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Scientific Games and
WMS as one
Steve Beason explains how the merger
of Scientific Games and WMS is a winner
for more choice, flexibility and reach
M
any industry observers believe the combined force of
Scientific Games (SG) and WMS may well change the
face of lottery and gaming, and the evolving iLottery
and egaming industries. As the two firms finalised their union
this past October, Scientific Games’ enterprise CTO Steve Beason
couldn’t help but agree.
“Most mergers occur either to increase the scope or scale of a
company’s operations. What’s really unique and exciting about
this merger is that it’s both. It adds to what we do today and it’s
truly transformative for the future – creating one game-changing
powerhouse in the industry.”
Below, Beason talks candidly about a united SG-WMS, and the
renaissance it will bring to the lottery, gaming and interactive
world with more choice, flexibility and reach for operators and
the customers they serve.
eGaming Review (eGR): How will the acquisition be positive for
your lottery and gaming customers?
Steve Beason (SB): The breadth of platforms, products and
services we now offer our customers is second to none – covering
everything from mobile and social, to casinos and cross-channel
product licensing. We look to be the best in every single one of
those areas, providing our customers with a portfolio of services
and content library that gives them the flexibility to choose the
best mix of products for their players.
Steve Beason is enterprise chief technology
officer for Scientific Games. A 25-year
veteran of the lottery industry, Steve ensures
the effective execution of the company’s
technology strategy worldwide and is the key
executive in determining the next generation
of technology offered to customers
94
eGR: How will the combined company continue to deliver
technology and content to customers?
SB: Combining our research and development, our general
administrative areas, and addin g our shared strengths in the area
of licensing, I’m excited about the opportunity to offer new and
enhanced products and technology. Some of our best-selling
instant games in the lottery space and slot titles in the gaming
space are Hasbro® brands. We can leverage a brand from one of
the companies across all of a customer’s touch points. We now
have the ability to have WMS proprietary brands, like Reel ‘em In!®
and Jackpot Party® be promoted on an instant game. We can then
take that instant game and leverage it for additional play on the
internet where permitted by laws and regulations.
Most mergers occur to
increase the scope or scale
of a company’s operations.
What’s really unique and
exciting about this merger is
that it’s both
Overall, there’s going to be a lot more convergence and crossselling of our products both here and internationally. In the
area of iLottery and egaming, we’re looking at where lotteries
and casinos are headed and the way players will engage on the
interactive channel. The whole loyalty side of iLottery and sports
wagering will be important, especially on the international front
but also, as it relates to iLottery, in North America.
eGR: What strengths does each company bring to the table?
SB: Scientific Games has a large transaction-based gaming
systems background – we’re able to leverage that in both
egaming and iLottery. WMS has been very successful, particularly
in the social casual W W. A space O C R A their Jackpot Party® Social
C O N T A C T : W mobile R I S T where T
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