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Tag: NLA

  • NLA announces licensing of Private Lotto Operators

    The Management of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) has announced the completion of the Pre-Qualification phase for licensing of all operators of private lotto (OPL) for the 2021/2022 licensing year.

    In a press statement copied to Kingdom FM, NLA said it wishes to encourage OPLs to take steps to regularize their operations.

    “Effective 1st November 2021, NLA, in collaboration with the security services, will clamp down on all unlicensed lottery operators to sanitize the lotto industry.”

    Read Full Statement Below

    LICENSING OF OPERATORS OF PRIVATE LOTTO FOR 2021/2022

    The National Lottery Authority (NLA) wishes to announce the completion of the Pre-Qualification phase for licensing of all operators of private lotto (OPL) for the 2021/2022 licensing year.

    Subsequently, all OPls who submitted their duly completed Pre-Qualification Forms to NLA are hereby requested to contact the Operations Office at the NLA Head Office, Fortune House First floor, Accra for Licensing Application Forms and Payment Terms.

    The deadline for submission of duly completed Licensing Application Forms and for making payments is October 29, 2021. Licensing of OPLs for the 2021/2022 licensing year will commence on November 1, 2021.

    NLA would like to encourage OPLs to take steps to regularize their operations.

    Effective 1st November 2021, NLA, in collaboration with the security services, will clamp down on all unlicensed lottery operators to sanitize the lotto industry.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • NLA reacts to Ghana Lotto Operators Association

    The resolution of a 30-year-old impasse between Private Lotto Operators and the National Lottery Authority (NLA) is at the brink of collapse due to the conduct of some members of the Ghana Lotto Operators Association (GLOA).

    Also the conduct of its allied group known as Concerned Lotto Agents Association of Ghana (CLAAG) is also not good.

    In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, the NLA stated that, there was no policy for KGL Technology Limited to take over from the Authority, which was confirmed by the Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, during his vetting at the Appointments Committee of Parliament.

    “It is instructive to place on record that NLA is not creating any form of monopoly for KGL Technology Limited and urged the media and the public to totally disregard the allegations by GLOA”.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Keed Ghana Limited is not the same as KGL Technology Limited in terms of operations.

    “Keed Ghana Limited was duly licensed by the NLA to operate a dividend-based game on behalf of NLA known as Lucky 3 with an official shortcode of *987#.

    “On the other hand, KGL Technology Limited is an online lotto marketing company duly licensed by the NLA to operate the 5/90 Original Lotto on behalf of the Authority with the official short of *959#.

    The statement said the allegations by GLOA against KGL Technology Limited and its Chief Executive, Mr. Alex Dadey and Keed Ghana Limited was baseless.

    It said KGL Technology Limited was fully legal and recognized by the NLA as an online lotto marketing company responsible for the operation of *959# on behalf of NLA and the partnership between the NLA and KGL Technology Limited could be best described as a GAME CHANGER.

    It said the partnership was a million times more profitable to the NLA than the licenses issued to members of Ghana Lotto Operators Association including Alpha Lotto Limited.

    The statement said KGL Technology Limited was not indebted to the NLA by GHC20 million and was important that the media and the public totally ignored and rejected the unsubstantiated allegations by GLOA against KGL Technology Limited.

    The statement said GLOA sought to create misleading information that there was a KGL Cabal with intentions of creating a monopoly over online Lotto for KGL Technology Limited to the disadvantage of the State and other Lotto Operators.

    It said KGL Technology Limited was a wholly-owned Ghanaian company with no political attachments and had a track record and perfect platform which was useful to the revenue mobilization efforts of NLA.

    It said the attempts by GLOA to link KGL Technology Limited to Government appointees was unfortunate and needed to be totally ignored by the media and the public and there were no hidden intentions, and absolutely no “take-over” schemes to surrender NLA to KGL Technology Limited.

