9 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • MARCH/APRIL 2022 WLA AND EL STATEMENTS ON THE WAR IN UKRAINE World Lottery Association (WLA) Statement: The world has reacted to the unprecedent invasion of Ukraine by Russia aided by Belarus. The United Nation’s General Assembly on March 2nd overwhelmingly denounced the actions of these governments as an aggression, violation and abuse of human rights, calling for the immediate withdrawal of military forces from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. But it is not only the quasitotality of the world’s nations who have reacted to the horrors, global industries have as well and we are no exception. WLA members have ceased taking bets on Russian and Belarusian leagues and games. The WLA supports these measures and has also taken action. The very principles on which the WLA is founded; territorial integrity, public order and morality are being called into question. Our By-laws clearly establish that a WLA member, in order to obtain and retain its membership must not only respect these three principles but also contribute to the respect of fundamental human rights. WLA members counted one Russian lottery JSC Technology Company "Center" as well as a Belarusian lottery CJSC Sport Pari. Consequently, the WLA Executive Committee at its March meeting, in compliance with its By-laws, suspended the membership of JSC Technology Company "Center" as well as CJSC Sport Pari with a recommendation for their expulsion to be submitted at the next WLA General Meeting in October. This means that as of March 17th JSC Technology Company "Center" and CJSC Sport Pari have lost all the rights and privileges associated with WLA membership; notably they no longer appear on the membership list, have no representation nor voting rights and no longer have access to any and all WLA activities and events including the member only section of WLA’s online presence. They have been appraised of this. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ukraine and its people. The bravery they have shown is an example for all. EL Statement on the war in Ukraine: As part of the global community, the European State Lotteries and Toto Association (EL) is deeply concerned about Russia’s reasonless invasion of Ukraine and the resultant threats to peace, humanity and stability. EL and its Members condemn the war acts of Russia against Ukraine. A true value of the EL Membership is to stand united for the benefit of society. As Ukrainian society is under violent attack, EL and its Members stand united against this war, call for peace, and share their solidarity with the EL Members in Ukraine and the people of Ukraine. The situation has compelled the EL Executive Committee to recommend EL Members to stop taking bets on Russian and Belorussian teams and leagues. Furthermore, it has made the decision to suspend the membership of its Members in Russia and Belarus. EL and its Members call for the immediate ceasing of the war and invasion by Russia on Ukraine and to instead build peace and dialogue. EL investigates the possibilities of further humanitarian support for the victims and refugees of this war. A Plea for Solidarity and Resistance A letter from Evgeniy Vlasenko, Vice President, MSL Lottery Ukraine to Paul Jason Dear Paul, Several times we have together dreamed of a better future for Ukrainian Lottery. Today the point is not about the lottery, it is about the bloody war that Russia and Belarus are waging against my country. This is the biggest war in Europe since 1939 when WW2 started. And the style of terror is the same. The Great Patriotic War in 1941 (when the USSR was attacked by Germany) started with air raids and bombing of Kyiv. The same is happening right now at 4 am. We are in the 21st century, and nothing changed! Why couldn’t we change? And again, mass heroism of Ukrainians as it was in 1941. I have the evidence that shows how Russians are using armaments forbidden by conventions to fight against civilians and simple people, killing kids and their mothers, not only soldiers. They shoot into schools, into children’s play yards, kindergartens, and hospitals. And during this same time, Russians are told by their TV and other media, and children are told at their school, that Ukrainians are Nazis and who need to be destroyed. They are told that Ukrainians are killing Ukrainians and so therefore Russians can kill Ukrainians. The world needs to know truth! This should be considered a warning for the entire world as Putin can start WW3 if we do not resist. The world needs to join us in our resistance now. Thank you, Paul, for sharing this plea for solidarity and resistance with your readers. I hope they listen because we all need to stand up boldly and shoulder to shoulder to spread truth and act together to fight against this evil.
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