For the first time in 23 years of history, the WLA has developed a strategic framework, that will allow the Association to align with the way the global lottery and sports betting industry has evolved. Following approval, the four-year roll out phase of the strategy has begun.
The working group tasked with the new strategy development was comprised of:
- WLA President, Rebecca Paul
- WLA Senior Vice President and Chair of the WLA Illegal Lottery and Betting Committee (ILBC), Andreas Kötter
- Chair of the WLA Betting Integrity on Sports& Horse Racing Committee (BISHRC), Jean-Luc Moner-Banet
- WLA Regional Association Representative for the Asia Pacific Lottery Association (APLA), Sue Van der Merwe
- WLA Executive Director, Luca Esposito
- WLA Secretary General, Lynne Roiter
In this video, they discuss the new strategic plan and its benefits.
A new purpose, vision and mission
“As the global authority in the lottery and sports betting world we wanted to redefine our purpose, vision and mission to more closely align with the evolution of our industry,” says WLA President Rebecca Paul.
The WLA’s new purpose and mission is to advance the interests of state-authorized lotteries, protect their integrity and amplify their contribution to society.
This mission underscores our commitment to ethical practices and societal contributions. It's about ensuring that lotteries are recognized not just for generating revenue, but for their significant role in supporting social causes and maintaining fairness.
Our purpose is to support our member organizations in providing socially responsible offerings to generate funds for positive societal impact.
The WLA also has a new vision – to be recognized as the global authority on the lottery and sports betting industry, setting standard for excellence in our sector. This is vital for maintaining public trust and ensuring that all members adhere to best practices, ensuring a safe and secure gaming environment.
The importance of working together
Speaking about his experience as Chair of the ILBC, Andreas Kotter notes how important it is to work together, to share expertise, understand the market and to support members with a clear strategy, and concludes:
“The new strategy builds on our strengths and values to create a sustainable future not just for us but for society as a whole.”
Positive impact of the regulated lottery industry
Sue Van der Merwe highlights the different positive impacts of our industry and the diverse beneficiaries, including the lottery winners, small businesses who receive commission payments, taxes and duties paid to authorities, and the support provided to charities and community partners. She also notes:
“Striving for excellence, encourages us all to innovate, and improve operational efficiencies. It’s about adopting best practices to sustain growth and remain competitive in the global market.”
Ramping up support to members
WLA Vice President, Younes El Mechrafi emphasizes the support WLA has provided members from his region in Africa, and the work done to better serve our members, and to be seen as the protector of the values of our industry.
Drivers behind the decision
A number of factors that continue to shape our industry led to the decision. These include, rapidly advancing technologies, new regulations, growing threats arising from increased digitalization, and other related challenges faced by the regulated lottery and sports betting ecosystem and all its stakeholders.