The Public Policy and Government Affairs Senior Vice-President for Scientific Games, Christine Wechsler, testified today before the Maryland House Ways and Means Committee to share the company’s support of House Bill 1218, State Lottery – Internet Sales Authorization and Distribution of Proceeds. If adopted, the legislation would authorize the Maryland Lottery to offer its games to in-state consumers through online sales channels.

Wechsler discussed the importance of remaining competitive and modernizing at the same pace as other gaming products offered in the market in order to maintain and grow the Maryland Lottery’s more than $714 million in profits returned annually.

“The Maryland Lottery is like all other businesses selling products to consumers; it must modernize to meet changing consumer demand,” Wechsler said in a prepared testimony. “Providing convenient and relevant experiences to consumers online and at retail will be critical to enable the Maryland Lottery’s sustainability and maximize revenue potential for the state.”

Wechsler also shared key iLottery facts with the Committee as it considers this legislation, which included:

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• iLottery doesn’t cannibalize bricks-and-mortar retail sales. Of the twelve United States lotteries selling online today, none have experienced cannibalization at retail. Retail sales have grown faster in iLottery jurisdictions than in states that do not sell online.
• Online sales platforms provide player protections and tools that support healthy, responsible lottery play. Key platform features can include the ability to self-exclude, engage in cooling-off periods and/or set limits on deposit and play amounts.
• iLottery is a new, convenient sales channel to offer lottery products; it is not designed to be a substitute for or compete with casino games. iLottery has proven in other states to successfully co-exist with iCasino, sports betting and other forms of gaming.

As a 27-year partner to the Maryland Lottery, Scientific Games provides the systems technology, terminals and communications infrastructure supporting sales of its lottery games at retail. The company also provides the Maryland Lottery with other key products and services including printed instant games and inventory management software as well as manages the entire interactive category which includes the My Lottery Rewards loyalty program, associated mobile app and second-chance promotions.

“Our focus has always been on delivering solutions and services to facilitate retail growth and maximize profit returned to Maryland’s beneficiaries,” Wechsler said. “And we are invested and fully committed to helping shape a successful iLottery framework for the state that responsibly drives continued growth across the Maryland Lottery’s established bricks-and-mortar retailer network while providing incremental online revenue.

Scientific Games is the global leader in retail instant games, a major provider of retail systems and technology and an industry pioneer in iLottery and digital lottery solutions that drive profits for government-sponsored lottery programs. The company is a trusted partner to more than 130 lotteries spanning 50 countries including over 30 iLottery customers.

Follows integration of the company’s InstantRGS with IGT’s iLottery platform

Instant Win Gaming (IWG), a leading supplier of eInstant games to NASPL and WLA-member lotteries, has relaunched with the Georgia Lottery Corporation following the successful integration of its InstantRGS (remote game server) with IGT’s iLottery platform.

The move further strengthens the long-term relationship between IWG and IGT with the Georgia Lottery Corporation, and most importantly its players, set to benefit from IWG’s pipeline of InstantGames innovations that will complement the eInstant portfolio being supplied by IGT.

IWG’s popular Cash Expander game was the first eInstant delivered. The Georgia Lottery Corporation version has been localized to be specifically familiar to Georgia players.

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The Georgia Lottery Corporation launch marks IWG’s second integration with IGT for a United States lottery having previously partnered to supply eIntant games to the Kentucky Lottery. In addition, IWG and IGT have previously worked together to supply eInstants to the Belgium National Lottery.

“It’s fantastic to have relaunched our eInstants in Georgia, a move that will further strengthen the Georgia Lottery Corporation’s Diggi Games offering and provide players with the very latest in eInstant entertainment,” the Chief Executive Officer for IWG, Rhydian Fisher, said. “We’re excited for the future ahead with the Georgia Lottery Corporation and our supply of games for its players.”

“The Georgia Lottery Corporation is excited to introduce IWG’s InstantGames to our valued players,” the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Georgia Lottery Corporation, Gretchen Corbin, said. “These new games will complement our current Diggi Games offerings, bringing players new and exciting experiences. Our Diggi Games contribute to the Georgia Lottery Corporation’s mission of providing revenues for the purpose of funding Georgia’s Pre-K and the HOPE Scholarship programs. Our corporation appreciates this collaboration with IWG and IGT to help us grow this important category of games.”