GLOA defends economic impact of Ghana’s 29 lotto operators beyond payments to the National Lottery Authority
The association says jobs, livelihoods and community-level economic activity should be considered alongside revenue contributions when assessing the role of private lotto operators.
Ghana.- The Ghana Lotto Operators Association (GLOA), which represents the country’s licensed Private Lotto Operators (PLOs), has challenged comparisons between the financial contributions of its members and KGL Technology, saying the debate overlooks the sector’s role in creating jobs, supporting livelihoods and driving economic activity across the country.
In a statement carried by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and reported by several local media outlets, the association said licensed operators should be assessed on their overall economic contribution, including employment creation, enterprise development and grassroots economic activity, rather than solely on revenue remitted to the National Lottery Authority (NLA).
The comments follow reports published on June 8 that KGL Technology, a digital lottery services provider working with the NLA, contributed more than GH¢173m (US$16.7m) to the authority in 2025, compared with a combined GH¢44.9m (US$4.3m) paid by 29 licensed private lotto operators.
GLOA issued its response on June 14, arguing that the comparison does not provide a complete picture of the lottery industry’s contribution to Ghana’s economy and fails to account for differences in operating models and market access. While its members collectively paid approximately GH¢44.9m (US$4.3m) in licence fees to the NLA during 2025, GLOA argued that the figure does not fully capture the sector’s contribution to employment, enterprise development and grassroots economic activity.
GLOA said: “The public is being presented with a comparison between entities operating under fundamentally different conditions.”
GLOA noted that the 29 licensed private lotto operators remain among the sector’s largest contributors to employment, grassroots economic activity and revenue generation, with their impact extending well beyond licence fee payments. The association said more than one million Ghanaians derive direct or indirect livelihoods from the activities of licensed private lotto operators.
According to GLOA, private operators maintain extensive retail networks across the country, creating opportunities for lotto writers, agents, supervisors and other workers who depend on the sector for income. According to the association, lotto writers receive commissions equivalent to 25 per cent of gross revenue, while supervising agents earn an additional 5 per cent, highlighting the sector’s role in supporting livelihoods and local economic activity.
Beyond licence fee payments
The association also highlighted the financial commitments required to operate within the regulated lottery market. It said operators invest heavily in point-of-sale terminals, lotto kiosks, transportation, maintenance services and administrative systems, while also funding the recruitment, training and support of their retail networks.
The association further argued that these operational costs and investments should be considered when assessing the contribution of licensed operators to the lottery ecosystem. “Market access is one of the most important drivers of revenue generation in the lottery business and any assessment of contributions to the NLA must take this reality into account,” GLOA said.
The association also pointed to differences in operating models within Ghana’s lottery sector, arguing that comparisons between operators should reflect the distinct market conditions under which they operate.
While acknowledging KGL’s reported contribution to the NLA, GLOA said comparisons between operators should take account of their broader economic and social impact.
GLOA concluded that a balanced assessment of the lottery sector should consider both direct revenue contributions and the broader social and economic benefits generated by licensed operators throughout Ghana.
