US: lottery risks becoming obsolete without online sales

The Covid-19 pandemic has shown lottery operators the desperate need for regulatory changes to allow online ticket sales.

US.- Forty-five states in the US run a retail lottery, and only six of those have an online version: Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.

As could be expected, these states have seen an increase in online ticket sales during the pandemic. New Hampshire recorded a 38 per cent rise in first time online players.

But without widespread regulatory change, the industry fears other US markets will see results collapse against their counterparts’. Oregon State Lottery has already reported losing 70 per cent of customers during pandemic measures.

Ade Repcenco, CEO of Spinola gaming, said in an interview with Casino Review: “Retail operators need to take a look at the post-Covid19 world and its impact on player needs and expectations, and think about what it means for the future of lotteries.”