    The statement KGL Technology Limited was only an online Lotto marketing company duly licensed by NLA and operated on behalf of NLA aimed at supporting the revenue generational capacity of the Authority and they supported any statement issued by the Public Relations Unit against the illegal activities of Alpha Lotto Limited as it was illegally operating a Short Code as well as conducting live Draws on GTV.

    The statement said the NLA had every power to curtail the illegal short code, and illegal Live Draws of Alpha Lotto Limited and the NLA would not hesitate to revoke the licenses of Private Lotto Operators who were not operating within the terms and conditions of their respective licenses.

    “The Authority as the regulator will also not allow any private lotto operator to operate a shortcode without the appropriate license from the Board of NLA.

    “The lNLA) as the regulator would not allow any private lotto company to conduct independent live draws on TV without a Draw Committee duly constituted by NLA in accordance with the National Lotto Act 722 and Lottery Regulations, 2008(L.I. 1948).

    “The statement said the NLA had stated that the licenses issued by Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, the former Director-General to all Private Lotto Operators were without approval.

    “In accordance with the National Lotto Act 722 and Lottery Regulations 2008(L.I.1948), the licenses issued by the former Director-General, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw to the Private Lotto Operators are not grounded in law because it is only the NLA Board that has the powers and authority to grant licenses to companies or individuals who want to operate Lotto in Ghana.

    “President Akufo-Addo is fully committed to protecting the NLA from collapsing and setting the records straight once again, KGL Technology Limited is not indebted to NLA by GHC20 million.

    “The only recalcitrant group here is the members of GLOA/CLAAG, and the NLA would like to caution members of GLOA that they cannot fight NLA, the regulator through the media or Court and become successful.

    “NLA shall never allow the illegal activities of some GLOA and CLAAG members to collapse NLA”.

    The statement said KGL Technology Limited and Keed Ghana Limited had their respective licenses duly approved by the Board of NLA in accordance with the National Lotto Act 722 and Lottery Regulations, 2008(L. I. 1948).

    “All the licenses for members of GLOA/CLAAG signed by the former Director-General, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw were without approval and all allegations against Presidency, Appointees, Alex Dadey, Razak Kojo Opoku and Ernest Mote are all baseless and lies that the media and public must ignore.

    “So far so good, the NLA was happy with the KGL Partnership and absolutely no media noise from GLOA, CLAAG and their “Allies” would stop the partnership between NLA and KGL Technology Limited because the partnership is a Game changer and more profitable to NLA”, the statement concluded.

    Source: GNA

  • Group kicks against appointment of Amoakohene Baafi as NLA boss

    The Association of Lotto Marketing Companies has kicked against the appointment of Yaw Amoakohene Baafi as the Director-General of the National Lottery Authority.

    The group in a petitioned signed by its Vice Chairman, Nana A.K Boaponsem, prayed President Akufo-Addo not to appoint Amoakohene Baafi due to his conduct.

    According to the group, Amoakohene has over the years demonstrated that he does not have the temperament to deal with the operators.

    They also alleged that Amoakohene Baafi has on numerous occasions attempted to create disunity among the members of the group.

    “The Deputy Director-General on many occasions sought to create confusion among our membership and to break our front by inciting a section of our members, members of staff and some management personnel who are known to be adversaries of the current Government to engage in constant agitations against the management,” part of the statement reads.

    The association also noted that the NLA which is already cash strapped will suffer further losses should the president appoint Amoakohene Baafi as Director-General.

    “Mr Yaw Amoakohene Baafi has nothing to bring on board so far as the progress and outlook of the NLA is concerned, should he be made the substantive head of the NLA or Deputy Director-General or in an acting capacity.

    Below are copies of the petition



    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Regulate operations of lotto properly to provide more jobs – Agents to government

    The Concerned Lotto Agents Association of Ghana (CLAAG), has called on the government to regulate properly the operations of the lotto industry with a view to promoting employment and at the same time sourcing revenue for the badly needed development of the state of Ghana.

    The association noted that successive governments have not given due recognition to the industry as a source of employment and have neglected to regulate the operations of the industry to sustain the provision of jobs and as a regular source of employment.

