IGT Prolongs Deal with RI Lottery
Author:
Muhammad Gregory
Major gaming technology supplier International Game Technology (IGT) has stepped out and announced that it will continue to honor its commitment in providing sports betting technology to the Rhode Island Lottery for an additional three years. The deal specifies that IGT PlaySports and its partner William Hill US will support mobile sports betting via the Sportsbook Rhode Island app.
International Game Technology (IGT) has said that it will continue to honor its commitment and will provide sports betting technology to the Rhode Island Lottery for another three years.
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IGT PlaySports is Being Used in Over 80 Gaming Locations Across US and Canada
One of the gambling industry’s most prominent lottery and gaming technology suppliers, International Game Technology (IGT), has announced that it will carry on providing its sports betting technology to the Rhode Island Lottery for an additional three years.
It will specifically be IGT’s sports betting division PlaySports, as well as its commercial partner William Hill US, which will be powering Rhode Island’s state-wide mobile sports betting product thanks to the Sportsbook Rhode Island app, with additional support coming in from physical sportsbook locations situated at Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort and Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel.
In addition to providing its PlaySports technology, IGT is the exclusive supplier of lottery, ilottery, instant ticket and video lottery solutions and services to the Rhode Island Lottery. IGT PlaySports is deployed at more than 80 gaming venues across the US and Canada.
Rhode Island Lottery Was One of First US Lotteries to Offer Sports Betting
To mark the news of IGT and the Rhode Island Lottery extending their partnership once again, Mark Furcolo, Rhode Island Lottery director, reminded observers that the Rhode Island Lottery was one of the nation’s first to offer sports betting:
“As one of the first US lotteries to launch sports betting, Rhode Island Lottery is very pleased with the successful program we have built over the last five years, backed by IGT’s world-class technology and William Hill’s operator experience.”– Mark Furcolo, Director, Rhode Island Lottery,Press Release
Furcolo continued by referring to the major updates and upgrades International Game Technology (IGT) has recently made to both its sports betting offering and mobile sportsbook app, promising maximized revenues down the line for the supplier:
“IGT recently invested significant resources to enhance our sports betting platform and mobile app. These upgrades will enable us to maximize revenue and offer a solution that remains competitive among neighboring states in this dynamic, regional sports betting market.”
Meanwhile, for its own part, International Game Technology’s (IGT) president of sports betting Joe Asher also noted how the Rhode Island Lottery was offering sports betting already back in 2018, as well as how IGT is looking forward on taking their partnership into the bright future:
“The Rhode Island Lottery championed sports betting in 2018 as one of the early adopters in the post-PASPA era, and IGT is excited to continue driving Rhode Island’s sports betting growth. Rhode Island is home to very loyal sports fans who love following their New England-based teams. The enhancements IGT has made to the lottery’s sports betting platform and app provide fans with a convenient and intuitive player experience and yield strong returns that support the Lottery’s commitment to generating revenue for good causes.”– Joe Asher, President of Sports Betting, International Game Technology (IGT),Press Release
In terms of sports betting performance from The Ocean State, revenue generated from sports betting in Rhode Island stayed level year-on-year in February 2023, while the state showed only a small increase in handle. Wagering revenue for the month of February 2023 came out to a total of $3.6 million, which happens to be the same amount seen in the same month last year, but down a significant 30.8% from the $5.2 million in January of this year.
IGT and Betfred Joined Forces in Nevada in February 2023
In other recent International Game Technology (IGT) news, the technology solutions supplier further cemented its presence in the nation’s capital for gambling thanks to a new sports betting deal secured together with Betfred in February 2023.
Now Betfred will be one of the lucky many to use IGT’s PlaySports technology to support both its mobile and retail sports betting offerings. The operator is currently running these platforms out of the Mohegan Sun Sportsbook located within the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
Even though Betfred specified it will first launch its retail betting solution – mobile betting offerings will follow suit soon after. This partnership between International Game Technology and Betfred symbolizes the very first Betfred sportsbook active in the United States which is powered by IGT’s state of the art betting technology solutions.
Chiming in following the news was chief operating officer (COO) of Betfred USA Sports, Bryan Bennett, who celebrated IGT’s technological and industry know-how, lending Betfed some confidence to make a name for itself in the crowded Nevada market, while also cementing IGT’s technological capabilities as one of the driving reasons behind the recent partnership:
“IGT PlaySports’ remarkable reputation and influence in the US sports betting market, coupled with their ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, give Betfred supreme confidence in our choice to partner with IGT in Nevada. IGT PlaySports’ experienced, in-market team and proven technology will enable Betfred to scale our operation in parallel with market opportunities, and to establish a competitive and engaging betting experience in the most exciting gaming destination in the world.”– Bryan Bennett, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Betfred USA Sports,Press Release
Betting Technology Provider Also Extended Contract with RI Lottery Back in March 2022
Another contract extension between International Game Technology (IGT) and the Rhode Island Lottery arrived back in March 2022, when the two announced they would continue to work together over the next 20 years in the form of IGT Global Solutions Corporation subsidiary continuing to furnish its solutions and services to the state, thereby maintaining 1,100 jobs in the state.
Curiously enough, this same deal stipulated that IGT was to establish a joint venture with Bally’s Corporation, though this was most likely given that Bally’s was set to become the exclusive supplier of video lottery terminals to the Lottery beginning in January 2023.
Rhode Island Lottery director Mark Furcolo praised International Game Technology (IGT) for valuing the two’s work together in the form of a long-term commitment:
“The Rhode Island Lottery has partnered with IGT since the early days of both businesses and has benefitted from piloting numerous IGT innovations over the years, including exciting iLottery solutions and sophisticated new ways of ticket printing that are now part of our growing portfolio. This extension signifies an impressive milestone, and we look forward to continued success and implementation of the most advanced lottery systems and solutions for many years to come.”
Meanwhile, Jay Gendron, chief operating officer of global lottery at IGT, stressed how close the two companies have been over the years, even letting us in on a surprising fact – the Rhode Island Lottery was IGT’s very first customer:
“IGT’s history is rooted in Rhode Island as the company is one of its most successful high-tech startups, with the Rhode Island Lottery being our very first customer. IGT’s good jobs and great people are the foundation of our success and one of the reasons why we have been able to support the Lottery in its continued evolution throughout our decades-long partnership. Over the next 20 years, we are committed to delivering unrivaled gaming experiences that engage players and drive maximum growth for Rhode Island’s third-largest revenue stream.”
