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Ghana’s National Lottery Authority (NLA) is embarking on a major digital overhaul designed to modernise operations, improve transparency, and curb illegal lottery activities.
The agency has partnered with Fidelity Bank to roll out 5,000 new point-of-sale (POS) terminals, marking one of the most ambitious upgrades in its recent history.
Modernisation and enforcement at the core
The new technology aims to rebuild trust and reclaim lost state revenue.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, NLA Director-General Mohammed Abdul-Salam said the rollout forms part of a wider reform programme to replace outdated systems and strengthen oversight.
Abdul-Salam told Citi Newsroom:
“Currently, we have some equipment marked as obsolete, so we plan to replace it with new point-of-sale machines. We have an arrangement with Fidelity Bank to deploy around 5,000 new point-of-sale terminals to enhance sales and revenue. We believe that in the coming year this will significantly improve our operations.”
The phased rollout, which will extend into 2026, reflects practical challenges related to procurement, training, and enforcement capacity.
Smart system to verify legitimate operators
A new verification model will make it easier to separate licensed sellers from illegal ones.
Each terminal will be linked to a smart verification and sticker system under the Coalition of Concerned Lotto Agents and Writers Association of Ghana (CLAAG). Using scannable stickers and digital tracking, enforcement teams will be able to confirm instantly whether an operator is registered and compliant.
Abdul-Salam explained that the NLA has struggled to control unlicensed activity within the Private Lotto Operators (PLOs) network, as some registered entities continued to run illegal games. The new system, developed in consultation with the Attorney General, will require every registered writer to display a verification sticker that can be scanned using mobile devices.
Once the process is finalised, inspectors will be able to distinguish legitimate businesses from rogue operators, improving accountability and revenue collection.
Expanding reach and rebuilding control
The NLA wants to restore visibility in regions where illegal operators have filled the gap.
Abdul-Salam acknowledged that weak coverage in certain areas has allowed unlicensed operators to flourish. The new POS terminals, combined with technology-based monitoring and local enforcement, are expected to close those gaps.
He said the initiative will not only boost legitimate participation but also restore public confidence in Ghana’s national lottery framework.
As the rollout begins, one question defines the challenge ahead: can technology and stronger oversight finally bring Ghana’s lottery industry back under full control?
Source: Focus Gaming News
