omni-channel promotion. Virginia has included a special promotional offer on the front of the Scratcher offering 25 free games of the online game when players make their first account deposit. The omni-channel launched a full month ahead of Paris 2024 and the Lottery will support these games with traditional retail and digital point of sale material.
EQL Games is revolutionizing the lottery industry through relentless innovation, delivering first-to-market products as both an original game studio and a third-party content aggregator.
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