As sports betting continues to boom globally, that growth comes with some serious challenges – especially when it comes to match-fixing and corruption.
ULIS, which is led by Gilles Maillet (who also heads up Sport Integrity at FDJ United), is right at the heart of it, using technology, global partnerships and education to tackle these issues at hand.
In an interview with the World Lottery Association (WLA), Maillet opened up about what makes ULIS different and how the organisation is staying one step ahead.
Firstly, the organisation is built on the foundation of state-licensed lotteries, which means its main focus is about protecting sport and giving back communities via the good cause funds generated by said lotteries.
Maillet explained: “We deliver a unique monitoring service, but we do not only work on market monitoring. Our mission is also to promote international cooperation for sports integrity and to contribute to the education of international stakeholders.
“ULIS stands out for its non-commercial approach to sports integrity, rooted in public interest, ethics, and collaboration.”
Maillet was appointed as President of ULIS in 2023, and 2025 marks his final year in his term. Prior to his appointment, he was described as having ‘profound knowledge and expertise’ in the area of work carried out.
Tackling new challenges
The aforementioned rise of online sports betting has brought fresh headaches. Illegal operators are a growing threat and new bet types – such as wagering on yellow cards – have made spot fixing harder to find.
Maillet added: “Balancing compliance with high international integrity standards while remaining competitive against illegal operators is not an easy task nowadays.”
To fight back, ULIS launched a new monitoring platform that scans more than 870,000 events worldwide in real time.
Maillet called this “one of our standout achievements… a significant step forward in our ability to detect and address suspicious activities in real time.”
Meanwhile, ULIS has also built strong ties with some huge names in sport such as FIFA, UEFA, Europol, Interpol, and the Council of Europe. Maillet emphasised: “These partnerships are key for creating a united front against integrity issues in sports and sports betting.”
Education not left behind
The ULIS President also highlighted the importance of education, and stated that through initiatives like Edulis and projects such as Integriball and IntegriSport, ULIS is working to raise awareness and keep everyone safe.
Education has become a huge talking point in both the sports integrity and athlete protection discussions. Last week, EPIC Global Solutions also stressed the vital role of education in player protection and football integrity.
Responding to the ruling involving Lucas Paquetá – who was cleared of spot-fixing charges – EPIC, which partners with clubs, leagues and player associations, said education remains football’s missing piece.
Senior Consultant Marc Williams highlighted the emotional and operational toll these cases take on both individuals and organisations. He said: “The difference we’re seeking to make is the vast reduction of the frequency of such cases. As better educated players, coaches and leaders proactively address gambling risk education and integrity culture in elite sport.”
What’s next for ULIS?
Looking forward, ULIS has said that it is planning big. Its 2025-2028 strategy focuses on growing in new regions, especially Africa, boosting communication, and securing the funding it needs to keep pushing forward.
Maillet concluded: “We will continue to prioritise promotion of the Macolin Convention, advocating for its signature, ratification, and implementation worldwide.”
He also pointed to the vital role that governments must play: “The first step is to ratify and implement international frameworks like the Macolin Convention, which provides a solid foundation for collaboration and enforcement.”
He said it’s essential that authorities work closely with licensed operators and back education programs that build a culture of responsibility.