Point of Sale Software

Here are some Articles from the Blog Subject - Lottoland -

Tabcorp latest changes

POS SOFTWARE

the lotto

For many of our clients now that handle Tabcorp Lotto, one of the big problems now is that with their new app and Digital Wallet Sales, sales are coming through into their system with a price of zero and this means that it is harder to track their sales of lotto products accurately. In particular, what worried us was that it was difficult for us, as a result, to calculate the Gross Profit.

So we spoke to Tabcorp here

Tabcorp now has acted on our concerns and adopted our proposals. From next week they will be updating their system to separate their Digital Wallet sales from our clients' sales with pricing details. 

Great stuff!

There is no extra work for our clients as a patch (Version 1.1.92.9) will automatically update their systems, so they will be able to continue to scan lotto products as always.

Update:  One of our competitors has clearly for reasons that to us make no sense attacked Tabcorp and us.

What they do not like is pricing details included in the Tabcorp barcode. Well, just because the Tabcorp barcode has a price does not mean that they have to put the price into their software. All they have to do is code their software so if its a Tabcorp product, it is imported with a value of $0. If one of our users is so crazy and wants this too, well they can set up their system with our software to do that too *NOW*. What is the problem?

Let me further point out that this company track record on Lotto is not particularly good, a few years ago. I remember seeing in their spreadsheets of the future and speeches them saying that counter sales of Lotto will go down. It did not. It went up and its never been higher. Today with its super draws and promotions it has given lotto agents a major traffic drawcard. 

Also, business is the art of the possible, not what we would like, I believe that many of the changes they proposed are never going to be done in real-time.  They publically supported the politicians and the appropriate industry bodies to try and force Lottoland out of Australia.  Then we and many others pointed out that this was dreaming and Lottoland were not just going to leave. What they helped do is frustrate any hope of our clients getting new revenue streams from Lottoland, for example, see here, here and here

It goes on, one point I am very proud of our company is that what we propose and do is stuff our clients can use, their recent proposals on local politicians support, local currencies for small business, buskers grants, etc., in a real-time, dream on! 

Plus would these make much difference to SMB could also be disputed too, for example, buskers like to set up their Busking Stations in front of public places, markets and supermarkets as there is a mass of women and kids with money there!  Buskers know what they are doing, women and kids tend to give more than males. My daughter is eight years old if she likes a busker, she comes to Mum or me to give her some money to give to them. So does my Mum, she gives them money with a comment, "I like them doing this much more what they are doing than them begging in the street." I suggest very little money will flow to SMB as a result.

Comments

My understanding is this other company wanted the barcodes with a zero price on them. I would imagine this is because their software won't be able to handle prices and not have them affect the Newsagents' End of Day and cash reconciliation. One of the problems of using an archaic database backend that doesn't allow for updates like our software does.

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Lottoland Australia still kicking

POS SOFTWARE

  The government outlawed betting on "synthetic lotteries" which are now in effect which we were told would effectively sign the death warrant for gambling companies like Lottoland in Australia, but Lottoland isn't going. I doubted they would as there is too much money involved.

Check out the lottoland site. Currently the US power at $571 million looks interesting, plus they have a new product "Jackpot betting." 

In April 2018, I wrote my personal views

-The medium to long-term for many of my clients on Lotto is worrying, and for point of sale suppliers like us, this is alarming. 

-The existing commissions from TABCORP are not enough?

-TABCORP continuing strategy is growing its digital business, and it is affecting my clients.

-The reality is that the Australian lotteries products in the days of the internet are now being outclassed.  My clients do not have access to many products that the internet offers, e.g.  $A571 million US Mega Millions jackpot here that the internet consumer does. 

-My clients have been hit by huge and unreasonable demands for shop fits. To support these shopfitting demands many have been presented with estimates of its benefits that I question.

Today I do not see despite what some claimed would happen once Lottoland was stopped from selling synthetic lotteries that my clients would be getting a share of the online sales, much better commisions and there would be a reduction in the demands for shop fits. 

Finally, I do not see that those of my clients that supported the move to ban Lottoland got much in exchange for their support. 

Note I am happy to take back all or any of these comments if someone can show that any are wrong.

 

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LOTTOLAND TO FIGHT BAN ON SYNTHETIC LOTTERIES

POS SOFTWARE

Lottoland

Well, Lottoland was serious when they stated that they would fight in the courts the ban, they are going to go to court. They are also looking into other ways that would allow Australian to continue to play synthetic Lotteries.

If Lottoland get up in the court or they do find a way to get around this legislation it will be the worst of both worlds for many of my clients as they will still have Lottoland competition and no access part of the online revenue from Lottoland which they were offered and they rejected.

The other point is as I stated earlier many Australian players will still be able to play online by simply hiding their IP address.

What I am wondering about now is that as a third of Australians have overseas citizenship and/or residency, so if these people are affected by this ban legally. A man whose father has an Italian citizenship could maybe also bet.

Anyhow, if you are interested in any of this click here.

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Lottoland talk

POS SOFTWARE

Here are a few observations for newsagents to consider. On this proposed bill to ban Lottoland in Australia, which in response, Lottoland has made an offer to newsagents.

Firstly, it is not a ban. There are several companies online offering services like Lottoland. Read comparelotto on the offers for Australians. Go through the list and see that these companies are not affected by this proposed bill. Six months ago, if you remember the Australia government banned Australian from the most prominent poker site in the world PokerStars, but I search now for "Australian poker," there are plenty of offers for me to play poker online on offshore sites.

Both Australian Lotto providers and Lottoland are looking online. It is the fastest growing form of gambling in Australia now. Partly this is because of convenience, but partly it is because often the offering online is much more attractive such as several games in the US and Europe. This offer may give newsagents a chance to get into these markets which they cannot get into now. An $A569 million US Mega Millions jackpot or an $A267 million EuroJackpot would bring in lots of customers into an Australia newsagency shop. Existing technology and POS Software in place could make this happen in months.

Assuming this bill passes what changes for newsagents, with their relationship with their Australian Lotto providers which would enhance Australian Lotto providers hold on you. Do you think they are suddenly going to give you higher margins, change demands for fewer and less expensive shop fits or do more advertising to drive traffic to your shop or their online shop? Will Coles be stopped from getting lotto?

Several have stated to me that the Lottoland offer "is too, little too late," I agree with the first part that it is too little and it is unfortunate it is so late. However Lottoland chief executive Luke Brill said that this offer was aimed at starting a conversation, so it should be seen as an opening bid. Ian Booth, the head of the Newsagents Association of NSW and ACT, acted correctly I think in rejecting this Lottoland’s proposal but offering a counterproposal of 11% of sales. 11% sounds decent.

Right now Pauline Hanson, the Australian government, Tabcorp, Lottoland, etc. are expressing concern about newsagents. With the possible exception of Pauline Hanson, who used to be a small-business owner herself, I doubt whether they are that concerned as I have seen little evidence of this concern over the years. Still, at the moment, they are interested. Whatever happens with this bill, soon afterwards, I doubt we will hear much about this concern.

Now is the time to talk to the Australian government, the Australian Lotto providers, and Lottoland and see what they have to say.