As part of its efforts to ease public pressure, the Department of National Lotteries (DNL), last Friday launched a new national lotto called "Mid-Week Lotto."

The director of DNL, Mr. Kojo Andah said at the launching that the mid-week draw will go side by side with the weekly draw on Saturdays.

The mid-week lotto will be drawn every Wednesday at 10:00 am and the mode of coupons or tickets which are in ?1,000, ?2,000 and ?5,000 denominations will be issued by accredited receivers in the same way as the national weekly lotto.

The DNL boss said that a new machine, which operates like the one for the national weekly lotto, has been acquired for the mid-week lotto that commences on Wednesday.

Similarly, the winning prize is the same as the national weekly lotto but the payments for mid-week lotto would be effected on the following day without any hindrance.

Apart from introducing this new lotto, Mr Andah also announced that, DNL would soon hit the market with instant lottery or scratch card called the " Penalty", which is well structured to ensure that stakers receive their money's worth as the prizes for patronizing the game.

In addition there are plans to introduce PMU Horse race betting game in the country in October this year that would base on live horse race events in Europe and the United States which would be telecast live via satellite. This game would be operated on daily basis and punters would be given 48 hours notice on performance, speed, trainer and jockey of the racing horses to keep them well informed before the event takes place.

Also on the agenda is the introduction of "Sika Fie" which is a more advanced form of the scratch lottery that is principally a television interactive programme.

According to Mr Andah, since the inception of DNL in 1962 it has been providing revenue to the government and creating employment for Ghanaians.

In spite of operational difficulties confronting DNL arising from banker-to-banker operators as well as the unfair competition from the private sector, it has performed creditably and has contributed to the consolidated fund and other social causes.

Mr Anda said that new policies such as recruitment of new receivers through the decentralization process have simplified the receivership registration and liberalization of stocktakings by receivers and vibrant marketing strategies embarked upon by the department have increased its weekly intake by between 50% and 60%.

Mr. Andah announced that the DNL's operations would be automated throughout the country by March next year as a measure of improving upon its efficiency.

He expressed his appreciation to receivers, stakers, publishers, forecasters and the staff, as well as the media for their patronage and said he was optimistic that with introduction of these new lotteries and measures, DNL would become more vibrant in the years ahead.