Lotto NZ Has Selected Scientific Games as its New Technology Provider

After an 18-month procurement process, Lotto NZ has announced Scientific Games as their new systems technology provider. The partnership is part of the group’s plans for future growth and digital game innovation.

Let’s take a look at what the partnership entails and what it means for the future of the lottery in New Zealand.

Details of the Partnership

Scientific Games will support Lotto NZ to replace their existing online and core gaming systems as part of a new seven-year agreement. They aim to introduce a new, fully integrated technology system that includes a lottery retail system, digital lottery platform, retail point-of-sale technology and a digital content aggregation hub.

Symphony, Scientific Games’ gaming system, will support Lotto NZ’s draw-based games engine and communications across its retail network. It will also support more than 1,200 retailer point-of-sale terminals and wireless ticket checkers.

A new Scientific Games Content Hub will help to deliver iLottery games, such as draw-based games, eInstant games and leading global lottery game studios. The agreement starts with the new systems’ go-live date and can be renewed for 12 years.

Why Scientific Games

Scientific Games has provided retail instant scratch games to Lotto NZ for over 30 years and was one of a small group of technology providers included in the procurement process.

Lotto NZ’s CEO Chris Lyman says Scientific Games was an excellent match for New Zealand Lotto’s values and the future focus of the business. Both organisations are committed to providing engaging and socially responsible leading gaming technology that puts the customer at the centre. “We’re confident of a collaborative and successful partnership in the years to come, and we are excited about getting started”, he said.

The NZ Lotto team have said they’re committed to appealing to a broad base of New Zealanders by delivering entertaining and innovative digital games that are simple to use, fun and safe.

Mr Lyman said, “We chose Scientific Games as a technology partner based on the company’s strong understanding of our goals, its range of integrated products and services that will help us reach our goals and its five decades of industry knowledge and experience.”

Why New Technology is Needed Now

Lotto NZ says the technology supporting Lotto NZ’s current gaming system is now almost 20 years old, and it no longer supports the group’s vision in a competitive digital market.

Over the past three years, there’s also been a significant shift at Lotto NZ towards digital, with online lottery play making up around 46% of the organisation’s total sales.

“This is the right time to invest in a fit-for-purpose system that will set us up for the future, support omni-channel growth, and provide New Zealanders with the world’s best and safest customer experience,” added Mr Lyman.

Michael Conforti, President of the International for Scientific Games, said, “Lotto New Zealand is a recognised leader in the global lottery industry, and we are honoured to be selected as its partner for this exciting and transformative project. We are committed to a technology implementation that will responsibly drive Lotto New Zealand’s business to the next level and meet its plans for future growth and digital game innovation.”

About the Project

Lotto NZ calls the technology project the EDGE Programme (Experience Driven Gaming Engine). In addition to replacing its core gaming system, it will also replace the interactive system that supports MyLotto.

Scientific Games’ technology will help provide Lotto NZ with a more integrated and personalised player experience across all of its digital channels. The new technology will help build a robust back end that can meet the predicted digital demand over the coming years. It will also allow for new enhancements to be added as technology continues to evolve.

About NZ Lotto

Lotto New Zealand provides access to safe gaming for New Zealanders to play and win and gives back to New Zealand communities.

Every year, Lotto NZ gives 100% of profits to the NZ Lottery Grants Board. This funding goes to thousands of community groups and organisations for activities and projects. Since Lotto NZ was established in 1987, over $5.5 billion in funding has been returned to New Zealand communities.

Lotto NZ offers Lotto, Powerball, Strike, Bullseye, Keno, and Instant Kiwi.

About Scientific Games

Scientific Games was created in 1973 and is a global leader in retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services for government-sponsored lottery and sports betting programs.

They offer enterprise gaming platforms and entertainment experiences for retail and digital solutions.

References

• Scientific Games “New Zealand National Lottery Selects Scientific Games’ Integrated Systems Technology to Power Growth and Digital Game Innovation”, https://www.scientificgames.com/news/media-releases/new-zealand-national-lottery-selects-scientific-games-integrated-systems-technology-to-power-growth-and-digital-game-innovation/
• Lotto New Zealand, “Lotto NZ appoints Scientific Games to spearhead gaming and digital systems replacement”, https://mylotto.co.nz/news-and-press-releases/lotto-nz-appoints-scientific-games-180823