Gambling in the USA

Blackhawk Network and Pollard Banknote to Bring In-Lane Merchandising and Purchase of Instant Lottery Tickets to State Lotteries and Retailers

Published

6 years ago

June 18, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Global branded payments provider Blackhawk Network, Inc. announced a new agreement with leading lottery expert Pollard Banknote Limited (“Pollard Banknote”) to bring greater convenience to consumers purchasing instant lottery tickets. With this partnership, retailers can merchandise instant tickets “in-lane” at retail to provide both current lottery players and new impulse customers a quick and simple way to purchase popular instant games directly at the register and most self-checkout kiosks.

With Pollard Banknote’s patented scanACTIV solution and Blackhawk’s direct POS integrations with an expansive network of the nation’s leading retailers, shoppers will be able to buy lottery tickets in the checkout lane when paying for groceries and everyday items without the added step of waiting in a separate line or making a separate purchase at a customer service counter or vending machine.

“Blackhawk is committed to bringing innovative payment solutions to POS—including lottery—to its vast network of retail partners to help increase reach, loyalty, and revenue,” said Brett Narlinger, head of Global Commerce at Blackhawk Network. “Partnering with Pollard Banknote to support its scanACTIV solution is yet another option that can enable our multi-lane retail partners to drive incremental sales and offer greater value and convenience to their customers.”

Historically, multi-lane retailers have been unable to offer in-lane purchases of lottery products due to the need for employee lottery training, special storage displays and inventory procedures, and the potential for theft or fraud of “live” tickets. With the scanACTIV solution, however, lottery tickets have no value until they are activated at checkout, supporting a convenient, seamless, and secure experience. For added value, retailers could also offer additional benefits to consumers—like fuel points—or coordinate co-promotions with lotteries at each store.

Here’s how it works:

Retailers can display lottery tickets within their Gift Card Mall or near a point-of-sale (POS) terminal to be scanned upon purchase, making lottery games more visible to shoppers than ever before.
At POS, the cashier is then prompted to activate the lottery ticket, much as they would activate a gift card.
After completing the purchase, the player can play using his or her mobile phone or computer.
Consumers can redeem all winning tickets the same way traditional tickets are redeemed.

“We are excited to partner with an industry leader like Blackhawk and leverage its breadth of retail and payments expertise to expand our lottery products across its expansive network of multi-lane retail partners,” said Jennifer Westbury, Executive Vice President of Sales & Customer Development at Pollard Banknote. “Pollard Banknote is a proven innovator in the lottery industry and is dedicated to being at the forefront of introducing new solutions for lotteries to expand their player reach and grow sales. scanACTIV is part of our evolving portfolio of cutting-edge solutions designed to enhance retail sales and facilitate in-lane lottery purchases. Our partnership with Blackhawk will further enable us to deliver a more convenient lottery experience, and more importantly, open untapped opportunities for lotteries to increase revenues in support of good causes in their local communities.”

SOURCE Blackhawk Network

Andrea Mata

Teamsters at Park MGM Unanimously Ratify Strong First Contract

Published

2 hours ago

April 2, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

teamsters-at-park-mgm-unanimously-ratify-strong-first-contract

Front desk workers at Park MGM, represented by Teamsters Local 986, have unanimously ratified a strong first collective bargaining agreement. The two-year contract protects and rewards 82 workers, delivering higher wages, improved benefits, and stronger workplace protections.

The bargaining unit includes front desk clerks, head cashiers, rooms controllers, lobby ambassadors, and guest service representatives. They play a critical role in delivering a seamless and welcoming guest experience from check-in to check-out.

“Organizing with Local 986 was an easy choice that led to overwhelmingly positive results. This contract allows me to provide a better future for myself and my family. I’m very grateful for all the support throughout this process,” said Andrea Mata, a front desk clerk and proud member of Local 986.

Under the new agreement, workers will receive a 10% wage increase, improved benefits, and an enhanced pension plan. Workers will now have access to the Teamsters Health and Welfare plan that reduces their deductibles by lowering co-pays and out-of-pocket costs.

“This agreement shows what’s possible when workers come together and organize. Strong contracts are built on solidarity, and this victory delivers real improvements that raise standards across the industry,” said Tommy Blitsch, Director of the Teamsters Convention, Trade Show, and Casino Division.

