International Game Technology PLC announced today that its subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation, has secured a five-year contract with Organización Nacional de Ciegos Espanoles (ONCE) to produce exciting instant ticket games for lottery enthusiasts in Spain. This contract, effective through 2029, will see IGT printing a portion of ONCE’s new instant tickets, aiming to enhance the gaming experience for players.

Francisco José Martínez Palao, ONCE’s Director of Operations and Logistics and Head of the Lottery Production and Logistics Center, commented on the new collaboration: “ONCE continuously looks for ways to enhance our instant ticket portfolio, which is one of the reasons why we wanted to add IGT’s diverse game content back into our lineup. IGT’s industry-leading products have helped contribute to ONCE’s success for over 20 years, and we believe IGT’s wide variety of instant ticket games will enable us to continue providing premier player experiences.”

Jay Gendron, IGT Chief Operating Officer, Global Lottery, expressed the company’s enthusiasm about the renewed partnership: “IGT is pleased to once again be printing instant tickets for ONCE’s lottery players to enjoy. As the longtime, trusted supplier of ONCE’s lottery central system and software maintenance services, IGT looks forward to expanding our lottery portfolio in Spain to include new and exciting instant ticket themes.”

As a leader in the global lottery market, IGT serves as the primary technology provider for 26 of the 46 lotteries in the U.S., eight of the world’s ten largest lotteries, and 16 of the world’s top 25 lotteries. This extensive experience and technological expertise position IGT as a valuable partner for ONCE, helping to drive the success of their lottery initiatives.

IGT Expands Its Presence in Colorado

In other significant news, IGT announced that IGT Global Solutions Corporation has signed a seven-year contract with the Colorado Lottery to implement advanced lottery products and solutions. This contract, set to run through July 12, 2032, includes seven one-year extension options, marking a long-term collaboration between IGT and the Colorado Lottery.

Under this new agreement, the Colorado Lottery will benefit from IGT’s Aurora central system, which will replace the current lottery central system. Aurora is a component of IGT’s OMNIA integrated lottery solution, designed to provide comprehensive insights through a unified player view. This integration is expected to enhance the Colorado Lottery’s product portfolio, improve marketing communications, and deliver a seamless omnichannel experience to players.

Additionally, IGT will upgrade all lottery retailer equipment across Colorado and launch a new mobile convenience app featuring Scan and Redeem functionality. This innovative solution will allow Colorado Lottery players to scan their draw-based or instant scratch tickets via the mobile app and redeem winnings directly into their linked bank accounts through an automated clearing house (ACH) transfer.

Source:

IGT Boosts Instant Ticket Offering in Spain with Compelling New Games for ONCE, ir.igt.com, July 7, 2024.

The post IGT Enhances Instant Ticket Offerings in Spain with ONCE Partnership appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The latest lucky soul to walk away with seven figures to his name is a New Jersey resident by the name of Joseph W. who was happy to pose for the photo-op and celebrate the $1,000,000 win he flipped on $10 Powerball tickets.

Jackpocket New Jersey Customer Wins It Big

The New Jersian used the Jackpocket app to place a quick purchase and scoop up a winning ticket in the process with Joseph still not fully cognizant of what has happened. “It hasn’t really set in yet,” he told Jackpocket who used the opportunity to remind that people who use their services end up winning.

The winnings will be divvied up fairly by the family, as Joseph wants to share the pot with his kids and grandkids – a nice little financial cushion to bring along even more holiday mirth.

The winning ticket was placed on Quick Pick, which was drawn on December 13 with the winning numbers 3, 8, 41, 56, and 64. Although his ticket was a close Powerball near-miss, Joseph doesn’t seem to regret the way things turned out.

Joseph first started gambling on Jackpocket back in 2020 when the company was only starting to make waves in the market, hoping to expand and consolidate its presence at a time when shutdowns made it harder to buy physical tickets. Joseph’s jackpot story is certainly the right step in this direction. Yet, this is not the biggest and only prize won during the same drawing from a Jackpocket user.

Another lucky saw also got a hit with their Quick Pick ticket on the same draw, winning $2 million in Texas. They had also used the Jackpocket app to purchase the winner, but the company did not provide further details about this winner, supposedly at their request.

In October this year, another person won $2 million in New Jersey, but their name has also not been shared with the public. The same month, a person from New York ended up also winning $2 million, making for a strange succession of winners.

Making Jackpots Easier to Take a Shot At

In the meantime, Jackpocket Founder and CEO Pete Sullivan was very happy with the new winner and the opportunity to publicize the innovative approach Jackpocket has provided for people to purchase tickets and participate in lottery draws, highlighting the level of convenience but also the luck that is often befalling Jackpocket customers.

“Jackpocket was founded on the idea that the lottery should be accessible and convenient, and we are thrilled when we get to celebrate a major win like this one,” Sullivan said. Jackpocket has turned dozens of people into millionaires by now, with many people winning between $1 and $3 million over the past several months.

