Evoplay recently announced the launch of its lottery products in partnership with EQL Games. What has the initial market response been like, and how do you see the products evolving?

We view the partnership with EQL Games as an exciting development, as it represents our first steps in the US lottery market. While it’s still too early to assess the market response, EQL is one of the largest independent providers of games in the US lottery market. Integrating our products into their US portfolio provides lotteries with access to super competitive content and lays the foundation for future growth, opening the door to broader opportunities.

Evoplay is famous as an award-winning iGaming studio that produces innovative games that many operators across the globe take up. However, as newcomers to the very different lottery market, we are taking a strategic, step-by-step approach to building visibility and establishing a strong presence. Not all of our games are appropriate for the far more conservative iLottery market – we are, therefore, modifying our most popular instant win games as well as developing specific ‘lottery friendly’ content to establish a lottery focussed portfolio of games that support safer gaming initiatives while still being attractive to players.

In October, Evoplay will be attending the World Lottery Summit in Paris, where we will showcase our lottery games and ideas. This engagement is vital to our strategy to expand our network and explore new partnerships.

Advertisement

How would you evaluate the current landscape of the US lottery market? Are there any new partnerships on the horizon for the US market?

There are two factors currently impacting the US lottery market. First, retail sales are down, with most lotteries reporting significant declines in draw-based game sales for this fiscal year (FY25), mainly due to the lack of massive jackpots seen in FY24. Second, there’s increased competition for gambling dollars as states legalise online sports betting, bringing faster casino-style games to mobile devices. The attractive sign-up bonuses from online operators are drawing younger players away from traditional lottery games.

While North America’s iLottery sales are expected to reach $17.7 billion by 2032, this won’t fully offset the decline in draw-based games. To compete, lotteries must offer similar opportunities while leveraging their trusted branding. Evoplay can help by providing games that are not only safe but also appealing. This approach is already attracting interest from potential partners, and we expect that number to grow.

Advertisement

When introducing a long-established product like lottery, how do you ensure it resonates with new players while maintaining engagement from your core audience?

To engage new players as well as our existing audience, we’ve begun by transforming our popular instant games, such as Penalty Shoot-out, along with flagship titles like Adrenaline Rush and Star Guardians, into captivating lottery experiences. Unlike traditional lotteries, our games will offer a unique blend of excitement and entertainment, appealing to players who enjoy both casino dynamics and large jackpotswhile retaining familiar elements that resonate with our loyal audience.

By turning our popular titles into innovative lottery games and introducing entirely new ones, we aim toimpact in both the iGaming and lottery markets. We’re confident that our audience and newcomers alike will be curious about these new games, and we’ll further boost interest through various promotions. Evoplay’s products will deliver a unique gaming experience, combining nostalgic charm with modern appeal, ensuring they resonate with different player types worldwide. When players discover they’re not only having a great time but also having a chance to hit the jackpot and make their dreams come true, they won’t be indifferent.

In which global markets is the lottery experiencing the most growth, and where do you see the biggest opportunities?

Advertisement

Right now, the American (both North and South) market is at the forefront of online lottery growth, and there are huge opportunities here. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many players from retail to online platforms, leading to a clear increase in lottery participation globally. In the US, new online and sports betting laws have further accelerated this growth.

Asia is also a significant growth market, as is Latin America, which is becoming more accessible for operators. But if you ask me to pinpoint the biggest area for opportunity, I’d definitely say it’s the US. I believe our partnership with EQL Games is the first step for Evoplay to enter this market and sets the stage for future growth and success.

We are also focused on expanding our presence in other key markets, including Europe and beyond, where there are many lottery fans. The open data for 2024 highlights the growing potential in these regions, particularly in the top five countries by revenue, whichthe United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Canada lead. . This landscape presents us with numerous opportunities to leverage.

What does the future of the lottery look like to you?

Advertisement

As the lottery evolves, it will increasingly have to take on some of the characteristics of an online casino. To stay relevant, lotteries must enhance their game offerings and refresh their image to attract younger players, as most current participants are still 50 and older. This transformation is already underway and is set to accelerate, creating significant opportunities for innovative companies like Evoplay.

While engaging a younger audience is essential, prioritizing player safety remains crucial. This can be achieved by crafting games that encourage responsible play, offering captivating formats and dynamic gameplay that keep players engaged without compromising their well-being.

I believe the future of lotteries is bright as we innovate and adapt to the evolving preferences of players. Instant win games are poised to gain traction, potentially shifting the current balance from traditional lottery ticket sales to a greater emphasis on instant win formats by 2030.

EQL Games has partnered with global aggregation leader and NeoGames company, Pariplay, to provide the Virginia Lottery, through an agreement with NeoPollard Interactive, with a series of eInstant iLottery games for their industry-leading digital platform. These games are delivered to Virginia Lottery players through Pariplay’s Fusion aggregation platform, which has been integrated with EQL to provide access to EQL’s portfolio of eInstant games and studios. The first game, Drop It! developed by Greentube, launched on March 21, 2024, and will be followed up with more games this year.

“As the Virginia Lottery’s newest online content provider, EQL is contributing to the expansion of our iLottery games portfolio. EQL Games’ platform allows us to access games from studios across the world, featuring game mechanics that support our ongoing strategy of acquiring new players and those looking for fresh, new gameplay experiences,” Scott Kenyon, Director of Marketing at the Virginia Lottery, said.

Ongoing, EQL Games will supply the Virginia Lottery with iLottery games from its growing stable of aggregated game studios. The EQL platform is currently operating in lotteries across two continents and will be live in at least seven lotteries across three continents by the end of 2024.

“EQL Games looks forward to partnering with the Virginia Lottery on these exciting initiatives. Our content is changing the way digital lotteries are looking at new games. We can now supply them with games from leading studios across the world and, as a result, Virginia players will now have options that will entertain them like never before,” Brad Cummings, CEO of EQL Games, said.

Advertisement

PlayAGS Inc. announced a partnership with EQL Games, a leading iLottery supplier and content aggregator. AGSi, AGS’ Interactive division, will partner with EQL Games to provide its robust library of unique and engaging real-money online games to U.S. and Canadian iLottery players.

“We are excited for the opportunity to break into new territories and make our innovative and high-performing games seamlessly available to EQL Games’ vast network of lottery clients. EQL Games has a well-earned reputation for being highly discerning when it comes to choosing game studios, so this partnership is a testament to our growing talent and success in the iGaming industry. We can’t wait to collaborate and contribute to their innovative vision, working together to deliver high-quality content to the iLottery space,” said Zoe Ebling, AGS Vice President of Interactive.

The aggregation deal, which was consummated at ICE London 2024, strategically expands the reach of AGS’ high-performing online content catalog to the growing North American iLottery market. Through EQL Games’ iLottery aggregator, AGSi will introduce proven game titles like Mega Diamond, Rakin’ Bacon Deluxe, and Capital Gains to the lottery market and develop new titles built specifically for the iLottery player.

“We are really thrilled with the opportunities this partnership affords EQL Games, AGS, and most importantly, our current and future lottery clients. Our aggregator is already setting a new bar for quality and innovation when it comes to digital lottery content and adding AGS to the mix raises that bar even more. We look forward to soon adding AGS to our growing list of studios who have launched lottery products with digital lotteries through EQL Games,” said EQL Games CEO Brad Cummings.

Advertisement