The National Lottery Authority (NLA) is a statutory agency in Ghana that operates under the Ministry of Finance. As a governmental organization, the NLA is responsible for organizing raffles for the nation, providing an opportunity to win prizes, thereby making life more enjoyable and better for everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances.
The history of lottery in Ghana can be traced to 1958 when the then Department of National Lotteries (DNL) was established under the National Weekly Lotto Act, 1961 (ACT 94) as a Department under the Ministry of Finance.
The idea to establish the National Lotteries Department came up in the early days of Ghana’s independence after the then Finance Minister K.A. Gbedemah travelled to Malta. While abroad, he came across a lottery and on his return informed the President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
In collaboration with the Maltese government, Ghana established the National Lotteries Department in 1962, as a revenue-generating venture for the state. Sixty years ago, Dr. Nkrumah pressed the first nob for the draw.
Over five decades, the NLA transformed from the Department of National Lotteries (DNL) in the Civil Service to an independent Public Service Institution. It currently holds a legal lottery monopoly in Ghana, vital for revenue and jobs.
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The NLA has been on a 60 Year walk in Ghana, generating revenue for national development.
NLA (then DNL) commenced operations with its flagship game, the 5/90 Fixed Odds, in 1962 when the first draw was held. Today, the 5/90 draw by the NLA is a major vehicle for revenue generation.
In 2011, NLA fully automated its entire operations and, in the process, distributed 10,000 POSTs to its Lotto Marketing Companies (LMCs) and Retailers to dispense lotto tickets.
NLA’s games are dispensed by NLA licensed Retailers or Lotto Marketing Companies from NLA branded Point of Sale Terminals. NLA Retailers can usually be identified in their NLA branded kiosks, containers, umbrellas or highlighters or an NLA logo from their point of sale.
NLA’s Draws are credible and transparent and are always held in the presence of the general public with both external and internal auditors present to ensure integrity of the draws. Stringent measures are in put place to ensure an impenetrable process.
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Recently a player from Asankragua won an amount of Three hundred and forty two thousand Ghana cedis (GHs 342,000.00) from playing the NLA game and was paid promptly without any qualms.
With NLA, even if you do not win, you still get to benefit as an individual or a member of a community. This is because NLA contributes to the Consolidated Fund for National Development.
The passage of the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722) granted autonomy to the Department of National Lotteries (DNL) which became known as the National Lottery Authority (NLA), with a sole mandate to regulate, supervise, conduct and manage National Lotto and to provide for related matters. Section 2(4) of Act 722 also empowers NLA to operate Games of Chance in addition to Lottery. A governing regulation, the Lottery Regulations, 2008 (L.I.
PNDC Law 223 allowed participation by private persons in Lottery operations under the District Assemblies. The idea was to help the Districts generate revenue through license fees and taxes to government.
A historic partnership agreement has been struck that gives the National Lottery Authority (NLA) sole regulation, managerial and supervisory powers over the operations of the Veterans Administration, Ghana (VAG) lottery.
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The collaborative agreement between both organisations has seen the NLA, under Act 844, grant licenses to five Private Sector Lotto Operators:
- Lotto and Lotteries Company Limited
- Alpha Lotto Limited
- From Home Company Limited
- Vision 2000 Company Limited
- Rand Lotto
The Licensing of the newly qualified Private Sector Lotto Operators were approved by the NLA Board and are now set to operate lottery under Act 844 which, in turn, will be regulated by the Lottery Authority in accordance with Act 722.
A statement released by the NLA read: “All Licensed Private Sector Lotto Operators together with their Agents, Sub-agents and ‘Writers'(Retailers) shall use Point of Sale Terminals to sell all lottery products as part of the Terms and conditions of their respective Contracts.
“Each Licensed Private Sector Lotto Operator shall obtain a Security Identification Embossment to affix on the respective Lotto Kiosks of their Agents, Sub-agents and ‘Writers'(Retailers).”
Although details are yet to be confirmed, the Licensed Private Sector Lotto Operators are now set to operate strictly in accordance with the Terms and Conditions stated in their respective contracts.
Furthermore, the NLA has warned that any entity found to be paying ‘outrageous’ Commission above that approved by the Authority will ‘be dealt with’ in accordance with Act 722, L. I. 1948 and Section 22 of Act 844.
The statement continued: “The National Lottery Authority (NLA) would like to reiterate that, it is unlawful under Act 722, L.I. 1948 and Section 22 of Act 844 to manufacture, distribute, sell or retail lottery products and services without authorization from the National Lottery Authority (NLA).
“Accordingly, all those engaged in illegal lottery operations would be arraigned before Lotto Courts across the Country inaugurated by the Chief Justice of Ghana. The lotto Courts aim at ensuring prosecution of lotto- related offences, compliance, and enforcement of the Act 722, L.I.
At the Grand Durbar to climax the Authority’s 60th Anniversary, President Akufo-Addo said the authority must have sound policies and responsible gaming to prevent minors and underage persons from partaking.
The Director General of the National Lottery Association Mr. The President of the World Lottery Association Madam Rebecca Paul, congratulated the NLA for all the success chalked up in the year.
A Deputy Minister for Finance Minister Dr.
NLA’s games include:
- Monday Special;
- Lucky Tuesday;
- Midweek;
- Fortune Thursday;
- Friday Bonanza.
In February 2015, NLA also introduced SoccerCash, a dividend game, onto the Ghanaian lottery market.
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