The 9th edition of the European Lotteries (EL) Industry Days 2022 highlighted the importance of core lottery values such as responsibility, sustainability and integrity, all for the benefit of society. Under the theme ‘’We Connect’’ participants had the opportunity to reconnect and unite, exchanging on topics such as innovation and digital developments.
During the Industry Days —which took place from June 13 to 15 in Wiesbaden, Germany, and was hosted by IGT & LOTTO Hessen and Scientific Games— an Environmental Initiative was launched by EL, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in the lottery sector as more and more companies around the world are currently integrating sustainable practices into their business models, and lotteries continue to play a crucial role.
The new Environmental Initiative aims to create a collective dynamic among EL Members on concrete commitments in the environmental field, including the use of paper coming from certified sustainable forests for gaming materials; and the regular monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions.
EL Members have been invited to confirm “their voluntary commitments” to the Initiative, and exchange best practices, in order to be able to present the outcomes during the 2023 EL General Assembly in Sibenik, Croatia.
Also at the Industry Days event, and showcased by KANTAR –a data, insights, and consulting company-, the results of a recent EL Research Study on Young Generations and Games were presented for the first time.
Following an earlier study in 2018, the key objective of this follow-up research was to identify relevant ideas and product development directions, with results showing that younger players prefer a game based on both luck and skill and knowledge, and that there is no ideal game for everyone. “It is therefore advised that lotteries have a wide portfolio of games to satisfy many different needs,” a press release says.
Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of the pandemic, a special segment of this year’s Industry Day brought together lottery CEOs to reconnect during an interactive Directors Table.
All CEOs agreed that as a result of the pandemic, lotteries have become faster in their operations, efficient, flexible, and more innovative, whilst retaining the highest level of responsibility and integrity. National lotteries also demonstrated their important role to benefit society in times of need. Digital development, omnichannel and customer behavior are to be watched closely in the months and years ahead as well as hot topics including gambling advertising and the fight against illegal gambling.
The EL Industry Days 2022 brought together a record number of participants (nearly 250 in total) to reconnect after two years.
EL President Hansjörg Höltkemeier reflected: “After two long years of being apart, the 2022 EL Industry Days brought together our members in a setting to (re)connect. I am delighted to see that happen. With the current situation unfolding in front of our eyes, it is more important than ever to work together.”
“This was a moment to rejoice but to also reflect on the past, present and future,” he added. “It was a pleasure to see friends and colleagues, to meet and to exchange both business-wise and personally. Diverse we may be, but united we stand for society.”
The European State Lotteries and Toto Association, generally referred to as EL, is the European umbrella organisation of national lotteries operating games of chance, including sports betting, in more than 40 European countries, with around 50 members in all EU Member States and a total of over 70 members.
