IGT and the Rhode Island Lottery have launched IGT’s PlaySpotTM, a mobile, integrated lottery experience allowing players to purchase and play lottery games on any mobile device while within a Rhode Island Lottery licensed retail location.

The launch follows the successful nine-month pilot test that included several retail locations throughout Rhode Island. To bring the convenience of mobile into play, IGT and the Rhode Island Lottery have pioneered the PlaySpot mobile solution to create one integrated lottery experience.

Using the PlaySpot app, Rhode Island Lottery players have the opportunity to play live iKeno and Instant Win games, as well as check and collect winnings in a licensed retail location on any mobile device while connected via Bluetooth to a lottery network.

“The Rhode Island Lottery is proud to be the first, and currently the only lottery in the world, to have IGT’s PlaySpot solution,” said Gerald S. Aubin, Rhode Island Lottery Director. “We have long been advocates for finding new strategies for growth, and are pleased to partner with IGT on this innovative solution for our players. We are excited to attract new players and millennials, as well as provide new strategic opportunities for our long-standing retail partners.”

“IGT is committed to bringing new technologies to market that inspire and delight players in a safe and regulated environment,” said Jay Gendron, IGT Senior Vice President, WLA North America Lottery. “We are pleased to have such a committed partner in the Rhode Island Lottery who have always been at the forefront of lottery modernization. Throughout the innovation and development process, their team believed in the vision of PlaySpot to provide a true digital experience supporting the traditional retail model and serving as a springboard to expand into new trade styles.”

The PlaySpot pilot began in December 2016 at Blue Moon Pub, a neighborhood pub in Rhode Island, after more than 18 months of collaboration and development between the Rhode Island Lottery and IGT technical and marketing teams. It was the first interactive integrated lottery experience for Rhode Island Lottery players and the global introduction of the new mobile solution. Through this pilot, the Rhode Island Lottery is forging new ways of reaching new players who are mobile focused, particularly a younger consumer demographic.

Blue Moon Pub Owner/Partner, Steve Pratt, noted, “Blue Moon is happy to be the first partner in this program. IGT and the Rhode Island Lottery have provided excellent support including ambassadors that assist our patrons to download the app and play the new PlaySpot games. Our neighborhood pub is thrilled to have the addition of new games, which have been embraced by our millennial customers and performed beyond our expectations.”

IGT has several more deployments of PlaySpot coming in the next year and is planning new features and benefits to support lotteries globally.