Government task force to scrutinise legality, financial terms, and exclusivity of lottery technology agreements as Ghana seeks to strengthen oversight and public value in the gaming sector
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has directed a full-scale review of the technology and operational agreements between the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and KGL Technology Limited, a subsidiary of the KGL Group, in a move that could reshape the structure of the country’s lottery and digital gaming landscape. The order follows growing public and parliamentary scrutiny over the nature, financial impact, and legal foundations of contracts that grant KGL significant control over the NLA’s flagship 5/90 lottery operations across digital and mobile platforms.
The presidential directive, issued to the Ministry of Finance in a letter dated December 24, 2025, mandates a thorough assessment of the agreements signed in 2024. The review will be led by the Attorney-General in collaboration with the Minister of Finance and the sector minister responsible for the NLA. Their task will be to evaluate the contracts’ compliance with Ghana’s Constitution, the Public Procurement Act, and the National Lottery Act, as well as to examine their duration, revenue-sharing mechanisms, exclusivity clauses, and overall value to the state.
At the centre of the review are arrangements that reportedly grant KGL exclusive rights to operate and digitise the NLA’s core lottery products through online platforms and mobile short codes in Ghana, with extensions into regional markets such as Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. Investigative findings by media group The Fourth Estate have raised concerns that, since the partnership began in 2019, remittances from the NLA to the Consolidated Fund have declined sharply. Government receipts reportedly fell from GH¢37.1 million in 2018 to zero between 2022 and 2024, while KGL is said to have generated substantial profits from related operations, including approximately GH¢70 million in 2024 alone.
The review will also consider governance and operational issues, including data ownership, audit access, transparency obligations, performance benchmarks, and the degree of state control over critical lottery infrastructure. While the government has indicated that the contracts will not be automatically terminated, the process could lead to renegotiation of key terms, particularly those affecting revenue distribution, regulatory oversight, and the scope of exclusivity.
KGL Technology has publicly welcomed the review, noting that the agreements contain a built-in three-year review clause and describing the process as consistent with good corporate governance. A company representative stated that the group supports the Mahama administration’s efforts to strengthen accountability while maintaining an environment that encourages private sector participation and indigenous enterprise in the technology and gaming sectors.
The outcome of the review is expected to have significant implications for Ghana’s lottery industry, digital gambling regulation, and public finances, as the government seeks to ensure that strategic partnerships deliver fair value, comply with the law, and protect the long-term interests of the state and consumers alike.
