Public Gaming Magazine July/August 2020

44 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • JULY/AUGUST 2020 UNCHARTERED TERRITORY The impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic has been widespread and dramatic. Stay-at-home orders and the temporary closure of non-essential businesses caused significant economic repercussions across the U.S. which will continue for the foreseeable future. At the same time, there have been countless displays of ingenuity and resilience. Huge sectors of the economy moved quickly to accommodate the rapidly changing landscape. Manufacturers refitted their production lines in order to make ventilators and personal protection equipment. Delivery companies purchased new trucks and hired more employees. Doctors and mental health professionals moved patient visits to online platforms. And these are just a few examples of how businesses large and small pivoted to stay viable during this unprecedented time. COVID-19 AND THE LOTTERY INDUSTRY The Lottery industry has also been forced to pivot and adjust over the past several months as consumer behavior and buying habits shifted in response to the pandemic. For example, a recent survey indicated that 62% of the respondents are making purchases with fewer shopping trips and 40% are stopping at fewer places. Another survey showed that 95% of the respondents currently practice social distancing and 15% indicated that they will continue social distancing even after the crisis ends. These trends, compounded by changes in day-part shopping as consumers work from home and skip the commute, mean that it is absolutely critical for lotteries to have the right product available and visible in stores at all times. Although the after-eects of COVID are far- reaching, there are a number of products and services to help lotteries protect funding for vital state programs while oering players the games they want in a safe and responsible manner. For example, Scientific Games Enhanced Partnership (SGEP) customers can rely upon technologies like the new SciTrak ULTRA® with OrderCast™ ML to ensure the availability of instant game inventory throughout their retail network. The SciTrak ULTRA web-based OrderCast ML system allows inside sales employees to login from home to place orders or for lotteries to set up state-wide auto-orders. Whether orders are remotely entered, or system generated and automatically sent directly to distribution centers, SGEP -powered supply chains keep products continuously in the pipeline. Another smart technology that’s proving invaluable is the SCiQ® instant game ecosystem, which provides real-time sales data on the individual instant game ticket level, keeping Lottery Sales Representatives (LSRs) connected to their retailers even when they can’t be there in person to address out-of-stocks, optimize product placement and price point mix, manage inventory, and ensure the right product is always available. The SCiQ digital menu board clearly displays games and ticket information allowing customers to make purchase decisions at a distance, prior to reaching the counter and reducing transaction times. And the SCiQ lottery- branded mobile app allows players to view which games are on sale and select a game for purchase once in the store, further expediting the transaction process.