Mark Michalko
Scientific Games’ SCiQ Technology Provides Retail and Supply Chain Improvements to North Carolina Education Lottery
Scientific Games’ SCiQ retail technology is set to roll out at North Carolina Education Lottery retailers as part of the Lottery’s focus on improving the retail environment for its Scratch-Off games. The company will deploy 1000 SCiQ units at lottery retailers across North Carolina. NCEL Scratch-Off games represented more than $2.9 billion in retail sales in fiscal year 2024, anchoring NCEL among the world’s top 15 performing instant game lotteries (La Fleur’s 2024 World Almanac).
Offering real-time scratch game inventory management data that amplifies the power of Scientific Games’ SciTrak predictive ordering system used by NCEL, SCiQ creates supply chain efficiencies proven to lift scratch game sales. In stores, SCiQ improves operational and reporting efficiencies for retailers. Lottery players will benefit from new digital displays that provide details on available games, enhancing the ordering experience. SCiQ is currently deployed at chain and independent retailers in more than a dozen U.S. markets and recently launched for the first time in Europe.
Mark Michalko, North Carolina Education Lottery CEO and Executive Director, said: “We’re excited to bring SCiQ to our retailers throughout the state, providing them with a streamlined way to manage and sell NCEL Scratch-Off games in their stores. We anticipate that this technology system will improve inventory management for our retailers with store-level data analytics and improve sales to ultimately benefit education in our state.”
SCiQ is the only technology of its kind for managing the lottery category within stores. The system provides retailers with a comprehensive suite of features, including fully integrated digital menu boards for modern product display, automated inventory management that can dramatically reduce out-of-stocks, real-time store-specific sales and market basket performance reports. SCiQ also helps reduce product theft by utilizing locked bins that automatically dispense tickets.
Michael Martin, VP Retail Solutions for Scientific Games, said: “We commend the NCEL team for its clear vision on the need for technology that improves how Scratch-Off games are managed and sold in stores. Scientific Games is thrilled to add more value to our instant game partnership with NCEL through SCiQ, and we look forward to working with NCEL retailers to make selling Scratch-Offs as easy and efficient as possible.”
The company also provides NCEL with instant games and manages the products through the performance-driven Scientific Games Enhanced Partnership program at its facility near Raleigh, North Carolina.
The post Scientific Games’ SCiQ Technology Provides Retail and Supply Chain Improvements to North Carolina Education Lottery appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
IGT Global Solutions Corporation
IGT Delivers Upgraded Lottery Solutions to North Carolina Education Lottery with 10-Year Contract Extension
International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation, signed a 10-year contract extension with the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL). The contract extension will begin July 1, 2027, and run through June 2037. The NCEL has been a valued IGT customer since the Lottery began in 2006.
Under the terms of the agreement, IGT will deploy its high-performing Aurora central system, a feature component of IGT’s integrated lottery solution, OMNIA. Additionally, IGT will provide upgraded Wizard back-office business applications, up to 8500 newly launched Retailer Pro S2 terminals, 500 GameTouch 28 self-service vending machines, 2000 lottery play centers, 4000 Jackpot signs, a dual cellular communication network, and expanded testing capabilities for the NCEL.
“IGT has been a trusted partner to the NCEL for more than 18 years, supporting our consistent growth and record-breaking sales. Supporting public education is our mission, and we now raise more than $1 billion a year for our state. We look forward to extending our strong relationship with IGT. The new technology that IGT will provide will help the lottery continue to responsibly increase sales and our contributions to North Carolina,” said Mark Michalko, CEO and Executive Director of the N.C. Education Lottery.
“The NCEL is among the top 10 most successful lotteries in the U.S., and IGT is excited to upgrade its retail technology with our high-performing solutions, and help it drive sales growth. IGT’s future-forward technology will provide the systems and equipment needed for the NCEL to work effectively and efficiently for its players, its retail partners, and the good causes it serves,” said Jay Gendron, IGT Chief Operating Officer Global Lottery.