    In a press statement, the Lotto Agents denied claims that the lotto industry had provided jobs to more than two million Ghanaians especially in the informal sector.

    They also raised other concerns confronting lotto agents, calling on the government to address them as soon as possible.

    Below is a statement:

    Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen of the press. It is an understatement to say that the lotto industry had provided jobs to more than two million Ghanaians especially in the informal sector.

    Unfortunately the successive governments have not given due recognition to the industry as a source of employment and have neglected to regulate the operations of the industry to sustain the provision of jobs and as a regular source of employment.

    The decision to cut off private participation in lotto industry was therefore not a step in the right direction.

    The Atta Mills regime however decided to bring back the private participation through the creation of the VAG act in 2012.

    The current administration through the Director General of National Lottories invited about 32 Private Lotto operations (firms, companies) to register and be lincensed to be able to operate.

    Huge sums of money were paid by the thirty-two companies but about only seven got lincenses to operate, we hope that the rest will get their lincense in due course.

    Those who did not apply for lincenses at all and who have no lincenses are now operating and paying huge commission to the Lotto writes because their operation is a black market sort of operation without any regulation.

    We call on the government to regulate properly the operations of the Lotto industry with a view to promoting employment and at the same time sourcing revenue for the badly needed development of the state of Ghana.

    The NLA at the moment is a player and a referee at the same time. NLA is a regulator and yet not independent as they themselves compete with lotto operations and that is a source of gargantuan confusion and chaos. We need an independent regulator who is not a competitor.

    We are therefore calling on all our members to remain calm and give their support to the government so that this unfinished business will continue after the coming elections.

    Source: Atinka Online

  • NLA reviews fast pay threshold policy

    The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has resumed operations of the Fast Pay Platform with its partner Banks with a threshold payment limit of GH¢5,000 instead of the previous GH¢12,000.

    The payment policy is aimed at minimizing inconvenience to winners of small prizes, who have to travel to the NLA Offices to register their wins due to the current arrangement of thorough validation and investigations of Big Winning Tickets.

    A statement signed by Head of the Public Relations Unit of the NLA and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday urged the staking public to communicate all payment challenges through the Treasury Managers or Account Officers for redress.

    The statement expressed the NLA appreciation and gratefulness to the staking public and Lotto Marketing Companies for their cooperation.

    Source: GNA

  • Timelines for NLA payments reviewed due to coronavirus

    The National Lottery Authority (NLA) on Saturday said the payment of winning tickets/prizes after every draw would slightly delay for a number of days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    A statement signed by the Public Relations Unit of the Authority, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said its employees currently run on shift basis as a result of the pandemic, hence validation and payments would reasonably delay.

    It said in as much as the Authority was willing to satisfy the staking public, lotto discounters and the LMCs, it was equally important to take pragmatic steps to protect the lives its employees in these difficult periods of the COVID-19.

    The statement, therefore, appealed to its stakeholders to cooperate with the Authority as it needed to properly investigate winning tickets/prizes before payment due to the rising activities of lotto fraudsters.

    “The decision by the NLA to do due diligence, thorough investigation and validation of winning tickets will definitely affect the timelines for payment,” it said.

    “From the above stated reasons, we are humbly urging the staking public, lotto discounters and LMCs to promptly register their Winning Tickets at the nearby Regional and District Offices of the NLA or the Authority’s Head Office for investigation and validation before payment.

    It called on the public to cooperate with the NLA and exercise restraint “so that collectively we can transform the lottery industry.

    Source: GNA

  • National Lottery Authority cautions public against lotto fraudsters

    The National Lottery Authority (NLA) is cautioning the general public not to fall victim to the operations and activities of lotto fraudsters.

    The said fraudsters according to the NLA are using different platforms and communication strategies to defraud unsuspecting persons.

    In a statement signed by the Public relations Unit of the Authority, said the lotto fraudsters have defrauded unsuspecting people through several social media platforms including Facebook accounts/pages, WhatsApp platforms.

