The National Lottery Authority is urging patience and calm from Ghanaians and the Association of Lotto Marketing Companies as it takes steps to deal with the illegal operations of the *959# Mobile Game.

According to the NLA, its outfit is in constant engagement with the National Communications Authority, Keed Ghana Limited, MTN and other stakeholders to close down the shortcode.

It said in a statement that it has not issued any license to Keed Ghana Limited or any other organization to operate that particular lotto game.

It, therefore, cautioned the public against the use of that platform but assured that it is working tirelessly to ensure it’s closure.

Below is the statement from the NLA

The Public Relations Unit of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) would respectfully like to passionately appeal to members of the Association of Lotto Marketing Companies to remain calm and exercise patience as the Board of Directors take the necessary steps and actions to address the illegal operation of *959# Mobile Game.

The Director-General of NLA has made several efforts including writing letters to the National Communications Authority (NCA), Keed Ghana Limited, MTN, Vodafone and AirtelTigo to shut down the short code *959# operating 5/90 lotto illegally but to no avail.

Currently, Management of National Lottery Authority (NLA) and the national leadership of Association of Lotto Marketing Companies have set up a Joint Working Committee to deal with the illegal short code of *959# operating 5/90 lotto by MTN, Vodafone, AirtelTigo and Keed Ghana Limited.

The Joint Working Committee of NLA and Association of Lotto Marketing Companies would consider suing MTN, Vodafone, AirtelTigo and Keed Ghana Limited if they fail to shut down the short code *959# as soon as possible.

The National Lottery Authority(NLA) has Not issued License to Keed Ghana Limited to operate 5/90 Lotto Game online and via short code *959#.

The staking public is hereby cautioned that the NLA 5/90 Mobile Game via Mobile USSD *959# and on online Platform has NOT been duly licensed by the National Lottery Authority (NLA) as at now. When licensed, the Authority would officially launch and communicate same to the staking public but for now *959# Mobile/Online Game is operating illegally at the detriment of our Lotto Marketing Companies who are the backbone and sales force of the Authority.

The illegal operations of *959# Mobile/Online Game is directly and indirectly destroying the sales of the Lotto Marketing Companies and subsequently affecting the revenue generation of the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) would like to appeal to MTN, Vodafone, AirtelTigo and Keed Ghana Limited to shut down the USSD *959# currently illegally operating Lottery until a license is duly acquired under Act 722.

Keed Ghana Limited, MTN, Vodafone and AirtelTigo have a patriotic duty to the State to protect the core business of National Lottery Authority and our Lotto Marketing Companies by shutting down the illegal USSD *959# with immediate effect.

Accordingly, the staking public is cautioned to discontinue patronising *959# Lotto Game on MTN, Vodafone, AirtelTigo and Keed Online Platform.