Responsible Gaming is the industry's most critical element of Corporate Social Responsibility. As such, it is essential that WLA members not only grow their sales and return to good causes but that they facilitate responsible play.
In 2006, the WLA adopted the Responsible Gaming Principles, and a Responsible Gaming Framework aimed at protecting lottery and sports betting players around the world. This effort and commitment ensure not only that our public is protected but also that revenues are sustained for the public good.
The WLA Responsible Gaming Framework brings the WLA Responsible Gaming Principles to life and gives members the opportunity to continually improve their approach to responsible gaming. The principles have set the scene; the framework allows lotteries and sports betting operators to benchmark all the good things they have in place. Furthermore, the Responsible Gaming certification gives an opportunity to differentiate lotteries and sports betting operators from other gambling operators who might not have such a sector-wide approach in place. If we as a sector want to demonstrate responsibility, this is the best opportunity to do so.
The Responsible Gaming certification takes nothing away from a lottery or sports betting operator’s viability – in fact, the opposite is true. By framing our commercial activities in practices that are ethical and transparent, we strengthen our legitimacy, while enhancing public trust. Standards for responsible gaming contribute to promoting customer loyalty, at the same time as encouraging the capacity for innovation.
It is precisely what is needed for public service lotteries and sports betting operators to establish their activities for the long term and ensure that their profits are returned to the wider community.
It needs to be borne in mind that the WLA RG framework is not aimed at eradicating excessive gaming, or at managing pathological gamblers. The role of the WLA members is to act upstream to reduce the risks of problem gaming developing as far as possible. The aim is therefore to protect vulnerable persons, while allowing the vast majority of recreational players to enjoy themselves by playing modern and imaginative games.
Responsible gaming certification benefits members by fostering a safer, more transparent, and trustworthy environment for players, while also improving the credibility and operational success of operators. It helps everyone involved maintain ethical standards, comply with regulations, and prevent harm from excessive gambling.
The WLA’s vision is to be recognized as the global authority on the lottery and sports betting businesses, to uphold the highest ethical principles, and to support our members in achieving their vision for their own communities.
To realize this vision, the principles, using the WLA bylaws as a reference, have been developed to have a comprehensive set of standards related to social responsibility. The Responsible Gaming Framework (RGF) with 4 levels of certification was then created to bring the principles to life. Members can complete the certification process to demonstrate their commitment to responsible gaming.
The principles and framework were designed to minimize the potential negative impacts of gambling, ensure fair and ethical practices, and support players in making informed choices. These principles are widely adopted by WLA members to create a safe environment for both players and the industry.
The Framework is flexible in its design so that WLA member lotteries and sports betting operators can adapt it to their specific regional needs. It allows for cultural and regional differences and is designed to complement and improve – not replace – the safeguards that individual lottery operators have in place. At the same time, it provides clear guidelines as to the elements that should be incorporated in a responsible gaming program.
To adapt to regional needs, the Framework has four levels of achievement and reflects how successfully a lottery or sports betting operator has implemented the RG Principles into its day-to-day operations. The more advanced the responsible gaming program, the higher the level of achievement.
Yes – Following the Paris General Meeting October 24, 2024, both new and existing WLA Regular Members must comply with at least Level 1 of the Association’s Responsible Gaming Framework. They must also commit, through an integrated corporate social responsibility program, to obtaining at least level 2 RG certification within 18 months (three RG submission rounds) of becoming a WLA member.
It is also agreed that an organization who became a WLA Regular Member before October 24, 2024, should obtain, at a minimum, level 2 RG certification by May 2026.
The Responsible Gaming Certification process is part of the WLA members services, and the WLA does not charge an additional fee for submitting at the different levels. However, level 4 requires the member to have a third-party assessment. The applicant is free to choose what level of external assurance it wishes to seek from its external independent assessor. However, the assessment should be carried out against the requirements of ‘agreed upon procedures’ level of assurance.
Also, members can use their Internal Audit function in the level 4 assurance process. An internal audit of the RG program and related submission can reduce the scope of work that will then be required of an external assessor and hence reduce costs. The Internal Audit function provides advice on this process. (In such a case, the external assessor would validate the internal audit work.)
Submission for all levels of WLA-RGF certification needs to be completed via digitalRG.com. The online submission process enables a simplified and streamlined certification process. When accessing digitalRG.com, you will be asked to provide information about the level you wish to apply for. You will subsequently be contacted to set up your account. For more information, please contact Mélissa Azam, WLA Project Coordinator, at the WLA Montreal Office, [email protected].
Submitting lottery members and sports betting operators will be certified to the WLA Responsible Gaming Framework with the help of an independent assessment panel. This panel is comprised of a selection of international experts from the field of corporate social responsibility. As an independent body the Responsible Gaming Independent Assessment Panel (IAP) will review all submissions for the RGF levels 2–4 and will forward their certification recommendations to the WLA.
The application procedure is confidential and the feedback from the independent panel will not be made public. The time it takes to achieve responsible gaming certification can vary depending on several factors, such as the level of RG certification requested, and the size and complexity of the gaming operations.
The IAP will complete their evaluation within 6 weeks and issue an evaluation report pointing out the strengths and improvement opportunities (the IAP will contact the member if further information is required). The IAP will make a recommendation to the WLA as to whether the submitting lottery member or sports betting operator meets the RGF criteria. This is sent along with the evaluation report to the WLA and the submitting member.
For all inquiries related to the application process, please contact: Melissa Azam at [email protected].
Through the knowledge and expertise of the Responsible Gaming Independent Assessment Panel (IAP), the WLA has a reliable and competent partner to aid them in evaluating all submissions and to help them render a correct and precise decision on certification. Their suggestions will also help submitting lotteries or sports betting operators to optimize and continually improve their responsible gaming programs.
If the member doesn’t obtain the level they submitted for, the IAP will request additional information where necessary, to complete its assessment, and allow the applicant the opportunity to realize its goal of certification.
The recertification process is not automatic. A lottery or sports betting operator must reapply every three years and demonstrate, with evidence, that its RG program continues to comply with the standard for its current level of certification. The resubmission date for a lottery or sports betting operator whose certification period is coming to an end will be the submission date that immediately follows the end of the initial 3-year period, and not the one that precedes it.
If a lottery or sports betting operator decides to move forward to a higher certification level, it should prepare a complete submission based on the criteria for that level. A member can resubmit at the same level. If its RG program has not progressed, it can still be certified if the new submission meets the criteria.
The WLA has initiated Project RED (Responsible, Ethical, Dynamic) to address societal and environmental challenges (biodiversity, paper and plastic waste, carbon footprint), faced by WLA lottery and sports betting members, and share member experiences in this regard.
In collaboration with our Regional Association partners: ALA, APLA, CIBELAE, EL and NASPL, the project aims to help WLA members learn from, and connect with each other, as well as understand trends and have access to benchmarking data.
WLA Responsible Gaming certification partner DigitalRG.com has provided a dedicated space on its platform, for the exchange of best practices among global lotteries, including: case studies, successful strategies and innovative approaches in digital lotteries, resources (White Papers, research reports), and contacts for networking.
For more information about how to participate, please contact: Melissa Azam at [email protected].
The WLA has developed a best practice guide for Corporate Social Responsibility for the lotteries and sports betting operators, which goes beyond the WLA RG principles and RGF to cover business ethics, corporate citizenship, labor relations (diversity, equity, inclusion), environmental engagement and their footprint with stakeholders. Find out more: Business ethics - Corporate Social Responsibility for the lotteries.
