The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has launched a new sticker system to identify licensed operators and clamp down on illegal activity in the lottery sector. The initiative began on 1 September in partnership with the Concerned Lotto Agents Association of Ghana.

Speaking at the launch in Accra, NLA Director-General Mohammed Abdul-Salam said the sticker scheme is part of reforms to strengthen regulation and boost state revenue. “As part of government reforms led by President John Dramani Mahama, the overall objective is to reform, redirect and improve operations. The NLA must generate substantial revenue for the State, which will be channelled towards national development,” he explained.

Clear Identification for Licensed Operators

Under the new system, stickers will serve as visible identifiers for registered operators and writers. Enforcement teams will use them to distinguish legitimate businesses from unlicensed operators. Abdul-Salam stressed that the project aims to sanitise the system and ensure lottery revenues flow into the appropriate state accounts.

Executive Secretary of CLAAG, Kwaku Duah Tawiah, highlighted the importance of industry support. “The purpose of the stickers is to weed out illegal operators, agents and writers. Any writer who continues to work with an unregistered operator does so at their own risk,” he said. Tawiah added that legitimate businesses must back the system, warning sabotage would not receive association support. “Any money that goes to the wrong pocket does not help us as a nation. I am appealing to all lottery operators to support this process.”

Registration Back on Track

Head of Operations at the NLA, Andrew Tuah, addressed the issue of private lotto agent and writer registration. He said the process will now continue with renewed momentum. “This year, with renewed commitment from the Director-General, we are going ahead to ensure all writers and agents are duly registered so that sanity is restored to the industry.”

The registration process is intended to formalise the operations of private agents and writers, ensuring they work within the NLA’s supervision and the law. Once registered, these agents will receive stickers confirming their legitimacy and enabling them to operate without fear of enforcement.

A Step Toward Long-Term Growth

The regulating body described the sticker scheme as a landmark in the country’s lottery regulation. Ghana has emerged as a focal point for gaming growth in West Africa, with rising investment and stronger regulations driving the sector’s expansion. Regulators believe that a more transparent lottery system will play a key role in supporting national development goals.

Furthermore, the NLA combines registration and clear identification measures to generate revenue and protect the lottery industry’s integrity.