World Lottery Association (WLA)

The WLA is an international trade organisation that represents 140 lotteries from 70 countries around the world.

One of the crucial purposes of the WLA is to promote Responsible Gaming (RG), covering a wide range of areas from prevention of excess play, to adherence to national gambling legislation. As a central focus to Responsible Gaming, the WLA published a set of principles which WLA member organisations commit to.

These principles are briefly summarised below:

1. Members take reasonable measures to meet their objectives while protecting customers and vulnerable groups.
2. Member's practices reflect government regulation, self-regulation and individual responsibility.
3. Members develop RG as fully as possible, in line with documented research.
4. Members work with stakeholders to promote RG.
5. Members promote only legal and responsible gaming, and try and ensure agents do the same.
6. Members provide the public with balanced, accurate information for players to make their own gaming choices. This includes: a) responsible marketing of lotteries and products; b) providing accurate information on games and associated risks.
7. Members monitor, test and revise RG practice, as well as make all RG developments publicly reported.

The WLA has also developed a Responsible Gaming Framework which expands on these principles to set standards for lotteries across the world. There are 10 'Programme Elements' identified in the framework:

1. Research
2. Employee Training
3. Sales Agents' Programmes
4. Game Design
5. Remote Gaming Channels
6. Advertising and Marketing
7. Treatment Referral
8. Player Education
9. Stakeholder Engagement
10. Reporting, Measurement and Certification

The framework includes a certification system for the different levels of WLA membership. Members can apply to be certified against one of four levels ranging from level 1 (commitment) to level 4 (continuous improvement). Over time it is hoped that a substantial number of lotteries will reach level 3 (certification).