The Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Mohammed Abdul-Salam, has called for stronger international collaboration to combat illegal gambling, warning that the growing menace is depriving governments of critical revenue needed for national development.
Speaking at the 2026 European Lotteries (EL) Industry Days held in Marrakesh, Morocco, Mr Abdul-Salam said illegal gambling activities continue to drain economies, weaken public finances and limit opportunities for citizens.
The event, which brought together more than 200 participants from Europe and Africa, was held on the theme: “Lotteries Bridging Continents.” It focused on strengthening cooperation between lottery operators, promoting digital innovation, sharing industry best practices and tackling illegal gambling while encouraging responsible gaming.
Mr Abdul-Salam noted that several African countries, including Ghana, Benin and South Africa, were experiencing significant losses from illegal gambling operations.
According to him, South Africa loses more than US$30 billion annually through illegal gambling activities, while Ghana loses over GH¢1 billion, equivalent to approximately US$85 million.
He explained that the revenue lost through unregulated gambling operations could otherwise be invested in key sectors such as education, healthcare and youth development programmes.
“Illegal gambling is not just an industry challenge; it is a national development issue. Funds that should support schools, hospitals and job creation are being diverted through illegal operations,” he said.
The NLA Director-General stressed the need for regulators, governments and industry players to strengthen enforcement measures and embrace technology-driven solutions to curb illegal gambling activities.
He disclosed that the NLA is implementing several interventions to protect the integrity of Ghana’s lottery industry, including the deployment of advanced technology systems to detect fraud and dismantle lottery syndicates.
Mr Abdul-Salam said the Authority had introduced modern point-of-sale systems for lottery retailers to improve monitoring and transparency within the sector.
He added that efforts were underway to review the National Lotto Act to address regulatory gaps and strengthen the legal framework governing lottery operations in Ghana.
The Director-General further highlighted the importance of responsible gaming initiatives and corporate social responsibility programmes in ensuring that lottery revenues contribute meaningfully to national development.
“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 vital revenue,” he stated.
In her opening remarks, Romana Girandon, President of the European Lotteries, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to responsible gaming practices.
She revealed that the association was developing a new responsible gaming framework to guide lottery operators and strengthen consumer protection measures across member countries.
Ms Girandon also commended members of the European Lotteries network for contributing more than €29 billion to social causes and public development initiatives.
The Secretary-General of the African Lotteries Association, Omar Skalli, said Africa and Europe faced similar challenges in addressing illegal gambling and promoting responsible gaming.
He noted that platforms such as the EL Industry Days provided valuable opportunities for dialogue, knowledge sharing and the development of coordinated strategies to address emerging threats within the gaming industry.
Industry experts at the conference emphasised that stronger cross-border cooperation, technological innovation and effective regulation would be critical in safeguarding the lottery sector and protecting revenues that support public welfare programmes.
