Scientific Games acquires SidePlay Entertainment

23 August 2021

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Scientific Games Corporation announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Sideplay Entertainment, a leading digital "eInstant" content studio, to expand Scientific Games' portfolio of iLottery content and accelerate the global market penetration of its iLottery business, subject to final regulatory approval. The combination of Sideplay's innovative portfolio of digital games and agile content distribution technology with Scientific Games' iLottery platforms and digital solutions is expected to increase player engagement and drive further growth of the Company's iLottery solutions in markets around the world.

Success as an interactive innovator and integrator of digital assets has enabled Scientific Games Lottery Group to become an industry leading provider of iLottery solutions for over 20 lotteries globally. Sideplay is the primary supplier of digital eInstant games to the UK National Lottery, one of the largest interactive lotteries in the world. In North America, Scientific Games is the exclusive distributor of Sideplay's top-performing content for industry-leading iLottery programs, including the Pennsylvania Lottery and Loto-Québec.

Through this acquisition, Scientific Games Lottery Group expects to expand its share in digital lottery markets while bringing Sideplay's library of innovative content to iLottery programs around the globe. The addition of digital game server content distribution technology to Scientific Games' existing digital tech stack will also allow for increased speed-to-market.

"We're excited to welcome Steve Hickson and the entire Sideplay team to Scientific Games Lottery Group to help us advance our strategy as a growth company delivering the best retail and digital content, platforms and game category services that maximize proceeds for our lottery customers," said Pat McHugh, Lottery Group Chief Executive for Scientific Games. "Sideplay's highly-experienced digital game developers have a proven track record of delivering exceptional iLottery content to market quickly. We have already integrated Sideplay's digital games into our iLottery platforms, and combining their unique approach to game development for Scientific Games' more than 20 iLottery customers worldwide will accelerate our iLottery offerings for our customers and their players."

Steve Hickson, Founder and Director of Sideplay, and the entire Sideplay team will join Scientific Games Lottery.

"All of us at Sideplay are thrilled to be joining forces with Scientific Games Lottery Group, one of the world's leading lottery suppliers," said Hickson. "Our goal has always been to be the best at what we do, and this transaction shows that we have in fact achieved that level of success. We are excited to leverage Scientific Games' global lottery footprint and create the future of iLottery together."

Since 2003, the Sideplay team has launched more than 270 instant win games for leading lottery and gambling operators around the world. Those games have been played over 100 million times, producing meaningful revenue for Sideplay's customers.

Scientific Games launched the first digital instant game in the U.S. in 2014, and is the leading provider of lottery interactive games, mobile apps, player loyalty programs and other interactive products and services in the U.S. lottery industry.

Related Links
Light & Wonder Gaming Vendor Information

Featured Vendors
REDW Business & Financial Resources, LLC
Prezzee
REDW Business & Financial Resources, LLC
Improve Your Odds of Success: Trust in REDW’s Tribal Casino Operations & Audit Experts!
Prezzee
Prezzee provides digital gift cards from top brands to reward loyal guests and employees.
Rymax Marketing Services, Inc.
Players Pal
Rymax Marketing Services, Inc.
Leader in creating award winning player & employee loyalty programs & events proven to increase ROI
Players Pal
Revolutionize the way you connect with your casino players with the Players Pal mobile app
Casino Network
Texas Slots & Gaming
Casino Network
20+ years experience selling refurbished slot machines, parts & glass for all major brands
Texas Slots & Gaming
Wholesale gaming reimagined. Texas Slots & Gaming is your sustainable gaming partner.
Betson Imperial Parts & Service
Sunkist Graphics, Inc.
Betson Imperial Parts & Service
Your one stop shop for all your gaming and OEM needs!
Sunkist Graphics, Inc.
Specializing in the creation of best-of-breed gaming graphics - slot glass, sign faces, and more
Regulatory Management Counselors, PC
Shenzhen ZhengYuanTai Technology Co., Ltd.
Regulatory Management Counselors, PC
Over 45 years of experience serving the legal and regulatory needs of casino industry clients
Shenzhen ZhengYuanTai Technology Co., Ltd.
14 years experienced gaming display manufacturer: open frame, curved, and halo monitors
Slot Machines Unlimited
Casino City Press
Slot Machines Unlimited
Exporter of IGT, Williams, AVP, Trimline, Aristocrat, Konami, Bally, & parts over 20 yrs experience
Casino City Press
A leading publisher and distributor of casino and gaming business data and market research reports.
TribalHub
Casino Schedule Ease
TribalHub
26th Annual TribalNet Conference Sept 15-18, 2025 at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada
Casino Schedule Ease
Full Featured & customizable for the complex scheduling needs of table games & other casino depts
Imagine This
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference
Imagine This
Imagine This #1 Source for Player Gifts. Over $50 million in stock ready to ship! Let us serve you!
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference
The biggest little show in Indian gaming! Save the date: July 14-16, 2025 Tulsa, Oklahoma


Your Guide to 14,932 Gaming Industry Suppliers