Gaming equipment firm International Game Technology (IGT) has been chosen by the Mississippi Lottery Corp. to provide management software and equipment for the lottery, which is expected to launch in December. The contract term is seven years; IGT signed an additional seven-year contract to supply the production of instant tickets, secure warehousing, and distribution of games.
IGT was selected as the preferred bidder for both contracts following the state’s competitive procurement. The two contracts allow for up to three one-year extensions.
“IGT’s experience with providing leading technology, solutions, and services to startup lotteries is unparalleled, having helped 10 lotteries successfully begin their businesses in the U.S. since 1990,” said Jay Gendron, IGT Chief Operating Officer, Lottery. “IGT will leverage our decades of experience and industry insights to help drive the success of the Mississippi Lottery Corp. and to introduce compelling lottery entertainment throughout the state.”
He said IGT is “committed to supporting the lottery’s short- and long-term growth objectives by providing customized, high-performing back-office systems, tools that foster retailer and player engagement, strategic instant ticket development and production, and technology, games, and marketing support that establishes the Lottery as a reputable brand.”
Tom Shaheen, president of the Mississippi Lottery Corp., said, “We are thrilled to have IGT on board … We look forward to partnering with them in our effort as we pursue our mission of raising funds for roads and bridges throughout Mississippi.”
The Mississippi Lottery will receive IGT’s Aurora Platform and Retailer Pro, IGT’s innovative retailer-friendly draw-based lottery terminal. IGT’s Retail Digital Media advertising display solution will be provided to stimulate brand awareness, winner awareness, and player recognition of jackpots and game activities, directly at the point-of-sale. The lottery will leverage IGT’s self-service point-of-sale devices including a combination of the GameTouch 28 vending machine for players to purchase instant tickets and the GameTouch 20 compact vending machine.
As part of the instant ticket contract, IGT will implement its complete instant game supply chain solution, Instant Advantage, which includes a tailored and strategic approach to the way IGT will design and print instant ticket games for the Lottery. Secure warehousing and distribution of instant tickets to lottery retailers will also be provided.
IGT will also deliver marketing support, field services, primary and back up data centers, call center operations, software support, and retailer training.
According to a statement from IGT, the company will provide the Mississippi Lottery Corp. with a central system, lottery terminals, and additional services. IGT signed a separate seven-year contract to supply the production of instant tickets, secure warehousing, and distribution of games.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Lawmakers expect Mississippi’s lottery to generate $40 million in state tax revenue in the first year; then $80 million to $100 million a year thereafter. The first $80 million of lottery proceeds will go toward infrastructure improvements with any revenue above that amount pledged to education.
Mississippi’s law prohibits slot machine-like video lottery terminals, a concession to the state’s coastal casinos.
The state expects to join multi-state lottery games such as Powerball, sometime in 2020.
