19 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • MARCH/APRIL 2025 Paul Jason: You’ve been part of the lottery industry for over two decades. What led you to Intralot, and what sets the company apart? Richard Bateson: I’ve been fortunate to work in this industry since 2001, starting in marketing and expanding into various disciplines that support lottery operations. In 2020, after nearly 20 years, I stepped back to explore consulting so I could experience industry and non-industry projects, After three years, and working closely with lotteries and vendors, I decided I wanted to join one of the big vendors. In 2023 I decided I wanted to join Intralot for three clear reasons: technology, finance (ability to invest), and people. Technology: the company’s modular, interoperable systems architecture was a major draw, as it allows for seamless integration of best-of-breed solutions – something important for me as a marketer, as I believed Intralot had the best system in the industry to enable lotteries’ business and marketing plans. Finance: the company has significantly strengthened its financial position over the last several years, allowing for further investment into product, services and people – something the company has allowed me to focus on. People: I was given the opportunity to leverage existing talent, while bringing in new voices to enhance our capabilities. This transformation started in 2023 and continues as we set our foundations for growth in 2025. These three pillars—technology, financial strength, and people—guide our investments and ensure we deliver tailored solutions for our customers. The Lottery Landscape: Today & The Future The lottery industry has seen significant change. What’s your perspective on its current state and future direction? R. Bateson: I once quoted Lenin at a PGRI event: “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” While we aren’t seeing an industry revolution, change is accelerating. Historically, innovation has been slow, not because of a lack of vision, but due to restrictive and often inconsistent legislative and regulatory frameworks. Meanwhile, competitors like sports betting, iGaming, and the grey market can act with agility and capture opportunities quickly as they don’t have the same business models (beneficiaries), or they sit outside of regulation At Intralot, we are tackling this innovation and increased competition challenge in two ways: reactively and proactively. Reactively, we have developed a future-proofed platform that is fully interoperable – LotosX, enabling lotteries to adopt new technologies as needed – helping them respond quicker and with more relevant solutions to their players. Proactively, we launched initiatives such as Intralot Labs, which fosters industry innovation, new game development, and enhanced customer experiences. By investing in research and experimentation, we help lotteries stay competitive and more relevant in an evolving industry landscape. Operator vs. Technology Vendor: A Balanced Perspective You’ve worked both as an operator and a vendor. How has that shaped your approach at Intralot? R. Bateson: The challenges faced by operators and vendors are quite different. Having been on both sides, I don’t just understand what needs to be done, but also how and why. Vendors may recognize these challenges in theory, but operators experience them daily. At Intralot, we are redefining the vendor role. We aren’t just technology providers; we are enablers of our customers’ growth. This perspective has driven key initiatives that enhance the lottery experience and drive performance. We are introducing new games such as Jackpot USA® and Perfect Pick, alongside twenty new omnichannel games set to launch this year. Our iPOP program is designed to help lotteries optimize their product mix, ensuring they maximize impact and revenue potential. Additionally, our Retail Digital Program (RDP) seamlessly bridges in-person and digital lottery experiences, creating a more cohesive player journey. From day one, my message has been clear: We succeed when our customers grow. That’s why we are committed to delivering solutions that drive real, measurable results. 100 Days In: Early Observations & Organizational Change You’re approaching your first 100 days as CEO. What are your key observations and priorities? R. Bateson: Our greatest strengths are technology and people. Our LotosX Omni platform sets the standard, complemented by CanvasX for advanced content management, an upgraded PAM (Player Account Management) system for seamless player engagement, and enhanced security, monitoring, and reporting tools. On the people side, we have a strong blend of industry veterans and new talent, fostering a culture of innovation and expertise. We’ve already seen tangible success—BCLC launched LotosX, setting a benchmark for future implementations, and we secured a 7-year extension with the New Hampshire Lottery, with a full platform rollout planned for 2025. Our challenge now is ensuring the industry recognizes that the future is already here. Future-Proofing Lottery: Innovation & Technology Technology is at the heart of lottery evolution. How is Intralot investing in future-proofing the industry with innovations like LotosX, interoperability, AI, and new game formats such as Fast Play Jackpot USA®? How do you see these developments shaping the lottery experience for players and operators? R. Bateson: As I mentioned earlier, one of the most critical requirements lotteries should demand from their technology vendors is interoperability and openness. The era of monolithic systems – where a single vendor provides everything in a closed-loop ecosystem—is behind us. The future is about modular, agile architectures that promote best-of-breed integration, enabling lotteries to customize their offerings and remain adaptable in an ever-changing environment. At Intralot, we are leading this shift with LotosX, the next-generation modular platform designed to future-proof lottery operations. LotosX accelerates innovation, enhances agility, and allows operators to continued on page 29
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