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Online lottery adding more tax revenue than ever to states that allow it
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While many US states were disappointed to see their lottery-funded support decrease substantially during lockdown, those that had already legislated to allow the sale of online lottery tickets saw a small windfall, with Spinola Gaming CEO Ade Repcenko urging state legislators in the former category to fast-track the legislative process and let their lottery sector contribute fully to the economic recovery.
States with a legal framework to offer online lottery tickets saw an increase in their lottery-funded support during lockdown, while those that didn’t suffered a “gut punch”.
While the market may begin to normalise as states reopen, a growing number of governors are pausing the process, or reinstating previously lifted restrictions, sounding a warning out to retail operators and the state systems they support. Medical experts warn that as lockdowns ease and flu season returns these numbers could increase further, making renewed lockdowns and stay-at-home orders in parts of the US a possibility over the coming months. The lockdowns and retail establishment closures of the past few months have brought the limitations and flaws of the lottery retail system in some states to light, and with it, the realization of the need to assess current practices and identify new digital approaches that work long-term, and under any circumstance.
As Covid-19 continues to decimate the US economy, and society gets adjusted to a new-normal, the long-term effects on people and businesses are becoming more evident. The pandemic has been somewhat of a rollercoaster for state lotteries, and as states continue to release revenue data, mixed results can be seen over the past few months. Retail-only state lotteries saw a huge drop in revenue, with states such as Delaware reporting a $40 million loss in lottery ticket sales due to casino closures. Massachusetts saw a 53 percent drop in sales over 3 months, resulting in a 5 percent drop in total sales for the fiscal year. Virginia reported a $45 million drop in sales. Maryland reported a sales decline by as much as 30 percent and also had to postpone the launch of new scratch-off games. In Oregon, the lottery revenue drop resulted in a $22 million budget shortfall which forced them to lay off 47 employees and close over a dozen state parks.
Many states are reliant on lottery revenue in order to fill in budget gaps, while other states use the funds to run special education, environment and veteran aid programs.
“We got used to the lottery as a constant companion supporting the system. It was a gut punch to realize we don’t have the time to react.” Chris Havel, spokesman for the Oregon parks and rec department, told the Associated Press.
While lotteries limited by retail-only sales suffered, the online lottery route was one embraced by the states with the legal framework in place to do so. The Georgia Lottery CEO Gretchen Corbin remarked that sales dropped in March as lottery retailers were forced to close and customers were under pandemic lockdown. But their sales rebounded in the final quarter of the fiscal year, which the CEO attributes to their efforts to promote their online lottery offering, bringing revenues up to a record $1.24b profit over the past 12 months. The Pennsylvania Lottery saw sales drop 25 percent in March after about one-third of their lottery retailers were required to close with sales down $60 million when compared to the same period last year. They did however experience a surge in online sales with “players turning to the Lottery’s online games” during the lockdown, as confirmed by their spokesperson Ewa Dworakowski. Their executive director Drew Svitko also confirmed that “lottery is breaking records and has more players than ever before” with their average daily online lottery sales reaching $3 million during the pandemic, boosting their FY20 online lottery sales by about 24 percent ahead of estimate. The New Hampshire Lottery Commission saw online sales of e-instants increase by 92 percent, and draw-based purchases go up 39 percent between March 21 and April 25. “For a non-jackpot run month, and limited advertising, we had some impressive KPIs” said Kelley-Jaye Cleland, director of sales and product development.
Liz Siver, general manager at NeoPollard Interactive, which partners with many US lotteries that sell products online noted that “Across our network, key performance indicators have hit record-breaking levels as lottery players sought online options during this unprecedented time.”
In an interview with Betting USA, Jackpocket, a company which provides similar online lottery services, reported a marked increase in sales with saturation levels reaching record highs, “Jackpocket is actually seeing a significant increase in sales week over week. We’ve already witnessed a 14% increase in this Tuesday’s Mega Millions sales and anticipate this to continue.” said CEO Peter Sullivan.
“The figures from states with ilotteries active during the pandemic is strong evidence that digital is the way forward,” said Ade Repcenko, CEO of digital lottery software provider Spinola Gaming. “Digital transformation and ilottery are set to play a huge part in the US lottery sector over the coming years. It is important to learn from these past few months and prepare lottery businesses for long-term digital success.”
