“Scientific Games congratulates instant games partner the Ohio Lottery on reaching $2 billion in Scratch-off retail sales six weeks prior to the end of its 2020-21 fiscal year, surpassing the previous record of $1.87 billion set last year and marking an all-time record since the Lottery’s inception in 1974. Just under two years ago, in July 2019, the Ohio Lottery partnered with longtime primary instant game provider, Scientific Games, to responsibly grow its $1.68 billion Scratch-off category and ultimately, proceeds to Ohio’s Lottery Profits Education Fund. In 2020, the Lottery ranked 16th in the world for total instant game sales (La Fleur’s 2021 Almanac). Currently, Scratch-off games represent 53% of the Ohio Lottery’s revenues.
“This record $2 billion in Scratch-off sales is a testament to the scratch-off products we offer and the team’s ability to give players the entertaining games they want,” said Ohio Lottery Commission Director Pat McDonald. “In turn, we’re supporting our mission to generate more funds for the Lottery Profits Education Fund, and I’m proud of that.”
The Ohio Lottery joins more than 20 lotteries around the globe participating in Scientific Games Enhanced Partnership (SGEP) program, including four of the top five lotteries in the U.S. based on weekly instant game per capita sales performance. The program expanded Scientific Games’ services in Ohio to include analytics and insights, game development, portfolio management, inside sales, advanced logistics for warehousing and distribution, and retail optimization.
“We congratulate the Ohio Lottery on its efforts to meet the goals set two years ago, and we applaud Commissioner McDonald on his vision that there was room to responsibly grow Scratch-off game sales to benefit Ohio students,” said John Schulz, Senior VP Instant Products for Scientific Games. “Scratch-offs are vital to the Ohio Lottery’s future growth and we are delighted with the difference our recently expanded partnership is already making.”
To support the partnership, Scientific Games provides services from its 65,000-square-foot facility near the Lottery’s headquarters in Cleveland. In addition to advanced predictive ordering and logistics technologies, the company’s Tel-Sell (inside sales) team serves the Lottery’s 7,800 instant game retailers by ensuring Ohioans’ favorite games are always in stock.
In addition to Scratch-off games, Scientific Games supplies the Ohio Lottery with licensed properties and its SCiQ® retail modernization technology.
Scientific Games launched the world’s first secure retail instant game in 1974, and is the world’s largest supplier of instant games with products representing 74% of global retail sales. The company also launched the first digital instant game in the U.S. in 2014, and is the leading provider of digital lottery games, mobile apps and player loyalty programs in the U.S. lottery industry.