“These members showed strength and determination from day one and it paid off. Winning a first contract like this is a big milestone that delivers immediate improvements while building lasting power for the future,” said Tim Vera, President of Local 986.

The post Teamsters at Park MGM Unanimously Ratify Strong First Contract appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Conferences

Digicode to Showcase Technology Solutions at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2026

Published

2 days ago

March 31, 2026

Wladimir P.

digicode-to-showcase-technology-solutions-at-the-indian-gaming-tradeshow-&-convention-2026

Digicode announced its participation in the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2026, taking place March 30 – April 2, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center. The event is recognized as the largest gathering dedicated to the tribal gaming industry, bringing together tribal leaders, casino executives, regulators, and technology providers to explore the latest developments shaping the sector.

Organized by the Indian Gaming Association, the annual convention serves as a key platform for discussing innovation, regulatory developments, and strategic opportunities across both land-based and digital gaming ecosystems.

“At a time when tribal gaming organizations are increasingly exploring digital transformation and operational modernization, the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention provides an important forum for collaboration,” said Elkhan Shabanov. “We look forward to connecting with industry leaders and sharing how modular technology architectures can help operators scale efficiently, improve operational control, and build platforms designed for long-term growth.”

During the event, Digicode will highlight its Diger Suite, a modular ecosystem of gaming technology solutions designed to help operators modernize infrastructure and reduce reliance on legacy systems. The platform enables gaming organizations to implement flexible, scalable technology stacks that support both current operations and future expansion.

Key solutions within the Diger Suite include:

DigerRGS – A next-generation gaming platform designed for high-throughput performance and full intellectual property ownership.
DigerPAM – A cross-market-ready player account management system that supports scalable user management and regulatory compliance.
DigerPay – A PSP-agnostic payment gateway supporting more than 200 payment methods with integrated real-time fraud protection.
DigerClick – A fully owned affiliate management platform offering customizable tools, campaign management, and performance analytics.
DigerCompanion – An AI-driven assistant designed to support multilingual player engagement, responsible gaming initiatives, and automated compliance workflows.

Digicode experts attending the convention will also share practical insights into how gaming operators can strengthen their technology infrastructure, streamline payment operations, automate player support processes, and maintain greater control over their digital platforms as the industry continues to evolve.

By participating in the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2026, Digicode aims to expand its engagement with tribal gaming organizations and technology partners and contribute expertise in platform engineering, payments infrastructure, and AI-driven operational tools.

The post Digicode to Showcase Technology Solutions at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Gambling in the USA

RubyPlay expands US footprint with West Virginia launch

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

rubyplay-expands-us-footprint-with-west-virginia-launch

RubyPlay, a studio-driven content ecosystem, has further strengthened its position in the regulated US iGaming market with its official launch in West Virginia, marking its third state entry.

The expansion brings RubyPlay’s distinctive portfolio of premium titles to the Mountain State, giving leading US operators access to high-performing games such as Vegas No Limit Wins SE, Mad Hit® Diamonds, and Mad Hit® Devil.

Operators in West Virginia will benefit from RubyPlay’s flexible content platform, built on shared technology, infrastructure, and distribution capabilities designed to meet individual partner requirements.

At the core of the offering is RubyPlay’s studio-based ecosystem, which includes market-specific studios like xSlots. These studios deliver localised content, bespoke game development, and faster time to market, helping operators create more tailored player experiences.

The move continues RubyPlay’s steady expansion across the US, following successful entries into New Jersey and Delaware. As the company builds momentum in regulated markets, the US remains a central pillar of its growth strategy, with plans to enter Pennsylvania in the near future.

“Our launch in West Virginia reflects RubyPlay’s ongoing commitment to expanding across regulated US markets,” said Dima Reiderman, Chief Commercial Officer at RubyPlay.
“Each new state allows us to strengthen our commercial presence while building valuable partnerships with leading operators.

“Through our studio-driven model, we enable operators to deliver content that aligns closely with their strategy and audience, creating more relevant and differentiated player experiences.”

The post RubyPlay expands US footprint with West Virginia launch appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.