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Long live the lottery: Future-proofing your business model

Published

5 years ago

July 24, 2020

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Ade Repcenko, CEO of Spinola Gaming discusses the new forms of technology available for the lottery sector and how it can help companies innovate their offering and create a future-proof business model in order to adapt to new market behaviour. He explores how technology can help lottery operators spend less yet increase their revenue, while driving more value towards good causes in the process.

Mobile first

Mobile penetration and stable internet access are at their peak, even across emerging markets, with almost 80 percent of the world’s adult population always having a smartphone within arms reach. This is not news for anyone, but while other industries have long adapted to this shift, the lottery sector has been somewhat stagnant in the digital and mobile transformation of their products. Operators across all markets, especially those in emerging markets such as Africa and LATAM where people are more likely to own a mobile than a computer or tablet, should be adopting a mobile-first approach as a necessity, not an option. People rely on their mobile for all kinds of purchases, now more than ever with the restrictions brought about by COVID-19. It therefore makes sense that players would want to access their favourite games, scratch cards and lottery draws on mobile.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Merging retail and online

Retail is not dead, but the belief that lottery player preferences will shift from retail to online is shared by many in the global lottery industry. The “Lotteries in Covid-19 Lockdown” webinar ran an interesting audience poll asking what changes the lottery industry predicts for post-Covid lottery player behaviour. Many European lottery executives and industry experts believe that some players would return to their normal retail/online preferences, while other players would choose to remain online, with retail lotteries becoming less relevant. As a new generation of lottery players emerges, lotteries need to adopt a hybrid approach which merges retail and online. Business models need to adapt in order to be able to give players what they want, whenever and wherever they want it.

Online ticket purchasing is set to play a very large part in the global lottery industry over the coming years. In fact, Massachusetts Lottery Executive Director Michael Sweeney, told the Lottery Commission that the online lottery market is the next big thing, and no longer the distant “future” of lotteries, but the present reality which companies need to adapt to in order to continue to reach their players long-term. He stressed that without an online element to lottery ticket sales, retail land-based lotteries such as the Massachusetts Lottery face “a significant threat of becoming somewhat obsolete”.

Rethinking retail

The time for change is now. Using large clunky lottery terminals that occupy very valuable retail counter space is no longer required. There is a whole range of modern lottery solutions that can be used to sell retail tickets of multiple lotteries via a retail POS application software that can be installed into already existing retail POS systems, without the need for traditional retail lottery hardware.

Lotteries can also be used for customer loyalty schemes and other retention or profit boosting incentives. Imagine going to your local grocery store, getting to the checkout, and there is an offer giving you a free lottery ticket with purchases over $100. Many customers will try to reach the $100 purchase mark therefore boosting shop profits and increasing lottery sales and exposure. The retail owner will purchase these lottery tickets as the cost is very low compared to potential overall retail earnings or giving away store credits.

Utilizing online retailers

Lotteries use retailers in the physical space to sell lottery tickets, and this same model can and should be applied to online retailers in the digital space. There is a plethora of online marketplaces, media and news websites, and other popular websites that can embed lottery widgets and iframes into their pages. It requires no integration and allows players to purchase official lottery tickets without leaving the website, earning online retailers a commission in the process. Adopting this system would give lottery operators more exposure, free advertising for their games, and also open up their entire product offering to a readily available global audience.

The power of online influencers

Social Media influencers can be a very powerful asset to leverage. In the same way that some influencers promote clothing brands and hotels, they could also generate exclusive content and promote online lottery games to their global network of followers. Influencers have an immense amount of power over the purchasing decisions of their audiences, based on their authority in the area and relationship with their audience. The unique content they generate, in exchange for earning a commission, can be used to promote lottery games and draws in order to encourage new users to buy a ticket.

The importance of engagement

Let’s face it, lotteries are NOT engaging. The reason why people play is to win the huge jackpots on offer. They dream of buying a new car, boat, house or of having enough money to live the dream.

Younger player demographics want more than just the prize, they want to be engaged, they want to feel like they have earned the prize whether it be through a challenge or journey. Traditional lotteries therefore need to look at new forms of games that can keep younger players engaged for longer periods of time. One way of doing this could be through creating e-sports inspired games with pooled jackpots. These would be short engaging games of 30-60 minutes, aimed at targeting the commuter market looking to kill time whilst at home or on their daily work commute. These games would take players on a journey where they collect points along the way, with each point getting players closer and closer to the opportunity to win lottery style jackpot cash prizes.

More frequent draws

Most national lotteries have draws once or twice per week. Players buy a ticket and wait a few days for the draw to take place. It is understandable that high-value games with multi-million jackpots cannot normally happen every day, but through new forms of jackpot insurance models and prize pooling, operators have the opportunity to create high value jackpot games as frequently as they want, even every hour! Most people, especially younger demographics, need instant gratification when it comes to gambling, they are not patient enough to wait a week for a draw to take place to know if they have won or not. Creating more frequent draws keeps players more engaged and gives them a reason to increase the frequency of their ticket purchase.

