Public Gaming Magazine July/August 2020

45 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • JULY/AUGUST 2020 CASHLESS AND ONLINE CONVENIENCE As more businesses move to cashless and contactless payment solutions in response to consumer fear of using physical currency, Scientific Games has worked to make this migration as smooth as possible. The company provides merchant services including card acceptance devices, payment processing, operational support, and fraud/ AML mitigation. The solution supports both debit and credit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other emerging forms of payment. Another Scientific Games cashless oering is an eWallet which allows players to use funds from casino players cards, PayPal, and debit to pay for iLottery purchases. The digital sales surge during the COVID crisis is evidence that this channel has a lot to oer and plenty of room for growth. In preparation for that growth, eWallet accepts a wide variety of payment methods in the iLottery channel, including PayPal, Sightline, PayNearMe, Instant ACH, WebCash, and more. Going forward, eWallet will utilize a barcode that players scan at retail to purchase lottery products while keeping money within the lottery ecosystem. BEHIND THE SCENES Many of the measures Scientific Games enacted to ensure the safe and responsible sale of lottery products at retail took place before the games ever hit the store. In early February, when the full magnitude of the COVID-19 crisis was still unclear, the company’s manufacturing and warehouse teams recognized the impending implications of a worldwide pandemic and immediately began to implement an action plan so its lottery partners could continue selling games and generate funding for the good causes they support. Disinfectants were vetted, personal protection equipment was secured, social distancing procedures were enacted, and the use of commercial deep cleaning services increased. As shelter-in-place orders came into full eect, access to Scientific Games facilities was restricted and strictly enforced. Safety measures based on CDC recommendations and local and state guidelines were put in place. The company’s service technicians are literally on the frontline at retail servicing equipment. In early March, the Field Service Department, driven by a desire to protect employees, retailers and consumers while providing uninterrupted service, began implementing an ocial safety policy for all Technicians. The policy includes PPE usage, equipment- specific grab-and-go sanitizing kits, and vests imprinted with the clear message of “Stay Back 6 Feet.” Thequick implementation of these protocols, which went beyond the requirements of the CDC, minimized health risks and helped ease the concerns of customers, retailers and employees. MOVING FORWARD, TOGETHER As states, businesses, and the economy begin to re-open, a new retail landscape is emerging. Some of the shifts in consumer behavior and buying habits as a result of the pandemic are likely here to stay even after the crisis has passed. Many consumers, for example, shopped online for the first time over the past fewmonths andwill likely continue to do so now that they have experienced the convenience it oers. Changes in retail operations, such as plastic shields that protect clerks, are likely to become a permanent fixture. And closer to home, iLottery games will continue to play an even greater role in helping lotteries around the world oer convenience to existing players, reach new players and importantly, achieve growth and revenue goals. Emerging from this time of change and uncertainty, it is a worthy reminder that the work the lottery industry does ultimately provides much- needed revenues to a wide range of good causes that improve lives in communities around the world. Education. Healthcare. The environment. Veterans. Senior citizens. First responders. Infrastructure improvements. All these beneficiaries and more rely on revenues generated by lotteries. The global COVID crisis demonstrates that industry stakeholders must work together and invest in growth and innovation to protect this vital funding. All notices signify marks registered in the United States. © 2020 Scientific Games Corporation. All Rights Reserved.