62 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 to ensure that they only operate their brands in jurisdictions where they have authorization. The committee also recently developed a set of useful letter templates, one for multi-jurisdictional entities and one for suppliers. These templates can be used as needed and deemed appropriate by the affected jurisdiction to inform regulators and stakeholders that brands are being operated without the appropriate authorization. The ILBC continues to grow new partnerships such as with the Asian Racing Federation Council on Anti-Illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime. And we have worked together on publications and at various industry webinars and events. To what extent can the WLA help lotteries inform and educate their political stakeholders about regulatory issues in general and illegal online gaming in particular? R. Paul: Lotteries will request information or data from us and we are pleased to provide assistance. But the WLA does not intervene directly in political matters. That is out of our purview. The shared experience and learning can go in both directions, right? Large mature lotteries learning from emerging markets as well as vice-versa? R. Paul: There are lotteries in Europe and South America that have been operating for centuries. Some of their games have a cultural significance that has taken on a life of their own completely apart from modern marketing and promotional initiatives. El Gordo in Spain is a perfect example. The centuries-old alchemy that inspires such a nationwide embrace of a lottery game is quite remarkable. But even though it is not realistic to try to transplant El Gordo into our own marketplace, we can learn from the wide variety of ways lottery gaming connects with its audience. Seeing how other markets operate, how other lotteries connect with their customers, and the diversity of game concepts and value propositions offered present possibilities and potential for us all. And WLA educational seminars and conferences afford us the opportunity to share these valuable experiences and insights. We think of mature markets as being more technologically advanced. But, perhaps paradoxically, widespread consumer adoption of new technological platforms can be accelerated when it is not constrained by a legacy infrastructure. For instance, emerging markets have a less-developed land-based communications and telephone infrastructure than mature markets. That actually became an advantage when cellular technology became available. Their ability to move forward with next generation technology was not constrained by the ball-and-chain of legacy systems. Going forward, I think we can expect to see as much innovation coming out of emerging markets as we see in mature markets. We can learn a great deal from those who operate under much different conditions, in different cultural and regulatory environments, and in different stages of market development. Another example: The U.S. has a highly developed consumer market, but is in the infancy of developing its sports betting market. So, there is a lot to learn from our counterparts in other parts of the world. And Europe is technologically advanced and more mature than others like the U.S., but they learned from the success of instant games in the U.S. How does the WLA nurture such a mutually supportive relationship with the regional associations? R. Paul: Each regional association is represented by its own member on the WLA Executive Committee. The WLA works together with the regions to coordinate the most effective approach towards serving the membership of all the associations. From joint seminars, to shared resources, we learn from and help each other optimize the support we give to lotteries worldwide. The WLA Global Lottery Data Compendium (GLDC) really showcases how amazingly successful the global community of lotteries is at raising funds to support good causes. Are there other features of the GLDC you’d like to share? R. Paul: The GLDC also provides valuable business intelligence for WLA Members on 14 15 14. WICS-TV, the NBC affiliate in Springfield, Illinois, gained a shining star when Rebecca joined the team in 1977. 15. Now a regular part of programs at lottery industry events around the globe, Rebecca joins industry CEOs at a NASPL conference in Providence, Rhode Island in 2013. Rebecca Paul continued from page 16
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