Sammi Awuku interacting with officials of European Lotteries
The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has hosted the European Lotteries in a training programme on responsible gaming.
This forms part of NLA’s commitment to promote responsible gaming practices in accordance with the standards of the World Lottery Association (WLA).
The training, attended by management of the NLA, held sessions for retailers, private lotto operators, third party collaborators and lotto marketing companies.
NLA has achieved WLA Level Two Certification in responsible gaming and has applied to attain level three.
Level three certification requirement stipulates that the Authority embarks on such training to periodically strengthen its lottery operations in accordance with best practices of the WLA.
At the training, sessions were held on responsible gaming, fighting illegal lottery operations, anti-money laundering, and the use of new technologies in gaming.
Director General of the NLA, Sammi Awuku, said the training is key in tracking and clamping down illegal lottery operation strategies in the system.
He said the introduction of technology in lottery presents the NLA with an opportunity to use new digital tools to advance lottery operations.
“So far, only the European Lotteries has put together a comprehensive and a legal framework to guide the usage of AI and technology in the lottery industry. We are yet to study it and see how it can impact on what we do,” he said.
However, Mr. Awuku explained that the training, which is certificated, will help the lotto marketing companies and the private lotto operators to understand the negative impacts of illegal lotto operations on their own revenues and how they can assist the NLA to curb the menace.
He said that Ghana, through the NLA, has sent a proposal for an observer status at the European Lotteries level, a quest if attained on June 16, 2024, will open the doors in terms of technology access, and deeper collaboration between the Authority and the European Lotteries.
European Lotteries Head of Legal, Philippe Vlaemminck, at the training, commended the NLA and described it as dynamic.
He said the training was important as illegalities in the industry continue to rise adding, “UNODC estimates that the illegal lottery market worldwide loses US$1.7 trillion annually.”
This, he noted, is a real threat which calls for authorities to protect societies against illegal lotteries across board.
Mr. Vlaemminck, however, argued that lottery already touches society in many positive ways and as such, it is important for governments to relook at taxing the industry.
He said the NLA has shown deep commitment and interest in what is happening at the global level in the industry, a phenomenon which enhances knowledge sharing and makes the Authority a responsible gaming operator.
NLA Feats
Under Mr. Awuku’s visionary leadership, the NLA has gained recognition in the sub-region and among lottery bodies, where he serves as the first-ever elected Anglophone Vice President of the African Lotteries Association (ALA).
With his strategic direction, the NLA is now recognised as a key partner for other African lottery bodies like Ivory Coast and Nigeria, where the Authority’s games are exported, raking in revenue for the Authority.
Mr. Awuku is credited with transformational leadership, having regulated the consumer promotion space on the Caritas Lottery platform, giving back to communities, institutions, and individuals through the NLA Good Causes Foundation, and improved staff welfare.
In accordance with the WLA standards, Mr. Awuku, with the support of the NLA Board and management, has enhanced the Authority’s business operations by remodelling its Draw Studio, and acquiring state-of-the-art draw machines, and spearheaded innovation and digitalisation across various business operations.
A Daily Guide Report