Latest news with #Paytronix
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Retailers complain as Ithuba claims ‘seamless transition'
Retailers say lottery terminals are failing across South Africa, raising questions about the controversial emergency licence granted to Ithuba. In spite of complaints by retailers and the public of problems with the sale of lottery tickets since a switchover to a new operating system on 1 June, Ithuba Holdings says it has 'implemented a seamless transition in accordance with the approved transition plan'. The problems resulted in people complaining on Facebook after the switch to the new software, as they were unable to buy tickets at many retail outlets countrywide. Problems since switchover Retailers in Durban, Johannesburg and Cofimvaba, a village in Transkei, confirmed they had experienced problems since the switchover. Both retailers and customers complained that terminals in many outlets across South Africa were either slow, or out of order for days on end. Online ticket sales and sales via bank apps do not appear to have been affected. Ithuba said complaints by some retailers that the 'old system' was 'much better than the new one were baseless'. 'Ithuba has achieved one of the smoothest system transitions ever recorded in the lottery industry, both locally and internationally,' the operator said. 'Ithuba transitioned seamlessly on 1 June, with all banking partners (Capitec, FNB, Absa, Standard Bank, Tyme Bank, Nedbank, African Bank, and Old Mutual), handheld partners, telecom partners (Vodacom and MTN), and e-commerce platforms (website and mobile apps) – supporting over 250 000 devices nationwide.' ALSO READ: You can still play Lotto today, after last minute announcement Controversial emergency licence Ithuba Holdings has operated the SA lottery for the past 10 years, the maximum stipulated in the Lotteries Act and had not bid for the new fourth licence or the temporary one. A sister company, Ithuba Lottery, applied for the temporary licence, but instead, Ithuba Holdings was controversially awarded a 12-month emergency licence by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau, who has oversight of the lottery. Tau has yet to explain why he awarded the licence to a company that had not applied for it. The licence was awarded despite two damning court rulings. Tau has used a 2015 amendment to the Lotteries Act, which gives the minister wide powers in certain circumstances. The new software, Paytronix, which is owned by Ithuba, appears to be the cause of the problems since the switchover. Both Eric and Ben Carlos Mabuza, the husband and son of Ithuba CEO Charmaine Mabuza, are directors of Paytronix. For the past 10 years, the lottery has been run on software owned by International Game Technology (IGT), which is a software provider for numerous lottery operators worldwide. Fallout from legal battles and contract chaos The National Lotteries Commission took Ithuba to court in 2021, when it unsuccessfully tried to oust IGT as its software provider and replace it with Paytronix. ALSO READ: It's math! Here's why you're struggling to win the Lotto This led to a strained relationship between the two companies. When IGT's contract with Ithuba ended on 1 June, IGT declined to extend its contract for the temporary licence, The Citizen has reliably learned. IGT had partnered with Wina Njola in its unsuccessful bid for the new SA lottery licence. This left Ithuba scrambling to upgrade thousands of retail terminals countrywide. There were 16 790 terminals in retail outlets in 2022, according to the National Lotteries Commission's annual report for that year. Ithuba's support line has been inundated with calls from retailers complaining about problems, The Citizen was told. 'Seamless transition' 'Ithuba has implemented a seamless transition in accordance with the approved transition plan. All Ithuba terminals have a dual Satadom (hardware inside retail terminals), one with IGT software and the other with Paytronix software,' Ithuba said in response to questions from The Citizen. 'On 1 June, the terminals were re-routed to the Paytronix Satadom, and our technical teams are in the process of removing the IGT Satadoms. 'Transitions inherently involve a series of technical and hardware adjustments, and Ithuba's field support teams were prepared and positioned to deal with potential cases.' NOW READ: Lotto and Lotto Plus results: Wednesday, 11 June 2025
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Parched Hospitality Group Puts the Guest Experience First with New Paytronix Rewards App
