Ted Vasilakopoulos

General Manager, Brightstar Lottery

Published August 19, 2025

Nominated by the Georgia Lottery

Ted Vasilakopoulos is not only an exceptional leader at Brightstar Georgia, but also a valued colleague and trusted partner. His visionary leadership, outstanding communication skills, and unwavering commitment to collaboration make him an ideal candidate for this award.

Ted has served as Account Development Manager at Brightstar (formerly IGT) for 34 years. Throughout his tenure, his leadership and close collaboration with the Georgia Lottery have been instrumental in helping fulfill the Lottery’s mission of maximizing revenues for Georgia’s educational programs. Thanks to his dedication and insight, the teams work in seamless coordination, continuously reimagining product offerings and pushing the boundaries of innovation in the lottery space. Within the company, he plays an integral role in shaping both short- and long-term plans that drive growth and profitability. Recently, he and his team helped present new strategic initiatives to help the organization continue to meet the standards of modern technology and plan for the future.

Ted’s career in the lottery industry began with Syntech International in Illinois, where he quickly distinguished himself as a Field Service Manager. In this role, he successfully managed all aspects of site operations, including field service, training, terminal installations, promotions, and budgeting, while serving as the primary liaison to the Illinois State Lottery. His exceptional performance earned him a promotion to Assistant Project Manager for Syntech’s California operations, where he played a key role in both the successful implementation and efficient day-to-day management of the project. Ted’s track record of excellence, leadership, and results speaks volumes about his capabilities and dedication.

Ted helped the Georgia Lottery launch its interactive channel. What began as a modest component of the sales portfolio has since grown exponentially under his guidance. Together, the Lottery’s Interactive Team and Brightstar’s team work in tandem to create eye-catching games to meet the modern player. As of Q3 FY25, internet and mobile game sales totaled $290,649,340, the highest quarter to date. This growth is a direct result of Ted’s strategic vision, technical support, and creative thinking.

Beyond the numbers, what truly sets Ted apart is his commitment to meaningful collaboration. Georgia Lottery shares not only a building but a floor with Brightstar, and Ted engages with Lottery staff daily, taking the time to understand their evolving needs and build strong working relationships. His presence fosters a culture of openness and shared success. Each summer, Brightstar and the Lottery jointly host an internship program that immerses students in both sides of the business. This initiative reflects our shared mission to educate, inspire, and invest in the future of Georgia.

The Georgia Lottery is grateful to count Ted as a partner. His leadership inspires the Lottery team every day, and his innovative, collaborative approach helps ensure that games continue to engage players and maximize returns to the state.