NLA Directs Private Lotto Operators to End Paper-Based Lottery Staking by 1 August 2026
Ghana’s National Lottery Authority (NLA) has issued a directive mandating all licensed Private Lotto Operators (PLOs) to end manual, paper-based lottery staking and adopt electronic POS terminals by August 1, 2026.
On July 21, 2026, NLA formalised a strategic partnership with Fidelity Bank PLC. This partnership serves as the backbone for the rollout of modern POS terminals, replacing obsolete Point of Sale Terminals (POSTs) and the limitations of an unreliable 2G network. These technical hurdles often resulted in business losses and restricted prompt prize payments, which were previously capped at GHS 1,200.
To manage this transition, the NLA is deploying state-of-the-art POS terminals designed to improve efficiency, reduce operational losses, establish a reliable network infrastructure, and strengthen its competitiveness against licensed PLOs.
All PLOs are required to conduct lottery sales exclusively through electronic POS terminals. During the signing ceremony, the Director-General, Mr. Mohammed Abdul-Salam, emphasized that migrating to these digital systems is a mandatory condition of their licensing agreements. He reiterated the Authority’s mandate to discontinue all paper-based lottery operations by Private Lotto Operators.
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The NLA has warned of strict consequences for non-compliance, stating that operators, agents, and writers who continue manual operations will not be permitted to operate. Failure to transition will result in the revocation of operating licenses, and those who have not settled their regulatory fees by the August 1 deadline also risk being removed from the list of licensed providers.
The Deputy Managing Director of Fidelity Bank PLC, Mr. Kwabena Boateng, expressed gratitude to the stakeholders involved in the deal. He noted that the ceremony marks the beginning of the rollout phase, which will provide enhanced value and convenience to NLA customers.
The mandate to discontinue paper-based operations is part of a broader mission to modernise Ghana’s lottery sector. By transitioning to a fully digital system, the NLA aims to improve revenue tracking and reduce operational leakages, strengthen regulatory oversight and accountability, and enhance the player experience by increasing instant prize payout limits and ensuring quicker settlement for larger winnings through Fidelity Bank.
This transition is a critical step toward the NLA’s goal of achieving fully digital lottery sales by the third quarter of 2026. It complements other ongoing reforms, such as the “No Sticker, No Sales” enforcement campaign, which requires all vendors to be registered and display official compliance stickers. This digital transformation is intended to enable real-time transaction monitoring and effectively address illegal lottery activities across the country.
