Allwyn UK has begun trialling the sale of National Lottery scratchcards via a ‘hi-tech dispenser’ at an ASDA store in Ashton-under-Lyne (Manchester).
The scratchcard dispenser has been developed by technology partner Scientific Games to allow Allwyn to test the capabilities of the forthcoming SCiQ® retail system in live environments.
As part of its testing of new retail innovations, Allwyn aims to adopt “an engaging 27-inch player-facing digital display, a touchscreen terminal for use by store staff, and an automated dispensing unit that securely houses National Lottery Scratchcard games.”
Scientific Games details the first deployment of SCiQ in Europe, following its successful use in the United States.
“Our global technology teams continue Scientific Games’ 50+ years of commitment to innovating across the lottery landscape and bringing new, advanced technologies to market, helping lotteries future-proof across all channels of play,” noted Christopher Allen, VP, Lottery Marketing Strategy for Scientific Games. He added:
“We are delighted to bring our proven SCiQ retail ecosystem to our partnership with Allwyn and thrilled that ASDA is the first retailer in the UK to deploy the system in-store.”
The trial of new retail systems is focused on speeding up the sale of National Lottery Scratchcards while providing retailers with a comprehensive suite of data-driven features, including touch-of-a-button store reporting, automated inventory management, real-time store-specific sales analytics, and performance reports.
The software has been designed in line with Allwyn’s pioneering 10-Scratchcard limit, automatically preventing ASDA store staff from selecting more than 10 National Lottery Scratchcards per transaction.
Allwyn’s Operations Director, Jenny Blogg, said: “As we continue transforming The National Lottery from the inside out, we’re deploying innovative lottery technology fit for the future.
Thanks to the teams at Allwyn and Scientific Games, this innovative concept in Scratchcard retail technology takes the player and retailer experience to a whole new level, and we’re confident it will change the way people buy Scratchcards.
In response to a changing retail landscape and the evolution of new-look stores, both Allwyn and ASDA worked with Scientific Games to customise SCiQ specifically for installation in the customer service area of the ASDA store. The first phase of the trial will take several months as Allwyn tests the technology to inform any future wider rollout plans.
Kevin Besford, Senior Director of Productivity – Retail & ALS at ASDA, said: “We are always looking at ways to simplify our customers’ journey in our stores, and as part of that, we’ve recognised that customers can often spend too long waiting at our kiosks and customer service desks.
This UK-first trial will provide customers looking to purchase lottery tickets with a faster shopping experience when they visit our Ashton store, and we’re pleased to have partnered with Allwyn to test this new technology.”