International Game Technology is set to introduce self-serve lottery terminals in the Canadian province of Ontario via a 15-year contract with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. IGT’s subsidiary IGT Global Solutions Corporation was chosen by the OLG following a competitive procurement as the primary technology provider of the terminals.
The agreement marks the first time that self-serve technology is expected to be available to lottery players in Ontario, noted IGT. The contract will run until June 2027, and includes 10 additional one-year contract extension options. Subject to further government approvals, terminals will begin to be installed in retail locations in the second half of 2023.
"As OLG embarks on the next evolution of lottery play in Ontario, we will work with key partners like IGT to deliver responsible, secure and convenient access to player-favorite lottery games," said Duncan Hannay, OLG President and CEO. "The introduction of self-serve lottery technology throughout Ontario would allow us to continue to drive sales and maximize revenue for provincial priorities for the benefit of the people of Ontario."
Under the terms of the contract, IGT is set to provide OLG with 1,400 GameTouch 28 self-serve lottery terminals for deployment at lottery retailers across Ontario. “The GameTouch 28 terminals are built on more than 30 years of experience designing and deploying some of the industry's most advanced self-serve solutions,” says IGT.
The terminals include responsible gaming functionality and AODA-compliant accessibility features such as a pin pad and audio jack to enhance convenience for all lottery players. Throughout the duration of the contract, additional self-serve terminals such as IGT’s GameTouch Draw “may also be installed,” according to the company.
"IGT is excited to partner with OLG to responsibly enhance the player experience in Ontario with the debut of our self-serve lottery terminals," said Jay Gendron, IGT Chief Operating Officer, Global Lottery. "As the largest lottery in Canada, OLG consistently leads the charge in modernizing the player journey for its customers. IGT's self-serve technology complements OLG's goals for innovation and provides added convenience, functionality and unrivaled experiences for players."
In addition to the self-serve lottery terminals, IGT is set to provide OLG with its OpenRetail terminal software application, ShowMaker multimedia content creation and management system, and retailer advisory services, notes a press statement.
This is not the only major lottery agreement IGT has signed as of late. Late last month, the company announced it signed a four-year contract extension with the New York Lottery, set to run through August 2026. As part of the extension, IGT will launch a new claims and payments system, and will also continue to provide its lottery central system and related technology.