As of June 17, 2024, the National Lottery Authority (NLA) of Ghana has officially stepped into its new role as an Observer Member of the European Lotteries (EL). This decision was sealed at the General Assembly of the EL Industry Days Seminar in Salzburg, Austria, held from June 16 to 19.
All 45 member countries at the event voted unanimously to grant the NLA this prestigious status. The groundwork for this achievement was laid by NLA’s Director-General, Samuel Awuku, who made a compelling pitch about illegal gambling in Ghana at the EL Public Seminar Order in Brussels earlier this year.
After Awuku’s insightful presentation, EL Secretary General, Arjan Van T’ Veer, requested that the NLA officially apply for Observer Membership. This process involved submitting the Authority’s Financial Statements, expenditure on Good Causes, and Responsible Gaming certification. After meeting all the criteria, the NLA was granted the Observer Membership.
Joining the Elite
Ghana has now become the second African country to receive this honour, following Morocco. The EL’s current Observer Members also include Satty Zhuldyz JSC of Kazakhstan, Loterie Nationale Morocco, and La Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports of Morocco.
With this status, the NLA and its stakeholders can now actively participate in EL training sessions, capacity-building workshops, and exchange programmes, fostering best practices for the development of the lottery industry.
The Big Picture
The EL boasts a presence in 39 countries across Europe, with 70 members in total. Out of these, 50 operate in European Union member states, while 20 are from non-EU countries.
Samuel Awuku expressed his gratitude to the EL for this opportunity, believing it will bolster the NLA’s operations and elevate its international standing. He envisions the NLA becoming the lottery organisation of choice and a model in Africa and beyond.
Awuku also praised his dedicated team, led by the Governing Board and supported by Management and Staff, for their collective effort in achieving this milestone for the NLA brand, which has seen significant growth in recent years.
A Noteworthy Gathering
The meeting also saw the presence of officials from the World Lottery Association (WLA), including President Rebeccah Paul and General Secretary Lynne Roiterg.
With this new Observer Membership, the NLA is poised to take giant strides in the lottery world, bringing fresh ideas and practices back to Ghana. It’s a win not just for the NLA but for the entire country.
