National Lottery plc. IZI Group subsidiary and the new operator of the Malta National Lottery, in a joint statement with the representatives of the national lottery agents, announced that they have concluded an agency agreement that will regulate the business relationship between the parties for the next. 10 years from 5 July.
The process of reaching this agreement began in late 2021 when representatives of the national lottery agents, the Lotto Receivers Union (LRU) and the Gaming & Lotteries Agents Association (GLAA) approved both are the bid submitted by National Lottery plc for the Request for Proposal Process (RFP) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
In recent months, since being declared the preferred bidder, National Lottery plc, the LRU, the GLAA and the Malta Chamber of SMEs have entered into discussions with a view to concluding an agency agreement for duration of the concession, with a view to strengthening the relationship between the parties.
“It is our pleasure to announce that after months of discussions, National Lottery plc and the representatives of the lottery agents, namely the LRU and the GLAA with the sterling support of the Malta Chamber of SMEs, have sealed the the terms of the agency agreement for the next 10 years. This agreement will allow the modernization of the national retail lottery network through substantial investments in technology and content delivery, as well as a general restructuring program to make the retail network will comply with European benchmarks over the next 18 months, ”said Johann Schembri – Chief Executive Officer of National Lottery plc.
“Retail distribution has always been considered one of the strategic pillars of the National Lottery, and through our investment in technology, the adoption of new work practices and the joint investment program in Restructuring, we are establishing a forward-looking framework that facilitates the growth of the national lottery while improving the livelihoods of hundreds of families, ”added Schembri.
For their part, the LRU, the GLAA and the Maltese SME Chamber also expressed their satisfaction that this process was successfully completed in a timely and equitable manner.
“We are very excited about the start of this new national lottery concession under the leadership of National Lottery plc,” said Marco Rossi – President of the LRU.
“We have reached an agency agreement that provides good prospects for our members. Adapting to change has never been easy, but we all understand that a proper investment program was needed, and we found National Lottery plc open to such an investment in the retail network. Our members have approved this agreement which will allow for the growth of the national lottery over the coming years for the joint benefit of all those involved in the national lottery ecosystem. “
GLAA representatives also noted with satisfaction that National Lottery plc has given their association the opportunity to participate in this important process from the very first days.
“After weeks of negotiations we feel that we have reached a good consensus on the agreement for the benefit of all our members, thanks to the good will and commitment shown by National Lottery plc.,” Said Joseph Farrugia – President of GLAA.
Abigail Mamo – the Chief Executive of the Malta SME Chamber, said that “the next ten years wish for an exciting and rewarding journey. It is critical that everyone continues in the tone of the discussions and works together in good faith. “
National Lottery plc will take over from Maltco Lotteries on July 5, 2022.