September 15, 2025
The Colorado Department of Revenue’s (CDOR) Division of Gaming faced several data management challenges, including manual processes, inconsistent data formats, and limited analytics capabilities. Division of Gaming partnered with OGx Consulting to migrate its data to a Google Cloud Platform (GCP) data pipeline and address these issues. This strategic move has automated their processes and delivered significant benefits. Including, saving analysts approximately 4 hours per day, which totals about 1,040 hours annually.
Key Benefits of the Cloud Migration
The new solution is a holistic, scalable, and customized system. It is designed to provide rapid value and improve the Division of Gaming’s business outcomes. Key benefits include:
- Bolstered Data Integrity: The system now includes 100% automated checks for various data points, such as file type, naming, transaction dates, and schema validation.
- Streamlined Oversight: With processing that runs every hour and 24/7 error notifications, the system provides near real-time oversight.
- Improved Decision-Making: The migration has enabled the use of dashboards and standardized Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to improve data-driven decisions.
- Enhanced Public Trust: Manual data re-keying has been eliminated, and an auditable trail is now in place through enforced checks and a standardized data path.
- Eliminated Manual Processing: The automated system saves the Division of Gaming staff around 20 hours per week, with expected increases in savings as the industry grows.
View the Full Presentation
In a presentation at a recent SIPA (State Information Systems Association) User Conference, CDOR and OGx shared this strategic move to a Google Cloud Platform (GCP) data pipeline and the outcomes. For a deeper dive into the project’s methodology, the three-phase approach, and detailed milestones, you can view the complete SIPA presentation below.
Q&A from the SIPA Session
The presentation also featured a Q&A session with the conference attendees that provided additional insights into the project.
Q: Why was Google Cloud Platform (GCP) chosen over other providers like Azure or Snowflake? A: CDOR’s initial data pipeline stored file submissions from its SFTP service into Google Drive. Given the size, complexity, and capabilities of the data pipeline, we opted to connect the SFTP to Google Cloud directly and save on storage costs. A key priority was also to develop and grow their staff’s skills with the existing technology. The team has also been very happy with the support and learning resources provided by Google.
Q: Were there any staffing challenges during the transition? A: The transition was less challenging than expected. Even with the loss of one full-time employee during the project, the new automated processes provided flexibility and eliminated many inefficiencies. Staff who previously spent time on manual data tasks can now focus on the jobs they were hired to do, and the new automation helps identify regulatory or criminal behaviors.
Q: Did you establish data standards during this process? A: Yes, data standards were a key part of the process, particularly through error handling and notifications. The new system ensures that errors are sent directly to the Division of Gaming. The project team, working with OGx, was able to get the data they needed to meet the goals, which helped standardize the process.
Q: Is the cost of data processing or analytics high? A: While there are costs for cloud storage, CPU, and queries, they have not been noticeably high. OGx helped to understand the specific requirements, and from a cost perspective, a separate data lake was not a major requirement. Google Cloud’s hot, near-line, and cold storage options are leveraged to manage costs effectively.
Q: What is next now that the data management goals have been met? Is AI being considered? A: There are still some manual touch points that could be cleaned up with AI. As the historical data builds, Google is introducing new features, like anomaly detection, that can be used to further optimize the process. The team sees potential for AI as they continue to build on the foundation they have created.
Turn Data Into IMPACT
The success of the CDOR project is a testament to OGx’s approach to human-centered data solutions. To learn how we can help your organization turn complex challenges into opportunities for lasting progress, contact us.
