Jumbo Interactive agrees Mexican distribution deal

Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, Jumbo Interactive revealed that the deal will see it integrate its technology with Sorteo Games’ distribution platform in order to become an official online and mobile retailer for Loteria Nacional and Pronosticos products.

“With a population of over 110 million people and 40 million on the Internet, there is enormous potential to grow the Mexican lottery market with our Internet lottery software and interactive marketing skills,” said Mike Veverka, Chief Executive Officer for Brisbane-based Jumbo Interactive.

In addition, Jumbo Interactive has declared that it intends to invest some us$ 2 million in order to acquire six percent of the issued share capital of Sorteo Games and has also been granted a further option that could see it devote an additional us$ 3 million to the American-based firm. In return, the Australian company stated that it is to receive one board seat and will provide ‘valuable technological and lottery experience to the management’ of Sorteo Games.
“Jumbo is pleased to become closely aligned with Sorteo Games and become a valuable technological partner not only in Mexico but in other countries as well,” Veverka.

Sorteo Games has been working in Mexico since 2002 and is in the process of modernising and automating the Loteria Nacional and Pronosticos, which are the Latin American nation’s largest lotteries with combined sales of over us$ 1.2 billion.

“We welcome this investment from Jumbo Interactive, which will enable us to accelerate our roll-out programme,” said Nour-Dean Anakar, Chief Executive Officer for Sorteo Games. “The automation of the lotteries is progressing well [as] we have launched keno and now we can provide the ability to play online quicker than anticipated. Jumbo Interactive’s track record of success with the Australian lotteries makes it the partner of choice to introduce online lottery games in Mexico. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with it.”

“Loteria Nacional is looking forward to working with Sorteo Games in its distribution platform integration with Jumbo Interactive to grow lottery sales via the Internet and mobile,” said Mario Ramirez, Commercial Director for Loteria Nacional.