Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1430105
3 NEWS 18.11.2021 FROM PAGE 1 e Group operates a network of 40 high-street betting outlets and is the majority shareholder of the Dragonara Casino. IZI Group participated in the bid for the management and operation of the National Lottery of Malta through its subsidiary National Lottery plc, backed up by International Game Technolo- gy owned by Lottomatica and formerly known as GTECH. National Lottery plc was incorporated on 16 September 2021, and is owned by IZI Group plc, which in turned is owned by gaming entrepreneur Johann Schem- bri. Schembri is a director and share- holder of Dragonara Gaming, which is also ultimately owned by his IZI Group and Michael and Raphael Bianchi's Toss A Coin Limited. Maltco, which took over the lotter- ies concession back in 2004, is owned by Greek firm Intralot Global Holdings (73%), Associated Supplies Limited (3%), and e Players Group (24%). e Players Group includes Raphael Bi- anchi as director, and is co-owned by the Bianchi Group (25%), the Mizzi Organi- sation (25%), Mariolot (Mario Camilleri and Curmi & Partners) 25%, and Jeanlot (Jean Paul Tabone and Curmi & Part- ners) 25%. A consortium including the Eden Lei- sure Group, Italian operator SISAl and Scientific Games as technology provider and shareholder also participated in the tende this rime. is is the second attempt by IZIGROUP plc after it participated in the last bid in 2012 and lost against Malt- co Lotteries. en, Maltco submitted the highest bid of €39,100,000. All existing lotto shops operating as Maltco will now be rebranded to Na- tional Lottery while IZIBET will be the sports betting brand and product. BusinessToday is informed that Na- tional Lottery plc will build on the main products of Lotto and Super 5, introduc- ing two add-on games to Super 5. e new operators will also be reintro- ducing Tirtombola and strengthening the Instant Lottery products (scratch cards). e popular in-store Quick Keno will be retained and strengthened further. Sources said that National Lottery plc will be leveraging on the experience and know-how of its technology partner, IGT, in the sector. It will also seek to divert some of the income from digital operations into upgrading and modern- ising the traditional retail network. e envisaged investment is expected to strengthen the product mix and im- prove player experience through the de- ployment of the latest technologies IGT is the world's largest lottery tech- nology and services provider, providing lottery solutions in over 100 jurisdic- tions. Maltco outlets to be rebranded as National Lottery, IZI Bet to focus on sports betting