NLA Partners Fidelity Bank to Deploy 5,000 POS Terminals to Boost Operations
The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has announced plans to deploy about 5,000 new point-of-sale (POS) terminals in partnership with Fidelity Bank as part of efforts to modernise its operations and improve revenue generation.
Director-General of the NLA, Mr. Mohammed Abdul-Salam, disclosed this when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to answer questions on the Authority’s sales and distribution systems.
“Currently, we have some equipment marked as obsolete, so we plan to replace it with new point-of-sale machines. We have an arrangement with Fidelity Bank to deploy around 5,000 new point-of-sale terminals to enhance sales and revenue. We believe that in the coming year this will significantly improve our operations,” Mr. Abdul-Salam stated.
He further explained that the new initiative forms part of broader reforms to address the persistent challenge of illegal lottery operations, which continue to undermine the Authority’s revenues.
Touching on efforts to regularise the operations of Private Lotto Operators (PLOs), Mr. Abdul-Salam revealed that the NLA is engaging the Attorney General on its partnership with the Coalition of Concerned Lotto Agents and Writers Association of Ghana (CLAAG) to ensure effective regulation.
“The structure of the Private Lotto Operators currently makes it difficult for us to control illegal lotto operators because some of these operators were involved in illegal activities before registering. Even after licensing them, some continue to operate unlawfully,” he explained.
“As a result, we have entered into an arrangement with CLAAG and are consulting the Attorney General for clarification to ensure that all writers registered under the PLOs receive a sticker. Once the process is completed, enforcement agencies can ensure compliance by scanning the sticker with smart devices, making it easier to distinguish legitimate operators from illegal ones,” he added.
According to him, the Authority has identified several areas across the country where it has no operational presence, creating fertile grounds for illegal lottery activities. He noted that with the introduction of the new POS terminals and the elimination of unlicensed operators, the NLA will expand its footprint and make the new terminals available for legitimate agents to participate in its operations.
The NLA expects to roll out these measures in the coming year as part of a strategic drive to strengthen its systems and boost revenue performance.
