As economic hardship continues to bite, many Nigerians, particularly young adults, have continued to take solace in gambling. Femi Umar-Lawal, chief executive officer and managing director for Super Lotto, in this interview with CHINYERE OKEKE, speaks on the industry in general and the company’s mission to make many Nigerians millionaires. Excerpts:
Could you tell us more about Super Lotto? What does the brand have to offer?
Super Lotto is an offshoot of Imperial Gaming Limited, an online gaming company established to carry out Public Online Lottery business in Nigeria. It was launched at the Three Arms Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, on June 4, 2018, with “Super Lotto” as its trading name, under the supervision and control of the Lagos State Lotteries board.
Super Lotto is a new, ground-breaking lotto company offering exciting online, mobile and retail gaming with much better odds than other lotto operators. The Super Lotto brand offers exciting e-games similar to classic mobile devices but with the difference of giving large cash rewards to lucky players; a facet that has never been seen in the gaming community. Super Lotto currently features five e-games on its website and promises to add new games each week.
The Super Lotto gaming platform introduces ground-breaking technology tailored to the Nigerian and African market at large. Furthermore, to ensure best practices are upheld, our platform has been built taking GLI (Gaming Laboratories International) standards into consideration, hence making our lotto software one of a kind in the West African market.
What’s the striking difference between Super Lotto and other gaming companies?
Super Lotto is the first of its kind in the lottery gaming platform for many reasons. First, Super Lotto boasts of e-gaming as well as live gaming portals, which no other lottery brand in Nigeria possesses. Secondly, the ethical gaming positioning of Super Lotto means that there are in-built mechanisms in the system that prevent addiction to it. This ethical gaming stance is also the reason why we have put extensive CSR programmes including scholarships, MedicAid and entrepreneurial training for players and agents alike.
What do players stand to benefit in the long run?
Apart from a staggering win of N46 million with as low as N100 spend, it has also been reported that the odds for their 5/90 game combination is the best in the decades-long history of lotto in Nigeria. Thousands of potential punters may now look forward to trying their luck at winning this and other cash amount on their various products whether online, on their phones or via retail outlets. This category of punters is particularly excited that Super Lotto games can be played both online and in retail outlets around the country.
What are the maximum winnings in this game and what is the guarantee that the winners will get their money?
Our international partnerships with financial institutions guarantee that up to N9 billion is available for lucky winners every year. Super Lotto is here to change the gaming narrative and ensure that the middle class have fun while exploiting their opportunity to play the games, whether in the comfort of their offices, homes or handheld devices. We have invested heavily on the www.superlottong.com site and the experience is second to none.
There are actually no losers in this game. Every Lagosian and Nigerian at large can find fun and entertainment on our platform, as we connect the benefits we offer to those they enjoy. Our platform is such that drips of intense fun and rewards with our uniquely-driven e-games and live games, making winners every minute. Super Lotto is introducing a new era in Nigerian lottery combining fun, profit and social responsibility.
Will this bring about any progress in the area of employment?
This will go a long way in providing jobs to the populace because we have direct sales agents whom we rather call partners. They will be working alongside us, bringing out our core values to the populace. Some of these values include being innovative, as well as accountable with a high sense of integrity and profitability. Fusing all of these together will enable us bring goodies to Nigeria, thereby increasing our standard of living.
What are your plans for corporate social responsibility?
As a responsible gaming company, we plan to support government’s internally generated revenue by paying a portion of gross revenue on every ticket to them to enable them do more for the populace. Super Lotto commits a part of its collections to what we call ‘Good Cause Projects’ such as education, prisons, health, etc. That is, you win even when you don’t win.
