NordwestLotto - A Mobile Trifecta

Germany's NordwestLotto, established in Schleswig-Holstein in the city of Kiel, has increased its stake in the mobile gambling space by launching a Java version of its mobile Lotto 6/49 and keno products. The rollout follows the introduction of an SMS platform in 2003 and Flash games in 2004.

Helmut Stracke, the general manager of NordwestLotto Schleswig-Holstein GmbH, says it's the first innovative mobile gambling application in Europe that enables play using SMS, Java and Flash at the same time.

The new system comes in two versions: a Java application for all mobile phones supporting Java and a Flash version for Smartphones and PDAs with a touch screen. It is password-protected and can only be started after successful user authentification.

Players can download the application and load it onto their Java-enabled phones or via the gambling platform (https://umts.lotto-sh.de) directly with a Flash phones.

Features

The numbers in the fill-in forms are reduced to ensure a concise layout; they can be viewed using a "magnifying field" that shows the selected number clearly in the top right of the display. The layout also includes a "QuickTipp" button with which random fields are automatically selected. After a displayed summary of the selected option, the bet can be sent. In addition to partaking in the betting process, players can view winning numbers.

Basic Technical Information

NordwestLotto Schleswig-Holstein's new application is based on the mobile edition of Java2, a standard for the development of mobile applications, and has been optimized for devices with the following minimum requirements:

They must be Java-enabled (CLDC 1.0/MIDP 1.0).
They must have color displays with a minimum resolution of 128x128 pixels.
They must have Internet connections.

The player must install software onto the device to use the alternative Flash version. This is possible on most modern PDAs and smart phones, such as Nokia's phones using the Series60 operating-system, devices using the latest symbian operating system and all newer Samsung phones

The layout of the application is skin-able, which means all graphical aspects can be customized to the operator's needs.

The Operator

NordwestLotto Schleswig-Holstein is a member of the German Lotto/Toto Bloc, which is an alliance of lottery companies from the 16 states. The bloc members retain complete independence but pool their stakes and follow common rules for participation in the games.

NordwestLotto Schleswig-Holstein developed its mobile gaming product in close cooperation with Ticcon AG and Anybet GmbH. Ticcon AG developed the mobile gambling application, and MCS SH GmbH is the distributing partner for Ticcon's mobile solutions.