44 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 competitive “lottery style” games (except with much higher prize-payout percentages). “My life is changing in so many ways I don't know who to trust anymore” As with almost all forms of gambling, players are almost equally focused on playing for entertainment whilst also wanting to win. In an increasingly competitive market, lotteries are going to not only have to meet the winning needs of players’ (in reality a sports bet’s odds, in the eye of the gambler are either win or lose, so 1 in 2 odds, whilst some of the better odds Scratch tickets are a 1 in 3 win proposition), but also develop communications on how players can play and spend responsibly, to ensure the Lottery industry can retain its credibility with players and non-players alike. The Arizona Lottery already has a $50 ticket with 1 in 2.18 overall odds, while Maryland’s 50th Anniversary ticket, 50 Years!, has odds of winning at 1 in 2.44 and all but four of their 100+ top prizes of $10,000 or more (including three $5m jackpots) have been claimed. Lotto Research believes someone in North America will come up with a Lottery game with the best-ever odds in 2025. A single win on a low-cost ticket can make or break a person’s day, and maybe their life. Of course, that is the unique value proposition that lottery represents, and no competitor can take that away. “Where did all the money go” Currently, the most successful state lotteries, ones that have the highest trust levels among their constituents, have a strong product offering that includes an excellent responsible gaming program combined with clear and concise messages about for whom and how the funds for good causes are helping in their state. Each state that runs a Lottery is significantly better off year after year, with unprecedented levels of funding for good causes in 2024. How will this get even better in 2025? Maybe Virginia cracks $1bn in support for K-12 public education. In a single year! Iowa and California lotteries turn 40 in 2025, so our Veterans will no doubt see more funding and our children out west will see even greater benefits at their schools every single day. North Carolina and Oklahoma hit the double decade mark anniversary, so expect a bonanza year for additional funds towards their bourgeoning education systems. Lotto Research is adamant that 2025 will be a record year for money to good causes from U.S. state lotteries. (Ok, this is akin to me predicting the Cowboys won’t win the SuperBowl, but blurting the obvious is blatantly beneficial, especially when our beneficiaries benefit. Try saying that after a bottle of Blanton’s bourbon.) “Alabama, you’ve got the rest of the union to help you along.” Alabama failed by one vote to have a Lottery in 2024. Rep. Chris Blackshear who sponsored the bill to bring legalized Lottery and Casinos to the state said more revenue would have been raised by the gambling and lottery package to support retirees and pay for rural health care, among other things. His comments drew applause on the Alabama House floor. “So don’t pour something on my leg and tell me it’s raining,” Blackshear said. “(The voters) are not as ignorant as you think they are.” Lotto Research says ‘Roll Tide in 2025’, giving us our 46th State Lottery. If Nick Saban was in charge of the legislature it would no doubt have already happened. “Think I'll roll another number for the road” One of the two big numbers-games is getting revamped in April 2025. Mega Millions is becoming the first national $5 draw game. There will no doubt be an adjustment period, but in a country where felonies and insurrections are quickly forgotten, the former Big Game will no doubt go from strength to strength even with this cost increase. Heck, I paid $7 for a coffee over the weekend and didn’t blink. Even worse, it was actually a cup of tea (I am still English after all) but you get the point. Let’s hope the early rolls ensure the halfbillion jackpot tipping point is hit more frequently to bring in those much sought after casual players. Lotto Research predicts the record $1.602 billion Mega Millions record jackpot will be beaten in 2025. “They're gonna bring the good things back, nose-to-the stone people. Put the business back on track, ordinary people.” Yes, with economic factors playing a more significant role in 2024 than ever before, the fight for that all important entertainment dollar leading to greater funds for good causes is tougher than ever. But the people I know love and respect in his industry and will use all their experience and passion to ensure that 2025 is the best year for Lottery in its history, irrespective of the political climate. With this in mind, before the ball drops on the last Powerball First Millionaire Of The Year on New Year’s Rockin Eve, I hope each of you might take a moment to text or email me at least one Gaming or Lottery prediction for 2025 that isn’t covered by Neil and me in this article, and we’ll print the best ones in the January/February 2025 issue of PGRI magazine. Trust me I’m a (forward thinking) researcher Simon Jaworski, Founder & CEO, Lotto Research simon@lottoresearch.com C: 609-558-1019 A Lottery Heart Of Gold: Gaming and Lottery predictions for 2025: — continued from page 14
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