Lotto NZ builds on 30-year partnership; appoints Scientific Games new systems technology provider

In its continuing effort to appeal to a broad base of New Zealanders, the island country’s national lottery, Lotto New Zealand (Lotto NZ), has selected Scientific Games as its new systems technology provider. The arrangement builds on the over three decades-long business relationship between the two companies and will see new, “fully integrated next-generation technology” replace the Crown entity’s 20-year-old core gaming system and online gaming system. The advance includes a lottery retail system and point-of-sale (POS) technology, alongside digital lottery platform and content aggregation hub.

Commenting on the modernization, Michael Conforti, President, International & Strategic Accounts for Scientific Games, said…

“Lotto New Zealand is a recognized leader in the global lottery industry, and we are committed to a technology implementation that will responsibly drive its business to the next level for the benefit of all New Zealanders. We are dedicated to helping Lotto New Zealand meet its goal of maximizing returns to New Zealand communities.”

Symphony Gaming System

Highlighted in the seven-year agreement, which is renewable for up to 12 years, the US-based lottery company’s trademarked Symphony advance will support the Crown entity’s draw-based games engine and communications spanning its retail network, in addition to over 1,200 Contour.v point-of-sale (POS) retail terminals and wireless ticket checkers.

Furthermore, Scientific Games’ digital lottery platform and its new digital content aggregator SG Content Hub, will supply online games, including draw-based and eInstant games and industry-leading lottery-first digital game studios from around the globe, according to the recent announcement.

The agreement goes into effect when the new systems go live.

Founded on June 1, 1987, Lotto NZ has been providing safe gaming to New Zealanders, or “Kiwis” as they are affectionally referred, since July 22, 1987 when the business commenced, courtesy of the Gambling Act 2003 and the Crown Entities Act 2004. And has, since being established as a Crown Entity, returned over $5.5 billion in funding to community groups and organizations throughout the country. Currently, available via Lotto NZ are Powerball, Keno, Bullseye, Strike and Instant Kiwi, both retail and online, which Scientific Games has been supplying to the Lottery for 30-plus years.

Lotto NZ Chief Executive Officer, Chris Lyman, said…

“Scientific Games’ commitment to providing engaging, socially responsible and leading gaming technology, with the customer firmly at its center, was a great match for Lotto New Zealand’s values and the future focus of our business. We’re confident of a collaborative and successful partnership in the years to come, and we are excited about getting started.”

Lyman, who has been CEO of Lotto NZ since January 2018, emphasized the importance of appealing to “a broad base of New Zealanders by delivering innovative and entertaining digital games that are simple to use, safe and fun,” as the company prepares for responsible future growth. He went on to explain that Scientific Games was selected as a technology partner based on its “strong understanding of our goals, its range of integrated products and services that will help us reach our goals and its five decades of industry knowledge and experience.”

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