LOCAL LOTTERY company Supreme Ventures Limited is expected to begin selling its online lottery games, in as many as 700 locations islandwide, by June after being granted a 10-year licence by the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) .
Controversial lottery operator, US giant GTECH, yesterday said it will be the exclusive provider of lottery facilities, equipment and services to Supreme Ventures throughout the duration of the 10-year period, which began on January 11 of this year.
GTECH, which has a listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) did not outline the terms of the deal but made it clear that it expected to receive US$124 million in revenue over the course of the ten year contract with its local partner and that it stood to retain a percentage fee based on lottery sales.
Online lottery sales are expected to begin this June.
Supreme Ventures is gearing up to be a major rival to the more established Jamaica Lottery Company (JLC).
In October of last year the company announced plans to offer four new games, namely a form of the popular underground Drop Pan, a daily lotto, Keno, a game played in the casinos of Las Vegas with a possible bingo game which is yet to be finalised.
The new gaming company, Supreme Ventures is a partnership of local business men, including Peter Stewart from Bearings & Seals, Kingston Hatteries head Paul Hoo and Ian Levy, whose company represents Renault trucks.
Speaking to The Gleaner last October on its plans to launch new games on the country's betting and gaming landscape, Mr. Levy said :" As yet the BGLC has not granted us a licence but we have obtained a "comfort letter" from the Minister of Finance which hopefully allows us to proceed with our plans giving us six months lead time."
In the meantime Supreme Ventures has turned its attention to online technology and is looking to embrace a different type of gambler as well as keep the more traditional betting player.
This new agreement with GTECH over a ten year period will see the US company installing a fully integrated high tech online lottery system, including central system hardware and software with 700 terminals put in place throughout the length and breadth of the country.
GTECH retains the option to extend the number of terminals during the ten year contract period.
GTECH will be implementing its EuroGOLS(TM) software to drive many of its online games including Cash Lotto, Keno and a local daily numbers game. Additionally it will set in place a modern communications network in Jamaica consisting of both radio and land based, dedicated phone lines.
GTECH will operate from a data centre and administrative office in Kingston.
Revenues from the sales of online games will go to the government.
GTECH's chairman, W. Bruce Turner said through a release: "GTECH has enjoyed very successful working relationships with other government authorised lotteries in the region, including lotteries in Puerto Rico, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.
"Our agreement with a new customer in Jamaica illustrates GTECH's continuing commitment to expand our global business and substantially strengthens our presence in the area." ENDS
