Association News

The 12th Meeting of the INTERPOL Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF) hosted by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of the Interior from May 10-12, attracted participants from over 50 countries, united in the global fight against sports competition manipulation.

The diverse nature of physical and digital lottery products and management systems means that lottery operators must be ready to handle any issues that could occur at retail sales points and with online apps and platforms, to ensure that their employees and operations systems continue to maintain optimal service to customers.

The growing problem of sports manipulation is linked to fraud and corruption. Complex and often transnational, the fight against it requires a united effort from members of the sports, law enforcement and lotteries and sports betting communities, to continue to maintain sports integrity.

The WLA is pleased to announce the publication of a guide on sports betting marketing, with a focus on the marketing communications of sports betting products. It offers guidance on how to market such products competitively, yet responsibly, in order to meet the competition from illegal betting operators head-on.

Last year, the WLA began ramping up its actions in the fight against illegal lotteries and betting operations. The WLA, in collaboration with the Global Lottery Monitoring System, brought more awareness raising initiatives to the world lottery community, in an effort to help its members around the globe protect their interests and better serve their respective communities.

The very principles on which the WLA is founded; territorial integrity, public order and morality are being called into question by the unprecedent invasion of Ukraine by Russia aided by Belarus.

As work continued within the confines of the global pandemic, 2021 saw an increase in WLA virtual events that attracted over 1,500 participants from around the world. Most of the webinars were organized in cooperation with five regional associations.

The World Lottery Association (WLA) has recently published a brochure on the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, providing a brief guide on Macolin Convention and why it is important for the lottery and sports betting sector.

The eighth edition of the WLA Global Lottery Data Compendium (GLDC), providing high-quality, accurate, in-depth, and timely data on the state of the global lottery industry, can now be accessed from the member section of the WLA website.

Patricia McQueen, Editor for the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, will receive the Media Award for her work covering the field of problem and addicted gambling, presented by the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling.