Leaving Their Marks
We celebrate the long lottery careers of two of the most influential leaders the industry has known.
By NASPL Insights
Published September 22, 2026
This fall, two longtime industry professionals are stepping away for well-deserved retirements after decades of service. Both have left indelible marks on the lottery industry.
After time on both the lottery and vendor side of the industry, David Gale has tirelessly led NASPL for more than 30 years. As the lottery industry grew while responding to societal and technological changes, NASPL grew with it under his direction.
Rebecca Paul charted her own path, leading successful lottery startups in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee after her lottery initiation in 1985 with the Illinois Lottery. Along the way, she has also held elected leadership positions in lottery associations around the world.
We asked David and Rebecca for some parting thoughts about the industry they have served and their thoughts on the future. Please join us in celebrating their lottery careers and wishing them well for what lies ahead.
David Gale
Executive Director, NASPL
What are the fondest memories of your tenure at NASPL?
Most of my fondest memories are with my colleagues. After spending 31 years as Executive Director of NASPL, as well as 10 years prior to that working within the industry, I’ve had the tremendous opportunity to really get to know some great people.
I’ve also had the chance to see firsthand the incredible impact this industry has. The amount of money generated through lottery proceeds to support programs and services in each jurisdiction is unbelievable. What people outside the industry don’t always see is the tremendous amount of work that goes into designing and implementing our games while ensuring that we operate responsibly – offering games that are secure and providing support and resources for those who may experience problems with gambling.
NASPL has made responsible gambling a top priority for many years, and we were one of the first industries to offer organized support in this area. We are an extremely responsible industry, and I’m confident that commitment will continue.
I will say, however, that one of my fondest moments was the very first World Lottery Summit in Vancouver in 1996. Hosted by the British Columbia Lottery Corp., in collaboration with what would later become the World Lottery Association, it was truly a remarkable event. It brought together key decision-makers from across the industry at a time when many of the ideas that would shape the future of lotteries were being discussed.
It was a groundbreaking event that had a tremendous impact on everyone involved, and it really marked the beginning of a stronger working relationship with our vendor community. Since that historic event, NASPL has continued to work closely with lottery associations around the world, while also building the strong relationship between NASPL and WLA that we have today.
Thinking back, what were some of the key industry changes you observed, and what changes do you think will shape the industry’s future?
Artificial intelligence, for sure. AI has already become part of our world, and that will only continue. Its application within the gaming industry will allow us to refine the way we do business, while at the same time ensuring that the integrity and security of our games remain a top priority.
Game design is another area I believe we need to pay close attention to. Do we currently have the games that will help us grow our player base? The strategy has always been to grow sales by attracting new players rather than simply relying on existing players to spend more. So we need to continue asking ourselves: Are we developing games that appeal to new potential players?
Another important question is: Are we offering our games in ways that make them easy for players to access? I believe selling our games online is extremely important to solidifying and growing our player base. I know that decision is ultimately made within each jurisdiction, but online purchasing is also the future of how people buy just about everything.
How about the biggest industry challenges over the years, and NASPL’s role in addressing those challenges? And what do you see as the industry’s major challenges going forward?
Internet sales required years and years – 18, to be exact – of constant attention and response to very strong opposition to lotteries selling their games online.
Over the years, we made several trips to Washington, D.C., meeting with members of both the House and Senate to explain our position on the Wire Act – particularly that a law written before the internet existed could not have been intended to address online sales. Finally, after years of discussion and legal action, the outcome paved the way for lottery organizations that are authorized within their jurisdictions to sell their games online.
Looking forward, as I mentioned before, I believe game design is vital to growing our player base, and that represents a huge opportunity for us. We are no longer the only game in town. The gaming landscape has changed dramatically, and we have to remain diligent about developing products that attract players and position lotteries for continued growth.
It’s not easy leading an association whose member organizations often have frequently changing leaders with sometimes different priorities. What is it like sitting in the Executive Director’s seat?
As I have said so many times in the past, each and every day of my journey with NASPL has been a true blessing. The relationships I’ve been able to develop while serving in this role are certainly one of the highlights.
Sitting in this seat has been a privilege, and it is something I have never taken for granted. A changing environment is simply a fact of our industry. It’s a moving target, for sure. But I have never worked with a lottery CEO who didn’t step up to the challenge of leading their organization and doing what they believed was in its best interest. So I see that constant change as both a challenge and an opportunity.
I’m extremely thankful for the opportunities I’ve had with NASPL, and I believe the Association will continue to grow and evolve to meet the industry’s future needs and address whatever changes and challenges come its way.
I will always be grateful for all of the support I’ve received and the opportunities that have come my way. It’s been a perfect ride. And finally, to the NASPL staff – each one of you have made your own incredible contributions down through the years. The support you showed not only to me, but also to the industry, allowed me to be "David” in performing my tasks, and for that I am truly grateful. A huge thank you to each one of you.
Rebecca Paul
President and Chief Executive Officer, Tennessee Education Lottery
You have created many legacy efforts in your distinguished career spanning the globe, Women in Lottery Leadership (WILL) being among them. What effort(s) do you think have been the most impactful?
Mahatma Gandhi said, “A sign of a good leader is not how many followers you have, but how many leaders you create.” I think of that sentiment as I look back over the years and at how many industry professionals I had the pleasure of mentoring and watch become prominent leaders. Along with the incredible strides that WILL is making around the globe, having helped so many colleagues has truly made a lasting impact – on them and me, as well as the organizations they lead.
Do you have any advice for future lottery chief executives?
Don’t be afraid to try new things or to reach out for consultation with others. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to such a quickly changing landscape are vital to us now more than ever. I will also reiterate the importance of helping others grow into their full potential in order to build on the foundation of a responsible, solid group of leaders. It truly is a team effort, and we can only count on each other to nourish growth.
Thinking back, what were some of the key industry changes you have observed, and what changes do you think will shape the industry’s future?
The evolution of technology has created challenges and opportunities that have dramatically changed the landscape. From the way we connect with our customers to the products we can potentially offer, the need to embrace cutting-edge technology while retaining our core competencies is vital. It’s an exciting time – the way we can digitally interact with players and meet them where they want to be opens a new world of opportunity. And while creative and convenient new products have emerged, so too has the need to protect our players even more. Responsible gaming programs have never been more important and I encourage lotteries across the globe to embrace them.
I’d also like to point out that the number of women in leadership positions has gradually grown over the years – a trend I hope to see continue on a broad scope. Of course, this goal is the core of WILL’s mission and close to my heart.
What’s next? You have participated on a number of boards – will that continue?
My commitment to the community has never been stronger, and I plan to remain active in civic organizations and on the Board of Trustees at my alma mater, Butler University. I also plan to spend more time with cherished friends, to whom I owe so much gratitude for their support over these many fulfilling years. And, by staying connected with colleagues, I hope that I can continue to be a resource for anything and everything related to this industry to which I’ve devoted so much of my life.
