From Reliable App to Industry-First Innovation: South Dakota Lottery’s Partnership with fjorge

When we first partnered with the South Dakota Lottery, the app was already in the hands of thousands of players across the state.

But “in the hands of players” is not the same as “working the way it should.”

For many users, especially in rural areas, the app was the only realistic way to engage with the lottery. So when it lagged, failed to scan tickets, or struggled with updates, it was not just frustrating. It was limiting access.

That is where we came in.

First, make it stable

We did not start with new features or big ideas.

We started with reliability.

That meant getting the core experience right:

• Fixing inconsistent ticket scanning
• Improving app performance
• Automating outdated data flows

Once those changes were in place, something important happened. Support calls dropped, and players stopped needing workarounds. The app finally felt dependable.

That is always the first milestone for us. Trust has to come back before anything else can move forward.

Next, ask a different question

Once things were stable, the conversation shifted from “what is broken” to “what is possible.”

Together with the SD Lottery team, we explored an idea that had never been done before at a state lottery level: mobile prize redemption.

Not just checking tickets. Actually claiming winnings through the app.

Finally, Build something first-of-its-kind

This was not a small feature.

It required careful coordination, security review, and close collaboration with external systems.

But we built it.

Now, players can redeem prizes up to $5,000 directly from their phone.

For someone living hours away from a claim center, that change is not technical. It is personal. It turns a long trip into a few minutes.

Where things stand today

Today, we continue to support the South Dakota Lottery through an ongoing managed services partnership.

That means we are not just fixing issues when they appear. We are actively watching the system, improving it, and helping the team think ahead.

Because once you understand a platform deeply, you do not start over every time something changes. You build forward.

Why this partnership works

For us, this is what good technical partnership looks like:

• Stabilize what exists
• Build trust through consistency
• Then unlock what comes next

The mobile redemption feature is just one example of what becomes possible when that foundation is in place.

Read more South Dakota Lottery case studies and other client success stories here – https://fjorge.com/our-work

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