Key strategy initiatives rolled out

Over the course of 2025, the WLA achieved successful delivery of 17 completed initiatives and 9 which have ongoing status.

These initiatives have enhanced WLA collaboration with Regional Partners, ALA, APLA, EL, CIBELAE and NASPL, by:

• Evolving both standards and certifications drive with Regional Association coordination.
• Broadening Academy events offered by WLA and together with Regional Associations.
• Revamped the Scholarship program to boost participation.

Other initiatives delivered included:

• Promoting and raising awareness of sports integrity among WLA members offering sports betting.
• Enhancing the responsible gaming network and resources available to members through the development of Project RED and the launch of the microsite to Address Emerging Adults and associated gambling risks.
• Developing resource hubs to promote the key activities of the four WLA Committees (BISHRC, CILBC, CSRC and SRMC).
• Establishing a process to identify and raise topics for the Executive Committee for consideration.

WLA New strategy

A decision was taken at the WLA Executive Committee meeting in Vancouver in 2022, to develop a new strategic plan, to enable WLA to better serve its global membership.

Over the course of 2023, the plan was developed and approved by the WLA Executive Committee in Bangkok, Thailand. The new strategy roll out will run from 2024 to 2028.

Our key strategy imperatives

Build and develop our value proposition

We must ensure our value proposition is distinct yet complementary from the regional associations, promote awareness of it and track its effectiveness, and keep evolving in a positive manner.

Uphold industry integrity

We will continue to advance our security and responsible gaming standards, and certification to increase uptake.  

Other possible initiatives include establishing a center of knowledge and information on combatting illegal gaming, and promoting and raising awareness of sports integrity among WLA members who offer sports betting.

Provide expertise on relevant topics

We will establish a process for identifying key topics and how to proceed with the development and presentation of intelligence and knowledge. This could include building subject matter networks across regions for relevant topics; expanding the WLA Academy to include virtual short-form events, or refining communication of the WLA Global Lottery Data Compendium.

Evolve good corporate citizenship

We will promote a responsible gaming and security “culture” across the lotteries and sports betting ecosystem, comprising all related organizations and industry at large, as well as underscoring the positive impact that WLA membership has had on global societies.  

We will also develop guidelines and best practices for CSR, ESG, Electronic Data Interchange, and sports betting operations.

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ExCo decisions: WLA welcomes new members

The WLA Executive meetings were held in New York, US, in March; Prague, Czech Republic, in June, and in Manila, Philippines, in October, in support of the APLA Congress during the same period.

Over the year, the Executive Committee approved 5 regular members, and 3 associate members.

Approved WLA Executive Committee nominations

• Lam Chee Weng, CEO, Singapore Pools (Private) Limited, as the APLA representative.
• Jean-François Bergeron, CEO, Loto-Québec, as the NASPL representative.
• Sandra Conde Gomez De Freitas, General Manager, La Banca (Uruguay), as a WLA Executive Committee member.

Senior Vice-President

• Sue van der Merwe retired towards the end of 2025, and the position remained vacant.

WLA Executive Committee as of end 2025

Approved Committee member nominations

Audit Committee

• Lam Chee Weng, CEO, Singapore Pools (Private) Limited, as Chair.

BISHRC

• Lam Chee Weng, CEO, Singapore Pools (Private) Limited, and
• Louis Beaudet, Sports and Entertainment Betting Director, Loto Québec, Canada,
  as the WLA representatives on the ULIS Executive Committee.

CILBC

• Leemon, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy and Customer Divisions, Singapore Pools (Private) Limited, CILBC Working Group.

CSRC

• Jordana Jackson, Head of Participant Protection, Allwyn, CSR Expert Working Group.
• Kelly Bleakley, Senior Manager Social Purpose, Lotto New Zealand, CSR Expert Working Group.

SRMC

• Rebecca McCarthy, Information Security Manager, Allwyn Entertainment Ltd., Task Force 4, SRMC Technical Working Group.
• Hilda Sen, General Manager of Risk and Compliance, The Lottery Corporation, Australia, SRMC Technical Working Group.
• Alan Soon, Senior Director for Channels, from Singapore Pools (Private) Limited, SRMC Technical Working Group.
• Sami Al Makkassi, Chief Information Officer, MDJS, SRMC Technical Working Group.

The Audit Committee

The Audit Committee continued to work with audit firm partner BDO, and was pleased to approve the WLA 2024 audited financial results.

Honorary Member

In 2025, Reidar Nordby, former President and CEO of the Norwegian National Lottery, Norsk Tipping (1989 to 2007); First WLA President (2000–2006) was made a WLA Honorary Member, for his dedication and contribution to WLA and the lottery industry, before his passing.