The Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Mohammed Abdul-Salam, has announced that the Authority will fully transition to digital lottery sales by the third quarter of 2026.

Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Face to Face on Channel One TV on Tuesday, April 21, Abdul-Salam said the move is part of efforts to modernise operations and improve transparency in the lottery industry.

“The lottery industry has evolved. Even though the NLA as an institution no longer engages in paper-to-pen sale of lotteries, it is still out there that even those who are pirating our numbers and other things are still engaged,” he said.

He explained that some licensed operators currently run a hybrid system involving both electronic and paper-based sales, adding that existing contracts include provisions to end such practices.

“There are those who have licences who are operating a hybrid of both the post machines and paper-to-pen lotteries. We have arrangements in place in those contracts to end that within the third quarter of this year, 2026, so that we can go fully technological and ensure that every sale of lottery is done through only electronic means,” he stated.

According to him, the digital shift will also enhance real-time monitoring of lottery transactions across the country.

Abdul-Salam further disclosed that the Authority has partnered with KGL Technology Limited to manage its online platform, which allows users to stake bets via smartphones and short codes.

“Currently, we have entered a contract, you may have heard of KGL, which is managing the platform online, both the smartphone and non-smartphones. You are able to go through the short code, and you are able to stake from the convenience of your room, or anywhere you find yourself,” he said.

He added that NLA draws are already being broadcast live on television, with plans underway to increase the number of daily draws.

“We are even taking steps to further increase the number of draws that we conduct… So we have morning draws, afternoon draws, and evening draws,” he explained.

He also noted that while some draws are managed directly by the NLA, others are conducted by licensed partners at designated locations, including Brennan Hall and other centres across the country.