MediaCast | Arun Pandey of Rhiti Sports on the sales & mktg mandate for govt of Goa’s Great Goa Games – India’s first online lottery

Arun Pandey, Founder of Rhiti Sports and one of India’s most visionary sports brand builders, is setting out on a new entrepreneurial journey, and in this special episode of MediaCast, he tell us about Triple G or Great Goa Games, the country’s first government-sanctioned online lottery platform, for which he has received the marketing and sales mandate across India. Pandey says his drive for transparency, fairness, and innovation forms the core of his new mandate with which his focus will be to help redefine the traditional lottery system for the digital age, underlining it with transparency, honesty, and fairness to all players. Who, he hastens to add, must play responsibly.

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Great Goa Games launches on 9th Oct 2024

Arun tells us the GGG Lottery is India’s first fully licensed and regulated online lottery platform, offering players a secure and convenient way to engage in state-approved lotteries. In a country where paper lotteries are run in some 15 states, this is the first Indian online lottery authorized by the Directorate of Small Savings and Lotteries, Government of Goa.

GGG Lottery, Arun tells us, stands out for its commitment to trust, credibility, and transparency in every transaction. He shares that as the holder of the marketing and sales mandate that was awarded to his company by GGG, he is dedicated to democratizing the lottery experience, providing opportunities for players to win big with GGG’s diverse selection of lottery games.

One of the critical aspects Pandey highlights is the responsible nature of the lottery. He says that while lotteries can be a source of entertainment and occasional financial gain, they should always be approached with caution and mindfulness. He urges participants to ensure that their spending on lottery tickets does not come at the cost of essential needs. This emphasis on responsibility aligns with the values of transparency and integrity that Pandey intends to bring to the venture. Arun says GGG, which is launching during the auspicious festival of Navratri, is not just another lottery; “it’s a model of fairness and transparency”.

Pandey not only emphasizes the uniqueness of Triple G, he says that the lottery, licensed by the government of Goa, represents a milestone for India. The operations of the lottery are to be handled by Rithi Sports, the marketing and sales agency appointed by the Goa government. Pandey says “The entire process of the online Triple G lottery will be conducted with transparency to bring honesty and accountability to India’s lottery industry.” His optimism about the venture’s success is palpable, and he is confident that it will resonate with players across India.

Arun shares the inspiration behind his decision to vie for the marketing and sales mandate for GGG, recounting childhood memories of festival-time lotteries that fueled his ambition to some day help build a transparent system.

“People deserve transparency and honesty — whether they spend one rupee or one hundred rupees,” Pandey says during the podcast, highlighting the social responsibility driving this project. The platform promises that every step, from ticket purchases to the live announcement of results, will be fully visible to participants, ensuring complete transparency — “a significant departure from the opaque systems that have left consumers frustrated.”

‘Technology meets Tradition for Transparency in action’

Arun says the launch of Great Goa Games addresses a pressing issue in India’s gaming landscape—transparency in financial games of chance. “In the current system, players are often unaware of where their money goes, how draws are conducted, or how winners are determined.” Pandey says the GGG solution uses cutting-edge digital technology to ensure that all transactions and results are secure, protected, and visible in real time.

Pandey shares, “Wth data stored on both physical and cloud servers, the platform is designed to protect user information from misuse while maintaining a secure environment for participants.” For Pandey, this isn’t just about profit. “Our vision is to establish a fair and secure lottery system for all players, regardless of their investment in the game.”

Disrupting the system: Arun Pandey’s innovative approach

Arun Pandey has always been a disruptive force in the industries he touches. From revolutionizing sports management to empowering fans through digital platforms, he has consistently identified gaps in the market and filled them with innovative solutions. Great Goa Games is no different. In the podcast, Pandey compares the potential of GGG to that of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India’s banking sector—a transformative force that redefines how an industry operates.

This is not Pandey’s first foray into bridging tradition with modern technology. Through his company Rhiti Sports, he has successfully managed some of India’s biggest sports icons, including MS Dhoni, and launched various platforms that connect fans with their heroes. His new venture continues this pattern of innovation, blending the nostalgia of traditional lotteries with the transparency and security offered by digital platforms.

Addressing bigger challenges: Transparency in e-Gaming

The timing of this new platform is significant, as the Indian gaming industry grapples with the larger debate of skill-based versus chance-based games. The controversy surrounding online gaming—so much so that it has reached the Supreme Court—adds weight to Pandey’s efforts. “The gaming industry,” says Pandey, “is worth billions.” It has seen several issues of regulation and transparency, with much of the revenue flowing out of the country.

Pandey touches upon this issue in the episode, estimating that India loses approximately $100 billion annually due to unregulated gaming activities. Arun says “the government-backed GGG online lottery platform aims to reverse this trend, keeping revenue within India and ensuring that the gaming sector can contribute to public welfare programs. By creating a model of fairness, Great Goa Games could serve as a benchmark for responsible gaming and policy regulation in the country,” he adds.

A vision for responsible playing

One of the cornerstones of Pandey’s new venture is the emphasis on responsible lottery-playing. As he explains in the podcast, public education campaigns are being created to ensure that players understand the risks and responsibilities associated with playing the lottery. He believes the GGG initiative aligns with the government’s push for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the gaming sector. With transparency, security, and player protection at the heart of GGG, the platform sets a new standard in India’s e-gaming landscape.

