NLA resumes swoops on illegal lotto after licensing 15 companies

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has publicly issued licenses to 15 Private Lotto Operators (PLOs), in a historic move marking a significant step towards enhancing the regulation and transparency of lottery activities across Ghana.
This milestone event, attended by media representatives, reflects the NLA’s dedication to fostering a fair and competitive lottery industry.
This public licensing event represents a significant advancement in the regulation of the lottery industry as the NLA continues its efforts to promote transparency, protect legitimate businesses, and ensure fair competition.

23 licensed companies
With this latest issuance, the total number of licensed companies rises to 23, including eight companies that were granted licenses earlier this year.

8 earlier licensed companies
The eight companies licensed earlier in the year are KGL technologies, Blue Star Hi-Tech Company Limited, Luma Facilities and Trading Limited, Zeta Technologies, Fortune Synergy Limited, Afri Lotto Systems Limited, Game Park Limited and Wulucky Ghana Limited

The licenses were granted under the NLA Act 2006 (Act 722) and the Lottery Regulations 2008 (LI 1948), and the Veterans Administration Ghana (VAG) 2012, (Act 844) establishing a new benchmark for lottery operations in the country.

10-year licenses for 3 companies
Three companies—Luma Technologies, Rand Lottery, and Alpha Lotto—received 10-year licenses valid from January 2024 to December 2035.

Two to three and half years license for 12 companies
The other 12 companies were granted licenses with terms ranging from two to three and half years.
These Obiri Asare and Sons Company Limited, Zacdow Company Limited, Glovita Lottery Company Limited, and Makafui Mogyi Company Limited.
Others include Accurate Giant Company Limited, From Home Company Limited, Miwor Kakra Yɛbedi Nti Company Limited, Super Rand Ventures, and Best Chance Lottery Company.
The rest are SB Business Ventures, Vision 2000 Lotto Limited, and Diblo Lotto.

Transition to POS terminals
These companies are authorized to operate the NLA’s original 5/90 Game, which is currently paper-based but is expected to transition to Point of Sale (POS) terminals within the next two years as part of their licensing conditions.

Licensed companies to help fight illegals
The new licenses also empower these companies to report illegal lottery operators to the NLA or security agencies, strengthening the fight against unauthorized lottery activities.

Safeguarding the investments of licensed operators
NLA Board Chairman, Mr. Gary Nimako Marfo, reiterated the authority’s commitment to safeguarding the investments of licensed operators and cracking down on illegal operations.

Actions against illegal operators
He issued a stern warning to any unlicensed companies to cease operations immediately and directed NLA Director General, Mr. Samuel Awuku, to enforce actions against illegal operators.

GH₵1bn illegal lottery industry
Despite the estimated GH₵1.8 billion annual value of Ghana’s lottery industry, the NLA only captures about GH₵800 million, with illegal operators pocketing over GH₵1 billion annually.

700 illegal lotto companies
Out of approximately 700 illegal lotto companies, mostly in rural areas, only about 20 are registered with the NLA.

LMC rep praises NLA
During the ceremony, Noah Afornofe, Managing Director of Rand Lottery Limited, who spoke on behalf licensed PLOs expressed satisfaction at finally reaching a complete licensing agreement.
Mr. Awuku reassured the licensed companies of the NLA’s commitment to protecting their business interests and warned against writers working for multiple companies.

Awuku debunks rumors
He also denied rumors he owns the charity arm of the NLA, the Good Causes Foundation, and encouraged companies to document their charitable contributions.

25% Commission
In addition, the NLA instructed the PLOs to enforce commission paid to lotto writers, which has been raised from 20% to 25%.
This adjustment, in accordance with the Lotto Act (Act 722), aims to balance the financial needs of writers with the sustainability of the lottery companies.
Although lotto writers had previously petitioned for a 30% commission, a study showed that the 25% rate was already higher than international standards.
Some private lotto companies have been illegally paying up to 30% commission, a practice the NLA is working to eliminate.
Both Mr. Awuku and Mr. Nimako urged companies to adhere to the 25% commission rate approved by the NLA Board, warning that non-compliance could result in the revocation of licenses.

Alpha Lotto
Alpha Lotto was granted two licenses: one to operate NLA’s 5/90 for 10 years and another for three and a half years to operate the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG) lotto under Act 844 for the following games-Alpha Monday, Delta Tuesday, Omega Wednesday, Excel Thursday, Prime Friday, Kenstar Saturday, and Precise Sunday

Rand Lottery
Rand Lottery Limited was also granted a license to operate 5/90 Lotto for 10 years, from January 2024 to December 2035.
Rand Lottery was also granted a three-and-a-half-year license under VAG to operate Rand Multi, Rand Golden Souvenir, Rand Cash for Life, Rand Endowment, Rand Super 4 Vitality, Rand Sebedee, and Rand Star Lotto via POS terminals from August 1, 2024, to January 30, 2028.

From Home
NLA also issued licence to From Home Company Limited for a two-year to operate NLA’s original 5/90 from January 2024 to December 2025, as a window period to phase out paper and migrate to POS.
The license is subject to annual review.

Zacdow Company
Zacdow Company Limited was granted a two-year license to operate 5/90 from January 2024 to December 2025, subject to annual review.
The two years are to enable the company to migrate from a paper-based system to POS.

Makafui Mogyi
Makafui Mogyi Limited was granted a two-year license to operate 5/90 and transition from a paper-based system to POS, from January 2024 to December 2025.

Glovita Lottery
Glovita Lottery Limited was granted a two-year license to operate 5/90, subject to annual review, from January 2024 to December 2025.

Luma Technologies
Luma Technologies was granted a license to retail, sell, and distribute 5/90 on behalf of NLA for the following games via POS only: Monday Special and Noon Rush, Lucky Tuesday and Noon Rush, Midweek and Noon Rush, Fortune Thursday and Noon Rush, Friday Bonanza and Noon Rush, National Weekly and Noon Rush, and Sunday Aseda and Noon Rush.
This license is valid for 10 years, from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2034, subject to terms and conditions in the license.

Accurate Giant
Accurate Giant Company Limited was granted a two-year license to operate 5/90, with the two years offering the opportunity to migrate to POS from the current paper-based system.

Miwor Kakra Yebedi Nti
Miwor Kakra Yebedi Nti Limited was granted a two-year license to operate NLA’s 5/90 from January 2024 to December 2025, subject to annual review.

Superbrand Ventures
Superbrand Ventures was granted a license to operate NLA’s 5/90 for two years, from January 2024 to December 2025.

Obiri Asare and Sons
Obiri Asare and Sons Limited was granted a two-year license to operate 5/90 from January 2024 to December 2025, subject to annual review.
The company will also operate NLA games and was granted a VAG license to operate its lotto games, namely Pioneer Lotto, VAG East Special Raffle, VAG West Special Lotto, African Lotto Ghana, Obiri Special, Old Soldier Lotto, and Sunday Special Raffle.

Best Chance
Best Chance Lottery Limited was granted a two-year license from January 2024 to December 2025, subject to annual review.

S.B. Ventures
S.B. Ventures Limited was granted a two-year license to operate 5/90 while preparing to migrate to POS, subject to annual review.
The license runs from January 2024 to December 2025.

Vision 2,000
Vision 2,000 Lotto Limited was granted a two-year license to operate NLA’s original 5/90 from January 2024 to December 2025.