Public Gaming International Gaming July/August 2021

10 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • JULY/AUGUST 2021 F or seasoned lottery veterans, the well-used phrase “now I’ve seen everything” certainly rings true after the past 15 months. But when industry followers look back on this unique period of history, these leaders will be remembered not only for how they handled the turbulent times but for how their organizations thrived. Six of those leaders took center stage at the Retail Modernization eConference recently. Between them, they have traveled the world, overseen successful lotteries, launched industry-leading iLottery programs, held office for numerous trade organizations, and created products which have earned billions of dollars for good causes. Their words carry weight, to say the least. LEADING THE PANEL – titled The Big Picture Future of the World – was Rebecca Paul Hargrove, President and CEO, Tennessee Education Lottery Association; President, World Lottery Association; and Chair, Women’s Initiative in Lottery Leadership (WILL). Rebecca was joined on the panel by Stéphane PALLEZ, Chair & Chief Executive Officer, La Française des Jeux (FDJ) Doug Pollard, Co-CEO, Pollard Banknote and NeoPollard Interactive Paul Riley, Vice President Retail Innovation & Partnerships, IGT Drew Svitko, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Lottery Sam Wakasugi, Vice President Strategic Business Management, Scientific Games Any discussion of the “future of the world” has to begin with a look back at the past 15 months. “Let’s start with ‘necessity is often the mother of invention’ and can be the catalyst for some positive and productive change,” said Rebecca to the panelists. “Has anything good happened to you in the last year – something that caused you to change in a positive way and that you think will continue into the future?” Kicking off the discussion was Stéphane who has run France’s FDJ since 2014. Her company faced the same issues as lotteries across the world – customers locked down in their homes, employees worried about their jobs and safety, beneficiaries The following article is based on a Roundtable Discussion conducted at PGRI Retail Modernization eConference on April 13. THE BIG PICTURE FUTURE OF THE WORLD Industry Leaders Tackle the Past, Present, Future D I S C U S S I O N R O U N D T A B L E