Public Gaming International November/December 2021

28 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 A little more normalcy returned to the lottery industry in early November. In Maine’s famous coastal town of Kennebunkport, roughly a mile from the “Summer White House” of the two Bush presidents, representatives of the Tri-State Lotto Commission and the vendors who work with them gathered for the first time since Fall 2019. It was a time for reunions and a serious look at what lies ahead. It is not hyperbole to say that these three small-population states, tucked in the northeast corner of the country, have had an oversized impact on the lottery industry. New Hampshire was the first lottery in the United States, starting as the NH Sweep- stakes in 1964. Edward Powers, director of the New Hampshire Lottery from 1963- 1978, was one of the founders of NASPL. In 1984, the three states collaborated to launch Tri-State Megabucks. Seven years before Powerball and 11 years before Mega Millions (first known as the “Big Game”), the nation’s first multi-state consortium was formed. Three lottery directors, George “Skip” Jones in New Hampshire, Richard “Spike” Carey in Maine and George “Bud” Dacey in Vermont, created the new group to offer a game with larger jackpots which accrue from the increased liquidity/player- ship of the combined populations. Fast forward 36 years and billions of dollars given away by subsequent multi- jurisdictional games, and the Tri-State Lotto Commission (as it is now known), is still going strong. Today’s directors – Charlie McIntyre in New Hampshire, Gregg Mineo in Maine and Sabina Haskell in Vermont – welcomed lottery vendor representatives from throughout the country to the meeting in Maine. To say that everyone was happy to be together would be an understatement. “These past 20 months have been difficult for everyone and we all have missed seeing in person, the people who make this industry unique,” said Charlie. “While Tri-State meets every other month, the two twice-annual larger meetings are unique opportunities for vendors to discuss larger trends and new products in the industry in an intimate setting. I think we’re all glad to re-start these meetings.” At the November meeting, companies such as Scientific Games, Intralot and NeoPol- lard presented updates on the state of the industry as well as what products they are now offering. But the unique nature of the Tri-State meetings is that vendors such as Alchemy3, Bulletproof and EQL Games had the chance to meet with lottery repre- sentatives as well. If there is enough time in the day, the Tri-State Lotto Commission welcomes commercial partners of all sizes to join the group for open discussions. “As this was my first large-group Tri-State meeting as Director, I was pleased at the collaboration and open discussion among lottery representatives and vendors,” said Sabina Haskell, Vermont Lottery Director who took the lottery reins in April. “This U.S. LOTTERY HISTORY ON DISPLAY IN MAINE TRI-STATE LOTTERY CELEBRATES ITS PAST, LOOKS TO ITS FUTURE Jim Acton, Lottery Industry Consultant Back row: Directors - Gregg Mineo (ME), Charlie McIntyre (NH), Sabina Haskell (VT) Front Row: Commissioners - Deborah Douglas (NH), Julie Sheehan (ME), Ed Flanagan (VT) Continued on page 37