Ghana’s Lottery Authority announces 5,000 POS terminals to modernise operations and combat illegal operators
Smart verification system and stickers to track legitimate operators and strengthen compliance across Ghana.
Ghana.- Ghana’s National Lottery Authority (NLA) is taking bold steps to revamp its systems and tackle illegal operators. The Authority announced a strategic partnership with Fidelity Bank to roll out 5,000 new point-of-sale (POS) terminals, a move the NLA says will significantly improve its operations.
During parliamentary testimony this week, NLA officials said the rollout of the POS terminals, in partnership with Fidelity Bank, is part of sweeping reforms to modernise operations and crack down on illegal operators draining state revenue. The rollout is expected to start soon and will be phased into 2026, reflecting practical constraints around procurement, training and enforcement capacity, according to the Authority.
Speaking before the Public Accounts Committee, NLA Director-General Mohammed Abdul-Salam outlined plans to strengthen sales, improve distribution and tighten oversight of illegal lottery activities.
“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,” said Abdul‑Salam, according Citi Newsroom.
The rollout is part of a broader reform programme that aims not only to replace outdated equipment but also to expand the NLA’s reach into areas where it currently has no operational presence, which unlicensed operators have been exploiting.
Smart system to track legitimate operators
The new terminals are tied to a verification and enforcement system involving stickers and smart device scanning of licensed operators under the Coalition of Concerned Lotto Agents and Writers Association of Ghana (CLAAG). This system will help distinguish legitimate operators from illegal ones and strengthen compliance nationwide.
The NLA indicated that the structure of the Private Lotto Operators (PLOs) currently makes it difficult for it to control illegal lotto operators because some of these operators were involved in illegal activities before registering. Even after licensing them, some continue to operate unlawfully.
Abdul‑Salam added: “As a result, we have entered into an arrangement with CLAAG and are consulting the Attorney General for clarification to ensure that all writers registered under the PLOs receive a sticker. Once the process is completed, enforcement agencies can ensure compliance by scanning the sticker with smart devices, making it easier to distinguish legitimate operators from illegal ones.”
Abdul-Salam indicated that gaps in the NLA’s presence have allowed illegal operators to flourish in certain areas. He expressed confidence that the new POS terminals, combined with enforcement measures, will expand access and participation in legitimate NLA operations.
