Pollard Banknote Limited has congratulated the Maryland Lottery on the launch of its Back to the Future-inspired $2 scratch-off game. The lottery industry’s inaugural game featuring this licensed brand, available exclusively through Pollard Banknote, offers Maryland Lottery players a top prize of $10,000 and the opportunity to win cash prizes through second-chance draws.

Back to the Future is a legendary film from Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures that has remained immensely popular since its release in theaters in 1985. To celebrate this timeless film, the Maryland Lottery timed the launch of its scratch-off game to coincide with the film’s 40th anniversary, incorporating the commemorative “40” logo into the design. The ticket additionally features multiple iconic references to the trilogy, such as The Time Machine, OUTATIME license plate, and Doc Brown’s loyal dog, Einstein, evoking memories of these films among fans of all generations.

The Lottery’s comprehensive marketing campaign likewise leverages highly recognizable themes from the franchise to generate some serious gigawatts of excitement about the Back to the Future scratch-off, including point-of-sale posters, billboards, digital and social media ads, and radio spots. To make the most of this significant landmark, other lotteries are lacing up their high-tops and following in the Maryland Lottery’s footsteps by launching Back to the Future scratch-off games this year.

“Back to the Future hits a sweet spot for anyone who remembers the 1980s — or the 1950s, for that matter. It’s a timeless franchise that really resonates with Lottery players because it taps into the fondness for the past, but it can also help to engage people with the novelty of a new game. We’re thrilled to bring that nostalgia to life with the Back to the Future ticket,” Solomon Ramsey, Managing Director of Sales and Marketing at Maryland Lottery, said.

“Back to the Future is one of the most iconic franchises of all time and will help lotteries maximize player engagement and proceeds for good causes. We’re incredibly excited for the Maryland Lottery to launch the first scratch-off game based on this storied franchise, and the 40th anniversary is the perfect chance to reawaken the excitement of the original film,” Brad Thompson, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Pollard Banknote, said.

The St. Louis Cardinals and bet365 announced that they have entered into a multi-year marketing partnership that makes the leading sports betting brand the first-ever Official Mobile Sports Betting Partner of the St. Louis Cardinals.

The new sponsorship agreement includes advertising rights on the Cardinals radio broadcasts, Cardinals Insider TV show, cardinals.com, and signage at the ballpark that will be visible on television broadcasts, along with the use of the team logo and sponsorship of the team’s starting lineups at Busch Stadium.

As part of the new agreement, bet365 will also receive naming rights to the all-inclusive bet365 Bridge located on the second level in right-centerfield. The ticketed, outdoor seating deck includes reserved seats and an all-inclusive menu featuring ballpark fare, plus complimentary Budweiser, Bud Light and Coca-Cola products. Tickets to the bet365 Bridge for the upcoming season are on-sale now at cardinals.com/allinclusive.

“bet365 is proud to announce our partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals, one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball. We are excited to bring a world class mobile sports betting experience to the Show-Me-State,” a bet365 spokesperson said.

“We are thrilled to welcome bet365 as the club’s official mobile sports betting partner. This partnership adds a new and exciting element to the fan experience which can be activated at Busch Stadium or any place that fans watch and follow Cardinals baseball,” Bill DeWitt III, President of the St. Louis Cardinals, said.

Trustly, the global leader in Pay by Bank, announced a partnership with Hard Rock Digital to become the Pay by Bank provider for Hard Rock Bet, one of the fastest growing sportsbooks and iGaming platforms in the nation. Through this integration, Hard Rock Bet players will be able to securely link their bank accounts for instant deposits and withdrawals using Trustly. This strategic partnership also allows Hard Rock Digital to tap into Trustly’s real-time consumer insights to increase conversion rates and gain a deeper understanding of player activity.

In addition to real-time payments (RTPs), Trustly will provide Guaranteed Automated Clearing House (GACH) payments and Available Funds Guidance for players throughout all of Hard Rock Digital’s operating states. Hard Rock Digital now gains access to Trustly’s VIP program, which uses a proprietary risk engine to approve up to $1 million deposits and provide streamlined care at all hours of the day for the platform’s most valuable players.

John Parsons, Vice President of Gaming at Trustly, said: “We are excited to work alongside Hard Rock Digital in these important markets. This partnership is just the beginning of a long-lasting relationship that will drive growth and innovation in the U.S. online betting space. Together, we are committed to building a payments experience that puts the player first.”

Danny Crook, Senior Vice President of Operations at Hard Rock Digital, said: “The addition of Trustly will provide an incredible benefit to both the business and our players, allowing for faster, more seamless banking transactions, insights for a more personalized experience, and maintaining a safe gaming environment. We look forward to continuing to implement Trustly’s solutions and building on this successful partnership.”