54 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • JULY/AUGUST 2024 retail network and hospitality locations across the province of British Columbia. Working together, BCLC and INTRALOT executed conversion of the Lottery’s central gaming system. INTRALOT’s cutting-edge LotosX Omni ecosystem will enhance the Lottery’s ability to provide innovative experiences that meet the evolving needs of its players, while maintaining the exceptional quality of its existing games and lottery entertainment services. Parallel workstreams achieved a smooth roll out of around 8,000 lottery terminals in 3,400 locations, installing INTRALOT’s flagship Photon X terminal as well as compact and self-service terminals. INTRALOT’s terminals will help transform BCLC’s retail operations with advanced features, enhanced security, improved user interface, and increased frontline productivity. Additionally, the deployed Digital Signage system will provide BCLC with the ability to dynamically communicate with retail players. This project represents a landmark moment for INTRALOT, establishing a benchmark in the North American lottery market with the first end-to-end deployment of LotosX Omni in the region. Walmart Prepares for Major Push into Lottery Sector At its annual summit in early April, retail giant Walmart convened various lottery industry vendors and suppliers to discuss Walmart’s intention to transition from lottery bystander to active participant and competitor, with plans to launch an app that may eventually be equipped with iLottery capabilities. Walmart representatives even unveiled a slogan aimed at the lottery industry, "Be in it to Win it.” The exact mechanics of Walmart’s play are as yet unclear and the shift may prove slow moving, but the "Lottery@Walmart” plan is indeed underway, according to multiple sources who discussed a sensitive matter on condition of anonymity. IGT to Optimize Player Convenience and Retail Solutions for Mississippi Lottery via Three-Year Contract Extension Joe Froehlich Named Chief Operating Officer of the Michigan Lottery Amy Steinman Joins Scientific Games’ Executive Leadership Team as New Chief Human Resources Officer Penn Entertainment rallied 4.70% on Rumor of Flutter Joining Boyd in takeover bid Flutter, which operates a FanDuel sportsbook and online casino in the Michigan, would thoroughly dominate Michigan Online Gambling by purchasing PENN IN MEMORIAM: Walter Szrek It is with deep sadness that Szrek2Solutions announces the passing of Walter Szrek, co-founder and former Chief Technologist, on June 28, 2024. Walter was a beloved friend, husband, father, grandfather, and esteemed technologist, who deeply valued each relationship that he built over the years. Throughout his career, Walter dedicated himself to serving the lottery industry, excelling in solving complex system problems and designing radical technical solutions. As one of the original developers in the startup that evolved into GTECH, later IGT, Walter played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the early lottery industry. After 24 years at GTECH/IGT, Walter and his wife Irena pioneered a random number generation solution, known as Trusted Draw and together they founded Szrek2Solutions, a producer of advanced and auditable RNG solutions for the lottery sector. Lawsuit claims federal law exempts tribes from Colorado's 10% sports betting tax Two tribes filed a lawsuit alleging they’ve been unfairly blocked by the state from engaging in online sports betting in violation of state-tribal compacts. Michael “Mickey” Boardman, Director of the Maine State Lottery voted the Lead Director of the The Lucky for Life® game group Scientific Games announces Gina Smith has joined the company as the new Vice President, Lottery Enterprise Systems Products iLottery Authorized in Massachusetts: issues RFP for iLottery consulting services IGT's Gaming and Digital Business and Everi to Be Acquired Simultaneously by Apollo Funds in All-Cash Transaction IGT and Everi Holdings Inc. have entered into definitive agreements whereby IGT's Gaming & Digital business ("IGT Gaming") and Everi will be simultaneously acquired by a newly formed holding company owned by funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc in an all-cash transaction that values the acquired businesses at approximately $6.3 billion on a combined basis. On February 29, 2024, IGT and Everi announced that they had entered into definitive agreements pursuant to which IGT would separate the IGT Gaming business by way of a taxable spin-off to IGT shareholders and then immediately combine such business with Everi. Under the terms of the new agreements, the Apollo Funds will acquire IGT Gaming and Everi. Following closing, IGT Gaming and Everi will be privately owned companies that are part of one combined enterprise. IGT will receive $4.05 billion of gross cash proceeds for IGT Gaming. IGT expects significant portions of the cash proceeds to be used to repay debt and to be returned to shareholders. Upon completion of the sale of IGT Gaming to the Apollo Funds, IGT will change its name and stock ticker symbol, becoming a premier pure play lottery business. IGT PLC CEO Vince Sadusky will oversee the separation of IGT Gaming and support the transition through transaction completion. Post-closing, Mr. Sadusky will continue in his role, leading the lottery-focused company under its new name and stock ticker symbol. Following the acquisitions of IGT Gaming and Everi by the Apollo Funds, current IGT EVP Strategy and Corporate Development, Fabio Celadon, will serve as CFO, and current Everi CFO, Mark Labay, will assume the role of Chief Integration Officer, of the combined enterprise. The newly formed combined enterprise will be headquartered in Las Vegas. Contacts For IGT Phil O'Shaughnessy, Global Communications, toll free in U.S./Canada +1 (844) IGT-7452; outside U.S./Canada +1 (401) 392-7452 Francesco Luti, Italian media inquiries, +39 06 5189 9184 James Hurley, Investor Relations, +1 (401) 392-7190 Online-gambling giants conquer U.S. with tactics that are prohibited in other jurisdictions like Great Britain P U L S E
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