Parched Hospitality -- Isla & Co. Loyalty with an Australian Vibe — Parched launches a tiered rewards program to engage and reward guests digitally, across its unique dining & cocktail brands NEWTON, Mass. and NEW YORK, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paytronix, the leader in guest engagement for restaurants and convenience stores, and Australian culture inspired Parched Hospitality Group have launched 'Parched Locals,' a powerful new rewards program and mobile app to engage with guests across all four of its iconic restaurant brands: Daintree; Hole in the Wall; Isla & Co.; and Wallflower. Guests can sign up for membership to become a Local with any store in the Parched family to get rewards and bonus perks across all the brands. Parched operates nine unique restaurants in New York and Florida, featuring multiple concepts that take inspiration from Australia where much of the executive team was born. Stop by Hole in the Wall or Isla and Co. for an Australian street corner vibe to enjoy a cup of specialty coffee and hearty breakfast, or dinner and date night out. Swing by Wallflower for cocktails and a bite, where vinyl records are found spinning throughout the night. Or experience the Australian forest environment at Daintree to enjoy the lush greenery and rooftop view, under the watchful eye of the New York skyline. 'We've got such a fantastic group of loyal customers, we wanted to give back to them and make sure they feel as much a part of our family as we feel about them,' said Tom Rowse, Chief Strategy Officer, Parched, 'The Parched Locals program and mobile app will help expand and grow our family while thanking them. Paytronix brings so many ways to surprise and reward guests, engaging with them through a program that's true to each brand's unique needs and style.' Become a Mate TodayBy downloading the Parched mobile app new mates will automatically get a free cocktail, coffee or fries just for signing up! The mobile app is designed to be a one-stop shop to explore all the Parched venues. There, guests can reserve a table, explore the menu, manage their account and earn/redeem rewards. When on the go, they can order online – with app exclusive pricing just for members! Earn and redeem rewards at any restaurant in the Parched family. Sign up online, or at any local Parched location during checkout. Members earn points for every purchase they make and also gain first access to special offers and limited-time rewards. Frequent guests can move up tiers in the program to unlock additional perks and extra rewards. 'Parched designed their digital brand intentionally to ensure guests feel at home and experience Australian hospitality however they engage, across the Parched brands', said Andrea Mulligan, Chief Customer Officer, Paytronix. 'The guest experience has been at the center of the brand since its conceptualization. Parched is giving back to its regular customers and making it convenient for people to engage with them whether in person or remotely.' Parched deployed the full Paytronix guest engagement platform, which also provides powerful tools for online ordering, rewards, email/messaging/SMS and marketing, and gift card solutions. Rollout was easy, with Paytronix integrating directly with the Toast POS system used by Parched. Paytronix even supported specialized integration needs, like direct integration of Sunday QR code payments. About Parched Hospitality GroupParched Hospitality Group (PHG) began in 2014 with the opening of a boutique New York City coffee shop, Hole in the Wall. This humble establishment quickly became an iconic café brand, laying the foundation for PHG's expansion into a multi-concept hospitality group. Drawing inspiration from Australian, Southeast Asian, and European cultures, PHG delivers exceptional customer experiences and innovative concepts--a third place for guests in each local community it operates in. Today, PHG's portfolio includes renowned establishments such as Hole in the Wall, Isla & Co., Daintree, and Wallflower, each venue offering unique dining experiences, from modern Australian cuisine to innovative cocktails. Parched operates nine restaurants across New York and Florida as well as a direct-to-consumer coffee brand, all connected by a shared mission that puts community, customer experience, and creativity at the heart of everything they do. Learn more at About Paytronix Paytronix, an Access Group company, is a cloud-based digital guest engagement platform for the hospitality industry. Our innovative, unified platform provides loyalty programs, online ordering, gift cards, branded mobile applications, and strategic insights to more than 1,800 leading restaurant and convenience store brands. Our valued clients leverage the power of Paytronix across 50,000 sites globally to create seamless, personalized, and brand-authentic experiences that foster lasting relationships with their customers. For more than 20 years, Paytronix has been a trusted partner helping brands maximize the lifetime value of their guests and grow more profitable businesses. For more information, visit Media Contact:Calen McGee Paytronix Systems, A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
