IGT Extends RI Lottery Contract
Multinational gambling technology giant International Game Technology (IGT) has announced that it will be extending its contract with the Rhode Island Lottery by 20 years, thereby remaining the state lottery’s exclusive supplier. The company’s IGT Global Solutions Corporation subsidiary will continue to provide its solutions and services in the state, supporting 1,100 jobs in the state.
International Game Technology (IGT) has announced that it will be extending its contract with the Rhode Island Lottery by 20 years, remaining as the state lottery’s exclusive supplier. ©Falkenpost/Pixabay
IGT Will Replace Lottery’s Draw System With Aurora Product
The international gambling technology provider International Game Technology (IGT) has revealed that it has decided to extend its existing contract with the Rhode Island Lottery by 20 years. It will therefore remain as the exclusive supplier of lottery, iLottery, instant ticket, and video lottery solutions and services in the state of Rhode Island up until 2043.
Specifically, the gambling technology giant’s IGT Global Solutions Corporation subsidiary will be the one to continue providing its solutions and services over the course of the deal, maintaining 1,100 jobs in the state in the process. The news arrives after state regulators passed a law authorizing the extension in 2021.
IGT won’t be operating in a vacuum in Rhode Island, with the terms of the deal specifying that the supplier will establish a joint venture with Bally’s Corporation which will become the exclusive supplier of video lottery terminals to the Lottery starting in January 2023.
Despite the contract extension, some changes will nevertheless be coming to Rhode Island’s lottery, with the state’s draw-based lottery central system being replaced with IGT’s Aurora product and all related lottery terminals and telecommunications equipment further down the line in 2022.
Furthermore, IGT is expected to replace the lottery’s video lottery central system in 2025 and upgrade its iLottery system in 2023, offering an enhanced suite of analytics in the process. It has also committed to replacing all central systems with its most up to date technology between 2033 and 2035. Finally, IGT will continue acting as the exclusive printer and supplier of instant tickets to the Lottery.
Rhode Island Lottery and IGT Boast a Long-Lasting Partnership
The director of the Rhode Island Lottery, Mark Furcolo, highlighted the lottery and International Game Technology’s (IGT) long-standing partnership in his statement surrounding the announcement:
“The Rhode Island Lottery has partnered with IGT since the early days of both businesses and has benefitted from piloting numerous IGT innovations over the years, including exciting iLottery solutions and sophisticated new ways of ticket printing that are now part of our growing portfolio. This extension signifies an impressive milestone, and we look forward to continued success and implementation of the most advanced lottery systems and solutions for many years to come.”– Mark Furcolo, Director, Rhode Island Lottery
Jay Gendron, who is the chief operating officer of global lottery over at IGT, closely linked the company’s history with Rhode Island, revealing that the Rhode Island Lottery was in fact IGT’s very first customer:
“IGT’s history is rooted in Rhode Island as the company is one if its most successful high-tech startups, with the Rhode Island Lottery being our very first customer. IGT’s good jobs and great people are the foundation of our success and one of the reasons why we have been able to support the Lottery in its continued evolution throughout our decades-long partnership. Over the next 20 years, we are committed to delivering unrivaled gaming experiences that engage players and drive maximum growth for Rhode Island’s third-largest revenue stream.”– Jay Gendron, Chief Operating Officer of Global Lottery, International Game Technology (IGT)
The Rhode Island Lottery transferred $293.9 million to the state’s General Fund in the 2020 fiscal year, with the lower result likely being a result of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic at the time. Prior to the pandemic, that number was nearly $400 million in 2019.
IGT’s Resort Wallet Approved For Use in Nevada
In more International Game Technology-related news, IGT announced last month in January 2022 that it had received the needed regulatory approvals in order for it to launch the Resort Wallet module of its IGT Advantage casino management system in the state of Nevada.
This move allows IGT’s cashless gaming solution to be made available to Nevada bettors throughout the state. This means that casinos in Nevada using IGT Advantage can now choose to allow players to fund cashless wagering accounts.
Senior vice president of global PM video lottery terminals, systems, payments and poker over at IGT, Ryan Reddy, said the provider receiving regulatory approval was a symbolic end to a successful year for the company:
“IGT earning Nevada regulatory approval for our award-winning, fully integrated cashless solution is a perfect bookend for a year marked with tremendous momentum for our Resort Wallet and IGTPay cashless gaming modules of the IGT Advantage system. This milestone achievement will allow for players and operators throughout the state to enjoy the many benefits of cashless gaming and reinforces Nevada’s reputation as a future-forward gaming jurisdiction that is committed to advancing the player experience.”
IGT Entered Washington Sports Betting Market in July 2021
Back in July 2021, IGT revealed its intentions to enter the burgeoning sports betting scene in the state of Washington through a partnership with Snoqualmie Casino in which it will power the casino’s retail and on-site mobile sports betting.
Situated on Snoqualmie Reservation in Snoqualmie, WA, Snoqualmie Casino is the closest major casino to Washington’s largest city, located merely 28 miles outside of Seattle.
This announcement arrived shortly after the Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) approved sports wagering compact amendments for 15 federally recognized tribes in the state — one of which was the Snoqualmie Tribe.
