This year APLA welcomed members and guests to the annual Regional Conference in Seoul, Korea on 1 to 4 September at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul. The conference theme, Sustainable Gaming, Innovation and New Trends featured discussions on lottery and consumer trends, sustaining the lottery business, and global industry developments.
The Conference opened with a warm welcome from Jason Delamore, APLA Chairman and CEO of Lotto New Zealand. Congratulatory remarks from Vice Minister Cho Yong-Beom, Chairman of the Korea Lottery Commission, were delivered by its Secretary-General, Ms Oh Eun-Sil. In her address, Ms Oh congratulated APLA on hosting its annual conference in Korea and contributing to the exchange of knowledge and experiences among the different countries. She also emphasised that true sustainability in the lottery industry is achieved when the collective efforts of lottery operators create meaningful value for communities, helping people realise their dreams while planting seeds of hope for the future.
During the business program, participants were given an insight of the challenges and opportunities in the gaming industry in South Korea and also developments in sports betting in Korea. Additional air time was devoted to the emergence of prediction markets and the impact on the lottery industry. In the panel discussion moderated by WLA Executive Director Luca Esposito, three APLA operators shared insights on unique market developments in their respective jurisdictions.
Apart from hearing from specialist speakers with significant experience coming from across the sector, delegates were treated to impressive performances from a K-ballet group and a string ensemble at the opening dinner.
For the closing dinner, the host even arranged a memorable mini concert comprising performances by Korean rock band, KARDI, acapella troupe Peat Bella and singers from popular K-pop group, Fifty Fifty.
APLA would like to extend our gratitude to DongHang Lottery Company for their generosity and warm hospitality, APLA Gold partners, Brightstar Lottery, Scientific Games and Windy Plan for their support, the organizing team comprising DongHang Lottery and the APLA secretariat (supported by the able MEPS International) as well as all participants and speakers for making this event the success that it deserves.