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Playtech Makes Move into Global Lottery Market

Date published: 22 January 2010

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Playtech, one of the world's leading online gambling software development firms, has formed a strategic joint venture with U.S. Nasdaq-listed lottery operator, Scientific Games, which will give it a strategic foothold in the lucrative global lottery market as well as access to government contracts.

Known as Scriplay, the joint venture will incorporate Playtech's technological know-how and Scientific Games' vast experience in the lottery industry as well as its relationships with American state lotteries. Scientific Games produces lottery tickets, gaming machines, pre-paid cell phone SIM cards and more.

Said Playtech CEO Mor Weizer and Scientific Games CEO Mike Chambrello in a joint statement: 'This is an important step for both firms. We have highly complementary skill-sets allied with a global reach and this partnership provides the opportunity to leverage off this combined know-how to maximum effect.

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'This is an ideal partnership in many ways. Customers will benefit from best of breed content, sophisticated player management systems, and long-standing industry experience in providing highly secure, regulated, compliance-oriented services. The related gaming terminal partnership brings the potential for operators to enjoy a technology platform that is seamless, integrated and adaptable both to multiple delivery channels and cross-promotional opportunities.'

According to the CEOs, Scriplay is expected to develop and market next-generation internet and land-based gaming products and services to regulated gaming operators in the U.S. and abroad. Scientific Games supplies lottery systems to the UK, China and countries in South America and the Far East.

After the joint venture was announced, Playtech's share price on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) soared by 9 percent to 475.5 pence, valuing the business at £1.14 billion. Playtech software powers many of the world's most popular online casinos including Casino Las Vegas and Europa Casino.