World Lottery Association President Pledges to Build Stronger, More Responsible Lotteries Across Africa

Introduction: A New Chapter for African Lotteries

The global lottery industry is turning its focus to Africa, with a major commitment from its leading governing body. The President of the World Lottery Association (WLA), Andreas Kotter, has pledged a dedicated effort to empower and strengthen member lotteries throughout the African continent. This strategic vision was concretely demonstrated during a high-level reconnaissance visit to Ghana in early 2024, where the WLA delegation assessed the nation’s capacity to host the prestigious World Lottery Summit (WLS) in 2028. The visit underscored a dual mission: to evaluate logistical feasibility and, more importantly, to send a powerful signal of confidence and support to Africa’s lottery sector. This article delves into the significance of this pledge, its potential impact on responsible gaming and economic development in Africa, and what it means for the future of regulated lotteries on the continent.

Key Points: The Core Announcements and Outcomes

• Pledge of Support: WLA President Andreas Kotter explicitly committed to providing “every support” to African member states, with Ghana highlighted as a potential blueprint for others.
• Ghana’s 2028 Summit Bid: The WLA Executive Committee has endorsed Ghana as a viable candidate to host the World Lottery Summit in 2028, with a potential Executive Committee meeting in June 2026.
• Focus on Legitimacy and Responsibility: Discussions centered on combating illegal lottery operations and promoting robust responsible gaming frameworks, particularly to protect minors.
• High-Level Engagement: The visit included meetings with the Ghana National Lottery Authority (NLA) leadership, a parliamentary observation, and engagements with former NLA leadership now in government.
• Symbolic and Practical Investment: The delegation emphasized that the in-person visit was both a practical assessment and a symbolic act to demonstrate long-term confidence in Africa’s potential.

Background: Understanding the Key Players and Context

The World Lottery Association (WLA): A Global Standards-Setter

Founded in 1999, the World Lottery Association is the international organization representing state-authorized lotteries and their suppliers. With over 150 members from more than 80 countries, the WLA’s core missions include setting global standards for integrity, security, and social responsibility, facilitating knowledge exchange, and advocating for the legal lottery model. Its flagship event, the World Lottery Summit, is a critical forum for industry leaders, regulators, and technology partners to shape the future of the sector.

Ghana’s National Lottery Authority (NLA): A Model of Ambition

Established under the National Lotto Act of 2006 (Act 722), the NLA is the statutory body responsible for regulating and operating lotteries in Ghana. In recent years, it has pursued an aggressive modernization and rebranding agenda, aiming to become a “blueprint” or model organization for lottery regulation and operation in Africa. Its efforts have focused on digital transformation, enhancing transparency, and expanding its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in education and health.

The African Lottery Landscape: Potential Amidst Challenges

Africa’s lottery market is characterized by rapid growth, a youthful population, and increasing mobile penetration, creating vast potential. However, this potential is often hampered by a fragmented regulatory environment, significant unregulated and illegal lottery markets, and varying levels of adherence to international best practices in responsible gaming and player protection. The WLA’s renewed focus aims to address these gaps by leveraging its global network and expertise.

Analysis: Implications of the WLA’s Strategic Pivot to Africa

Economic and Developmental Impact

The WLA’s pledge is more than an industry matter; it has tangible economic implications. Hosting the 2028 World Lottery Summit would be a significant tourism and professional services coup for Ghana, attracting hundreds of international delegates, sponsors, and media. It would showcase the country’s conference infrastructure and capacity to host global events. Furthermore, a stronger, more reputable lottery sector generates substantial, reliable revenue for state budgets. In Ghana, NLA contributions fund specific government programs. Scaling this model across Africa could provide a sustainable, non-tax revenue stream for public services, infrastructure, and social projects, aligning with broader UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Fight Against Illegal Gambling

A central theme of the discussions was the battle against unregulated lottery operations. Illegal lotteries operate without oversight, offering no consumer protections, contributing zero tax revenue, and often being linked to fraud and other criminal activities. The WLA’s support provides a critical lever for African regulators. By helping to build the capacity, technological sophistication, and public trust of legal national lotteries, the WLA strategy aims to make the regulated option more attractive and accessible to consumers, thereby drawing activity away from the illegal market. The meeting with Ghanaian MP Samuel Awuku (former NLA Director-General) specifically targeted collaborative strategies on this front.

Advancing Responsible Gaming and Player Protection

The delegation’s focus on “responsible gaming, particularly regarding underage gambling” highlights a non-negotiable pillar of modern lottery operations. The WLA has developed comprehensive responsible gaming tools and certifications (like the WLA Responsible Gaming Framework). Strengthening African lotteries means integrating these standards—such as mandatory age verification, self-exclusion programs, player spend limits, and public awareness campaigns—into their core operations. This protects vulnerable populations and enhances the social license to operate, which is crucial for long-term sustainability.

Regulatory Harmonization and Knowledge Transfer

Africa’s lottery sector suffers from a lack of harmonized standards. The WLA’s involvement acts as a catalyst for regulatory convergence. By encouraging members to adopt WLA standards, the association fosters a degree of uniformity that simplifies cross-border collaboration, supplier relationships, and best-practice sharing. The proposed 2028 summit would be a massive knowledge-transfer event, exposing African regulators and operators to cutting-edge trends in technology (e.g., blockchain for transparency, AI for fraud detection), marketing, and CSR.

