Switzerland’s United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports (ULIS) has formally announced the election of Jean-Luc Moner-Banet, CEO of Loterie Romande, as its new president. This decision was made during ULIS’s General Meeting held in Bern, where a new Executive Committee was also introduced. This leadership transition is seen as a strategic move to address both the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly evolving global sports betting landscape.
Jean-Luc Moner-Banet brings over thirty years of experience in the lottery industry to his new role. Having joined Loterie Romande in 1998, a key player among Switzerland’s state-authorized lotteries, Moner-Banet quickly ascended through the ranks. By 2001, he became the deputy director general and was named CEO in 2007. His experience is not limited to lotteries; prior to his tenure at Loterie Romande, he spent a decade working with gaming industry suppliers, gaining invaluable insights into the broader gaming sector.
A staunch advocate for integrity and good governance, Moner-Banet has made significant contributions on the international stage. From 2012 to 2018, he held the presidency of the World Lottery Association (WLA), where he championed initiatives to maintain fairness and transparency in lotteries worldwide. His involvement with European Lotteries (EL) since 2009, particularly as the supervisory chair of the Sport & Sport Integrity Working Group, underscores his commitment to upholding the highest standards in sports betting.
In 2019, Moner-Banet’s dedication to sports integrity led him to chair the WLA Betting Integrity on Sports & Horse Racing Committee (BISHRC). This committee was established to safeguard sports from the growing threats of match-fixing and illegal betting. Under his leadership, the European Lottery Monitoring System (ELMS) was transformed into the Global Lottery Monitoring System (GLMS), broadening its reach to a global scale and enhancing its ability to detect irregularities in betting activities.
The evolution of GLMS into ULIS in 2022 marked a significant shift, with an expanded mission of uniting state-authorized lotteries globally to protect sports integrity from competition manipulation and illicit betting practices. Moner-Banet’s appointment as president comes at a pivotal time. “It is a great honor to take on the responsibility of leading ULIS at a time of technological transformation that impacts our sports betting lottery community,” he remarked. He emphasized his commitment to forging new partnerships and innovative initiatives, ensuring ULIS remains a leader in sports integrity.
The newly elected ULIS Executive Committee will serve a three-year term until 2028, comprising esteemed industry leaders from around the world:
– Jean-Luc Moner-Banet (President) – CEO, Loterie Romande, Switzerland
– Chris Lo (Vice-President) – Head of Trading, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Hong Kong, China
– Chee Weng Lam – CEO, Singapore Pools, Singapore
– Louis Beaudet – Sports and Entertainment Betting Director, Loto-Québec, Canada
– Antoine Beghin – Director of Sponsorship & Sports Integrity, La Française des Jeux, France
– Younes El Mechrafi – CEO, Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS), Morocco
– Ales Vesely – CEO, SAZKA a.s., Czech Republic
– Lemeng Wang – Board Director, China Sports Lottery Operation Co., Ltd., China
ULIS took the opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of the outgoing president Gilles Maillet and the 2023-2025 Executive Committee. Notable milestones included the launch of EDULIS, an educational program dedicated to sports betting integrity, and the enhancement of collaborations with global sports organizations such as UEFA and CONMEBOL. These efforts have significantly bolstered ULIS’s presence in regions such as Latin America.
In a related development, National Lottery PLC, the exclusive concessionaire and licensed operator of Malta’s National Lottery, recently joined ULIS’s global network as a full individual lottery member. Johann Schembri, CEO of National Lottery PLC, commented on this advancement, noting that “joining ULIS represents a significant step forward in our commitment to transparency and fair play, not just in Malta but across global platforms.”
As ULIS continues to set global standards in sports betting integrity, some industry analysts caution that the challenges of technological advancements and the sophistication of illegal betting operations will require ongoing vigilance and adaptability. While Moner-Banet’s leadership is a positive step, the road ahead will require concerted efforts from all stakeholders in the sports betting ecosystem to maintain and enhance integrity across the board.
The appointment of Moner-Banet and the new Executive Committee signifies a robust commitment to confronting these issues head-on. With a comprehensive approach that includes collaboration, education, and technological innovation, ULIS aims to be at the forefront of safeguarding the integrity of sports worldwide.
Garry Sputnim is a seasoned journalist and storyteller with over a decade of experience in the trenches of global news. With a keen eye for uncovering stories that resonate, Alex has reported from over 30 countries, bringing light to untold narratives and the human faces behind the headlines. Specializing in investigative journalism, Garry has a knack for technology and social justice issues, weaving compelling narratives that bridge tech and humanity. Outside the newsroom, Garry is an avid rock climber and podcast host, exploring stories of resilience and innovation.
