The Lotto Matrix: Sci Games On The Move Again, Lottery Hall of Fame, And More

Welcome to this week’s “Lotto Matrix,” a weekly Friday compilation of the lottery industry’s most significant, interesting, or absurd happenings.

Scientific Games teams up with EQL

Scientific Games has announced a strategic partnership with EQL Games, adding the Louisville-based studio to its growing SG Content Hub Partner Program. This collaboration will provide Scientific Games’ iLottery clients worldwide access to EQL Games’ portfolio of original and aggregated gaming content.

As a global leader in lottery and sports betting technology, Scientific Games serves 150 lotteries across 50 countries. Most recently, as it announced last week, it added Colorado to its portfolio. The company’s digital lottery platform offers a wide range of products and services, including licensed brand games and advanced digital tools.

EQL Games, founded in 2023, specializes in developing innovative digital gaming experiences. The studio’s game library features mechanics and gameplay designed to attract and retain players. EQL Games’ content is sourced from both its internal studio and a network of global gaming partners.

IGT Exec enters Lottery Hall of Fame

International Game Technology announced this week that its CEO of Global Lottery Renato Ascoli has been selected for induction into the Lottery Industry Hall of Fame. Ascoli will be honored at the World Lottery Summit in Paris later this year.

Since taking the helm of IGT’s global lottery division following the merger of GTECH and IGT in 2015, Ascoli has overseen significant growth and innovation. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding IGT’s customer base to over 90 lotteries worldwide.

Notable achievements during his tenure include the launch of sports betting with the Rhode Island Lottery, a successful partnership with the Mississippi Lottery, and the deployment of lottery terminals in Walmart stores. Ascoli is also credited with the development and launch of IGT’s popular Cash Pop™ draw game, which is now live in more than 15 jurisdictions.

Prior to his role at IGT, Ascoli held leadership positions at GTECH S.p.A., where he oversaw product development, sales, and Italian operations.

Spectra Systems Awarded Lottery Gaming Software Contract

Spectra Systems Corporation, a company that primarily focuses on advanced security solutions, has been selected to supply lottery gaming software to a major U.S. state lottery. The five-year contract, valued at $636,000, was awarded on July 12; however, Spectra is being elusive with the details. It hasn’t revealed the state.

Spectra is known for its expertise in banknote authentication, brand protection, and gaming security. However, it’s now branching out deeper into the lottery industry.

You can’t win if you don’t check

A stroke of luck arrived for the president of Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. Ioannis Miaoulis recently discovered that a Mega Millions lottery ticket he purchased in February was worth $1 million.

The unassuming university leader, who admits to being an infrequent lottery player, decided to take a chance on the $333 million jackpot drawing. However, he never bothered to check to see if he had won. After forgetting about the ticket for several months, Miaoulis was surprised to learn of his unexpected windfall.

Illinois makes instant millionaire

An incredibly lucky Illinois resident has claimed a $1.25 million Lucky Day Lotto jackpot. The winning ticket was purchased for the Wednesday, July 10 evening drawing and matched all five numbers: 13, 14, 32, 40, and 41.

The lucky retailer where the winning ticket was sold, Jewel-Osco, will receive a bonus of $12,500 for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.

Illinois Lottery winners have a year to claim their prize. The lottery agency advises winners to sign their tickets and keep them safe until they are ready to claim their winnings.

Massachusetts could Still welcome online lottery

Massachusetts lawmakers have taken a significant step toward expanding lottery options in the state by tentatively approving online lottery sales. The decision was included in the $58 billion fiscal year 2025 budget.

Advocates of online lottery sales have been lobbying for this change for several years, but faced opposition from Senate leadership. This year, however, with the inclusion of safeguards such as raising the purchasing age to 21 and tightening advertising regulations, the Senate approved the measure.

Senate President Karen Spilka expressed cautious optimism about the new law, emphasizing the potential for future review and adjustment. The revenue generated from online lottery sales will be allocated to a grant program supporting early education and childcare providers.

The news comes after the Senate version of the budget didn’t include an online lottery component. The budget still needs approval by Gov. Maura Healey.

Best Of The Rest

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Multiplied by six : Virginia woman buys six lottery tickets, wins six times

Mississippi is lottery strong: Mississippi lottery players generate more than $125M in revenue

Check the prize box and see you next week!