Advanced Enterprise System Will Connect Multichannel Experiences, Including iLottery, Loyalty, Player Account Management and CRM

Scientific Games’ signed a new technology contract with the North Dakota Lottery to implement the company’s most advanced omnichannel system solutions. The Lottery selected Scientific Games’ integrated solution to power retail and digital sales following a competitive process, awarding the global lottery company a new six-year contract with a two-year extension option. As the industry’s fastest-growing systems provider, Scientific Games has successfully executed nearly 40 lottery systems implementations and conversions since 2016.

Built upon key components of Scientific Games’ Momentum ecosystem, a new, advanced enterprise gaming system is at the core of the tech solution developed for the North Dakota Lottery. The integrated ecosystem features the AEGIS central gaming system, a premiere digital platform offering a single integrated solution for iLottery and Loyalty, and innovative retail technology, including award-winning self-service terminals.

The company’s industry-leading player account management solution, SG PAM, a high-performance customer relationship management solution, superior bonusing engine and upgraded achievement-based rewards program, will continue to drive North Dakota player engagement with a completely new user experience (web and mobile).

Lance Gaebe, Director of the North Dakota Lottery, said, “Our goal was to modernize our technology so that our players can enjoy fluid experiences between retail and digital. We also wanted to work with the tech partner that gave us the best technical solution for the North Dakota Lottery to responsibly grow sales and contributions to our state programs in the coming years.”

The new contract is the third time North Dakota has chosen Scientific Games as its system vendor, highlighted by 33% sales growth in the past 10 years. iLottery sales increased 36% from fiscal year 2022 to 2023.

Scientific Games began a 20-year technology partnership with the North Dakota Lottery when its first Powerball tickets were sold in 2004, launched its iLottery program in 2014 and mobile app in 2018. The company currently provides the Lottery with an online/mobile Pick & Click draw game purchase program, as well as a Players Club where members earn points and redeem rewards through a Points for Prizes online store and Points for Drawings program.

John Schulz, President, Americas & Global Instant Products, said, “We’ve been there since the beginning with the North Dakota Lottery, and our technology has served the Lottery very well over the past two decades. Our teams have worked hard to build a strong partnership through service excellence, and they deeply understand the North Dakota Lottery’s unique business. Now, we’re taking that partnership to the next level with our Momentum ecosystem.”

Scientific Games provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries around the globe.

Nazara Technologies Limited (BSE: 543280 | NSE: NAZARA), India’s only listed diversified gaming and sports media company, has unveiled a series of strategic investments aimed at solidifying its position in the gaming and entertainment ecosystems. 

Nazara has announced new Investments in Funky Monkeys & Learntube.ai

Nazara has expanded into physical entertainment with the acquisition of a 60% stake in Funky Monkeys Play Centers Private Limited, a leader in indoor soft play centers for children, for INR 43.7 crores. Funky Monkeys operates 11 centers across India, offering interactive play experiences for children.

Co-founders of Funky Monkeys, Binita Putcha and Sanjay Ghadiali, said: “We are excited to join hands with Nazara, whose vision for digital and hybrid entertainment aligns closely with ours. With Nazara’s expertise and resources, we are confident we can scale Funky Monkeys and bring even more joy to children and families across India. We also see synergies with digital IP’s owned by Nazara such as Kiddopia and will work to maximise these opportunities”

Nazara will also invest INR 4.2 crores for a 4.7% stake in Learntube.ai, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing education with 1:1 interactive and gamified learning. Catering to over 20 lakh learners, LearnTube is the world largest personalised learning platform that offers affordable, interactive gamified learning experiences for professional skilling.

“LearnTube’s collaboration with Nazara is a bold step forward in reshaping professional learning and interactive media. We are excited to combine forces to lead innovation on a global scale,” said Shronit Ladhani, Co-founder, LearnTube.

Nazara has Increased its shareholding of existing companies

Nazara will invest INR 148 crores in its existing subsidiaries including Sportskeeda, Nodwin Gaming, and Datawrkz to increase its ownership in them and support their growth.

• Nodwin Gaming: Nazara will invest INR 64 crores through subscription of Optionally Convertible Preference Shares to bolster Nodwin’s growth. The funds will support Nodwins expansion, enhance its intellectual properties (IPs), and strengthen its footprint in emerging markets.

• Absolute Sports (Sportskeeda): Nazara will invest INR 69 crores to purchase shares arising from exercise of ESOPs from the Sportskeeda management to increase its stake to 100% in the company making it a wholly owned subsidiary.

• Datawrkz: Nazara granted in-principle approval for an investment of INR 15 crores in Datawrkz through the subscription of Compulsorily Convertible Cumulative Preference Shares to support ongoing growth of Datawrkz

Speaking on these investments, Nitish Mittersain said: “Nazara is committed to building the largest diversified gaming and entertainment platform out of India and many of our initiatives announced today are geared towards propelling profitable growth in these strategic areas of our interest.”

ProgressPlay, a leading platform in the iGaming industry, is thrilled to announce its selection as a finalist in the Safer Gambling Award and Innovator of the Year Award (Operator) categories at the upcoming International Gaming Awards (IGA) 2025. This recognition underscores ProgressPlay’s dedication to innovation, player protection, and excellence in iGaming operations.

The Safer Gambling Award nomination celebrates ProgressPlay’s proactive approach to promoting responsible gambling. The company has continually advanced its proprietary automated safer gambling tools, integrating cutting-edge AI-driven features to ensure operators and players remain in control and mitigate risks effectively. ProgressPlay has positioned itself as a trailblazer by prioritising player well-being in building trust and fostering a healthier gambling ecosystem while reducing compliance risks for operators.

Being shortlisted for Innovator of the Year (Operator) reflects ProgressPlay’s relentless pursuit of technological advancement as a B2B specialist within the iGaming industry. With a portfolio of groundbreaking solutions and an emphasis on user-centric design, the company has revolutionised how operators engage with their players. This category highlights ProgressPlay’s unmatched ability to combine technology, creativity, and market insights to deliver exceptional gambling experiences.

Marina Nahhas, Head of B2B Sales and Marketing at ProgressPlay, expressed her delight: “Being recognised as finalists in two categories by such a prestigious organisation is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to innovation and responsible gambling. At ProgressPlay, we don’t just follow trends; we set them while ensuring the safety and satisfaction of our operator cluster and their players remain paramount.”

The International Gaming Awards, known for spotlighting excellence and leadership across the global gambling industry, will host its gala event in London on February 5, 2025. This ceremony is set to welcome the brightest minds and most influential companies in the iGaming sector, celebrating innovation, responsibility, and operational success.

ProgressPlay is a leading iGaming platform provider, delivering fully managed services alongside white-label and standalone solutions. With an emphasis on innovative technology, player engagement, and responsible gambling, the company powers over 200 brands worldwide, offering a suite of premium gambling products and tools that drive sustainable growth.

ProgressPlay’s CEO Itai Lowenstein said: “ProgressPlay is honoured to be in the company of other industry leaders and looks forward to the opportunity to showcase its continued commitment to excellence at this globally renowned platform and at ICE Barcelona in January.”