Public Gaming International Magazine March/April 2021

10 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • MARCH/APRIL 2021 Paul Jason: This past October you were elected for a second term as WLA President. In spite of the inability to hold the bi-annual World Lottery Summit in Vancouver, the WLA has been active on many fronts. What would you consider the highlights of your first term of office? Rebecca Hargrove: Let me start by thanking the members of the WLA for the honor of serving as president of this great organization. ere were certainly some unexpected challenges in 2020 that continue today, but I am proud of how the organization and its members adapted during these times to serve their respective bene ciaries. In particular, during the pandemic, the WLA committees have continued to work and meet virtually to support WLA members. e committees have excellent leadership in Younes El Mechra , General Director of La Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports and chair of the Audit Committee; Lynne Roiter, President and CEO of Loto- Québec and chair of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee; Dato Lawrence Lim Swee Lin of Magnum Corporation Sdn Bhd and chair of the Security and Risk Management Committee; Andreas Kötter, CEO of Westdeutsche Lotterie GmbH & Co. OHG and chair of the Illegal Lotteries and Betting Committee; and the immediate previous WLA president, Jean-Luc MonerBanet, Director General of the Societe de la Loterie de las Suisse Romande and chair of the newly formed Sports Betting Integrity Committee. Under their direction, we’re managing to grow and strengthen involvement. e WLA Security and Risk Manage- ment Committee (SRMC) worked collaboratively with the US Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) to assist US lotteries looking to become WLA SCS (Security Control Standard) certi ed, something that is extremely relevant in today’s world. Players have many choices in today’s gaming world, and they need to know that the lottery brand stands for security and integrity. We will always work to be the best and safest gaming destination in the world. PGRI INTRODUCTION: Rebecca’s lottery career started in 1987 with her appointment to lead the Illinois Lottery. She then went on to start the Florida Lottery in 1989, the Georgia Lottery in 1993, and the Tennessee Lottery in 2003. Prior to her current positions, Paul gained national fame within the lottery community for operating lotteries in Illinois, Florida, and Georgia. She was rst elected to president of the WLA in 2018 and re-elected for a second 2-year term in 2020. As we celebrate and contemplate the import of Women’s History Month, we discuss the ongoing relevance of Women’s Initiative in Lottery Leadership (WILL), the effective adaptation of the World Lottery Association (WLA) to new methods of operation for the unique circumstances of these times, and the resilience of government lotteries to ful ll its mission and commitment to serve society. Three and a half decades of deep experience guide the lottery industry through the challenges of today and drive innovation for a bright tomorrow PGRI INTERVIEWS Rebecca Hargrove President & CEO, Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation President of the World Lottery Association (WLA) Chair & Founder of Women’s Initiative in Lottery Leadership (WILL)