New iLottery Initiatives Panel: What Happened and What Did You Learn?
- Frank Suarez, President & CEO, Connecticut Lottery
- Helene Keeley, Executive Director, Delaware Lottery
- Stephen Durrell, Executive Director, Kansas Lottery
Executives from three emerging iLottery states—Connecticut, Kansas, and Delaware—shared their early-stage experiences, launch strategies, and legislative challenges. Connecticut launched draw games in mid-2023 and recently added CRM to support reengagement. Kansas leveraged sports betting legislation and forward-thinking contracts to fast-track iLottery development. Delaware anticipates launching in 2025, crediting its early legal groundwork and vendor flexibility. Panelists emphasized key lessons, including the need for a single app, early planning, and retailer buy-in.
- Frank Suarez: “If you don’t have a strong loyalty program yet—get one.”
- Helene Keeley: “Don’t try to shoot for the sun, moon, and the stars all in one event. I would rather everything work and work great, launching everything at one time.”
- Stephen Durrell: “There is always wiggle room in any sort of statute, but you want to have the ability to have that conversation with your legislators and say, ‘Here’s what we’re doing.’”