Defy the Odds (DTO) and BettingStartups have announced a strategic partnership aimed at supporting early-stage companies across iGaming and sports betting, with initial joint activity planned around SBC Summit Americas (June 9–11) in Fort Lauderdale.

DTO, which describes itself as a startup launchpad advising early-stage founders in iGaming, sports betting, sportstech and fintech, will work with BettingStartups, which focuses on the early-stage real money gaming ecosystem, to connect startups with investors, operators and established suppliers.

The organisations said the partnership will focus on improving access to three areas they view as critical for founders: community, collaboration and capital. The companies positioned the effort as a way to increase visibility for emerging businesses, support investor-readiness, and expand introductions between startups and industry stakeholders.

Kelly Kehn, Co-Founder of Defy the Odds said of the partnership, “Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens when founders connect, share ideas and push each other forward. That’s what community does. This partnership with BettingStartups is about bringing more startups together and making sure the wider industry pays attention to what they’re building. Because the future of our industry is being shaped by these founders.”

Jesse Learmonth, founder of BettingStartups, adds “We’ve always been about providing high-signal infrastructure for founders to scale. This partnership with DTO doubles down on that mission, linking our audience with a community that actually opens doors. Starting with the Startup Zone at SBC Americas, we’re giving founders a direct, affordable line to the operators and investors who define this industry.”

Company’s Innovative Tech Solution Selected Based on Partnership and Growth

Scientific Games and the Minnesota Lottery are partnering on a major tech modernization initiative through a new seven-year contract focused on growth. The global lottery company’s new technologies will replace the Minnesota Lottery’s legacy system, delivering industry-leading performance and security to its retail and digital networks. The new technology contract may be renewed for up to three additional years.

Scientific Games will power the Minnesota Lottery with a flexible, cloud-based solution through its Momentum ecosystem—an integrated framework of technologies, applications and services designed to work together to optimize sales performance and drive growth.

“We took an innovative approach to selecting technology that would pave the way to the future and responsibly grow our contributions to programs that positively impact the lives of Minnesotans,” said Adam Prock, Executive Director, Minnesota Lottery. “We were seeking modern technology and a solution focused on service and partnership. Scientific Games was aligned with our vision for growth.”

Scientific Games has become the fastest growing lottery systems provider in the world, with the company’s technology selected by four North American lotteries in the past 18 months, including the Minnesota Lottery, Ohio Lottery, New Mexico Lottery and Loto-Québec. Globally, over the last decade, the company has completed 50+ lottery system implementations and conversions, most recently for the New Mexico Lottery, North Dakota Lottery, Lotto New Zealand and The National Lottery in the UK.

“Scientific Games looks forward to serving the Minnesota Lottery with the highest standards of excellence and all the flexibility a cloud-based ecosystem has to offer,” said John Schulz, President of Americas & Global Instant Products for Scientific Games. “A systems conversion requires a strong partnership and months of cooperation and collaboration. We will work closely with the Minnesota Lottery’s team to deliver another successful go-live, moving the Lottery into a sustainable future.”

The company’s Momentum ecosystem is anchored by its central gaming system, patented SciTrak Scratch games distribution system, gem | Intelligence retailer licensing and management portal and INFUSE business intelligence platform. Scientific Games’ SCiQ digital menu boards, WAVE clerk-operated terminals and PlayCentral self-service machines—which can open new distribution channels—will be installed across the Minnesota Lottery’s retailer network. Additionally, a second-chance digital promotions solution supported by the company’s award-winning CRM program will be included.

Since 1990, the Minnesota Lottery has generated more than $4 billion for state programs, including the environment, education, public safety and health and human services, and problem gambling.

Serving 150 lotteries in 50 countries, Scientific Games is the world’s largest lottery games company, fastest growing lottery systems provider and a leading provider of digital lottery solutions. The company is one of the first lottery companies globally certified by the World Lottery Association as a Responsible Gaming Supplier.

gem | intelligence®, INFUSE^, Momentum®, PlayCentral®, SCiQ®, SciTrak, and WAVE are trademarks of Scientific Games. © 2026 Scientific Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved.