A webinar held in February, by WLA on the topic of WLA Level 4 – What auditors want, was hosted by DigitalRG.com — the Platform used by WLA Members to undertake levels two to four of WLA Responsible Gaming (RG) certification.
Over 50 participants from around the world attended the session, which explored the highest level of WLA RG certification, its challenges and provided useful tips for completing the process, from an auditor’s perspective.
Why certification matters
WLA Executive Director, Luca Esposito, who opened the webinar explained:
“Certification matters because it transforms commitment into evidence.”
WLA Responsible Gaming (RG) certification reinforces what differentiates the regulated from illegal and unregulated markets, which is that WLA members operate for the public good, and player protection is not optional — it is foundational.
Esposito further underscored:
“WLA RG Certification is not simply an award; it is a governance tool, a risk management instrument, and a strategic asset.”
He noted that Responsible Gaming was not a communication exercise, nor a label or compliance checkbox, rather it is a process that provides:
- Credibility – showing that responsible gaming practices are independently assessed against an international standard.
- Consistency – aligning operators across jurisdictions under a common framework.
- Accountability – ensuring that policies translate into measurable actions.
- Protection – safeguarding both players and the reputation of the sector.
On the webinar topic of Level 4 certification, Esposito summarized that the certification role was to advance RG globally; Level 4 matters particularly, because it focuses on actual impact and continuous improvement, and finally, it is important to position this level as one of the leading responsible gaming certifications worldwide.
What auditors want from the certification process
Independent auditors Sarah Ramanauskas, Senior Partner of Audit and Research at Gambling Integrity, and Mike Randall, Founder and CEO of Portfolio Strategic Action, shared their experiences with the audience.
Level 4 certification builds on the previous levels, during which processes are established, and is distinguished from them because lotteries must show that RG measures are implemented and part of daily operations.
Unlike the previous levels, it requires an external audit of the evidence submitted, to demonstrate that the lottery aligns with WLA RG Framework requirements, This third-party assessment assures credibility of the process and instils trust in the industry.
Key takeaways
- Auditors are there to assist in a constructive process. They can provide helpful insights to support ongoing development of RG programmes. Working with auditors early on in the process is beneficial.
- The clearer and more organized the evidence gathered, the more organizations understand and strengthen their RG activities, through coordination across departments, and alignment of RG strategies with measurable outcomes.
- It is paramount to ensure RG principles are embedded throughout the organization to facilitate the certification process.
Watch the webinar here (login required)
