Scientific Games and Arkansas Lottery Forge Eight-Year Partnership for Education Funding

Scientific Games Partners with Arkansas Lottery to Boost Educational Funds

In a significant move for the Arkansas educational landscape, Scientific Games has solidified an eight-year agreement with the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL). This partnership aims to maximize proceeds from instant lotteries, fostering greater financial support for higher education across the state. Under this initiative, the focus will be on enhancing the game management program that has successfully contributed millions to educational funds since its inception.

Sharon Strong, Executive Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, articulated the longstanding relationship, stating, "Since day one, Scientific Games has been a trusted partner focused on driving maximum proceeds for Arkansas students." The enhanced partnership will not only maintain the popular player loyalty program known as 'The Club,' but it also aims to introduce exciting new features that will greatly enhance player engagement. The program can be accessed conveniently via web and mobile platforms, making it easier for players to participate and benefit.

Scientific Games has been at the forefront of the lottery industry since the Arkansas lottery was launched in 2009, successfully introducing over 800 instant games. Recent statistics highlighted that the Lottery's retail sales from instant games exceeded $480 million in 2024 alone, emphasizing the vast impact of these offerings on raising funds for scholarships.

The enhanced partnership facilities include advanced data analytics, improved game design, and a robust logistics system called SciTrak. This technological integration promises to streamline game management, ensuring that the products not only align with player preferences but are also delivered efficiently across a network of more than 2,000 retailers in the state.

Arkansas has pioneered several initiatives in the lottery system, notably being the first U.S. state to launch a comprehensive digital loyalty program, which now boasts an impressive membership of 386,000. As part of the new contract, Scientific Games plans to elevate 'The Club' program by making it achievement-based. This upgrade will facilitate a more engaging experience for players, offering tangible rewards for their loyalty.

John Schulz, President Americas and Global Instant Products at Scientific Games, expressed the company's commitment to the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, noting, “With instant games representing more than 81% of ASL's total sales in fiscal year 2025, the category is of utmost importance for funding scholarships.” This collaborative effort is aimed at leveraging analytics-driven innovation, enhancing player engagement, and modernizing retailer operations to ensure the longevity of the Lottery's success.

Since its establishment, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has made a remarkable contribution by generating over $1.5 billion for students across the state, equating to more than 822,000 scholarships awarded. With Scientific Games leading the charge, the future looks bright for Arkansas students seeking higher education opportunities.

Scientific Games not only excels in developing instant lottery products but is also recognized as the world's largest provider of lottery games, technologies, and services, catering to 150 lotteries across 50 countries. Their commitment to innovation and responsive service positions them as a crucial player in the lottery sector.

For more information about the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and current offerings, you can visit MyArkansasLottery.com, where players can learn about available scholarships, winning statistics, and how to join 'The Club' for free. Additionally, resources for problem gambling support are available through the National Problem Gambling Helpline.

Overall, this partnership signifies a robust commitment to educational funding in Arkansas, promising not only increased financial support but also an enhanced experience for players participating in the lottery system.