Branded lottery games

Creating games in partnership with major brands, films and events is something which the slot industry has accomplished quite successfully. There is a huge opportunity for lotteries to follow suit and partner up with globally recognized brands to create branded lotteries. The games would instantly amass the brand’s established base of fans and followers, with the brand’s reputation reflecting on the actual game produced.

These could be used as CSR based lottery initiatives for the brands to support and endorse good causes, or as PR stunts giving lucky fans the chance to win life changing jackpots or unique prizes like tickets to a film premier or a test drive in a supercar’s latest model. Player ticket purchase can be achieved on a global level through placement on product merchandise and promotional materials, or by using widgets and iframes embedded directly on the brand’s website which links the players directly to the games.

Looking forward

Going digital and embracing the technology available to the lottery sector can open up the door to many new opportunities and kick-start a new era of borderless global lotteries. This would give lotteries access to new player bases and revenue streams on a global level, something that is not currently attainable through the traditional retail model.

Companies like Spinola Gaming provide powerful digital solutions that allow lottery operators to achieve all of what is suggested above, to digitize their products, and create innovative new products to appeal to today’s changing audience. Their 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. It allows for full 360 player and reseller network management through one seamless interface. The system is available across all markets, currencies and languages and is fully customisable to suit each operators’ particular needs.

Latest News

Thunderkick reimagines Greek mythology theme in MeJUICEa

Published

4 minutes ago

June 18, 2025

George Miller

thunderkick-reimagines-greek-mythology-theme-in-mejuicea

Reading Time: 2 minutes

New release provides fresh twist on avalanche mechanic

Independent slots studio Thunderkick has unveiled MeJUICEa, the latest addition to its content portfolio that breathes new life into a proven popular theme, reintroducing Greek mythology’s iconic Gorgon with a modern makeover.

The 6×5 cluster pays title revolves around the Crush feature, a unique take on the fan-favourite avalanche mechanic. Every winning symbol in a cluster and each scatter on the grid becomes heavy, crushing all symbols beneath them on their reels, allowing new icons to drop into place.

All crushed symbols are collected by the Charge Meter, with a crushed wild immediately filling the progress bar. Every time the meter is filled on a single spin, a wild is accumulated, with the total number randomly distributed across the reels once no more wins remain.

A Global Multiplier boosts base game wins further, starting at 1x on every spin and increasing when multipliers up to 50x are crushed by heavy symbols.

The bonus round is triggered by landing three scatters, with 10 free spins awarded. Throughout the feature, the Global Multiplier and Charge Meter are persistent, and each extra scatter grants one additional spin, uncovering divine wins up to 5,000x.

Thunderkick has bolstered its offering with a diverse range of slots in 2025, adding titles such as Archie O’Loggins and the Enchanted Masks, The Wildos 2, Midas Golden Touch 3, and now MeJUICEa to its portfolio as it continues to champion inventive gameplay centred around its signature design style.

Mike Collins, Game Product Owner at Thunderkick, said: “Ancient mythology is a tried and tested theme that continues to garner the attention of players. While these games offer familiarity to consumers, we wanted to revitalise the classic genre to deliver a unique experience to casino lobbies.

“MeJUICEa takes an infamous mythological figure and combines it with retro fruits, cartoon-inspired artwork, and our new Crush feature that we hope will give a new lease of life to the genre.”

The post Thunderkick reimagines Greek mythology theme in MeJUICEa appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Galaxsys Launches Updated Client Area for Superior Partner Experience

Published

4 minutes ago

June 18, 2025

George Miller

galaxsys-launches-updated-client-area-for-superior-partner-experience

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Galaxsys launches a more advanced and user-friendly Client Area, offering early access to key updates, multilingual demos, and an expanded asset library — all designed to deliver added value aligned with partner business growth.

Galaxsys, an award-winning provider of fast and slot games, is proud to announce the official launch of its newly enhanced Client Area — a powerful, all-in-one platform designed to guide partners while providing them with a seamless, intuitive, and content-rich experience.

The Client Area is a dedicated, secure portal designed for Galaxsys’ partners. It serves as the central hub where partners can access exclusive content, manage assets, stay informed about new releases, and gain instant access to a full suite of tools tailored to optimize their collaboration with Galaxsys.

With the latest update, the Client Area now features:

Intuitive, Interactive Interface: A sleek, intuitive design allows partners to navigate effortlessly and find what they need faster than ever before.
Personalized Partner Portal: The portal allows each partner to personalize their content feed by saving and liking the materials most relevant to their needs.
Early Access to the Game Roadmap: Partners gain early insights into Galaxsys’ upcoming releases and strategic milestones—keeping them one step ahead.
Customizable Demo Versions: Game previews are available in multiple languages, currencies, and devices to ensure seamless adaptation and localization for every market.
One-Click License & Certification Access: All relevant licensing and certification documents are accessible and verifiable with a single click.
Expanded Asset Library: A full range of branding assets—including logos, banners, game visuals, and Galaxsys’ brand guide—is available for instant download in various formats and sizes.

