National Lottery Dynamic Takeover of Malta’s National Lottery Operations in 2022
Valletta Malta – July 5th, 2022
National Lottery, a subsidiary of the IZI Group, marked a significant milestone at the Saluting Battery in the Upper Barakka Gardens, Valletta. This event celebrated the commencement of the takeover of Malta’s National Lottery operations, including popular games like Lotto and Super5. The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) granted National Lottery an exclusive ten-year license to operate these games.
A New Era for Malta’s National Lottery Operations
In a brief speech, Mr. Johann Schembri, CEO of National Lottery, emphasized the historical importance of this moment. He expressed gratitude to the dedicated team at IZI Group, acknowledging their collective effort over the years in shaping the landscape of Malta’s National Lottery operations.
Mr. Schembri outlined the commitment to deliver an innovative, forward-looking, fair, and transparent national lottery service. The partnership with International Game Technology (IGT), a leading lottery technology company, is set to play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. “Today is the culmination of years of work that we have undertaken as a team. I am very grateful to have found a team of people that have put their life on hold to ensure that we deliver a new national lottery service in record time,” commented Mr. Schembri.
Gratitude to Stakeholders
Mr. Schembri extended his thanks to various stakeholders, including the Malta Gaming Authority, Privatisation Unit, Lottery Agents (GLAA, LRU, and Chamber of SMEs), Bank of Valletta plc, bondholders, and the Government of Malta. Their collaboration and trust were instrumental in bringing the project to fruition.
Minister’s Endorsement
Minister Silvio Schembri expressed satisfaction with the expedited process of assigning the exclusive license. He conveyed best wishes to National Lottery as the national lottery concessionaire and licensee. Minister Schembri emphasized the importance of actively responsible gaming, ensuring players’ well-being, and not compromising the national economic profit derived from gambling.
“I’m sure that the new National Lottery Licensee shall continue to enhance the popular games such as the Lotto, and Super 5 among others, as well as introduce other lottery games which will further enrich the games portfolio. Together, we have ensured that National Lottery will be committed to promoting, designing, and putting into practice the principles of actively responsible gaming while protecting the personal well-being of players. The national economic profit that translates from gambling should be given importance, but not at the expense of the player,” said Minister Silvio Schembri.
Enhancements and Innovations
National Lottery is set to introduce several improvements to existing games. These include enhanced odds for Lotto, removal of prize capping, a new Tuesday Lotto draw, and larger jackpots for the Super5 game, all contributing to the enhancement of Malta’s National Lottery operations. The company will also enrich its portfolio with new games such as Super5 Plus, Super5-4-3-2-1, Pick3, and FastKeno.
Expanding the Portfolio
National Lottery has acquired the rights to distribute Malta’s popular sports betting brand, IZIBET. This brand will now be available at over 200 points of sale across Malta and Gozo.
Transition from Maltco Lotteries
The operational transition from Maltco Lotteries to National Lottery is effective immediately. The first Lotto draw under the new management is scheduled for Saturday, July 9th, 2022, at 20:35hrs. Additionally, a groundbreaking Tuesday Lotto draw will take place on July 12th, 2022, at 20:35hrs on TVM, marking a key moment in Malta’s National Lottery operations under new leadership.
In conclusion, the takeover of Malta’s National Lottery operations by National Lottery signifies not just a change in management but a commitment to elevate the gaming experience for the Maltese community. With a focus on innovation, transparency, and responsible gaming, the future promises exciting developments in Malta’s lottery landscape.
For more information about National Lottery and its leadership team, visit Mr. Schembri’s profile. Explore the expanded game portfolio and updates on National Lottery’s official website.
National Lottery is a fully owned subsidiary of IZIGROUP, the largest land-based gaming operator in Malta. National Lottery is the exclusive concessionaire of the National Lottery of Malta. IZIGROUP also operates the Dragonara Casino, Malta’s No 1 land-based casino established in 1964. IZIGROUP offers a full range of online casino and sports betting products via dragonara.com and izibet.com and offers lottery products online via lottery.mt. IZIGROUP is an equal opportunities company and one of the largest privately-owned groups providing full time employment to over 500 employees.
IZIGROUP is committed to providing unique gaming experiences in responsible and safe environments. We emphasize responsible gaming and encourage patrons to visit the Responsible Gaming Foundation website for support and information.
IZI Interactive Limited (MGA/B2C/345/2016), Dragonara Gaming Limited (MGA/B2C/181/2010), and National Lottery (MGA/B2C/003/2022) are all gaming operations under IZIGROUP and are licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority under the Gaming Act Chapter 583 of the laws of Malta.
