NLA shuts down Alpha Lotto short code

The National Lottery Authority (NLA), in collaboration with the National Communications Authority(NCA), has shut down the illegal short code *896# operated by Alpha Lotto Limited.

It said Alpha Lotto Limited was licensed by the NLA under Act 844 to operate lotto via Point of Sale Terminals regulated by Act 722.

"However, Alpha Lotto Limited started operating in breach of terms and conditions of the licence issued by the NLA to the company," a statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the NLA, said.

Classes of licence

It said there were different classes of licence that were issued by the NLA, adding that "there were companies that had been licensed by NLA to operate lotto via USSD(Short Code) and Web.

The statement said lotto marketing companies and private lotto operators, including Alpha Lotto Limited, were licensed by the NLA to operate lotto via Point of Sale terminals.

Short code

Alpha Lotto Limited licence under Act 844, it said, never covered the operations of short code and that all companies licensed by the NLA had no right to operate new games and conduct independent lotto draws without a draw committee fully constituted by the NLA in accordance with the laws.

"It is important to also state that the NLA has officially written to the Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation(GBC) to indefinitely suspend the illegal lotto draws of Alpha Lotto Limited with immediate effect. It is the hope of the NLA that the management of GBC/GTV will respect and enforce the directives of the NLA by stopping the telecast of the illegal lotto draws of Alpha Lotto Limited as soon as possible to avoid being sued by the NLA," it pointed out.

Caution

The NLA, the statement said, was, therefore, cautioning the private lotto operators and their agents to operate within the terms and conditions of their respective licences.