By Desmond Gbeleh Wion
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The Deputy Director General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Mr. Christian Cooper, has announced a series of ambitious reforms designed to enhance regulatory oversight, increase government revenue, and expand the NLA’s impact on vulnerable communities across Liberia.
Speaking during the Ministry of Information’s regular Tuesday press briefing, Mr. Cooper emphasised the NLA’s dual mandate as both a regulator of the gaming industry and a critical revenue generator for national development. He challenged the public’s narrow perception of the agency as mere “gambling people,” clarifying that the NLA supervises all licensed casinos, sports betting companies, and mini slot operations—currently 18 registered entities nationwide.
As part of its social responsibility efforts, Cooper revealed that the NLA is providing vital support to 255 disabled organisations across all 15 counties of Liberia. Furthermore, the Authority sponsors the tuition of 132 students living with disabilities, who are enrolled at public institutions, including the University of Liberia, Nimba University, and Lofa County Community College.
“These initiatives reflect our shift from charity to empowerment,” Cooper explained. “We are investing in the long-term inclusion of the disabled community through education and capacity building.”
However, Cooper acknowledged that the NLA’s revenue generation capacity has been undermined by the current self-declaration model used by gaming operators, which permits companies to report earnings without independent verification. To address this, the Authority is nearing completion of a Central Monitoring System (CMS)—a real-time digital infrastructure that will monitor all gaming transactions to ensure accuracy, transparency, and regulatory compliance.
“The CMS is now 90 to 95 percent complete,” he noted. “It will give us the ability to track every transaction, prevent underreporting, and help settle disputes over game outcomes while enhancing public trust.”
In a bid to further modernise the sector, Cooper announced that the NLA has partnered with Ghanaian firm Bluestar Tech to introduce a new national lottery game—“5/90”—which will be broadcast live twice daily on national television and radio. The initiative is backed by legislation and is expected to create employment for at least 500 Liberians in its initial phase, with plans to expand to thousands nationwide.
“This game will not only raise revenue but also create job opportunities for hundreds of young Liberians,” he said. “We are making the gaming sector a tool for development.”
The CMS, which Cooper described as the technological backbone of the Authority, is set to revolutionize how the NLA operates. Once fully deployed, it will automate invoice generation, deter revenue leakage, and lay the groundwork for a transparent, efficient, and internationally respected gaming environment.
“The ultimate goal is a regulatory system that is not just effective by local standards, but one that aligns with global best practices,” Cooper emphasised.
In closing, the NLA leadership reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Liberia’s gaming sector into a catalyst for social change. “We are not just about gaming—we are about nation-building,” Cooper concluded. “From boosting government revenue to empowering the disabled, the NLA is charting a new course for inclusive development.”
Comments are closed.