The World Lottery Summit 2024 was officially opened on 22 October by WLA President, Rebecca Paul and Host Lottery Groupe La Française des Jeux (FDJ) President Stéphane Pallez.
Over 1000 participants from regulated lottery and sports betting industry, gathered in the French capital for the biennial event with the theme Impacting Society Together.
"The lottery sector is more than just games; it is about people, communities, and making a difference in the world. We are aligned in the conception that our work is more than just giving us the opportunity to bring positive changes: it is our responsibility to do so," said Paul.
FDJ President Stéphan Pallez highlighted the diversity of the lottery and sports betting global community, noting:
"It is inspiring to witness such a diverse assembly of lottery professionals from across the globe gathered under one roof. Each of you brings a unique perspective, and together, we have an opportunity to shape the future of our industry."
An inspiring business program
Over the first three days, participants have learned from lottery experts who drilled down into topics, such as:
- Innovation and creativity, disruption and the impact of technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI on the lotteries
- Sport and how to protect its integrity
- Global efforts to combat illegal betting and growing sports competition manipulation
- Aspects of CSR, underscoring the importance and benefits for our lottery and sports betting members to achieve and maintain WLA RG certification
- Ways to deliver environmentally sustainable operations
- Realizing secure lottery and sports betting operations and the latest edition of the WLA Security Control Standard (WLA:SCS 2024)
- Lottery contributions to society and good causes
- Diversity and inclusion
… and been inspired by keynote speakers who presented fascinating perspectives on:
- Managing change
- Overcoming challenges
- Embracing creativity and unlocking innovation
- Thinking out of the box
Moderator: Jean-Baptiste Maupas-Oudinot, FDJ, France
Speakers: Isabelle Gallo, Frédéric Mazzella, Chris Barton
Our Platinum Contributors elaborated on the following topics:
- Perspectives in AI and Implications for Lottery (IGT)
- Insights from a successful Lottery Transformation: The path to future growth (Intralot)
- Navigating Our "C" Changes: A Blueprint for Maximizing Lottery’s Social Contribution (Scientific Games)
- Future Focus: Setting Sights on Success (Pollard Banknote)
Innovative products and services on show
WLA Platinum and Gold Contributors, lottery members and suppliers put on a fantastic exhibition that allowed visitors to try products and learn about the latest technologies available.
The closing day - Advertising and Responsible Gaming Awards
As the week came to a close, we celebrated the excellent work our lottery members do in advertising and responsible gaming.
Congratulations go to our 2024 Advertising Award winners who were voted by the audience on the last day of the Summit, in the following categories:
- Best Product Advertising – Nederlandse Loterij (Dutch Lottery)
- Best New Media Advertising – SAZKA a.s. (Czech Republic)
- Best Corporate Advertising – Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG)
- Best Responsible Gaming Advertising – ITHUBA Holdings (PTY) LTD (South Africa)
WLA also wishes to acknowledge all Advertising Award entrants for their excellent work.
The winner of the Best of the Best Advertising Award was revealed during the Closing Dinner at the stunning National Opera – Palais Garnier, and went to the Nederlandse Loterij (Dutch Lottery) for the Best Product Advertising.
Our Responsible Gaming Awards, which honor our industry’s most outstanding achievements in this area, were bestowed on:
- The Best FLAGSHIP for Level 2 in Responsible Gaming Award - Lotería Nacional de Beneficencia de El Salvador, El Salvador
- The Best FLAGSHIP for Level 3 in Responsible Gaming Award - Georgia Lottery Corporation, US
The Best of the Best RG Award was bestowed on the winner during the Closing Dinner:
- The Best FLAGSHIP for Level 4 in Responsible Gaming Award - British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canada (BCLC)
WLS 2026
The WLA was pleased to announce that the next World Lottery Summit (WLS 2026) will take place in Sydney, Australia. Sue van der Merwe, CEO of our next host - The Lottery Corporation (TLC), welcomed the audience to attend the next biennial event, noting that the bar had been set very high by WLS 2024 hosts, Groupe FDJ, and that TLC would do its best to deliver as great an event.