The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has reaffirmed its commitment to regulating and sanitizing Ghana’s lottery industry with the official reminder and operational restart of its private lotto agents and writers registration initiative, which includes the use of identification stickers to distinguish licensed operators from illegal ones.
Speaking at a press conference held at the NLA Headquarters in Accra, Mr. Andrew Tuah, Head of Operations, emphasized that the initiative, originally launched in September 2024, is now being fully rolled out after earlier delays caused by technical hitches. He stressed the importance of identifying and legitimizing those operating within the private lottery sector.
“The lottery space has become chaotic. It is murky and difficult to tell who is properly registered,” Mr. Tuah noted. “This sticker system will help us identify duly registered agents and writers working with licensed private operators.”
Tuah added that the NLA, under its current leadership, is determined to implement reforms that ensure sanity and legality in the lottery ecosystem. The registration and sticker program will officially commence on 1st September 2025
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Mohammed Abdul-Salam, Director General of the NLA, outlined the broader reform strategy under the current administration led by *President John Dramani Mahama*. He stated that the NLA is intensifying its regulatory oversight to ensure that only legally recognized agents operate in the industry.
“We are embarking on a nationwide exercise to ensure those serving NLA customers are doing so legitimately,” said Mr. Abdul-Salam. “The sticker system is not just for identification it is a tool for enforcement. We are strengthening our regulatory arm to distinguish between licensed and illegal operators.”
The Director General emphasized that this effort is aimed at increasing revenue generation for national development and warned that enforcement will be intensified in the coming months.
Also speaking at the event, Kwaku Duah Tawiah, Executive Secretary of the Concerned Lotto Agents Association of Ghana (CLAAG), applauded the NLA’s effort and described the initiative as a crucial step toward cleaning up the lottery industry.
“The battle is over. Now is the time to act,” he declared. “This sticker system is not just a regulatory formality—it is a symbol of legitimacy. Any writer or agent who works with an unregistered operator does so at their own risk.”
Mr. Tawiah issued a strong appeal to all stakeholders especially private lotto operators to cooperate with the NLA and CLAAG to ensure the success of the initiative. He warned that those who obstruct the process risk losing their licenses and the support of CLAAG.
“We’ve come a long way, and this marks a landmark moment for the industry. Let us work together to build a lotto sector that is transparent, reliable, and beneficial to all,” he urged.
The initiative, which is backed by the leadership of both current and former NLA administrations, is expected to bring transparency, improve compliance, and boost government revenue from the sector. Over the next two months, the NLA and CLAAG will embark on stakeholder engagements and field monitoring to ensure full adherence to the registration and sticker requirements.
Credit: Eugene Nyarko