Teni Grigoryan, Chief Sales and Partner Management Officer at Galaxsys, commented on the new updates: “The new Client Area is more than a platform — it’s about giving our partners more control, more clarity, and more value. We’ve built a space that’s smart, efficient, and responsive to the real needs of the partners we work with. Whether it’s finding the right demo, downloading brand assets, or checking license documents, everything is now just a click away.”

The new Client Area is live now and accessible to all registered partners. Galaxsys encourages its partners to explore the upgraded platform and discover how it can improve their business engagement.

The post Galaxsys Launches Updated Client Area for Superior Partner Experience appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Allan Stone CEO at Intelitics

Movers and Shakers: Why flexibility and accountability are key to customer acquisition

Published

5 minutes ago

June 18, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

movers-and-shakers:-why-flexibility-and-accountability-are-key-to-customer-acquisition

“Movers and Shakers” is a dynamic monthly column dedicated to exploring the latest trends, developments, and influential voices in the iGaming industry. Powered by GameOn and supported by HIPTHER, this op-ed series delves into the key players, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes shaping the future of online gaming. Each month, industry experts offer their insights and perspectives, providing readers with in-depth analysis and thought-provoking commentary on what’s driving the iGaming world forward. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the scene, “Movers and Shakers” is your go-to source for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.

Allan Stone, CEO at Intelitics, looks at recent changes to paid search ads and how a bigger budget is not the magic bullet for successful affiliate programs

Just as online sportsbook and casino operators embraced paid media and paid search as powerful and effective customer acquisition channels, the game has changed again, with new challenges to overcome.

What’s happened? At Google Marketing Live 2025, the search giant announced it will be rolling out ads inside AI-generated answers. This is going to have a seismic impact on paid search, but get it right and marketers can gain a significant advantage over their rivals.

Here’s what the change means for real money gambling brands.

1 – Placement isn’t placement anymore

Your ads won’t show up in traditional search blocks and instead will be embedded inside the AI answer itself. This changes how you write copy for sports-betting-related queries. For example, “Best odds” messaging hits differently when it’s inside an AI response.

2 – Fewer clicks but better players

AI answers will reduce total clicks, but the users who click through will be high-intent bettors. Expect click-through rates to drop, but player conversion rates to rise. In short, it will be a shift from quantity to quality.

3 – Context beats keywords

Forget exact-match keyword strategies, as now, you need to match the intent behind what the user is asking AI across a wide range of sport betting-related queries, from betting lines to game props and even deposit methods.

4 – SEO traffic is about to crater

The AI block dominates the entire screen, especially on mobile, and is likely to be the player’s first port of call. If you’ve been relying on organic search alone for player acquisition, expect fast traffic drops.

5 – Optimise for AI, not just search behaviour

Operators and their marketers will need to rethink how their sportsbook features, player reviews and betting content show up when AI crawls and indexes it. Getting into the AI result is now just as important as ranking in the top positions for competitive keywords.

For me, this is the biggest shift in paid acquisition since the iOS privacy changes hit Meta, and operators and their marketers need to respond immediately.

Those using Performance Max and Google’s AI Max program can get ads in AI Mode, and so long as they adapt their messaging and targeting to this new reality, they will capture higher intent players while their competitors scramble.

Another area where some sportsbooks continue to scramble is performance marketing, where underperforming partner programs are costing operators millions. But not for the reason they think…

It’s not about having partners; it’s about how you manage them. In our experience, the gap between top-performing programs and the rest isn’t budget, it’s the freedom given to affiliate partners.

We’ve evolved from the days when operators controlled every pixel of partner content, and this is welcome progress. But there’s still a disconnect between what we say and what we do – allow me to elaborate.

Operators talk about empowering partners but then micromanage their messaging. They say they want authentic voices but reject content that doesn’t match their corporate tone. They seek performance but restrict the very tactics that drive it.

The reality is that the best partners already understand their audience much better than the operator ever will. They’ve built trust and they know what resonates, but they need to be able to speak authentically.

This is why smart operators focus on frameworks rather than restrictions. And this should include clear brand guidelines that protect compliance, as well as consistent values that maintain brand integrity. It’s also important to provide flexible creative assets that partners can adapt.

But creative freedom is only half the equation.

Without proper measurement, the partnership program is flying blind, and, in most cases, operators can’t answer even the most basic questions like “Which partners drive actual player value beyond initial sign up?” and “What’s the true LTV of players from different channels?”.

When budgets get tight, the first things to be cut are partnerships that the operator can’t prove are working. The market leaders have figured this out and have built both flexibility and accountability into their programs.

And at Intelitics, we are proud to be working with a growing number of operators who are using our marketing-tech suite and services to streamline tracking, automate reporting and push into new customer acquisition channels, including paid media and paid search.

In short, we help them bring flexibility and accountability to their acquisition efforts.

The post Movers and Shakers: Why flexibility and accountability are key to customer acquisition appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.