Next Generation Lotteries GmbH

Company History

Next Generation Lotteries was founded in 1996 and quickly made its mark by building the first-ever internet solution for a national lottery. Over the following decades, the company expanded its product suite to cover the entire lottery value chain, becoming a recognized leader in iLottery technology. In early 2021, Pollard Banknote Limited, a Canadian lottery partner with more than a century of industry experience, acquired NGL for an enterprise value of approximately €36 million. The acquisition closed in the first quarter of 2021, and NGL continues to operate under its own brand while leveraging Pollard Banknote’s global reach and complementary products such as instant tickets, digital solutions (including mkodo game apps), and Schafer Systems/Fastrak retail merchandising.

Business Model

NGL’s business model is built on providing a flexible, modular gaming platform that allows lottery operators to adopt a multi-sourcing strategy. Rather than locking clients into a single vendor, NGL’s open platform integrates games and services from various providers while maintaining a secure central system. The company generates revenue through platform licensing, integration services, and ongoing support. Its full-service retail solutions, including POS embedded software and player account management, further deepen client relationships and recurring revenue streams.

Core Products and Platforms

NGL’s flagship product is the Modular Open Gaming Platform, a central system that supports retail, online, and mobile lottery operations. Key features include Intrinsic Player Account Management (for omni-channel functionality, responsible gaming tools, and loyalty programs) and POS Embedded Software (for ticket sales, validation, and inventory management). The company also offers Full-Service iLottery Solutions covering game content, platform integration, and operational support. NGL’s systems have achieved WLA-SCS:2020 Level 2 certification, one of the first suppliers to do so, covering 21 security controls including cloud hosting, privacy, and application security for lottery gaming systems.

Market Position and Competition

NGL operates in the specialized market of lottery technology providers, competing with firms such as IGT, Scientific Games (now Light & Wonder), and SBTech. Its differentiation lies in its open, modular architecture that enables operators to mix and match third-party content while keeping a single secure platform. The company’s client roster includes numerous national and state lotteries, although specific names are not publicly disclosed. The backing of Pollard Banknote strengthens NGL’s competitive position by providing access to a broader ecosystem of instant tickets, digital offerings, and retail merchandising.

Certifications and Compliance

NGL holds ISO 27001 (information security) and ISO 9001 (quality management) certifications. In January 2022, it became one of the first lottery technology suppliers to achieve World Lottery Association Security Control Standard 2020 (WLA-SCS:2020) Level 2 certification, passing the audit with no nonconformities. This certification is over a year ahead of the WLA deadline and covers cloud hosting, privacy, and application security for lottery gaming systems.

Recent Developments and Strategic Direction

Since the acquisition by Pollard Banknote, NGL has continued to invest in its platform and expand its global footprint. With development and operations staff located in Iceland, Serbia, Spain, and Tunisia, the company maintains a diverse talent base for software engineering and client services. The partnership with Pollard Banknote provides NGL with access to a larger sales network and complementary product lines, positioning it for further growth in both regulated and developing lottery markets.