46 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 ticket checking functionality, GPS lottery retailer locator, as well as information about the Lottery, including its Responsible Gaming program. Lottery players will be able to use the new app to conveniently look up winning numbers and jackpots, create and save digital play slips which can be scanned at Lottery retailers, and scan tickets to receive entries into the Lottery’s 2nd Chance program for additional chances to win cash and prizes. The app will also be enabled with opt-in social sharing capabilities that will allow players to share their winning experiences by connecting with various social media channels. Lottery.com Closes SPAC Deal, Debuts on Nasdaq Monday AutoLotto, which does business as Lottery. com, has closed its merger with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Trident Acquisitions Corp. The online lottery provider allows consumers and businesses to purchase lottery tickets online and via mobile devices. It offers “real-time results on more than 800 lottery games from more than 40 countries.” Lottery. com is becoming a standalone public company just as investors are displaying enthusiasm for lottery assets. While overshadowed by internet casinos and online sports betting, established lottery businesses, broadly speaking, are growing, profitable, and generating cash flow — all alluring traits for investors. Additionally, Lottery.com’s sales are soaring at a noticeable rate. “From 2016 to 2020, Lottery.com grew gross revenue at a compounded annual growth rate of 322 percent, and forecasts gross revenue equal to approximately $71 million in 2021, $280 million in 2022, and $571 million in 2023,” according to the company. Inspired Entertainment, Inc. has named Suki Sandhu as its new Director of iGaming Product Development British Colombia Lottery Corporation CEO Jim Lightbody steps down Jim Lightbody has left its chief executive and president position after a two-year period of medical leave. BCLC board chair Greg Moore stated: “Known for his strong leadership that focuses on people and an entrepreneurship approach to business, Jim has made countless contributions to BCLC – and its employees – through the course of his career with the organisation. On behalf of the board of directors and everyone at BCLC, we wish him the very best as he continues his road to recovery,” he added. The BCLC will now initiate a global recruitment search for a permanent replacement, with Lynda Cavanaugh, who has served in both roles on an interim basis since January 2021, to remain in temporary charge until an appointment is made. Maryland Lottery and Gaming Hires New Managing Director, Sales and Marketing A Lottery veteran with more than 20 years in the industry, Solomon Ramsey will take over the role previously held by John Martin, who was appointed to the director’s position by Governor Hogan in July 2021. SPORTS BETTING AND CASINO GAMBLING Disney CEO says sports-betting pursuits 'will have no impact' on the family-centric brand because of shifting attitudes toward gambling Disney was worried about brand damage that could arise from the media giant's move into sports gambling, Disney CEO Bob Chapek told investors during an earnings call on Wednesday. But company research showed that betting partnerships would have "no impact" on the familycentric Disney brand, Chapek said, adding that a betting component could strengthen the ESPN brand, of which Disney owns an 80% stake. "It's driven by the consumer, particularly the younger consumer that will replenish the sports fans over time and their desire to have gambling as part of their sports experience," Chapek said. "As we follow the consumer ... we have to seriously consider getting into gambling in a bigger way." Sports programs have proved to be a "key differentiator" in Disney's streaming ecosystem, Chapek said. The company's streaming bundle includes Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+, with sports accounting for 90% of "the most watched telecasts last year." In 2017, only 46% of American respondents in a Seton Hall poll said sports gambling should be legal. Four years later, the same survey found 80% of the 714 American adults polled said they supported the legalization of sports betting. IGT and Meruelo Gaming Form Strategic Sports Betting Partnership Under the terms of the agreement, Meruelo Gaming will leverage IGT's trading advisory services and PlaySports technology to power the SaharaBets statewide mobile sports betting app for Arizona. "The scalable PlaySports technology, turnkey services, capabilities and vast sports betting experience make IGT SaharaBets' ideal sports betting growth partner in Arizona," said Alex Meruelo, Meruelo Group President & CEO."Giving Arizona Coyotes fans the option to place pre and in-game wagers online will increase fan engagement and boost the already contagious excitement of every play on the ice." New York State Gaming Commission provides an update on its sports betting regulations Former judge Jennifer Togliatti to become first woman to chair the Nevada Gaming Commission Chicago Reveals Details on BillionDollar Casino Bids The investment totals for the proposals range from $1.3 billion to $2 billion. Developers propose to offer between 2,600 to 3,400 slot machines and between 166 and 190 table games. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is adjusting to the Omicron reality by shutting down its casinos across the Province These gaming facilities were temporarily closed on Wednesday, January 5th at 12:01 a.m through to at least January 26th. Under the government’s new health measures, Charitable Gaming (cGaming) Centres must also close. You can still buy lottery products from the approximately 10,000 retailers across the province. AGA encourages Justice Dept. to go after makers of illegal gaming machines The American Gaming Association is urging the federal government to target manufacturers of illegal gaming machines to help stymie unregulated gambling. “Support and resources from the Department of Justice and federal law enforcement agencies are critical to eliminating illegal gambling devices from our communities,” AGA President and CEO Bill Miller wrote in a letter submitted this week to the Justice Department. P U L S E
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