A woman in Falmouth, Massachusetts, received a surprise package of $20,000 worth of scratch tickets intended for a local lottery store. Realizing the mix-up, she promptly returned the tickets to the Massachusetts Lottery, as advised by lottery officials. Christian Teja from the Massachusetts Lottery clarified that the unactivated tickets held no value until processed by a retail agent. Although FedEx did not respond to the incident, Alexandrov ensured the tickets reached the intended recipient, Kenyon’s Market in East Falmouth.
Nederlandse Loterij is launching an Innovation Lab to future-proof the Dutch Lottery. They’re seeking entrepreneurs and innovators to propose pilot solutions aimed at enhancing operations, commercial offerings, and promoting player protection measures. The initiative offers €25,000 grants to develop selected ideas, with a submission deadline of January 16, 2024. Accepted proposals will undergo live pilots to test their efficacy in collaboration with the lottery’s innovation department. This move aligns with the recent warning issued by the Dutch gambling regulator to three licensed operators for breaching the country’s new ban on untargeted advertising.
Arjan Blok, the current Chief Financial Officer, is set to take over as CEO of the Nederlandse Loterij, succeeding Niels Onkenhout. Blok, who has been the CFO since November 2016, is poised to assume the CEO role.
Republican Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick’s report on the Missouri Lottery Commission highlights a sharp decline in advertising spending by 95% since 2018, while education funding has increased by 16%. Missouri Lottery Executive Director Lester Elder responded: “We understand the importance of the recommendation; however, we do not agree that this recommendation should be characterized as an audit finding. Rather, we consider it an acknowledgement that we are already doing as the report recommends and will continue to do so.”
Missouri’s current advertising budget of 0.02% of sales is the smallest advertising budget of any of the 46 states that sponsor a lottery. “The Lottery acknowledges that there are many factors in achieving that goal, and one of those factors is the ability to advertise Missouri Lottery’s brand and family of products,” Elder wrote. “Advertising and marketing is a best practice for any business, organization or even non-profit. This is especially true when considering the highly competitive retail environment with Lottery offered alongside thousands of other consumer goods. Most competing brands spend 10 to 13% of total sales on advertising.”
North Carolina’s State Lottery Commission has revised its draft regulations for online sports betting, now totaling around 250 pages. The updates include responsible gambling provisions, self-exclusion programs, and restrictions on advertising content, particularly concerning colleges. The revised regulations are open for public comments until November 27, with a public hearing scheduled for November 20 in Raleigh. If approved, online sportsbooks could launch in North Carolina before March Madness 2024.
The Washington Lottery is relocating its central regional office from Yakima to the Tri-Cities, closing its Yakima location on November 16 and opening at a new site on November 20 at 8551 W. Gage Blvd. Suite K, Kennewick. The move will accommodate seven transferring staff members and offer services to lottery players, including prize claims and information about the Lottery’s contributions to educational programs.
Totalizator Sportowy recently secured its fourth Responsible Gaming certificate from European Lotteries, showcasing its ongoing adherence to top global standards for player safety.
A $550,000 grant from Lotterywest has supported a free community event, The Lotterywest City of Light Show. The event aims to provide free, family-friendly entertainment for all ages.
Join Nadene Beyerbach for an inside look at Carmanah’s NASPL 2023 booth! Experience advanced marketing tech, learn about the powering software, and see how top lotteries are revolutionizing retail.
Scientific Games supports the National Council on Problem Gambling’s “Gift Responsibly” campaign, advocating against gifting lottery games to minors. Through their “Healthy Play” program, they promote responsible gaming by offering lottery tools and resources for educating players. This commitment earned them global certification for responsible gaming practices and recognition for corporate social responsibility.
Scientific Games champions an omnichannel approach in lotteries. The goal? Crafting an engaging, interconnected player experience across digital and retail platforms. At the 2023 European Lotteries Congress, their experts highlighted personalized engagement using data, blending digital extensions into physical games, loyalty programs, and leveraging licensed properties like GAME OF THRONES and MONOPOLY to unify player experiences. The aim is to turn players into active participants in their lottery journey, boosting engagement across all channels.