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Mahama Ayariga calls for an end to 'monopoly' in digital lottery sector

Hassan Ayariga, Rich.jpeg Hassan Ayariga is the Leader and founder of the All People’s Congress

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 Source: classfmonline.com

Leader and founder of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga, has called for urgent reforms in Ghana’s digital lottery space, demanding an end to what he describes as monopolistic control over the 5/90 lottery.

In a press release issued in Accra on April 22, 2026, Dr Ayariga welcomed a directive by President John Dramani Mahama to review agreements between the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and KGL Technology Limited, describing it as a critical opportunity to restore fairness and transparency in the sector.

He argued that the granting of exclusive control over digital and USSD channels of the 5/90 lottery to a single private entity has effectively created a monopoly that undermines competition, limits innovation and raises concerns about transparency and regulatory oversight.

According to him, such an arrangement restricts opportunities for other Ghanaian businesses and may be inconsistent with the legal framework governing lottery operations in the country.

Dr Ayariga cited the National Lottery Authority Act, which designates the NLA as the sole operator of lotteries, allowing private sector participation only within defined limits as Lotto Marketing Companies under its supervision.

He stressed that any agreement that transfers operational dominance or financial control to a private company contravenes both the letter and spirit of the law.

The APC leader is therefore urging government and relevant stakeholders to review and, where necessary, terminate exclusivity clauses that grant undue advantage to any single operator.

He further called for the opening of the digital lottery ecosystem to multiple qualified companies through a transparent licensing process, alongside measures to ensure full revenue visibility and accountability.

Dr Ayariga also raised concerns about declining contributions from the lottery sector to the national purse, questioning whether the current structure serves the broader public interest.

He emphasised the need for a system that is fair, competitive, transparent and accountable, arguing that such reforms are essential to restoring public trust and maximising national revenue.

Describing the President’s directive as a “defining test of leadership,” Dr Ayariga urged swift action to address what he termed systemic imbalances in the sector.

“The path forward is clear: end monopoly control, enforce the law and open the sector to fair competition,” he stated.

Source: classfmonline.com