Interview with ULIS President

Looking back over the last year, what are some of the key achievements at ULIS?

The past year has been a remarkable one for ULIS, filled with progress and innovation. One of our standout achievements was the launch of our new one-stop integrity monitoring platform, which considerably increases our monitoring coverage to over 870,000 events worldwide. This platform, developed in-house and entirely owned by ULIS, represents a significant step forward in our ability to detect and address suspicious activities in real time.

We also strengthened our collaboration with key global organizations, including FIFA, UEFA, Conmebol, the IOC, the Council of Europe, Europol, and Interpol. These partnerships are key for creating a united front against integrity issues in sports and sports betting.

With the Council of Europe, we contributed very concretely to events organized in the frame of the project ACT.

Finally, our network grew stronger, welcoming over 10 new members and associate partners, which reflects the increasing recognition of ULIS as a trusted partner institution.

On the educational front, we launched Edulis, the ULIS Educational Program, and continued our work on impactful international projects such as Integriball and IntegriSport.

These are efforts that demonstrate our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and education, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of safeguarding integrity.

How does ULIS differ from other sports monitoring bodies?

We deliver a unique monitoring service, but we do not only work on market monitoring. Our mission is also to promote international cooperation for sports integrity and to contribute to the education of international stakeholders.

ULIS stands out for its non-commercial approach to sports integrity, rooted in public interest, ethics, and collaboration. Unlike commercial integrity entities focused on profit, we prioritize protecting the values of sports. Our foundation in state-licensed lotteries allows us to reinvest our revenues in the development of sports and public goods, fostering trust, and cooperation. It is a systemic integrity approach rather than isolated compliance model.

We are also proud to be a strong advocate of the Macolin Convention and in particular the definition of illegal betting that the convention proposes. ULIS thus holds a unique position as the only betting integrity association with observer status at the Macolin Convention Follow-up Committee, underscoring our commitment to supporting its ratification and implementation.

Our global reach is another defining feature. With monitoring hubs on three continents, we provide comprehensive coverage and support, ensuring that no region is left behind.

Online sports betting continues to grow with more sports and betting offers than ever before. What are some of the key challenges faced by the regulated lottery and sports betting operators?

The rapid growth of online sports betting has brought both opportunities and challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the rise of illegal betting markets and underregulated operators, which undermine the credibility of the industry and put consumers at risk.

Also, the development of side bets (like betting on yellow cards) has opened new risks of “spot fixing”. Due to this, match fixing tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated, requiring operators to adopt advanced tools and strategies to stay ahead. Balancing compliance with high international integrity standards while remaining competitive against illegal operators is not an easy task nowadays.

Innovation in betting markets is essential to meet consumer demand, but it must be pursued reasonably and responsibly. This requires robust monitoring and regulation to ensure that the increasing new offer does not become avenues of inappropriate exploitation. Addressing these issues requires a coordinated effort from all stakeholders in the industry, and ULIS is committed to leading this charge.

As sports betting becomes legalized in more global jurisdictions, what must authorities do to maintain sports integrity and ensure the reputation of the lottery and sports betting sector?

As sports betting becomes more widely legalized, authorities have a critical role to play in ensuring the sector operates responsibly. The first step is to ratify and implement international frameworks like the Macolin Convention, which provides a solid foundation for collaboration and enforcement.

Authorities should also require licensed operators to actively engage in efforts to prevent, monitor, and detect integrity threats. This can only be achieved through close and constructive relationships between operators and regulators.

Education and awareness programs for athletes and other stakeholders are equally important. These are initiatives that help build an environment of vigilance and responsibility. Finally, leveraging advanced monitoring tools is essential for identifying and preventing manipulation, ensuring the sports betting sector fulfils its mission and remains credible.

What role does ULIS play in the global effort to combat match-fixing?

ULIS plays a central role in addressing the issue of match fixing by providing a comprehensive integrity ecosystem that includes monitoring, detection, intelligence, information sharing, prevention, and education.

We act as a bridge between lotteries, public authorities, law enforcement and sports organizations, facilitating cooperation at both national and international levels. This collaborative approach is crucial for addressing the complex, cross-border nature of match fixing.

Our education and training initiatives aim to raise awareness of match fixing among all stakeholders, from athletes to regulators. Additionally, ULIS provides detailed reports with data analysis that support investigations, often used as a piece of evidence in legal proceedings. Through these efforts, ULIS remains a key player in the global fight against match-fixing.

Could you describe the ULIS network, its importance, and some of the key work undertaken with different partners?

The ULIS network is a dynamic network of 58 members, including lotteries, law enforcement, regulators, public authorities, sports bodies, and intergovernmental bodies. With members and spanning all continents, this provides a global perspective and local knowledge, that allows us to tackle integrity challenges.

The ULIS network serves as a hub for sharing information and intelligence, providing members with access to critical data on betting patterns, suspicious activities, or new trends in manipulation. This collaborative approach enhances our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to integrity threats.

Our members actively participate in initiatives such as the ULIS Monitoring & Intelligence Group (UMIG), which coordinates efforts during major sports events. We also involve our network projects to promote the Macolin Convention and combat illegal betting, with recent events organized in Argentina, Canada, and Morocco. The strength of our network lies in its ability to foster global cooperation while addressing local challenges.

What is on the horizon for ULIS?

Looking ahead, ULIS is preparing to build on its achievements with a new strategic plan for 2025-2028. This plan focuses on enhancing communication, expanding our membership base to underrepresented regions, such as Africa, and securing the financial resources needed to sustain our work.

We will continue to prioritize promotion of the Macolin Convention, advocating for its signature, ratification, and implementation worldwide.

Our goal is to consolidate ULIS’s position as a leading organization in the sports integrity field, ensuring that we remain the most trusted partner and a driving force for positive change.

We are and must remain the most prominent voice of lotteries in the sports betting and sports integrity ecosystem.