The Florida Lottery, which recently signed a record 7 million, 10-year contract with IGT Global Solutions Corporation, reported July sales were the best ever for that month. In addition, August sales in 2016 were 5 percent higher than August 2015. Officials said “a series of rollovers and high jackpots for both Powerball and Mega Millions” games drove the sales. As a result, the lottery will transfer 0 million from the August proceeds into the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, which helps pay for public education. Previously the lottery directed 0 million to the fund from July operations, representing a 30 percent increase compared to July 2015.
The Florida Lottery generated record sales of approximately $6.06 billion in fiscal 2015-16, the fifth consecutive record-breaking sales year. The lottery has contributed more than $30 billion to education since it began.
Lottery Secretary Tom Delacenserie said, “The lottery’s sole mission is to sell tickets to generate additional funding for education. We are extremely proud that this unprecedented sales record will assist in furthering that goal. For the past 28 years, lottery dollars have benefited Florida’s students and schools, and we are confident that this year will prove to be the largest contribution yet.”
Florida has the second-largest-selling lottery in the country after New York. Money from the Florida Lottery funds about 6 percent of the state’s total education budget.
Following a competitive procurement process, the Florida Lottery selected IGT Global Solutions Corporation, a subsidiary of IGT, to provide a wide array of lottery solutions and services. Upon the execution of the 10-year contract, the Florida Lottery simultaneously exercised the first of three 3-year renewal options.
Jay Gendron, IGT senior vice president, North America Lottery, stated, “Since 2005, the Florida Lottery and IGT have worked together to implement solutions and initiatives that have been key to the lottery’s growth. The lottery’s close attention to the needs of players and retailers has been instrumental in making it among the world’s most successful and respected lotteries – and serves as a model for driving lottery growth through effective branding and innovation. Working together, our aligned organizations can build on this success even further for the benefit of Florida’s education program.”
Under the terms of the contract, IGT will provide the Florida Lottery with a set of solutions including its Aurora solution–highly-secure, robust and flexible technology to meet the Florida Lottery’s changing requirements. In addition, the existing retailers will receive IGT’s new Altura Flex retailer terminal. IGT’s Aurora MultiMedia in-store signage provides Florida Lottery information, advertisements and promotions directly to players at the point-of-sale. IGT’s Gemini self-service lottery vending machine offers instant and draw-based games with an integrated Aurora MultiMedia display. And Ticket-Scan Plus self-service ticket checkers at Florida Lottery retailers will allow players to easily and securely check the status of their tickets.
The Florida Lottery’s existing communications network will be upgraded with next-generation VSAT technology plus the IGT-patented Dual Comm Inside solution, the highest network availability in the lottery industry. In addition, IGT will provide system design, delivery and ongoing support operations; terminal installation and maintenance; retailer training; hotline management; and telecommunications network management and maintenance.
