Asda has become the first UK supermarket to trial The National Lottery owner Allwyn’s innovative scratchcard technology.

Developed with lottery technology partner Scientific Games, the new hi-tech Sci-Q scratchcard dispenser features a 40-inch customer-facing digital display, a touch screen terminal for use by store colleagues, and an automated dispensing unit which securely houses National Lottery scratchcard games.

The technology, which will initially be trialled at Asda’s Ashton-under-Lyne store, claims to make scratchcard purchases faster than ever, with its software providing real-time game sale analysis.

It then uses data to create automated daily reports on key information, including sales performance and stock levels.

The software has been designed in line with Allwyn’s 10-scratchcard limit, with it automatically preventing the grocer’s store colleague from selecting more than 10 National Lottery scratchcards per transaction.

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Once a customer has decided which games they want from the screen, a colleague simply selects the customer’s choice from the digital touch screen terminal, with the secure dispenser unit then automatically dispensing the scratchcards.

Both Allwyn and Asda worked together to design the dispenser specifically to be installed in the customer service area of the store. The first phase of the trial will take several months as Allwyn tests the technology to inform any future wider rollout plans.

Asda retail and ALS senior director productivity Kevin Besford said: “We are always looking at ways to simplify our customers’ journey in our stores and as part of that we’ve recognised that customers can often spend too long waiting at our kiosks and customer service desks.

“This UK-first trial will provide customers looking to purchase lottery tickets with a faster shopping experience when they visit our Ashton store, and we’re pleased to have partnered with Allwyn to test this new technology.”