IGT Rebrands to Brightstar Lottery After Major Sale

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The new logo for Brightstar Lottery, representing its rebranding from IGT.

News Summary

The lottery headquarters in Providence is rebranding from International Game Technology (IGT) to Brightstar Lottery following a multi-billion-dollar sale to Apollo Global Management. This transition, set to complete in July 2025, aims to separate the lottery business from casino operations and inspire confidence in the industry. Brightstar intends to strengthen its local presence while continuing a 20-year lottery agreement with Rhode Island. The name change symbolizes hope and direction as the company seeks to innovate within the 90 global lottery markets it serves.

Providence, Rhode Island – The lottery headquarters in Providence is set to undergo a significant transformation, rebranding from International Game Technology (IGT) to Brightstar Lottery. This name change is a direct result of a multi-billion-dollar sale of IGT’s gaming and digital business to Apollo Global Management, a deal first reported last year and valued at over $6.5 billion. The transition is expected to finalize next month in July 2025.

As part of this rebranding initiative, IGT is separating its lottery business from its casino gaming operations. Apollo Global Management plans to take IGT’s gaming and digital arms private. Meanwhile, the remaining lottery enterprise will operate under the Brightstar name, which aims to symbolize hope and direction within the lottery industry.

The lottery business will continue to honor a 20-year lottery agreement with Rhode Island, which was established in 2021. As stipulated in this contract, Brightstar Lottery is required to supply slot machines to the state’s two casinos through a joint venture with Bally’s and uphold a workforce of 1,100 employees in Rhode Island.

The decision to rebrand as Brightstar is intended to inspire confidence about the future of lotteries. The company’s management envisions the new name as a guiding force for customers in the sector, reflecting a pledge to innovate and serve effectively in nearly 90 global lottery markets, including 26 of the 46 U.S. lottery jurisdictions and seven of the world’s ten largest lotteries.

Despite the new branding, no immediate changes to operations are anticipated besides updating signage. Brightstar aims to streamline and strengthen its presence in Rhode Island, with potential plans to relocate positions from other states to enhance local operations. Prior to the impending sale, IGT had seen some challenges meeting its contractual employee targets in the state.

The retention of IGT’s offices in Rhode Island has played a significant role in aligning state leaders to support the signing of a non-bidded exclusive 20-year lottery contract. Additionally, IGT’s management of Rhode Island’s sports betting operations will persist under a separate shorter exclusive contract that is expected to expire in 2026. As that date approaches, proposals for new vendors are anticipated.

Although there was initial consideration to revert to the GTECH name, which was the company’s original identity when established in Rhode Island, the focus has firmly shifted toward the future under the Brightstar brand. This strategic decision aligns with the company’s commitment to innovate and inspire within the lottery sector.

In conclusion, the rebranding to Brightstar Lottery signifies a new chapter for the former IGT as it prepares to navigate the lottery landscape in Rhode Island and beyond. With the backing of Apollo Global Management and a renewed focus on local operations, Brightstar Lottery aims to enhance its customer service and operational effectiveness, poised to emerge as a leader in the global lottery industry.