Accra, July 11, GNA - The strike by the National Lottery Receivers' Union (NLRU) and the Lotto Marketing Companies in a continuing dispute over the reduction of commission paid to them by the National Lottery Authority (NLA) continued on Monday with Lotto kiosks closed in the Accra metropolis.

The NLA has, however, said the strike had so far not affected its operations.

Mr Reagan Twum-Barimah, Public Relations Officer of the NLA, speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said: 93Our current checks from the banks show that sales have increased slightly and if the strike will affect us it will be later."

The NLA recently reduced the commission paid to lotto receivers from 25 per cent to 20 per cent following the supply of Lotto automation machines to members of the NLRU and LMCs, which reduced their overhead cost.

He explained that because of the anticipated strike action, many of the lotto receivers bought lotto credit in high quantities last week, which had made NLA sales to increase slightly. He said: 93Our records from the banks show a slight increase of purchase of lotto credit and even if the strike action would affect us it is not now but later."

Mr Twum-Barimah said NLA's weekly sales on the average nationwide ranged from GH¢2.0 million to GH¢2.5 million depending on the season and that nothing had so far changed. However, he said, it was too early to jump to conclusion. He said even if the NLA loses revenue, NLRU would lose more because they had already loaded their machines with a lot of credit. He said earning 20 per cent on any amount sold was better than withdrawing their service.

"There are other retailers to step into their shoes to sell products of the authority to the public." He, however, appealed to them to call off the strike and continue with business and use negotiations to address their concerns. Captions National Lotto Receivers on strike