The world lottery association is the global trade organization representing state-authorized lotteries, suppliers to the gaming industry and companies involved in sports betting. With over 150 members across six continents, the WLA serves state-authorized lotteries and sports betting operators in 80 countries and territories. In 2021 alone, WLA members raised over USD 80 billion for good causes.

The WLA is committed to advancing the interests of state-authorized lotteries and their players. To this end, it promotes responsible gambling practices among its members and their customers and works to combat illegal gambling operations through its Illegal Lottery and Betting Committee. It also advocates for the protection of its member lotteries’ intellectual property rights, particularly in the area of online gambling.

In addition to its core mission of supporting member lotteries, the WLA has become a global leader in fighting illegal lottery and sports betting fraud. Since 2008, it has honored member lotteries that have demonstrated excellence in responsible gaming with its biennial Responsible Gaming Awards. The winners are selected by the WLA Responsible Gaming Committee and are announced at the biennial WLA Convention and Trade Show.

Luca Panzeri, the Executive Director of WLA is responsible for these activities and has been the driving force behind the development of the WLA’s Security Control Standard (WLA-SCS). He also led the creation of the Global Lottery Monitoring System (GLMS), an initiative that was jointly launched by the WLA and EL in 2015. This new body reflects the strong commitment of state lotteries to safeguarding sport integrity, and was recently renamed United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports (ULIS). GLMS and its members are the leading global state lotteries actor in protecting sports core values and preventing match-fixing in sports betting.