The post Jackpocket NJ Resident Bags $1M from $10 Powerball Ticket appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Hoosier Lottery Commission in Indiana has approved a $50,000 Powerball prize for a man named Paul Marshall, even though his winning ticket was torn to pieces by a store employee. The decision came during a recent meeting in Indianapolis, where five commissioners unanimously supported Marshall’s appeal.

Hoosier Lottery Commission Validates $50,000 Win

The incident unfolded when Marshall returned to the store where he purchased the winning ticket to validate it. A store employee, in the habit of tearing up lottery tickets after checking them with the lottery terminal, mistakenly shredded Marshall’s winning ticket. Indiana retailers are not authorized to pay out prizes exceeding $600, adding to Marshall’s predicament.

When Marshall went to the claim center with the printed slip containing instructions on prize collection, he was informed that the physical ticket was required for payout. Fortunately, lottery officials were able to reconstruct the sequence of events by visiting the store and reviewing video surveillance footage, confirming Marshall’s account.

Chuck Taylor, the lottery director of legal affairs and compliance, stated that the commissioners unanimously approved Marshall’s prize payout after verifying the authenticity of his claim, reported The Lottery Post. 

The Hoosier Lottery Commission attributed the clerk’s mistake to muscle memory. However, all is well that ends well and Marshall can now celebrate his $50,000 Powerball win, turning a torn ticket mishap into a fortunate twist of fate.

While Marshall’s story had a happy ending, another individual, Drena Harris, faced a less fortunate outcome. Harris, who won $500 on a scratch card, had her claim denied by the commissioners. Her winning ticket, posted on Facebook, was fraudulently claimed by one of her followers, who managed to cash out the prize before Harris could collect it. The lottery commission emphasized the importance of caution when sharing lottery wins on social media, citing Harris’s case as a cautionary tale.

In other lottery news, a cashier’s error at a Michigan gas station led to a $390,000 windfall for Lucky for Life player Michael Sopejstal from Illinois. The cashier mistakenly printed a ticket with 10 lines for one draw instead of 10 draws, and when Sopejstal opted to keep the ticket, he later discovered he had won the $25,000 a year for life jackpot. Despite contemplating the lifetime option, Sopejstal ultimately chose the lump sum and plans to use the money for a vacation, saving the remainder.

The post Hoosier Lottery Winner Claims $50,000 Prize Despite Shredded Ticket appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Recent data reveals a seat for the prestigious race now costs 60% less than last year. Most agree that the current pricing aligns with market demand, sending a clear message to the organizers that their targeted prices are unsustainable. The Grand Prix has taken substantial measures to stoke excitement, utilizing the famous Las Vegas Sphere, but their efforts failed to stabilize prices.

Current Pricing Seems Increasingly Unsustainable

According to TickPick, Saturday night’s main event prices have dropped by 23% since last week. The cheapest grandstand ticket is currently priced at approximately $800, marking a 50% decrease from last month’s cost of $1,645 and a substantial 60% drop from last year’s initial low price of $2,000. The event should gather approximately 105,000 visitors.

Experts attribute the lack of demand to various factors, including the exorbitant pricing of the tickets, making this F1 event the most expensive in history. The anticipated dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull, reigning champions of the 2023 World Championship, also contributes to the reduced interest in the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

More reasons behind the declining demand could be the cooler weather and the declining popularity of Netflix’s long-running “Drive to Survive” F1 documentary series. TickPick CEO Brett Goldberg hinted that F1 could reduce future prices from this year’s record highs to better align with fan sentiment and purchasing ability. Despite the sharp drop, the Grand Prix maintains its extensive marketing campaign.

F1 Spared No Expense for Maximum Spectacle

Iconic Vegas venue, the Sphere, will play a pivotal role during this week’s race, showcasing cards featuring all 20 drivers and their cars in a larger-than-life form, keeping track of pole positions, and transforming into selfie backdrops resembling the drivers’ helmets. Some lucky fans may also see their faces displayed on the iconic piece of architecture.

Since its activation on 4 July, the Sphere has elevated the Las Vegas Strip Circuit experience, providing a captivating visual spectacle for attending fans and global TV viewers. Despite the ongoing change in management, the venue remains fully operational and is ready to elevate the fast-approaching Grand Prix. 

We are ready to showcase Sphere to our global audience via F1, demonstrating the unparalleled technological and creative capabilities of the Exosphere.

Joel Fisher, MSG Entertainment VP of marquee events and operations

As the F1 Grand Prix launches at 10 p.m. on Saturday, the Sphere will undoubtedly provide a fantastic backdrop to the race. However, it also highlights F1’s unsustainable pricing model as each new Grand Prix becomes progressively more expensive. Scaling down prices to align with public demand now seems inevitable, and next year’s event may cut down on the glamour to reduce costs.

