It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Arkansas Lottery Commission (ALC) encourage participation by minority-owned and female-owned businesses. The ALC is committed to ensuring that minority-owned businesses and minority employees are given every opportunity to participate in the creation and ongoing operation of the ALC. The ALC makes every effort to meet, and exceed, the intent of the Arkansas General Assembly by developing a plan to encourage participation of minority- and female-owned businesses through prime and sub-prime contracting opportunities. Moreover, the ALC continually endeavors to achieve diversity in hiring at all levels of the agency. Further, the ALC will employ a Small and Minority Business (SMB) Project Coordinator to oversee and coordinate its efforts.
The Arkansas Lottery Commission is committed to using the services of SMB vendors and service providers as well as complying with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission's Small & Minority Business requirements of utilizing 10% of ALC’s operating budget with SMB’s. The ALC frequently uses the AEDC directory listed below to find certified businesses and vendors from which to purchase goods and services to help ALC meet its goals and commitments. If you need assistance on learning how to become a Certified Minority Business Enterprise (CMBE), please contact Karen Castle, Business Development Manager with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Small and Minority Business Division for more information. She can be contacted at (501) 682-7782 or mbe@arkansasedc.com.
The website is Arkansasedc.com. The link to the directory is as follows:
Minority participation in the Lottery will be primarily achieved in four categories:
More information on each category follows:
1. Subcontracting Opportunities with Major Gaming Vendors
The ALC has selected Intralot, Inc. as the preferred vendor to Online Lottery Game Services and Lottery Gaming System and Services and Scientific Games International, Inc. to supply colorful and popular instant or “scratch off” tickets. The ALC has selected Bank of the Ozarks as the vendor to supply its Comprehensive Banking Services and The Communications Group to provide its Advertising, Marketing and media Services. Each company, which is industry leaders in their respective fields, is developing relationships with minority businesses in Arkansas. However, they may still have needs for goods, services and labor, including but not limited to, printing, field technicians, couriers, vehicles, computer equipment, and office supplies. Any business interested in pursuing a subcontracting relationship with either company should contact them immediately to determine what opportunities might be available.
The following are contacts for each:
2. Direct Contracting Opportunities with the ALC
The ALC will need to directly procure a wide range of basic goods and services. Procurement needs include, but not be limited to, items such as: office furniture, office supplies, computer equipment, business printing, vehicles, advertising services, travel agency services, and janitorial services. Businesses wishing to offer the goods and services to the ALC should visit the “Minority-owned and Female-owned Business” section and the “Vendor” section of the ALC’s web site in order to respond to requests for proposals, qualifications, and bids. In the interest of time, please note that requests for proposals, qualifications, and bids will be posted only to the ALC’s home page.
3. Retail Sales of Lottery Tickets
The ALC is in the process of recruiting as many retailers as possible to sell lottery tickets. The success of the ALC will depend on its ability to build a strong statewide retail network to maximize sales and profits for educational programs.
The Lottery’s retail network will include not only traditional outlets such as convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores, but also will include barber shops, beauty salons, electronics stores, restaurants, sporting goods stores, wine and spirits outlets, and more. Please note that some businesses, such as those establishments formed for the sole purpose of selling lottery tickets, will be ineligible to sell lottery tickets.
Economic benefits to retailers are both tangible and intangible. In exchange for participating, retailers will receive various commissions on the Lottery’s sales in their stores. In addition, participating retailers also may benefit from increased customer traffic in their stores.
Any retailer interested in selling lottery tickets can download an application packet online, at Retailers, or call (501) 683-2000. The initial cost is a $100.00 application fee, which includes a required state and federal background check. Lottery equipment, supplies, and training will be provided at no cost, pending approval of the application.
4. Employment Opportunities with the Lottery Commission
The ALC will not discriminate in its hiring practices. ALC will make every effort to ensure that qualified applicants and employees are afforded an equal opportunity throughout the hiring and employment process.
The Lottery is posting all available positions online at the following web address: Employment. Please visit our website to view the current list of available positions. Available positions will be posted in a “rolling basis”. If you do not immediately see a position for which you would like to apply, please check back frequently.
Minority and Female Business Training and Educational Activities
To ensure the highest possible level of participation by minority-owned and female-owned businesses, and taking into account the total number of all retailers, vendors, and vendor subcontractors, the ALC will provide training programs and other educational activities to encourage minority-owned and female-owned businesses to compete for contracts on an equal basis. These training programs and educational activities will be posted on the ALC website. These programs and activities will be conducted by ALC Staff to educate, aid and assist prospective vendors and retailers either entering into or competing for contracts, including and without limitation, the development and implementation of the plans and programs for the ALC.
Arkansas Lottery Commission Minority and Female-Owned
Participation Reports
Pursuant to the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Act, the ALC will monitor the results of minority-owned and female-owned business participation and report the results of minority-owned and female-owned business participation to the Governor and the Arkansas Lottery Commission Legislative Oversight Committee (ALCLOC) on at least an annual basis. These reports will be posted on the ALC website each year for public review.