With VGTI's internet sports betting in NV, ELOT's deal with the MD lotto becomes the second LEGAL internet gaming venue in the U.S. And ELOT owns a stake in VGTI.
<<The Maryland Lottery Chooses eLottery to Implement Internet Interface to Subscription System
December 04, 2000 08:40:00 AM ET
NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2000--eLottery, Inc., a subsidiary of eLOT, Inc. ELOT today announced it was awarded a contract by the Maryland Lottery to provide an Internet interface to their lottery subscription system.
This will allow the Maryland Lottery to receive subscription orders over the Internet for the multi-state jackpot BIG GAME and Maryland's weekly Lotto Game. eLottery was awarded the contract following a competitive bidding process. eLottery will generate revenue on a per subscription basis.
Maryland lottery players will be able to go to www.mdlottery.com to complete an application form for subscription play. After the application has been submitted via email, the subscriber will be able to pick the games, numbers to play and the number of weeks to participate. In the initial implementation, subscribers will make payment by check or money order under separate cover. Using credit or debit cards as a method of payment for Lottery subscriptions is not legally permissible in Maryland at this time. Utilizing email, communications are instantaneous and the transmission cost is negligible compared to federal mail to transport the application and responses from the Maryland Lottery.
The Maryland Lottery is breaking ground as the first lottery to utilize the Internet distribution channel. This is the logical outgrowth of the Maryland VIP Club launched earlier this year and is part of the natural progression to full electronic commerce. The Maryland Lottery conducts one of the largest and most successful lotteries in the United States. During its last fiscal year, the Maryland Lottery generated approximately $1.175 billion in gross sales and paid nearly $660 million in prizes to winners. Over $401 million was contributed to support such services and programs as education, public health, human resources, public safety and much more, all of which greatly benefit the citizens of Maryland.
Buddy Roogow, Maryland Lottery Director, commented, "We are very excited about using the Internet to process lottery subscriptions. We believe the subscription service is just the beginning in gaining access to this large and demographically desirable market niche. Email and the Internet lower our cost of communicating with our current and prospective customer base. We think the Internet subscription service will also lower our cost to process orders, while at the same time, enhancing the consumer experience."
Mr. Roogow concluded, "The Internet will be a big factor in the future of lotteries and Maryland is proud to be a technological leader in the industry. The Maryland Lottery has strict standards for secure and responsible play and eLottery's experience and expertise in providing Internet lottery solutions was a top priority in our selection process."
Edwin McGuinn, eLOT's President and CEO commented, "This agreement with Maryland is a very significant milestone in our mission to lead the lottery industry into the e-commerce market. We expect other states to follow Maryland's lead and use the power of the Internet to communicate with their players."
Mr. McGuinn continued, "Utilizing eLottery's technology, lotteries throughout the U.S. will be able to increase the availability of products to their existing customers and broaden their customer base by tapping into the e-commerce market. eLottery's systems offer significant advantages over the traditional means of distribution including border and age control capabilities, enhanced promotional opportunities and increased customer satisfaction.">> |
