NLA ‘Dashes’ VAG Digital Lotto To New Company

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) is planning to digitalize the 5/90 VAG Lotto and award the contract to a new company to take over and, ostensibly compete with banker-to-banker lotto operators, The Anchor has gathered.

The new company, known as Zena Technologies Ltd, according to sources, would be given the contract to run the 5/90 NLA VAG Lotto digital short code.

The deal, when successful, would mean the company will be responsible for running the NLA VAG lotto product via digital short code with a separate Lotto Draws every week, from Monday to Saturday.

But, even before the deal could be signed, some lotto operators are raising red flags, cautioning that the move will affect them and eventually collapse their business, include that of Alpha Lotto Limited and other private lotto businesses across the country.

Sources at the National Lottery Authority head office have told The Anchor, the planned VAG Digital Short Code move, is bad, because it may not profit the revenue mobilization efforts of the Authority.

It is believed that some powerful forces in government are the people behind the new company and are pushing for the deal to be awarded to the said company at all cost.

Interestingly, technical service providers like Lots Services and Simnetwe, allegedly, not happy about the idea. They noted that, they would not be treated fairly by the current Board and Management of NLA, if they go ahead to award the contract to Zena Technologies.

Speaking to some Lotto Marketing Companies in Accra, they expressed disappointment over the move, warning that they would fearlessly resist the deal, if their interest and welfare are not considered by NLA before the contract is given out to the new company.

“We will fight against digitalization of VAG Lotto, because we have license to operate VAG Lotto and if NLA wants to digitalize the operations of VAG, we are supposed to be the first people NLA should contact for such opportunity and not a different company,” a Lotto Seller stated.

According to them, the alleged contract, if succeeded, could take them out of business and worsen their living conditions.

Some lotto retailers are questioning why Alpha Lotto Limited was denied the opportunity, but same now being granted Zena Technologies.

But when The Anchor contacted the National Lottery Authority, its Public Relations Manager, Goodfellow Dei Ofei said discussions regarding VAG is at consideration and, therefore, he cannot confirm or otherwise.

“Discussions about VAG is still at the consideration, there hasn’t been any clear-cut decision yet; so, I can’t speak to it”, Goodfellow Dei Ofei stated.

However, when asked if he knows about Zena Technology, he answered; “I don’t know the companies involved. People have sent a lot of proposals to management and Boards”.

According to the Public Relations Manager, “These things are Board’s decisions and unless a decision is taken.  Discussions among management, I will not be able to confirm or otherwise”.

Meanwhile, when the National Secretariat of Veterans Administration Ghana (VAG) who is the rightful owners and franchise of VAG Lotto was contacted, they seem unaware of such a contract being given to any company to operate.

The Anchor, in the coming days will publish details about all companies said to have submitted their proposals regarding the VAG contract, and the interesting developments emerging over the selection processes.

More To Come…