Belgian players have enjoyed eInstants since the end of 2017, when Loterie Nationale of Belgium (LNB) launched a portfolio of approximately 15 IGT casual play style games.
Today, the game library has nearly doubled to include 65 games from different providers. Within the new lineup, perennial titleslike EmotiCollect and Wheel of Fortune® on the Road continue to be player favourites.
Both launched in 2019; in that year EmotiCollect was number one in total sales and Wheel of Fortune was number two. In fact, EmotiCollect was so popular that total sales were 75% higher than Wheel of Fortune on the Road. Year-to-date, both games are still in the top 10 of total sales.
Recognizing a hit eInstant and coupled with the Lottery’s request for another EmotiCollect game, IGT developers went to work. Leveraging key elements like the whimsical emoti characters, instant wins, and spinning wheel, the game developers completely transformed EmotiCollect, yielding a full family of EmotiCollect eInstants, EmotiCollect Vacation Riches, and EmotiCollect Super Spin.
All feature the collect symbol-match mechanic, free spins, instant wins, and endearing emotis, but each new game has its own personality and exciting features.
For example, EmotiCollect Super Spin prominently features a spinning wheel with which players can earn multipliers and trigger a bonus round. The bonus rounds in each game provide more variety, for instance: Bonus players of EmotiCollect Vacation Riches’s pack their bags and arrive at vacation hotspot, Moti Mountain, for a guaranteed chance to win a prize.
In January, LNB launched one of the new family members, EmotiCollect Super Spin, with similar results to the 2019 launch. Already, YTD sales outpace the second position game by nearly 350%! The excellent performance of this game contributed to IGT’s Feb 21 to Feb 22 content sales increasing by 65% YoY. And LNB will delight players once again when EmotiCollect Vacation Riches launches in June.
“We’re not surprised at all by the huge success of the new EmotiCollect game given the original game’s phenomenal track record,” said Derek Levesque, IGT eInstant Product Director. “We work very closely with Loterie Nationale to analyse game performance, make game recommendations, and deliver quality, relevant content. And we have many more titles to come.”
Refreshing the Roadmap
During the early years of the program, LNB players liked the longer play experience gained from casual style games, like EmotiCollect. However, as LNB’s iLottery program matured, IGT helped shape LNB’s roadmap to include more casual games and games with adjusted play.
Melanie Chabrier, Product Manager e-Games, Loterie Nationale said: “We launched a top IGT fast-play performer, Ruby 7s, in February 2021, which became the third-highest performing IGT game in total 2021 sales, behind the favourites EmotiCollect and Wheel of Fortune. Ruby7s also has a strong start in 2022, securing the second highest sales YTD.” Chabrier added.
“We are delighted to offer a variety of games that appeal to a wide range of our players.”
IGT continues to improve and iterate its overall portfolio by adding new themes, play styles, mechanics, and features, and by enhancing animations, graphics, sounds, and music. The IGT game development teams are also creating seasonal content, including use of licensed properties.
LNB has a rich roadmap planned pending approval, with potential launches including EmotiCollect Vacation Riches in June, Wheel of Fortune Prize Burst in September, and North Pole Cash Dash in November to kick off the holiday season.
Sally Mohamed, IGT International Account Manager said: “LNB is a pioneer and valued eInstants customer in the international market, with great potential to keep growing. The Lottery has been a delight to work with and manage over the last few years, and I look forward to continuing to build on its current success and introduce IGT’s exciting new content.”