Practical Advice: What This Means for African Lotteries and Stakeholders

For lottery authorities, operators, and policymakers across Africa, the WLA’s commitment signals a window of opportunity. Here is actionable advice to leverage this momentum:

For National Lottery Authorities:

• Proactively Engage with the WLA: Seek membership if not already a member. Attend WLA events, webinars, and training sessions. Use the WLA’s resources to conduct internal audits against its Responsible Gaming and Security standards.
• Develop a “Blueprint” Document: Like Ghana’s ambition, formally articulate your strategic vision for modernization, transparency, and social impact. This document is essential for lobbying government support and attracting WLA partnership.
• Prioritize Digital Transformation: Invest in secure, user-friendly digital platforms (mobile apps, online portals) that meet global security standards. This is key to competing with illegal online operators and reaching a younger demographic.
• Embed CSR into Core Strategy: Move beyond ad-hoc donations. Create structured, measurable CSR programs tied to national development goals (e.g., scholarships, healthcare funding). Publicize these impacts to build public trust.

For Governments and Regulators:

• Provide a Stable Legal and Fiscal Framework: Ensure lottery laws are clear, modern, and provide the NLA with operational autonomy and adequate resources. A predictable, fair tax regime is more sustainable than high, punitive rates that drive operators underground.
• Support Infrastructure Development: For nations bidding for events like the WLS, invest in world-class conference facilities, reliable power, and telecommunications. This benefits the entire tourism and business services sector.
• Combat Illegal Gambling Collectively: Work with the WLA and neighboring countries to share intelligence on illegal networks. Strengthen border and digital enforcement cooperation.

For the Industry Supply Chain (Tech, Consulting):

• Position for the African Opportunity: Develop solutions tailored to African market needs—mobile-first, low-bandwidth compatible, and affordable. Build partnerships with local entities.
• Champion Best Practices: Market your services by aligning them with WLA standards for security, responsible gaming, and efficiency.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions

Why is the WLA focusing on Africa now?

The WLA identifies Africa as a continent with “a lot of potential” due to its demographic dividend (young, growing population), rising digital adoption, and underpenetrated but growing formal lottery markets. The strategic focus aims to fulfill the WLA’s mandate to support all members, capture growth, and ensure the legal model prevails in high-potential regions before illegal markets become entrenched.

What are the criteria for Ghana to host the 2028 World Lottery Summit?

While the official WLA bidding criteria are comprehensive, they typically include: world-class conference facilities capable of hosting 1,000+ delegates; a stable security and political environment; competitive accommodation and transport infrastructure; a compelling cultural and tourism offering; and a demonstrated commitment by the national lottery to WLA standards of excellence and responsibility. The February 2024 visit was the WLA’s due diligence on these factors.

How will the WLA’s support translate into tangible benefits for a national lottery?

Support is multi-faceted: access to training and certification programs for staff; technical assistance in implementing security and responsible gaming systems; a powerful platform for international networking and business development; advocacy on the global stage; and prestige from association with a leading international body, which can enhance public and government trust.

Does this initiative have any legal or regulatory implications?

Yes, but indirectly. The WLA promotes adherence to its voluntary standards, which often exceed local legal minimums. As national lotteries adopt these higher standards, it can create pressure for domestic legislation to evolve to match international best practices, particularly in areas like player data protection, anti-money laundering (AML) protocols, and mandatory responsible gaming measures. The WLA does not dictate national laws but provides the model for what effective regulation looks like.

Conclusion: A Foundation for Sustainable Growth

The visit by WLA leadership to Ghana marks a seminal moment for the African lottery industry. It transcends a simple site inspection for a future conference; it is a tangible manifestation of a strategic partnership aimed at building capacity, legitimacy, and sustainability. The pledge from President Kotter to stand with African members is a call to action for the continent’s lottery authorities to raise their ambitions, embrace global standards, and invest in responsible, transparent operations. If executed well, this initiative can help transform African lotteries from potential targets for illegal operators into respected pillars of national development, generating essential public revenue while safeguarding players. The success of this vision hinges on proactive engagement from African stakeholders and the sustained, practical support from the WLA. The journey toward the 2028 World Lottery Summit in Ghana, should it be confirmed, will be a key barometer for this collaborative progress.

Sources

The information in this article is based on the original news report published by Life Pulse Daily / MyJoyOnline on February 9, 2024, detailing the visit of the World Lottery Association delegation to the Ghana National Lottery Authority. The statements attributed to WLA President Andreas Kotter and NLA Director-General Mohamed Abdul-Salam are sourced from that report. Additional context on the roles of the WLA and NLA is drawn from their respective official public documentation and mission statements. The analysis and practical advice sections are original interpretations based on established industry practices and the known challenges of the African gambling regulatory landscape.

Primary Source: “World Lottery Association president pledges to make stronger lotteries throughout Africa.” Life Pulse Daily / MyJoyOnline. Published 2026-02-09. (Note: The source article lists a future publication date of 2026-02-09, which appears to be a metadata error, as the content describes an event in early 2024).</p