Rebecca Paul, the President of the World Lottery Association (WLA) and CEO of the Tennessee Lottery said that “integrity in sports competitions is of crucial importance for the development of sports betting” in the world and, particularly, in Latin America. Her remarks were part of a dialogue with the Iberoamerican Corporation of State Lotteries and Gambling (Cibelae).
According to Paul, 50% of lotteries worldwide offer sports betting, making this practice an integral part of many lottery operations. An integrity issue in any part of a lottery negatively affects the entire industry, regardless of whether they offer sports betting or not, she underscored.
The problem of match-fixing
Paul said match-fixing has become a significant problem and noted that it is easier to carry out this type of fraud than to compromise, for example, a lottery draw. Therefore, the WLA sees it as essential to protect the integrity of lotteries globally and support those who fight against match-fixing.
“Integrity is essential to ensure that the benefits of lotteries, which last year amounted to 100 billion dollars allocated to good causes, are not compromised,” said Paul.
According to the Cibelae, during her presidency of the WLA, which will end in October this year, Paul has strengthened key committees, such as sporting integrity and responsible gaming.
Additionally, she has implemented a five-year strategic plan and promoted collaboration between regional associations. Paul’s term also saw the launch of the Women in Lottery Leadership (WILL) initiative to encourage female leadership in the sector, with her being the first woman to chair the WLA.
World Lottery Summit 2024 in Paris
The World Lottery Summit 2024 will be held in Paris from October 21st to 24th. The event is expected to provide participants with an opportunity to learn about the latest news, exchange opinions, and expand their networks of contacts.
Paul also highlighted the importance of Ibero-American lotteries attending the summit both to learn and to share global experiences and knowledge. “This summit represents a unique opportunity to strengthen the global lottery community,” she said.