The post Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix Ticket Prices Plunge as Event Nears appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Even the best of us sometimes get distracted. However, an Australian man took it a step further by holding a $40 million (around USD 26.46 million) Powerball ticket for a week before redeeming it.

As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, the winner is a “grandfather” from Swan Valley. The lottery player purchased the Slikpik 18 ticket from Springs News in Bennett Springs around an hour before the draw closed.

Unfortunately, the player failed to check whether he won later for an entire week, instead keeping the ticket in his pocket. Luckily, he didn’t lose or damage the ticket and eventually took it to the store where he bought it.

The man was shocked to learn that he is the lottery winner everyone was looking for.

Winning the Lottery Changed the Man’s Life

Although the Perth man has preferred to remain anonymous for now, he spoke about how he felt to be a winner. According to his own words, the grandfather was in “complete disbelief and shock” when he learned that he had won 40 million Australian dollars.

The lottery winner added that he and his family celebrated the monumental victory with a modest but memorable feast of fish and chips. He noted that winning the lottery has forever changed his family’s lives for the better.

As for what the winner will do with the money, he said that he will share the winnings with his loved ones and will make sure that his grandkids get everything they need.

We’re a tight family and will share the win together, making sure our kids and grandkids are looked after.

A statement by the lottery winner

The lottery winner added that from now on he will be always booking business class tickets when traveling around the world.

The Sydney Morning Herald also reported that Milan Vuletich, who owns Spring News where the winner bought the ticket, was beyond surprised to learn that he had sold a ticket for $40 million. Vuletich noted that his store had sold $1 million Division One tickets a few years ago but he never expected to actually sell a ticket for a prize this big.

The Perth lottery winner might have been a little bit distracted to check his ticket, but elsewhere, a lottery winner almost threw away a $1 million ticket. This happened to a 30-year-old woman from Clinton County, Michigan, who threw away her winning ticket without checking it properly. Luckily, she was wise enough to double-check the ticket the next morning before she threw the garbage.

The post Australian Powerball Winner Forgot $40M Ticket in Pocket for a Week appeared first on Keno Wizard.

After months of the world waiting to learn who the lucky player was, the man who bought a record-breaking $2.04Bn Powerball lottery ticket in November has finally come forward after three months to claim his massive winnings. Lottery winners have one year to come forward or they lose the money forever.

Edwin Castro bought his ticket at a gas station in Altadena, California, and has been flying below the radar and out of the public eye since the winning numbers were announced. On Tuesday, California Lottery Director Alva Johnson said that Castro had won the “unbelievable and historic” prize after the jackpot continued to grow drawing after drawing last fall and as each drawing passed, no winning jackpot numbers were announced.

Winner Takes All

He won’t have to share the prize with other players as he was the only ticket buyer that week who matched all five regular numbers plus the all-important Powerball to make a little piece of paper worth billions of dollars.

Rather than speak in public about the win, Castro released a statement that he was “shocked and ecstatic,” and that he was happy to learn that California public schools were also big winners in the draw.

The California public school system from kindergartens to universities collected a whopping $156.3 million from the lottery pool in addition to Castro taking home the jackpot, Johnson said.

Castro commented: “As someone who received the rewards of being educated in the California public education system, it’s gratifying to hear that as a result of my win, the California school system greatly benefits as well,” according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

Rather than collecting yearly disbursements for the entire amount over a 30-year period via an annuity, Castro chose the “lump-sum” option which amounted to almost $1 billion ($997.6b), according to lottery officials.

Since neither he nor lottery officials revealed any more about the winner than his name, we would have to assume he resides in California in order to figure out how much he might net in the end. California doesn’t tax lottery winnings but some states do.

The IRS via the Lottery automatically withholds 24% of big winnings with the winner being subject to as much as 13% more for a total tax hit of 37%. The initial tax would have left him with $758.2 million. The top U.S. tax rate is 37% in total, so his take-home would be $634,785,984. If he lives in another state that taxes lottery winnings he could take another hit of 3% to more than 10% of the win.

Nice work if you can get it!

With that much “found money” it’s no wonder Castro chose to “largely remain private.” California law only requires that his name and how he chose to be paid – lump sum or annuity, be revealed.

California public schools were not the only collateral winners alongside Castro. Retailers who sell winning jackpot tickets are also awarded .5% of the jackpot value with a cap of $1,000,000 and the owner of Joe’s Mobile Service in Altadena has already collected his million-dollar check.

The odds of winning a Powerball jackpot are about one in 292.2 million. The jackpot was hit seven times in 2022.

California lottery spokesperson, Carolyn Becker, said at a press conference at state lottery headquarters in Sacramento Tuesday: “This is a history-making day here at the California Lottery. Edwin Castro shares in our love for California public schools on this Valentine’s Day — couldn’t be more fitting.”

Source: Winner of record $2-billion Powerball jackpot announced, Los Angeles Times, February 14, 2023

The post The world record Powerball jackpot winner has claimed his ticket after 3 months appeared first on Keno Wizard.