    In their modus operandi, the fraudsters use the social media handles they have created using the name and logo of NLA in different formats.

    “The NLA shall not be responsible for any losses incurred by unsuspecting people who are defrauded by these lotto fraudsters and social media miscreants,” the statement said.

    The statement further urged the public to be more vigilant and not patronise the services of such lotto fraudsters.

    “Stake lotto through the NLA official short codes, and digital or online platforms on *959# for 5/90 original lotto game, 590 games mobile app, www.590mobile.com.gh, Lucky 3 with the official short code, *987#, Daywa with the official short code *446#, Super 6 game, available on the Android Point of Sale Terminals and *787# short code known as “Wotiriye.”

    The statement again urged the public to continue to play their favourite lotto via all the shortcodes and websites cited.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • GFA delegation pays visit to NLA to discuss partnership deal

    A delegation from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, paid a working visit to the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

    The visit is part of a move by the country’s football governing body to build a good relationship with the actors of the corporate world.

    According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the NLA Mr. Razak Adjetefio, they had discussions over a possible partnership deal.

    He has hinted that the partnership deal between the GFA and NLA could be a predict and win that is likely to be introduced when the next football season starts.

    The GFA recently announced the cancelation of the 2019/2020 football season as a result of the Coronavirus crisis which has resulted in the government banning all football activities in the country.

    Other corporate visits are expected to be done by the GFA in hopes of securing partnerships and sponsorships before the new season comes around.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Robustness of *890# NLA official short code is matchless

    The National Lottery Authority(NLA) Official Short Code *890# remains the safest and legal Platform to play your favourites NLA 5/90 and VAG Lotto Games via MTN, Vodafone and AirtelTigo during this period of Coronavirus pandemic.

    Support Government and the National Lottery Authority(NLA) by playing responsibly through our Official Short Code *890#. The *890# is the only Platform with multiple Games of NLA 5/90 and VAG Lotto.

    Just within few days of the implementation of the NLA Official Short Code *890#, the access rate has been phenomenal.

    A lot of players have won with instant prizes through their respective Mobile Money Accounts.

    The robustness and transparency of the *890# Official Short Code is matchless.

    The National Lottery Authority(NLA) would like to urge the staking Public and our Lotto Marketing Companies to continue to play their favourites NLA 5/90 and VAG Lotto Games via *890# via MTN, Vodafone and AirtelTigo.

    Stay Home and Make Money via Official Short Code of National Lottery Authority(NLA) *890#

    Source: NLA

  • NLA activates operations short code *890# to mitigate shortfall of sales

    The Coronavirus pandemic is greatly reducing the sales of National Lottery Authority (NLA).

    The Restrictions on Movement and Lockdown of Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi and Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly (Kasoa) have immensely reduced sales of the Authority. The lockdown areas served as backbone of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) in terms of Sales.

    Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Lotto Marketing Companies are unable to sell to the Staking Public. Therefore, to mitigate the shortfall of Sales, the Authority has activated its Official Short Code *890# to give opportunity to the Staking Public to play 5/90 and VAG Lotto Games via MTN, Vodafone and AirtelTigo.

    The National Lottery Authority(NLA) Official Short Code *890# would help to ensure the survival of the Authority in this difficult moments of Coronavirus pandemic.

    In this period of the Coronavirus pandemic, the National Lottery Authority(NLA) is doing everything possible to sustain the sales force of the Authority while at the same time limiting physical human body contacts.

    Dail the National Lottery Authority(NLA) Official Short Code *890# and play 5/90 and VAG Lotto Games with enhanced Prize Structure of 240 via MTN, Vodafone and AirtelTigo.

    Stay Home: Stay Safe and Stop the spread of Coronavirus pandemic.

    Source: NLA Ghana

  • NLA urges LMCs to remain calm

    The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has appealed to members of the Association of Lotto Marketing Companies to remain calm and exercise patience as the Authority Board takes steps and actions to address the illegal operation of *959# Mobile Game.

    Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, The Director-General of NLA has made several efforts including; writing letters to the National Communications Authority (NCA), Keed Ghana Limited and the Telcos to shut down the shortcode of *959# operating 5/90 lotto illegally.

    A statement signed by the Public Relations Unit of the NLA said, Management of NLA and the National Leadership of Association of Lotto Marketing Companies have set up a Joint Working Committee to deal with the illegal short code of *959# operating the 5/90 lotto by MTN, Vodafone, AirtelTigo and Keed Ghana Limited.

    The statement said, the Joint Working Committee of the NLA and the Association would consider suing the Telcos and Keed Ghana Limited if they fail to shut down the shortcode *959# as soon as possible.

    It said the NLA had not issued License to Keed Ghana Limited to operate 5/90 Lotto Game online and via shortcode *959#.

    The statement cautioned the staking public that the NLA 5/90 Mobile Game via Mobile USSD *959# and on online Platform was not duly licensed by the Authority as at now.

    It said when licensed, the Authority would officially launch and communicate same to the staking public but for now *959# Mobile/Online Game is operating illegally at the detriment of our Lotto Marketing Companies who are the backbone and sales force of the Authority.

    The statement further said that the illegal operations of *959# Mobile/Online Game was, directly and indirectly, destroying the sales of the Lotto Marketing Companies and subsequently affecting the revenue generation of the NLA.

    It said the “NLA would like to appeal to the Telcos and Keed Ghana Limited to shut down the USSD *959# currently illegally operating Lottery until a license is duly acquired under Act 722.”

    The statement said that Keed Ghana Limited and the Tekcos had a patriotic duty to the State to protect the core business of the NLA and our Lotto Marketing Companies by shutting down the illegal USSD *959# with immediate effect.

    It said, accordingly, the staking public is cautioned to discontinue patronising *959# Lotto Game on the Telcos and Keed Online Platform.

    Source: GNA

  • NLA meets labour unions to unionise staff

    The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has held separate meetings with three labour bodies for the formation of a union for its staff.

    They include Union of Industry, Commerce and Finance (UNICOF), Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU) and the Financial Business and Services Employees Union (FBSEU).

    On 12 February, 2020, management of NLA received Guidelines/Rules Governing the Standing Negotiation Committee (SNC) from the three separate Unions

    Separate meetings were subsequently held between the management and the individual unions on the 12, 13 and 14 February, 2020. The meetings were held under the chairmanship of the Director-General of NLA, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw.

    The Guidelines/Rules of the Standing Negotiation Committee from the FBSEU, ICU and UNICOF have already been signed and adopted.

    As part of the process, it is expected that the three unions shall furnish the NLA with copies of their List and Verification Forms signed by staff of the authority, indicating the Authorization of Union Dues Deduction from their Monthly Salaries.

    The NLA said in a statement that none of the three unions have completed the process of the unionization of its staff.

    Additionally, none of the three unions have fulfilled all the criteria in relation to the bargaining power to negotiate on behalf of staff of the authority.

    It concluded that management would do everything possible to ensure the smooth and successful unionization of the staff of the authority.

    It will thus cooperate fully and wholly with all relevant stakeholders in the unionization of the staff

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • NLA Management supports unionization of staff

    The management of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) says it supports the unionization of staff of the Authority.

    Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, Director-General has received Guidelines/Rules governing the Standing Negotiation Committee (SNC) from three separate Unions.

    The three unions are the Union of Industry, Commerce and Finance (UNICOF), Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), Ghana and the Financial Business and Services Employees Union (FBSEU).

    A statement signed by the Public Relations Unit of the NLA and copied to the Ghana News Agency at the weekend said: “For the avoidance of doubt, these are three individual Unions currently doing their possible best to unionize Staff of the NLA”.

    The statement said separate meetings were held between Management of NLA and the individual Unions on the 12th, 13th and 14th February 2020 under the chairmanship of Mr Osei-Ameyaw and signed and adopted the Guidelines/Rules of the Standing Negotiation Committees of the FBSEU, ICU and UNICOF.

