The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has granted licences to 15 Private Lotto Operators (PLOs) as part of efforts to sanitize the lotto industry and eliminate illegal operations across Ghana.
The granting of the licencing took place on Friday, at the NLA Headquarters in Accra, where all necessary legal documentation was completed.
This followed a series of discussions between the NLA Board and representatives of the Ghana Lotto Operators Association (GLOA) that culminated in a consensus on regulatory compliance.
The newly licensed operators include Alpha Lotto Limited, Obiri Asare and Sons Company Limited, Zacdow Company Limited, Glovita Lottery Company Limited, and Makafui Mogyi Company Limited.
The rest are Accurate Giant Company Limited, From Home Company Limited, Miwor Kakra Yɛbedi Nti Company Limited, Super Rand Ventures, Best Chance Lottery Company, SB Business Ventures, Vision 2000 Lotto Limited, Diblo Lotto, Rand Lotteries Company Limited, and Luma Technologies and Trading Company Limited.
These companies now have the official green light to operate within the NLA’s framework.
They will adhere to the licencing regime outlined in the National Lotto Act 2006 (Act 722), the Lottery Regulations 2008 (L.I. 1948), and the Veterans Administration Ghana (VAG) Act 2012 (Act 844).
The Chairman of the NLA Board, Gary Nimako Marfo, emphasized the significance of this licensing process, describing it as a critical step in regulating the lotto industry.
He assured the operators that the NLA’s intent was not to disrupt their businesses but to ensure compliance and fair revenue generation for the government.
“Let me emphasize that I was not sent here by President Akufo-Addo to come and collapse anybody’s company. I am here to make sure that your businesses flourish so that the government can get its fair share of the revenue,” Mr. Marfo stated.
He also warned against illegal lotto operations, urging the newly licensed operators to help bring such activities to a halt.
Mr. Marfo declared that only the licensed operators, along with eight previously licensed companies, are authorized to operate in Ghana henceforth.
The ceremony also saw the announcement of a reduction in the commission percentage for lotto writers from 40% to 25%, a decision reached in consultation with all stakeholders, including the newly licensed PLOs.
Speaking on behalf of the operators, Noah Afonope, Acting Chairman of GLOA, expressed gratitude to the NLA for facilitating the licencing process.
He acknowledged the challenges faced along the way but expressing optimism about the future.
“I think that it has been a rough journey, but at this point, I can say thank you very much to the Board, and we can continue with our work,” Mr. Afonope said.
