Effective August 9, 2008, all wining prizes paid to winners of the six products drawn by the National Lottery Authority (NLA) are to be reduced. These are National, Monday Special, Lucky Tuesday, Mid-Week, Fortune Thursday and Friday Bonanza. Speaking with the Business & Financial Times in Accra, the Director of Operations of NLA, Mr. George Addo Yobo explained that recent innovations in its operations have put extreme pressure on its finances and therefore can no longer maintain the current winning prizes. He said in some instances, the authority has to fall on banks in order to pay winners when there are heavy wins. Flanked by the Director of Finance and Administration of NLA, Mr. Charles Mensah, Mr. Addo Yobo said NLA has been compelled to take this decision in order to sustain its operations. He said some receivers are paid as much as GH¢45,000 as commission every week by NLA irrespective of the winning trend of the draws. These huge commissions came about when the sealing of quantum of coupons a receiver can buy was waived a few years ago. Receivers then took advantage of the factory, hence the huge commission NLA has to contend with for some time now. Mr. Addo-Yobo disclosed that with the new prizes, winners are to be paid GH¢24 on every 15Gp played/staked and in order for winners not to fall prey to discount buyers of winning tickets at the precincts of NLA, it is to set up prompt paying points at strategic areas across the country where payments will be made to winners as soon as the numbers are drawn. Receivers he said will continue to enjoy their 25% commission paid to them by NLA. Source: B&FT