Brightstar Lottery released its 18th annual Sustainability Report last week. But this one’s different – it’s the first since the company finished splitting off into a standalone lottery business.
CEO Vince Sadusky presented the report as proof that Brightstar’s sustainability work adapted alongside its business change. The company now operates purely in lottery, having moved away from its previous broader structure. That shift meant rethinking how it approaches environmental and social responsibility.
The report shows Brightstar earned Top Employer status in the US, Canada and Italy for three straight years. Employee Impact Groups grew to nine communities, adding new ones focused on mental health and Hispanic leadership.
Why the Business Split Changed Sustainability Planning
Pure-play lottery operations need different sustainability priorities than diversified gaming companies. Brightstar built its new framework around stakeholders most affected by lottery-specific work – players, retail partners, and lottery commissions.
The company became the first supplier to get the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Internet Compliance Assessment Program Ready certification for iLottery. That matters because online lottery sales keep growing across regulated markets.
Brightstar’s Q3 revenue hit $629 million, up 7% from last year. The company extended its Texas contract and expanded European partnerships, including a renewed instant-games deal with Czech operator Sazka. Strong business performance gave Brightstar resources to fund sustainability initiatives.
What the New Framework Covers
Three pillars structure Brightstar’s approach: Empowering Our People, Collaborating with Partners, and Preserving the Planet. Six action areas support these pillars.
Employee engagement and human rights fall under the people pillar. Responsible gaming and community engagement connect to the partners pillar. Sustainable procurement, climate action, biodiversity and circularity initiatives address environmental concerns.
The company introduced lifecycle assessments for terminal development. In Italy, Brightstar repurposed roughly 700,000 printing cartridges. That prevented about 280 tons of plastic waste from reaching landfills.
How This Positions Brightstar in Lottery Supply
Being first to get NCPG certification for iLottery operations gives Brightstar a talking point when competing for contracts. State lotteries increasingly want suppliers with documented responsible gaming programs.
The environmental work addresses concerns from lottery commissions about retail terminal waste. Instant ticket printing creates significant material use, so cartridge repurposing shows concrete action.
Sadusky said the strategy “serves as the foundation” for future reporting. That suggests Brightstar will stick with this framework as it pursues more lottery contracts. Other lottery suppliers will probably face pressure to match these sustainability commitments.
