Singapore Pools Wins Bid to Host International Convention of Hundred Billion Dollar Industry

Singapore Pools has won the coveted bid to host the 2006 World Lottery Association (WLA) Convention in Singapore. To be held after the World Bank-IMF Forum in Singapore, this week-long international event will bring together lottery professionals from WLA members across all five continents. These professionals represent 143 state-licensed lotteries and sports betting operators from 74 countries, with combined annual revenues in excess of US$103 billion.

Singapore Pools believes it will help to bring in tourism dollars and boost Singapore's economy. Besides the economic advantages, the convention will also provide a rare opportunity for Singapore to witness the vibrancy, innovations and significant benefits numerous established lottery operators have brought to the world community.

Held biennially, the WLA Convention is a key event in the global organisation's calendar, during which lottery leaders, experts and professionals from all over the world will gather and exchange insights on topical issues and challenges facing the industry.

In the bidding process, Singapore Pools received strong support from major government bodies such as the Singapore Tourism Board.

The last WLA Convention, hosted by South Australia Lotteries, took place in Adelaide in 2002. More than 800 industry professionals attended the event, and about 45 technology companies participated in the trade show. Leading international speakers provided insights into subjects such as business ethics, intellectual property, enabling technology and innovation for sustainable growth. The 2004 WLA Convention will be hosted by South Africa's national lottery in Durban in November next year.

World Lottery Association

The World Lottery Association was formed in August 1999 through the merger of the International Association of State Lotteries and the International Association of Toto and Lotto Organisations. Serving the interests of the international lottery and sports betting community, the WLA represents a total of 143 state-licensed lottery operators from 74 countries on all five continents, with combined annual revenues in excess of US$103 billion. Its aims and objectives are to advance the interests of its members and to enhance the capability, common knowledge and status of individual members by, among others:

· The establishment of codes of conduct and certification of standards for lottery operations in order to establish norms to which members may wish to aspire;

· The convening of seminars, conventions, conferences, general meetings, special meetings and working groups to further the aims of the association; and

· Representing several or all members in conveying positions or opinions to authorities, private or public, wherever such members have authorised the association to speak on their behalf.

Singapore Pools has been a member of the WLA since 1999.

In carrying out its aims and objectives, the WLA strives for territorial integrity, public order and morality.

The WLA promotes alignment and harmonisation of its aims and objectives with those of the five regional associations - AALE (Africa), APLA (Asia Pacific), CIBELAE (South America), EL (Europe), and NASPL (North America).

Singapore Pools

Incorporated in 1968 to provide a legal avenue for gambling, Singapore Pools (Private) Limited is a legal lottery operator in Singapore. It operates more than 200 retail outlets island-wide to provide games-of-chance like TOTO, 4-D, SINGAPORE SWEEP and sports-betting games like STRIKE! and SCORE. Surpluses after paying out winnings, betting duties and operational expenses are devoted to sports, charity and community projects.