NeoPollard’s Liz Siver shared these thoughts, adding: “The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a renewed focus on digital transformation strategies, particularly ilottery. There was no way to predict the current position that lotteries are in today, but this experience solidified the need to advance discussions around ilottery. Covid-19 has guaranteed that every strategic dialogue with a lottery today includes ilottery.”
With digital lottery solutions ready and available from suppliers like Spinola Gaming, the only barrier currently facing the digitization of the lottery industry is a regulative and legislative one, as most states do not have the legal framework in place to allow lotteries to move online. Last year, online lottery legislation was introduced in Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Massachusetts – however none of the bills were able to get passed. Repcenko believes that the legislative process should be fast-tracked in order to safeguard lottery operators should society be faced with renewed nationwide lockdowns and restrictions and with it the possibility of state retail lottery ticket sales dropping yet again. “Unless these regulatory changes happen fast, the US market will lag behind the rest of the world, as LATAM, Africa, Asia and Australia all already possess the legal ability to sell online.”
Some states have indeed felt the pressing need to move online and turned to those with active ilottery, such as New Hampshire, for guidance, said Cleland. “We have spoken with some other states regarding how [we] approached our ilottery program. Given that Covid-19 could come back this fall, I imagine many states are determining how they can help their programs become quasi-pandemic proof to ensure they maintain revenues for good causes.”
With time of the essence for operators looking to move online to quickly recover from the impact of Covid-19, holistic lottery solutions like the ones offered by Spinola Gaming provide land-based operators with all the tools needed to make a timely switch to digital, while still maintaining their traditional retail operations through one seamless interface. The software allows operators to monitor all lottery ticket sales and track all online and offline purchases in real-time, complete with a myriad of marketing functions and analytics. While lockdowns across the US have hurt the lottery sector, state’s such as Georgia and Pennsylvania have proven that – with the right digital solution – operators can return to better than normal levels of sales, and bring a much needed boost to the social initiatives they support.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Online lottery adding more tax revenue than ever to states that allow it
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Finland is preparing to usher in a new era for its gambling industry, with a comprehensive reform that transitions the country from a state monopoly to a regulated, licensed market. According to updates received by Nordic Legal, the Administrative Committee of the Finnish Parliament has completed its report, confirming the core elements of the reform. While the legislation has yet to be formally published, it is expected to pass without further amendments.
This reform marks a significant shift in Finland’s gambling landscape and introduces a well-defined roadmap that operators and suppliers should begin preparing for now.
Key Milestones in Finland’s Gambling Market Reform
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B2C licence application opens: March 1, 2026
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Opening of the gambling market: July 1, 2027
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B2B licence application opens: July 1, 2027
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B2B licence requirement enforced: July 1, 2028
In addition to these regulatory changes, the Finnish government is reportedly exploring mechanisms for enhanced player protection. One such initiative under consideration is the introduction of loss limits that would apply across all licensed operators, signalling a strong commitment to responsible gambling.
Nordic Legal: Your Strategic Partner for Finnish Market Entry
With deep expertise in the Nordic gambling sector, Nordic Legal is uniquely positioned to assist operators navigating the Finnish licensing process. Drawing on experience in Denmark and Sweden, the firm brings regulatory insight, a streamlined methodology, and local expertise to ensure clients are well-prepared for this market transformation.
Why Choose Nordic Legal?
1. Familiarity with Your Business
For existing clients operating in Denmark or Sweden, Nordic Legal leverages its existing understanding of your organisation and technical infrastructure. This continuity accelerates the process and avoids duplication of effort.
2. Regulatory Expertise
Years of engagement with Danish and Swedish regulators allow Nordic Legal to anticipate regulatory expectations, resolve potential issues early, and smooth out the application journey.
3. Proven Nordic Methodology
Nordic Legal applies a tested framework to each licence application, including:
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Reusing existing documentation where possible
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Mapping technical and certification requirements in advance
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Aligning responsible gambling strategies with Finnish standards
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Co-managing projects through your current contact and our Helsinki team
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Constructive engagement with regulatory authorities when needed
Finland Licence Application Package
To support a seamless entry into the Finnish market, Nordic Legal offers a comprehensive application service that includes:
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Translation of all required documents
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Step-by-step application guidance
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Completion of application forms
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Full project management
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Direct communication with the Finnish Gambling Authority on your behalf
Operators aiming to enter the Finnish market are encouraged to begin preparations early. Nordic Legal’s package ensures that you will be ready when the application process opens in 2026.
