Intralot loses Maryland lottery contract after procurement review reversal

• Maryland regulators revoke Intralot’s bid after finding it non-compliant with procurement law
• Scientific Games named as new leading bidder, though final decision is pending
• Intralot disputes the decision, claiming its proposal exceeded subcontracting requirements

Intralot has lost its bid to retain a major Maryland state lottery contract after a procurement review found the company’s proposal failed to meet legal and procedural requirements. The decision reverses the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency’s (MLGCA) earlier recommendation of the Greek gaming supplier as the top bidder for the Central Monitoring and Control System.

Initially selected on 15 July 2025, Intralot’s proposal was deemed compliant alongside two other bids. However, following further scrutiny, the MLGCA said the offer did not fully satisfy the terms set out in the Request for Proposals (RFP) or state procurement regulations.

“As an independent agency, our review process is designed to ensure that proposals don’t advance without meeting all requirements,” said John Martin, director of the MLGCA. “Upon determining that our initial assessment was incorrect, we have taken appropriate action to move forward with the procurement process in accordance with procurement law.”

As a result, Scientific Games has now been named the recommended bidder. However, the procurement process remains open, and no final award has been made.

Intralot has strongly criticised the reversal, describing it as unexpected and unjustified. In a public statement, the company said:

“This decision comes as a great surprise, especially considering that Intralot, Inc. had allocated a significantly higher percentage of the project to local subcontractors than the minimum required. Moreover, the company had provided the Commission with very detailed clarifications, and the Commission was fully aware of the identity and role of these subcontractors.”

The company also asserted that all participants were initially confirmed as compliant with the RFP and said it would challenge the ruling:

“The bid submitted by Intralot, Inc. is technically sound and by far the most financially advantageous, significantly outperforming the second-best offer. Should it not be accepted, the State of Maryland stands to lose a substantial financial benefit.”

Intralot confirmed it “reserves all its legal rights and intends to pursue every legal remedy available to protect the interests of its shareholders.”

The development comes after a troubled chapter for Intralot in Washington DC, where the company was forced to pay a $6.5 million settlement over allegations of misleading city officials to secure a sports betting contract. The DC market has since transitioned to a competitive licensing system.