Florida Lottery inks new deal with Scientific Games

After nine years of sales growth, the Florida Lottery will keep Scientific Games around as its lucky charm.

The state lottery finalized a contract with the scratch-off provider of choice, continuing a 30-year partnership.

“We set out to sign a contract that allows us to continue offering the best games possible at a cost-savings to the state,” said retiring Florida Lottery Secretary Jim Poppell.

“In collaboration with Scientific Games, the Lottery will continue to offer best-in-class Lottery products, emphasize our responsible gaming initiatives, and maximize revenues in support of Governor DeSantis’ bold vision for education in our state.”

A new contract means product from Scientific Games, the world leader in scratch-off tickets, will stock Florida convenience store displays through at least 2027.

The seven-year contract has an option for another seven years if the Lottery is still happy with the company at that point.

Both sides of the deal hope the partnership generated another $8.5 billion in funding for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund over the course of the agreement.

Scientific Games for its part sold the state on a portfolio of integrated products designed with sales in mind.

And with the contract, the state can continue using such trademark products as Monopoly and Loteria.

“We are pleased the Florida Lottery chose Scientific Games for our unique ability to grow profits to benefit so many students in the state of Florida,” said John Schulz, Senior Vice President Lottery Instant Products for Scientific Games.

“We will continue to provide our world-class SGEP services to expertly manage the full lifecycle of the Lottery’s instant games, as well as the great licensed brands that Florida players love.”

Notably, Scientific Games stressed in an announcement of the contract that it is the leading provider of lottery interactive games, mobile apps, player loyalty programs and other interactive products and services.

The Florida House advanced legislation in 2019 that could impact electronic sales of tickets, though such language never moved in the Senate and a bill approved by both chambers was ultimately vetoed.