The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has successfully gained Observer Membership status with the European Lotteries (EL), effective June 17, 2024. This decision was made at the EL Industry Days Seminar in Salzburg, Austria, where the 45 member countries present voted unanimously to grant the NLA Observer Membership. NLA European Lotteries
This achievement comes after a strong pitch by Samuel Awuku, Director-General of NLA, at the EL Public Seminar Order in Brussels in February 2024. Awuku was invited to share his views on illegal gambling in Ghana, which led to his pitch for EL Observer Membership.
Subsequently, EL Secretary General Arjan Van T’ Veer requested the NLA to officially apply and submit its financial statements, expenditure on Good Causes, and Responsible Gaming certification. After satisfying the criteria, the NLA is now an official EL Observer Member.
Read Also: Building a Pan-African Gaming Empire Podcast with CEOpenmic – Jeremiah Maangi
Ghana is the second African country to be granted Observer Membership, bringing the total number of EL Observer Members to four. The other three members are Satty Zhuldyz JSC of Kazakhstan, Loterie Nationale Morocco, and La Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports of Morocco.
The Observer Status will allow the NLA and its stakeholders to participate freely in EL training, capacity building programs, and exchange programs on best practices for lottery industry development. EL is present in 39 European countries, with 70 members, including 50 operating in EU Member States and 20 operating in non-EU Member States.
Samuel Awuku thanked EL for granting the NLA this opportunity and believes it will strengthen the Authority’s operations and position it internationally as it seeks to become the lottery organization of choice and blueprint in Africa and beyond. Awuku also praised his dedicated team for working collectively to achieve this milestone for the NLA brand.
The meeting also saw the presence of WLA officials, including President Rebeccah Paul and General Secretary Lynne Roiter. NLA European Lotteries