    It revealed that the three unions as part of the process shall furnish the NLA with copies of their List and Verification Forms signed by the staff of the Authority indicating the Authorization of Union Dues Deduction from their Monthly Salaries.

    The statement said, it was important to state that so far none of the three Unions have completed the process of the unionization of the Staff of the Authority and fulfilled all the criteria in relation to the bargaining power to negotiate on behalf of Authority Staff.

    It said the Management of the NLA would do everything possible to ensure the smooth and successful unionization of the staff and would cooperate fully and wholly with all relevant stakeholders in the unionization of the staff of the Authority.

    Source: GNA

  • NLA gets new office complex in Ho

    The National Lottery Authority (NLA) under the leadership of Kofi Osei-Ameyaw has built an ultra-modern Regional Office Complex for the Staff, Lotto Marketing Companies and other stakeholders in Ho, Volta Region.

    Previously, the Authority was renting an office space for its day-to-day businesses, administration and operations in the Region.

    The new office complex serves as a relief for the Staff of the Authority in the Volta Region.

    Upon assumption of Office as the Director-General of NLA, Hon. Kofi Osei-Ameyaw has also supervised the refurbishment of the Secretariat for Veterans Administration Ghana(VAG) and refurbishment of the Head Office for the Association of Lotto Marketing Companies.

    Plans are far advanced to establish more Offices for the National Lottery Authority (NLA) across the Country to meet the demands of accessibility, availability and visibility as far as the Customers/Clients of the Authority are concerned.

    The National Lottery Authority (NLA) would continue to be innovative in order to support Government to raise revenue for national development as well as create jobs for the good people of Ghana.

    Source: Dickson Boadi, Contributor

  • Lotto fraudsters swindling ‘greedy’ Ghanaians NLA

    The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has cautioned the general public against the operations and activities of lotto fraudsters who use “different platforms and communication strategies to dupe unsuspecting Ghanaians.”

    According to the NLA, the lotto fraudsters and social media miscreants use channels including television and radio stations, as well as online platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, text messages, emails and telephone calls to swindle their victims.

    Read: National Lottery Authority rubbishes mismanagement claims

    In a statement signed by its Public Relations Unit, the NLA said: “The lotto fraudsters and social media miscreants have defrauded a lot of unsuspecting people through several Facebook accounts/pages, WhatsApp platforms and other social media handles they have created using the name and logo of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) in different formats”.

    They also use pictures of the Director-General of the NLA, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, as well as pictures and images of NLA staff to carry out their trade.

    “The lotto fraudsters and social media miscreants are able to convince greedy people who want to be rich overnight to make mobile money transfers to them in exchange for winning lotto numbers”, the statement added.

    The NLA said it has neither “authorised nor appointed any individual or group of individuals to offer winning lotto numbers to the public”, adding: “Lottery is a game of chance and it is very impossible to foretell winning numbers before draws”.

    “The Authority does not have Facebook accounts/pages, the Authority has not created any WhatsApp groups, the Authority does not have a Twitter handle, the Authority has not designed a registration form for the public to register for winning lotto numbers, the outcome of draws are conducted in a very open and transparent manner and it is always open to the public for witnessing at 6:30 p.m. daily for original 5/90; and 7:30 a.m. daily for NLA VAG Lotto, except on Sundays and public holidays and it is absolutely false that NLA staff, lotto fraudsters and social media miscreants have access to winning lotto numbers.”

    Read: Private Lotto operators call on government intervention

    It further continued that the Director-General of the NLA is “not on Facebook and other social media platforms” and the NLA “shall not be responsible for any losses incurred by unsuspecting people who are defrauded by these lotto fraudsters and social media miscreants.”

    The NLA added that it would “like to urge the public to be more vigilant, avoid greed and discontinue engaging the services of the lotto fraudsters and social media miscreants”.

    It also appealed to “the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to help” the Authority “in curtailing the activities and operations of the lotto fraudsters and social media miscreants.”

     

    Source: classfmonline.com