The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has launched an ambitious digital transformation of Ghana’s lottery industry by signing a strategic partnership with Fidelity Bank Ghana PLC to deploy 5,000 modern Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals nationwide.
The move is expected to modernise lottery sales, increase government revenue and curb the growing informal lottery market.
The nationwide rollout forms part of a sweeping digital reform agenda spearheaded by the Director-General of the NLA, Abdul-Salam Mohammed, who says the Authority is repositioning itself into a fully digital lottery ecosystem.
Under the agreement signed on Tuesday, Fidelity Bank will support the deployment of the POS terminals to replace paper-based lottery operations and improve efficiency across the lottery value chain.
Beginning August 1, 2026, all licensed Private Lotto Operators (PLOs) will be required to transition from paper-based ticketing to the electronic POS system in accordance with their licensing agreements.
Mr. Abdul-Salam said the deployment of the 5,000 terminals would equip Lotto Marketing Companies (LMCs) with modern technology to compete more effectively with licensed Private Lotto Operators while boosting revenue mobilisation for the state.
He stressed that the primary objective of the lottery industry was to support national development rather than create overnight wealth for individuals.
“The whole business of lottery is supposed to generate more revenue for the state for development,” he said.
The Director-General explained that the digital platform would significantly improve customer experience through faster transactions, greater transparency and enhanced accountability.
One of the major innovations under the new system is a substantial increase in the instant prize payment threshold from GH¢1,200 to GH¢30,000 through the POS terminals.
For winnings exceeding GH¢30,000, Fidelity Bank will introduce a discounting arrangement that will allow qualifying winners to receive their prize money immediately from the bank while the National Lottery Authority settles the amount with the bank over an agreed period.
Mr. Abdul-Salam described the partnership as another major milestone in the Authority’s modernisation drive.
“This collaboration will improve our operations through the deployment of modern POS terminals, enhance service delivery and position the Authority for greater efficiency and growth,” he said.
Ahead of the implementation, the Director-General held a series of stakeholder engagements with NLA staff, Lotto Marketing Companies and other key industry players to build consensus around the reforms and address concerns regarding the transition.
He said the discussions focused on strengthening collaboration, resolving operational challenges and identifying practical support measures for Lotto Marketing Companies, whose partnership he described as essential to the success of the reforms.
Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Ghana, Julian Opuni, said the partnership aligns with Ghana’s rapidly expanding digital economy and presents an opportunity to transform the country’s lottery sector.
He noted that despite Ghana having about 73 million registered mobile money accounts, the National Lottery Authority continues to lose substantial revenue to the informal lottery market.
According to him, the partnership seeks to place the NLA at the centre of Ghana’s digital payments ecosystem while encouraging more lottery players to participate through the formal system.
Mr. Opuni said both institutions are targeting a tenfold increase in deposits over the next three years through improved technology, wider accessibility and stronger public confidence in the official lottery system.
The digital transformation represents one of the most significant reforms undertaken by the National Lottery Authority in recent years and is expected to strengthen regulatory compliance, improve operational efficiency, expand financial inclusion and unlock additional revenue for national development.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
