The staff of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), under the banner of the Financial and Business Services Employees Union (FBSEU of NLA), have petitioned the government to urgently intervene in what they describe as the “deliberate private capture” of the state-owned lottery business. The union claims that questionable third-party contracts and licenses granted to Private Lotto Operators (PLOs) have severely undermined the NLA’s operations and caused substantial financial losses.
The petition, addressed to the Office of the Attorney General, the Minister for Justice, and the newly appointed Director General of the NLA, demands the immediate suspension and review of all third-party agreements and licenses granted to PLOs over the past six years. The union argues that these agreements violate the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722), and have contributed to a decline in the NLA's financial health and operational efficiency.
A significant concern raised by the union is the sharp drop in NLA’s revenue, particularly from its Point of Sale Terminals (POSTs), since the rise of online platforms and PLOs. The union estimates that between 2017 and 2024, nearly 50% of the NLA’s market share has been lost to online platforms and PLOs, resulting in revenue shortfalls exceeding GH₵250 million.
The union also claims that these losses have led to widespread job cuts, particularly among Lotto Marketing Companies (LMCs) that have traditionally supported the NLA. At the heart of the controversy is KEED Ghana Limited (KGL), which operates the NLA's 5/90 games online. The union accuses KGL of violating the responsibilities outlined for Lotto Marketing Companies under the National Lotto Act, including the improper handling of lottery proceeds and withholding critical financial data from the NLA.
The petition further highlights the exclusive 25-year license granted to KGL by the previous NLA Board, which the union argues jeopardizes the NLA's independence and long-term viability. Other companies, such as Bluestar Lotto, Alpha Lotto, and Luma Technologies, are also named in the petition for being granted licenses under misleading pretences, which the union claims have led to further operational challenges.
The union has warned that unless the government intervenes swiftly—by reconstituting the NLA’s governing board with knowledgeable members and reviewing the controversial third-party contracts—the NLA risks collapsing entirely. In an effort to safeguard the authority and the welfare of its workers, the union has threatened to take drastic actions, including protests and halting lotto draws, should their demands not be met.
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