C A S E S T U D Y
The Game Must Go On: Virginia Lottery Optimizes and Launches New Mobile API Under Heavy Traffic Load
More Online Lottery Sales Create New Challenges
The internet is changing the way lottery does business. In the US, sales have shifted online significantly over the past three years. Global online lottery sales are projected to exceed $14 billion annually by 2026. A rapidly growing consumer base of online gamers has many states playing catch up by passing new lottery legislation and updating lottery operations.
The Virginia Lottery felt the pressure of this new wave of online purchasers and was determined to continue generating valuable revenue without putting undue pressure on their systems or impacting the overall consumer experience. Bulletproof’s comprehensive solutions framework allowed Virginia Lottery to address concerns without compromising operations, allowing for continued generation of revenue to fund education in their state.
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A Lottery That Gives Back to Its Community
When the Virginia Lottery was established in 1987, lottery proceeds were allocated to a variety of state-run efforts, however in 2000, Virginia voters overwhelmingly supported a measure that permanently directed all Virginia Lottery profits—about a third of overall sales—to be used solely for educational purposes. Since then, the Virginia Lottery has contributed over $11 billion to Virginia’s K-12 public schools, accounting for approximately 10% of Virginia’s total education budget.
The Challenge
In addition to this challenge, the Virginia Lottery also had new performance testing requirements. The first requirement was to obtain baseline metrics for their new API for mobile apps, which was developed by a third party. They also wanted to increase VALottery.com QA testing cycle efficiency by introducing test automation into their release management lifecycle.
With daily digital lottery sales of almost $6M, any system crash—or even system performance degradation—would have a significant negative revenue impact that would affect statewide education funding. It could also damage the Lottery’s reputation, impacting the trust their organization has earned from Virginians over the years.
Virginia Lottery’s Core Requirements:
Manage website performance issues related to a sharp increase in online players
Conduct performance testing of new mobile API
Increase overall QA testing efficiency with automation
The Solution
The Value
The partnership between Bulletproof and the Virginia Lottery allowed each organization to focus on what they did best. The Virginia Lottery was able to confidently carry on operations, ensuring that it could consistently drive revenue for Virginia’s educational system. Bulletproof worked diligently behind the scenes, protecting the Lottery’s integrity and ability to operate, and preventing any disruption to the Lottery’s revenue streams.
The outcome was a reduction in potential API performance degradation when the system is under load, limiting the possibility of a future system shutdown. Establishing accurate baseline performance metrics also helped the Lottery monitor its systems and take necessary action when certain thresholds are reached, avoiding potential system crashes and game integrity.
Prabhakar Channal, Director of Technical Testing, Bulletproof stated "Bulletproof’s in-depth knowledge and experience in performance testing with various complex architecture has helped VA Lottery to deploy the new architecture with ease and be prepared for any unexpected user load surge on the website, allowing the lottery to continue with their operations and drive revenue to support Virginia's educational system."
Why the Virginia Lottery Chose Bulletproof
Advances in the technology that powers lottery operations have created significant growth opportunities for lotteries, but that growth comes with an equally significant escalation in risk. Bulletproof has a lengthy and successful track record of helping companies modernize their lottery systems while simultaneously reducing threats and security risks.
Headquartered in Canada with locations across the United States and around the globe, Bulletproof has decades of technology, security, and compliance expertise, enabling lottery operations to grow profitability and build their reputation.
The lottery industry’s rapid adoption of technology in recent years has also come with escalated risks. Bulletproof has extensive experience working with lotteries and top gaming organizations to help modernize or integrate their systems and applications, manage complex projects, develop RFPs, ensure systems are thoroughly tested before going to market, and introduce new gaming sources of revenue – all while mitigating security risks. Bulletproof helps ensure lottery systems are dependable, secure, and operating smoothly. Named Microsoft’s global Security Partner of the Year in 2021 for delivering excellence and innovative end-to-end security solutions and is a member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA).
Evolving Lottery, Evolving Risk
Technology has transformed the lottery industry, but with that growth comes an equally significant escalation in risk. Bulletproof helps companies modernize their lottery systems and introduce new gaming sources of revenue while simultaneously reducing threats and security risks. Read the blog to learn about the three key challenges lotteries are facing today.
Improve Experience Without Compromising Performance
Learn more about how Bulletproof has been helping the lottery industry optimize their systems with years of methodology, knowledge, and experience. Ready to learn more about how Bulletproof’s services can help your lottery succeed? Get in touch with us. Book your FREE no-obligation discovery call.