Scientific Games Corporation

History and Business Model

Scientific Games was founded in 1973 and revolutionized the lottery industry the following year with the first secure instant lottery ticket. In 2000, Autotote Corporation acquired it and renamed itself Scientific Games Corporation in 2001, expanding into slot machines, table games, and digital gaming under the Light & Wonder brand. However, in April 2022, the lottery division was sold to Brookfield Business Partners for roughly $6.05 billion, splitting off from the rest of the business. The current Scientific Games is a private, pure-play lottery and sports betting supplier to government-regulated lotteries, with no involvement in casino gaming.

The company’s business model is B2B: it designs, produces, distributes, and manages lottery products and technology for state and national lotteries. Revenue comes from product sales, licensing fees, managed services, and performance-based partnerships. In the SGEP (Scientific Games Enhanced Partnership) model, Scientific Games takes on responsibility for game selection, pricing, marketing, and logistics in exchange for a share of revenue growth, aligning its incentives with lottery profitability.

Core Products and Platforms

Scientific Games offers an end-to-end suite of solutions. Instant Scratch-Off Games – the company is the largest producer worldwide, with advanced security and high-quality printing. iLottery & Digital Games – online platforms for ticket purchases, second-chance draws, and interactive games. Sports Betting Solutions – turnkey retail and mobile betting platforms for lotteries. Retail Technology – point-of-sale systems, self-service vending machines, and ticket dispensers. Core Lottery Systems – central draw-based game management and security. SciTrak Predictive Analytics – AI-driven logistics and demand forecasting for instant game inventory. Licensed Branded Games – scratch-offs and digital games featuring popular entertainment brands.

Market Position and Clients

Scientific Games serves over 130 lotteries across 50 countries, including nearly all North American lotteries. It holds approximately 70% of the global retail instant ticket market. Major clients include the Florida Lottery, California Lottery, and many other top-performing U.S. and international lotteries. The company’s global production facility in metro Atlanta is the largest of its kind. Competitors include IGT (International Game Technology), Pollard Banknote, and NeoGames, though Scientific Games dominates the instant game segment.

Recent News and Strategic Direction

In 2025, Scientific Games announced that its scratch-off partnership with the Florida Lottery shattered the retail sales record with $7.093 billion in sales, generating over $1.21 billion for education funding. The company continues to innovate in omnichannel solutions, data-driven portfolio management, and responsible gaming tools. It holds ISO 27001 certification for security and multiple responsible gaming accreditations. Under private ownership, Scientific Games is investing in digital growth, sports betting for lotteries, and expanding its international footprint.