IGT’s Aurora platform and related components were developed to drive lottery innovation and profitability. This technology will provide the NCEL with intuitive, user-friendly applications, tools, and reporting capabilities. Components of Aurora, including Performance Wizard, Sales Wizard, Learning Wizard, and Retailer Wizard will streamline operations for optimal functionality. The introduction of IGT’s high-performance, high-volume Retailer Pro S2 terminals will enable the NCEL to easily add new features across multiple point-of-sale terminals simultaneously.
Canada
Veteran Gaming Professional Joins N.C. State Lottery Commission to Lead Sports Betting Program
A veteran gaming professional with experience in regulating sports betting in Massachusetts has joined the N.C. State Lottery Commission to lead its gaming compliance and sports betting division.
Sterl Carpenter, who has more than 30 years of experience in the gaming industry, joined the commission in a new position, deputy executive director of gaming compliance and sports betting. In this role, Carpenter is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a compliance framework for regulating sports betting activities.
For the past eight years, Carpenter has worked for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, serving most recently as sports wagering operations manager and previously as regulatory compliance manager.
“After an extensive search, we have selected an experienced professional to serve in the newly-created role of Deputy Executive Director of Gaming Compliance & Sports Betting. Carpenter has experience in all aspects of regulations and licensing as well as compliance. We’re pleased to have someone with Carpenter’s experience and expertise leading this new gaming program in our state,” Mark Michalko, Executive Director of the N.C. Education Lottery, said.
Canada
NeoPollard Interactive Announces Addition of Pick 3 and Pick 4 to North Carolina Education Lottery’s Online Play
NeoPollard Interactive LLC, jointly owned by Pollard Banknote Limited and NeoGames S.A., announced that the North Carolina Education Lottery (Lottery) has expanded its Online Play offerings with the introduction of Pick 3 and Pick 4. Launched on February 6, 2023, these games complement the Lottery’s existing online draw game offerings of Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, and Carolina Cash 5.
Powered by NPi’s NeoDraw Interactive Central Gaming System, players can now purchase Pick 3 and Pick 4 tickets for up to 14 upcoming draws. Number selection can be done in several ways: by generating a random set of numbers with the “Quick Pick” feature, by using saved favorite numbers, or by building a new set of numbers. Players can also select the Fireball add-on feature for more combinations to match and win.
The Lottery’s Online Play program has performed exceptionally well—experiencing incredible sales growth of 224% since launching with NPi in fiscal year (FY) 2020. In FY 2022, 22% of draw games sold at retail and online in North Carolina were sold through the Lottery’s Online Play program. North Carolinians benefit from this growth, with programs aimed at building and repairing schools, making college more affordable through scholarships and grants, supporting school systems with the costs of school staff and transportation, and providing a free academic preschool to at-risk children in the Pre-K program. The launch of Pick 3 and Pick 4—responsible for over 60% of the Lottery’s retail draw game sales in FY 2022—through Online Play will help increase revenues to these good causes.
“Our focus in operating the Lottery with the highest degree of integrity and security underpins our approach to delivering exceptional games to lottery players in North Carolina. The innovation we deliver through Online Play aligns with our vision to offer an entertainment experience that enriches the lives of our players and supports our commitment to increase the Lottery’s funding for education initiatives in North Carolina. We are excited to now give players the opportunity to purchase Pick 3 and Pick 4 games on web and mobile channels,” Mark Michalko, Executive Director of North Carolina Education Lottery, said.
“NPi is proud to partner with the North Carolina Education Lottery to generate essential funding for education programs throughout the state. This expanded product offering will contribute to continued revenue growth and, in turn, will elevate the Lottery’s returns to critical education programs,” Doug Pollard, Co-CEO of NeoPollard Interactive, said.
“The year-over-year growth experienced by the Lottery’s Online Play program is a testament to players’ demand for access to lottery games through their preferred channels. In North Carolina, we see over 75% of online sales occurring through mobile channels. We look forward to continued innovation and growth in the Online Play program through our partnership with the Lottery,” Moti Malul, Co-CEO of NeoPollard Interactive, said.
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