The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has disclosed that Ghana loses more than GH¢1 billion every year to illegal lottery operations. The authority says this growing illicit industry is increasingly undermining government revenue and broader national development.
Director-General of the NLA, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, made the disclosure while addressing delegates at the 2026 European Lotteries (EL) Industry Days in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Speaking on the theme, “The fight against illegal gambling as a significant growing issue in Africa,” Abdul-Salam urged stronger cooperation between lottery operators, regulators, and policymakers to tackle illegal gambling across the continent.
He said the estimated annual loss of over GH¢1 billion reduces the resources available for essential national priorities such as education, healthcare, and youth development.
Abdul-Salam also noted that Ghana is not alone, citing challenges in countries including Benin and South Africa, where illegal gambling continues to erode public revenues. He added that South Africa faces losses of more than US$30 billion linked to illicit gaming activities.
He stressed that solving the problem requires urgent and coordinated action to stop further revenue leakage and protect the integrity of the gaming industry.
To address illegal operations, the NLA said it is pursuing several initiatives, including deploying advanced technology to disrupt lottery fraud and syndicates, introducing modern point-of-sale (POS) devices for retailers, strengthening responsible gaming measures, and seeking legislative reforms to improve the National Lotto Act.
The authority also said it is using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts to improve public confidence in the regulated lottery sector.
Abdul-Salam said, For every amount lost to an illegal lottery operator, a child is denied education, a community is denied a health facility, the youth lose opportunities, and the economy loses resources that could improve the lives of citizens.
Other speakers at the conference, including European Lotteries President Romana Girandon and African Lotteries Association Secretary-General Omar Skalli, highlighted the need for greater international cooperation, stronger regulatory frameworks, and wider use of technology to combat illegal gambling while promoting responsible gaming.
The event, held under the theme “Lotteries Bridging Continents,” brought together stakeholders from Europe and Africa to share best practices, explore digital innovations, and strengthen collaboration around emerging challenges in the gaming sector. The NLA has been an Observer Member of European Lotteries since June 2024.
