At Blake Jarrett & Company, we understand the importance of staying relevant in a constantly changing retail landscape. As a trusted, longtime manufacturing partner for OLG, with proven success in developing their flagship retail kiosks, Blake Jarrett & Company was once again approached by OLG to develop an innovative solution, and to re-imagine Lottery Retail as their fleet of Playstands were aging in today’s digital world.

Blake Jarrett & Company was tasked by OLG to modernize the customer experience through digital innovation on a physical, custom retail display. The new playstand needed to engage the customer through digital interaction and offer new marketing and gaming opportunities that would excite the customer. In addition to this, it was just as important to ensure the new playstand was functional and durable in a high traffic environment, as well as accessible therefore bringing it in line with the current accessible design standards (and AODA compliance). Blake Jarrett & Company’s smart design was modular, and could easily be updated throughout its lifespan keeping ongoing costs low, while at the same time being able to accommodate technology and new product launches.

Here at Blake Jarrett & Company we understand the importance of perfecting the consumer journey from beginning to end. OLG relied on us BJ&Co to re-invent the customer experience in its field operations to help them achieve their goals every step of the way. To this end, OLG partnered with Blake Jarrett & Company as their full-service partner from conception to completion. Blake Jarrett & Company was responsible for research, design, engineering, prototype, manufacturing, shipping and installation of the first to market digital playstand. We worked closely with OLG every step of the way, walking them through design rationale, and listened carefully to their feedback and input, thus creating a collaborative partnership.

The key design philosophy was modularity. Giving OLG the ability to swap out components in the field allowed them to roll out the units in either a digital (with a touchscreen display) or manual (illuminated static graphic) configuration. At key points in the design process we created physical mockups to better realize our vision: full size foam-core mockups for general ergonomics and styling, wood MDF mockups for user testing and final approval of design, miniature functional mockups for stakeholder engagement and finally first-off production units to perfect all the details.

The unit was designed with all customers in mind and to comply with upcoming AODA accessibility legislation. The writing surface was designed at an accessible height. Significant areas of the interactive touchscreen were at an accessible height and a touchpad was integrated into the body of the writing surface so that maximum flexibility was provided for customers to receive an amazing experience.

Materials were selected for manufacturing that ensure a durable product with a long functional life, but also so that the units can be recycled or repurposed at their end of life. 96% of the playstand by weight is recyclable using standard recycling methods.

End result, Blake Jarrett delivered an innovative solution to Lottery Retail which enhanced the customer experience. THE OLG digital playstand is innovative, modular, ergonomic, and accessible in over 2,000 locations.

Many thanks to the OLG Team for the collaborative effort in bringing this to life.

Best Innovation in Lottery Retail