Lotto NZ is upgrading its technology. The EDGE Programme will initially upgrade in-store terminals. Later the system that runs Lotto NZ will also be future-proofed. Currently, around 46% of play is online. The existing contract, which manages the behind-the-scenes computer programs, expires in 2024. The international company, Scientific Games, which has widespread industry recognition, will take over.
New Zealand’s lotto is about to get an upgrade. Scientific Games has won the contract to bring Lotto NZ into the future.
©Dylan Nolte/Unsplash
The EDGE Programme stands for, Experience Driven Gaming Engine. Lotto NZ’s CEO, Chris Lyman said, “This is the right time to invest in a fit-for-purpose system that will set us up for the future, support omnichannel growth, and provide New Zealanders the world’s best and safest customer experience.” Lyman also stated that the existing system had been in place for about 20 years, and needed to evolve to match the new generation digital market.
Lotto’s Digital Future
Scientific Games will replace Lotto NZ’s existing systems with a “future-proofed” integrated technology system. It will provide the 1200-strong retail stores with lotto ticket printing machines, point-of-sale systems and machines that check for winning tickets. Brick-and-mortar based lotto stores are down by several hundred over the last four years. 46% of NZ gaming now occurs online, compared to 18% pre-COVID.
Scientific Games will also help out on the digital side, taking over from Italian provider IGT. MyLotto is the online division of Lotto NZ. Unlike Australia, the NZ official website provides instant online gambling 24/7. There are instant digital versions of their in-store options; Lotto, Keno, scratchies, but also slot-machine style games. Scientific Games will use its existing “digital content aggregator”, SG Content Hub to provide these online games. They will also be sourcing lottery-focused games from studios around the world.
Partnership Continues
The New Zealand Lotteries Commission (Lotto NZ) has a long-standing historical partnership with Scientific Games. For over thirty years, they have supplied New Zealand’s instant scratchcards (scratchies). Last year Scientific Games’ lottery division was bought for NZ$10 billion by investment company Brookfield Business Partners. It’s Gaming and iGaming division has since been rebranded as Light and Wonder. The company is listed on the NASDAQ and is based in Atlanta, USA.
The New Zealand Lottery Commission is a government entity. All profit goes to the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board. That’s about NZ$450 million per year, or 23 cents to the dollar of revenue to community improvement. Like Lotto NZ, the Grants Board is governed by the far-reaching Gambling Act 2003. The funds aim to benefit New Zealand communities. After grants to individuals and community organisations, the remaining funds go to; Creative New Zealand, Sport New Zealand, New Zealand Film Commission and Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.
Gender Parity Sub-par in New Co.
New Zealand is famous for consistently being in the Top 10 of the Global Gender Gap Index (World Economic Forum, UN). This year is no different, they’re at No. 4. There’s less than 1% disparity in earnings and resource access – and in the number of gamblers – between females and males in NZ. The new company Lotto NZ has employed has a large gender disparity with only three females out of twelve on its Executive Leadership Team. Surprisingly, gender parity seems to have not been an important criterion during the contract’s sourcing.
The Lotto NZ agreement with Scientific Games goes for seven years. There is an option to renew for a further 12 years.
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, head to the Safer Gambling Aotearoa website. There are great resources there, and information on what help and support is available.
