As reported by Casino.org, Scientific Games has requested that Rhode Island lawmakers open the bidding for a lucrative instant lottery ticket contract which is said to have been awarded to International Game Technology (IGT) without a competitive bidding process.
The claim regarding the awarding of the contract to IGT comes courtesy of Scientific Games, with the operator also stating that Rhode Island’s instant lottery business could benefit from competition within the field.
Having previously operated scratch-off business in the state, the Las Vegas-based corporation lost its Rhode Island contract in 2017, with the lottery shifting the deal to IGT who is currently in the process of working with the Rhode Island General Assembly on approval of a 20-year contract.
If approved, the deal will cement the company’s status as the state’s dominant provider of slot machines and video lottery terminals (VLTs). This will come despite the competition from Scientific Games as IGT is set to solely focus on the instant lottery ticket business in Rhode Island.
In addition to becoming the state’s dominant provider of slot machines and VLT’s, IGT also provides a high number of jobs for Rhode Island residents, with the company currently employing 1,100 workers in the region.
Moreover, it has previously been claimed that if the 20-year deal is not sealed then IGT will be unable to assure it will keep up the level of employment within the state, with this fact reportedly key in IGT’s lottery contract as rivals are expected to be unable to match IGT’s headcount.
IGT Chairman Robert Vincent, stated in Casino.org’s report: “There aren’t many companies here in Rhode Island that are knocking on the door, looking to guarantee 1,100 jobs, good-paying jobs at significant salaries and a presence in Providence.”