Public Gaming November/December 2020

28 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 O er a Variety of Higher Price Point Games Three in five retailers report noticing new customers buying lottery products, and 17% of these retailers estimate that new players are ‘typical casino players.’ Additionally, one-third of retailers report increased spend since the beginning of the pandemic. An even higher proportion noted that lottery players are buying more higher priced point games. Both existing players and new players appear to be contributing to the popularity of higher price points. When considering the evolution of lotteries’ instant product portfolios over the past 15 years, since the true inception of higher price point games as a category, this observed gravitation to these games makes sense and foreshadows the need for continuous portfolio refinement. Creating games that appeal to the heavier spenders (and keeping those games in- stock) are key to keeping casino players coming back, even after their regular gaming entertainment options become safer, and more available. O er Cashless Payment Options Cash is no longer king! A recent national study conducted by Leger saw a dramatic increase in consumers stating they use debit or credit more often now than cash, up 15% in just three months. The shift away from cash has been anticipated for many years, but nobody ever expected such a dramatic shift so quickly due to COVID-19. This is a new reality that the lottery industry will need to adjust to in order to stay current. While most lotteries have worked to remove barriers to allow debit card payments, now is the time for those that have not to focus on any necessary policy changes and retailer cooperation to make this change. Business sustainability depends on it.