IGT was awarded the lottery system and other services contract with the South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) to provide a new draw-based central system, new lottery terminals, a back-up, multifaceted communications network, and ongoing services. The Contract will run for 10 years from the “go live” date of May 13, 2018 and is the result of the State’s competitive procurement.
“Since its beginnings, the SCEL has effectively maintained itself as a successful and highly efficient traditional lottery and an essential source of funds for schools and scholarships,” said Jay Gendron, IGT COO, Lottery. “To support the SCEL’s long-term objectives, IGT will provide customized, high-performance back-office systems, heighten retailer satisfaction, and responsibly deliver sustained net proceeds – all cultivated through a collaborative relationship that puts the SCEL’s needs first.”
Under the terms of the Contract, IGT will provide the SCEL with industry-leading tools including components of IGT’s Aurora™ platform. Aurora Open Retail, a new retail solution software architecture, will enable the SCEL to support multiple types of retailer solution devices in an efficient manner, improving time to market. Additionally, the SCEL will receive Aurora Navigator user interface and a new set of back-office components for lottery personnel who will have the ability to customize the look and feel of the interface to meet their exact needs, help them better manage their business, and enhance productivity.
The SCEL will also receive IGT’s Altura™ Flex draw-based lottery terminal which features a highly-configurable platform derived from the successful Altura GT1200 product, and a smaller footprint. A new reader for play slips is designed to reduce maintenance cycles and improve throughput. A high-resolution wide-screen retailer display will enhance the ease of use and productivity of retailers.
The latest Aurora MultiMedia digital advertising display solution will be provided to stimulate increased brand awareness, winner awareness, and player recognition of jackpots and game activities, directly at the point-of-sale. Ticket-Scan™ Plus will also be installed in retail locations allowing for players to easily check whether their tickets won. The current communications network will be replaced with IGT’s patented Dual Comm Inside, comprising a combination of next-generation VSAT and cellular-based technology, providing the SCEL with unparalleled network availability.
IGT is in the process of finalizing the build-out of its primary data center located in Columbia, South Carolina, and will be providing services to the SCEL including installation and maintenance of the new central system, terminals, and communications network; retailer training; and field services. IGT will also provide backup data center services from its Data Center of the Americas facility located in Austin, Texas.