Unsurprisingly, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to batter state programs and lotteries as lottery revenue streams take a hit. While some state lotteries saw unprecedented sales increases within the past few months, diminished sales in other states leave others in a realm of uncertainty, looking for ways to make up for the deficits.Insider Buzz, Financials, Sales, Medical
As some countries start to ease back on nationwide lockdowns and restrictions, many are being hit with an increase in cases, with some areas renewing stay at home orders. In this time of instability, Spinola Gaming CEO Ade Repcenko takes a look at the realities that Covid-19 made businesses face over the past few months, what the ‘new normal’ looks like for the lottery sector, and lessons learned that can help businesses prepare for what might be a second wave in the coming months.
What was the state of the lottery sector before the lockdown? How has it changed over the last few months?
Ade Repcenko, CEO of Spinola Gaming: The lottery sector traditionally operates through an extensive retail network, but had been taking a slow creep towards digital solutions over the past few years. Some lottery companies were exploring options to become more digitally focused in order to reach new global audiences and give their players the opportunity to purchase tickets on demand, wherever they may be. But this digital transformation was not being adopted as rapidly as other sectors, with some huge names in lottery shooting down any notion that lotteries should move online, and others such as some states in the U.S. not able to go online due to legal frameworks.
Covid-19 removed all player access to lottery’s established retail networks and forced companies to find digital solutions fast in order to find new ways of reaching their players, or risk not reaching them at all. Many were those who managed to make the switch, with others being forced to temporarily close and cease operations until restrictions were lifted.
The Illinois Lottery announced a change to its jackpot rollover increments on Tuesday.Jackpots, Illinois, Announcement
Sarah Monnett Taylor will take on a new responsibility as the Board President of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) for the 2021 fiscal year while continuing to fulfill her role as the Executive Director of the Hoosier Lottery.Indiana, Administration, Announcement, Director, MUSL
Third time’s the charm is apparently not enough for a small-town newsstand in west Ireland. Irish lottery players might find themselves drawn to the lucky little store in Ballinrobe after it sold its fourth significant winning lottery ticket.Jackpots, Winning Ticket Announcement, Retailer, Lucky, Ireland
In a press release, the Mississippi Lottery announced three new scratch-off lottery games. Starting Tuesday, July 7, Mississippi players will be able to find these scratch-off lottery games at official retailers.Scratch Games, New Lottery Game, Mississippi
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery took immediate action today after a possible exposure to COVID-19 at their facilities. As of July 6, 2020, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has temporarily closed its claim center at 124 West Capitol Avenue in Little Rock to rectify the situation.Arkansas, Headquarters, Medical
Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!Holiday, Independence Day
Andrew “Jack” Whittaker, a Powerball player infamous for the string of bad luck following his record-breaking jackpot win, died at the age of 72 on Saturday, June 27 after battling a long illness, according to his obituary.Powerball, Winner Stories, West Virginia, After the Big Win, Death, Jack Whittaker, Multi-State Game
Illinois lottery players will find it easier to claim winnings in person now that four out of five of the state’s claim centers are open.Illinois, Announcement, Headquarters, Medical
A couple from Quebec has a plenty of reason to celebrate after bringing home a $200,000 (US$147,260) prize in the June 9 Banco lottery draw.Winner Stories, Canada, Keno, Quebec
An El Dorado man has a huge reason to celebrate after becoming Arkansas’ newest millionaire, thanks to a $20 scratch-off lottery game.Winner Stories, Scratch Games, Arkansas
In Friday’s meeting of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation’s board of directors, it was announced strong sales in the month of May has helped get the lottery back on track to meet budgeted sales amounts for the year.Financials, Administration, Kentucky, Announcement, Sales
As of Wednesday, June 24, Massachusetts lottery offices are now open for large prize claims of $5,000 or more with some restrictions in place depending on the office location.Massachusetts, Announcement, Headquarters, Medical
As the coronavirus continues to linger in varying degrees around the world, the Atlantic Lottery Corporation is the latest lottery in the gaming industry to react. On Wednesday, the Canadian lottery laid off 61 employees, citing problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a shift in digital demand for gambling.Administration, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Technology, Medical
A Colombian woman who helped a fraud ring execute lottery scams that systematically targeted grandmothers was found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.Legal, Scam, Law Enforcement, Fraud, Crime, Court
A Michigan resident might be the luckiest lottery player in the state right now after he won a $4 million prize from a scratch-off ticket not once, but twice in three years.Winner Stories, Michigan, Scratch Games, Won multiple times
The New Jersey Lottery is modernizing its core games line-up starting June 29 with a new draw time, new way to watch, and a bigger starting jackpot for Jersey Cash 5.New Jersey, Changing Game, Announcement, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5
Someone must have had a really good feeling that five particular numbers were going to be drawn in the Maryland Lottery’s Bonus Match 5 game, because they won the top prize on 24 separate tickets purchased from one store.Winner Stories, Maryland, Pick 5, Won multiple times
After it was announced that a lone winner from Arizona won big over a week ago, a couple from a residential area in Phoenix came forward on Thursday to claim the $410 million Mega Millions jackpot prize. It’s the largest payout to any Arizona Lottery player ever and the 11th largest Mega Millions jackpot in history.Mega Millions, Winner Stories, Arizona, Jackpots, Multi-State Game, Anonymous