The U.S. Virgin Islands, is home to the longest running traditional lottery in the United States. By the late 1900's however, that lottery was losing money and was unable to fund important Government programs. This was due to low play and the prevelance of illegal foreign lottery ticket sales and other types of illegal gambling. In 2003, Southland Gaming, a company with a long heritage of successful mainland gaming experience, became the exclusive contractor for video lotter in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Now, over 700 lab-tested video lottery terminals can be found in the Virgin Islands in various restaurants, bars, hotels and gaming centers in areas frequented by tourists. A multi-million dollar central computer supplied by Southland Gaming, and located in St. Thomas headquarters, controls all those terminals, also provided by Southland Gaming. The Virgin Islands lottery officials have a direct link to the central system and closely monitor all Video Lottery activity through computer terminals located in the Lottery offices.
Multiple layers of security prevent theft or payment errors, insuring maximum revenue to the Virgin Islands Government. Direct Video Lottery payments to the Government this year are expected to exceed $12 million.
In 5 Short years, the Virgin Islands' Video Lottery system, operated by Southland Gaming, has virtually stopped illegal gambling, returned the Lottery to profitability, and has contributed over $65 million to the Virgin Islands economy.
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