‘Proud moment’: IZI Group Chief Commercial Officer unveils national lottery rebranding

“We are proud that after 18 years since the privatisation of the national lottery in Malta in 2004, the lottery will be operated for the first time by a wholly owned Maltese company,” says IZI Group CCO Franco DeGabriele at an event to unveil rebranding for the national lottery.

Previously known as Maltco Lotteries, when the concession to run the national lottery was held by Maltco Lotteries Limited, the new 10-year concessionaires, IZI Group, have now rebranded it to: National Lottery.

At the event held at Mdina Ditch, IZI Group revealed its plans to launch a lottery brand that is truly national and that above all a truly represents the Maltese and their deep-rooted connection with the National Lottery games.

Mr De Gabriele described the journey that led to the award of the concession to operate the national lottery, essentially a leading gaming operation in Malta providing a service to hundreds of thousands of persons on a weekly basis.

“Our mission is to provide the market with a service that is local, innovative and of the highest levels of quality. Our first decision was to re-establish ‘National Lottery’ as the corporate brand, restoring the name after a very long absence. This is the first step towards bringing back the national identity of this national concession, a service provided by the Maltese to the Maltese.

“The Group is also excited to bring to market improvements to the existing products, new products to enrich the current product portfolio and an investment in systems to ensure that the service offered is to the highest standards, built on the most rigorous of compliance frameworks. On 5th July 2022, a new era in gaming in Malta will commence, a new era for the national lottery of Malta,” Mr De Gabriele added.

He also spoke of the importance of several stakeholders in this project, foremost the Lottery Agents who form an essential part of the national lottery ecosystem considered to be the front liners whose dedication and entrepreneurship are fundamental components of the national lottery. Moreover, Mr De Gabriele had words of praise to the employees of the company who have been working tirelessly to ensure that the company delivers a world-class lottery service.

During the event an audio-visual production of the historic development of the lottery of Malta was projected on the Mdina bastions. The short film symbolically depicting the deep-entrenched tradition of the Maltese towards the National Lottery games and the strategic contribution of the lottery towards society.

National Lottery plc will take over the operation of the national lottery of Malta from Maltco Lotteries on 5th July 2022, with the first Lotto draw earmarked for Saturday 9th July 2022 at 8.35pm.

The National Lottery was set up as a Government monopoly in 1934. Prior to February 2004, all National Lottery games fell under the responsibility of the Public Lotto Department. However, in February 2004, it was privatised with companies chosen to run the event having to apply via a public call for an expression of interest.