The National Lottery Authority has said it has completed the Registration and Licensing Processes for all illegal Lotto Operators who have paid up the prescribed fees to the Authority to be issued with licenses to retail lotto products.

"In view of this, the National Lottery Authority hereby direct all illegal Lotto Operators who have applied and paid up the prescribed fees to pick up and execute copies of the Lotto Retail Licensing Agreement from the Head Office of the National Lottery Authority within seven days from the date of this publication.

"Thereafter, the National Lottery Authority shall close the licensing window for illegal Lotto Operators for the year 2018/2019, and the Authority will refund all monies paid by illegal Lotto Operators who were not qualified as well as those who were unable to execute the Lotto Retail Licensing Agreement within the said seven days," the NLA said in a release.

The National Lottery Authority has also it is unlawful under Act 722 and L.I. 1948 to manufacture, distribute, sell or retail Lotto products and services without authorization from the National Lottery Authority. 

It said all persons engaged in illegal lottery operations will be arraigned before any of the eleven lotto courts inaugurated across the Country aimed at facilitating compliance and prosecution of lotto-related offences.

"The National Lottery Authority is committed to sanitizing the Lotto Industry in Ghana and it shall deploy all lawful means to oust the operations of unauthorized or unlicensed Lotto Operators in the Country with the view of jobs creation and mobilizing additional revenue to support national development," said the release.