Ghana’s National Lottery Authority (NLA) has ended manual paper-based lotto operations nationwide, requiring private lotto operators, agents and writers to move to electronic systems or stop operating.
The directive took effect on 1 October 2026. The NLA had warned that operators failing to comply would not be permitted to continue and could face the full force of the law.
NLA Extends Original Deadline To Support Digital Transition
The NLA originally set 1 August as the deadline for ending manual lottery staking. Following consultations with industry stakeholders, the Authority extended the date by two months to give operators more time to adopt point-of-sale (POS) terminals.
The transition forms part of Ghana’s broader move from handwritten lottery coupons to electronic staking. Under the new system, private lotto operators are expected to use approved equipment under the terms of their licences.
NLA director-general Mohammed Abdul-Salam said ahead of the original deadline: “By the end of July, no one should be seen using pen and paper. We need to compel people to stake through the electronic equipment.”
Fidelity Bank Partnership Adds 5,000 POS Terminals
The NLA’s partnership with Fidelity Bank supports the transition through a digital lottery platform, upgraded payment infrastructure and the deployment of 5,000 Android-based POS terminals.
The new infrastructure is intended to address ageing equipment while improving market access and regulatory oversight. Fidelity Bank said the system would also provide instant payouts for winnings below GH¢30,000 (US$2,559).
The instant payout limit increased from GH¢1,200 (US$102), with larger prizes also eligible for immediate settlement through Fidelity Bank under its agreement with the NLA.
Non-Compliant Operators Face Enforcement from the NLA
The electronic system recorded its first reported win on 17 September, when agent Mercy Opebia Opoku won the NoonRush draw using an NLA-Fidelity POS terminal at the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre in Accra.
The NLA has advised operators wishing to remain active to register as Lotto Marketing Companies. Those that fail to comply with the digital requirement will be barred from operating.
Ghana’s transition removes paper staking from a large part of the private lotto sector and gives the regulator higher visibility over transactions. POS-based operations should improve auditability, payout controls and data collection, but smaller operators may face higher costs during the shift.
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