Thinking of Entering the Finnish Market?
Whether Finland is part of your expansion strategy or you need a clearer understanding of how the new legislation affects your operations, Nordic Legal is ready to help. With expert knowledge of the requirements, the process, and the business context, we provide the guidance and support you need to move forward confidently.
For more information about our Licence Application Package or a personalised assessment of the Finnish market, please contact Nordic Legal directly.
The post Finland Finalises Gambling Reform Framework: Market Opening Set for 2027 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Gamblers Connect is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NuxGame, a premier B2B software provider specialising in API-first, modular iGaming solutions.
This collaboration is designed to significantly enhance NuxGame’s brand visibility and solidify its authority across the critical regulated and emerging markets our operator network serves. NuxGame, which has been successfully developing and expanding operator projects since 2018, offers comprehensive Turnkey Casino and Sportsbook Platforms.
The company’s technical strength is unmatched, featuring a massive aggregated content library of over 16,500 games from more than 130 studios, alongside advanced, market-specific tools like its Telegram Casino Software and specialised Sweepstakes Casino Platform.
Gamblers Connect will showcase how NuxGame’s modular, API-first architecture allows clients to quickly launch a fully branded platform, easily scale into complex verticals like crypto, and benefit from full compliance support, including their Romanian Class II B2B Licence and GLI-19 Certification.
By offering transparency around risk management and a comprehensive support system, Gamblers Connect will de-risk the initial onboarding process for operators.
This strategic alliance underscores NuxGame’s commitment to delivering technical excellence and our dedication to providing our audience with trusted, high-value industry partners.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “Our partnership will leverage Gamblers Connect’s high-authority platform to connect NuxGame directly with decision-makers seeking fast, scalable, and compliant software solutions. Our cooperation will focus on delivering expert content and deep technical insights into the platform’s core advantages.”
The post NuxGame & Gamblers Connect Enter a New Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Soft2Bet, a leading provider of iGaming turnkey solutions, has been nominated for Best Solutions for iGaming Industry in Romania 2025 by Romania Gaming Celebration 11 – Casino Inside Gala Awards. The nomination highlights Soft2Bet’s continued investment in the country and its ability to deliver highly localised and high-performing solutions for local operators and players, powered by its proprietary gamification engine, MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application).
This nomination is the latest in a series of achievements in the Romanian market, highlighting Soft2Bet’s data-driven iGaming solutions for player retention. Previously, the company was honoured as the Best iGaming Solutions Provider in Romania at the 12th Reunion of Gambling Professionals. Furthermore, its local brand, Don.ro, secured the title of Best New Launch of 2024 at the same event, and in the process showcased how its approach to creating compelling brands specifically tailored for Romanian players is highly successful.
Don.ro has rapidly established itself as one of Romania’s most recognisable online entertainment platforms. Its success is built on a highly intuitive user experience (UX), a comprehensive range of casino and sportsbook options, and strategic, locally focused marketing campaigns. In addition, Don.ro has strengthened its brand appeal and established strong trust with Romanian players thanks to its partnership with the CFR Cluj 1907 football club, in the process contributing to local sports.
Don.ro uses Soft2Bet’s advanced MEGA technology to boost player engagement with missions, challenges and personalised rewards. This proprietary technology also ensures responsible gaming. MEGA allows operators to customise player experiences, rewards and activation triggers to fit local market needs. These features increase engagement, retention and long-term value for both casino and sports betting platforms.
Yoel Zuckerberg, Chief Product Officer at Soft2Bet, stated: “Being nominated in the Best Solutions for iGaming Industry in Romania 2025 category is a clear recognition of all the work our teams have accomplished with Don.ro and confirmation of the success in Romania. Our focus is on building locally relevant experiences, powered by MEGA and supported by strong compliance and design standards. We are proud of what we are achieving in Romania and remain committed to bringing quality iCasino engagement tactics and long-term strategies to our players.”
The post Soft2Bet Nominated for Best Solutions for iGaming Industry in Romania 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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