A mentor’s wisdom, and lessons in leadership

In addition to the technical and regulatory aspects of his new venture, Arun Pandey also shares personal insights on entrepreneurship in general. He stresses upon the importance of having a good mentor—someone who can offer guidance and support without hidden motives. For young entrepreneurs, he emphasizes the need to embrace both, successes and failures as essential learning experiences.

Pandey’s journey has not been just about building businesses; it’s about fostering trust and responsibility — whether in sports, entertainment, or now, India’s first online lottery. Pandey believes his ability to foresee trends and act on them with integrity and vision are the foundations of the success he has achieved.

As Great Goa Games is set for its 9th October 2024 launch, the online lottery industry in India stands on the brink of significant change, says Arun, who, along with his team, is responsible for Triple-G’s national sales and marketing mandate. Arun is confident that the combination of technology with transparency will create a platform that promises to redefine how lotteries and potentially even other forms of gaming will operate in the future.

The incredible legacy of M S Dhoni

Beyond this new venture, the conversation veers towards Pandey’s reflections on Indian cricket and the incredible legacy left by former captain MS Dhoni. Having managed numerous cricket captains, Pandey shares insights into Dhoni’s leadership and the impact he had on Indian cricket. He notes that under Dhoni, the team transformed from relying on individual brilliance to adopting a team-first mindset. Dhoni’s focus on teamwork, where every player was seen as critical, irrespective of their position, is a legacy that continues to influence Indian cricket today, Arun says.

Tribute to Sourav Ganguly

He pays tribute to former captain Sourav Ganguly, who played a significant role in nurturing Dhoni’s career. Arun credits Ganguly for backing Dhoni during his formative years, which allowed Dhoni to grow into the leader who would eventually lead India to multiple World Cup victories. Arun believes that Ganguly’s decision to give Dhoni opportunities helped lay the foundation for the team’s success under Dhoni’s captaincy.

Gratitude to BCCI for empowering Indian Cricket

Throughout the discussion, Pandey emphasizes the role of the ecosystem around Indian cricket, specifically the contribution of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Arun is convinced the BCCI’s support has been instrumental in the growth of Indian cricket. The board’s decision to provide autonomy and trust in managing the sport has enabled cricket to flourish, making it one of the most well-organized sports in the country, he says. Arun extends his gratitude “not only to the cricketers but also to the BCCI for their vision and management, which have contributed significantly to the success of Indian cricket at all levels, including women’s cricket.”

And now, Pandey is set for the launch of Triple G. His keenness to approach GGG with a strong socially responsible bent of mind is evident. He envisions Great Goa Games as a lottery that adheres to government regulations while promoting responsible gaming. He hopes that the new venture will bring joy to participants without fostering unhealthy habits, ensuring that the lottery remains a source of entertainment and excitement, without crossing into excess. With his track record of success in sports management and entrepreneurship, it will be fascinating to watch how Triple G unfolds in the coming months. With its strong foundation of transparency, responsibility, and government backing, it can and should be approached in a socially responsible way, because commercial success is inevitable

So, will the strategic, highly experienced, eminently successful and simply-spoken Arun Pandey, who also founded Rhiti Sports and has redefined sports marketing and entertainment in India, make a mark on India’s first online lottery in particular and the overall paper lottery space in India, of which the latter, he says, is plagued with a lack of transparency?

From managing icons like MS Dhoni to producing the acclaimed biopic MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Pandey’s journey is marked by his strategic brilliance and passion for innovation. His philosophy, rooted in consistent effort and deep involvement, has transformed Rhiti Sports into a powerhouse, offering services ranging from athlete representation to media rights management. With a humble, hands-on approach, Arun is always looking ahead, seeking to set new benchmarks in whatever he takes up.

Under Arun’s guidance, Rhiti Sports has ventured into cutting-edge fields like NFTs, launching India’s first celebrity-driven NFT platform with Amitabh Bachchan. His ability to merge tradition with technology, whether through sports, films, or digital platforms, positions him as a true disruptor in the space. Arun’s ventures, always driven by passion and foresight, are a testament to his commitment to reshaping the future of sports and entertainment in India.

On the front foot, with head, heart and responsibility

And now, Arun has been mandated to market and sell GGG nationally. Arun sees this as both – a litmus test and golden opportunity to continue to prove that innovation and integrity can coexist in business to create opportunities not just for profit, but for public good. “Of course, people must play or buy lottery very wisely and sparingly, and responsibly. As India moves towards a more regulated and transparent gaming ecosystem, this new and first ever online Lottery in India, the Great Goa Games, is a crucial step in the right direction, offering a model of fairness, security, and responsible gaming for all.”

Cricket, and online lottery. Both games. One of supreme skill, and the other of, well, plain and simple luck. Not even a game. Just a lottery. The past-master at managing most of India’s top modern-day cricketers and other sporting icons, Arun Pandey, is now venturing out with the sales and marketing mandate for the Triple G online lottery. Arun, more than anyone else, really, would know and be aware of the immense responsibility of marketing India’s first online lottery system in an extremely careful, sensitive, responsible way, urging everyone to ‘play’ responsibly, and to not get addicted to it. The lottery market is huge, of course. But how big will the responsibility quotient be in Arun Pandey’s marketing and sales approach, pitch and mix? What do you think about Arun’s new role for the Goa Government’s Tiple G? Tune in to listen to Arun Pandey, Founder of Rhiti Sports, on the Mediacast podcast series’ latest episode, which is a special editorial feature.