In the rural areas of Ghana with limited internet coverage, USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) technology is changing the way people engage in lottery and sports betting. Without the need for a network connection, this convenient service allows ordinary mobile phone users to participate in digital betting, opening up new channels of entertainment and financial participation for groups long excluded from the digital economy.
According to Graphic Online, the latest data from Ghanaian banks shows that the country's mobile money industry, which heavily relies on USSD, reached a transaction volume of 649.2 billion Ghanaian cedis (about 46.5 billion US dollars) in the first two months of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 64.7%. Business Insider Africa notes that the value of Ghana's mobile money market was 192.24 billion US dollars in 2024, and is expected to grow to 933.96 billion US dollars by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.24%. The report emphasizes that USSD is still crucial for connecting rural populations with the gambling economy.
The National Lottery Authority (NLA) allows players to participate in the 5/90 lottery via *959#, with confirmation information sent via SMS and winnings directly deposited into mobile money accounts. Digital lottery provider MEGA6 Lotto uses *266# to cover players nationwide, enabling rural residents to bet without having to travel to city centers.
Sports betting is also increasingly adopting USSD technology. Betika Ghana's *263# service allows users to register, place bets, deposit, withdraw, and check balances without a network connection. Other operators such as Betway, betPawa, MSport, Football.com, and SportyBet also offer similar shortcode services, ensuring convenient and accessible account management.
For rural residents in Ghana, USSD not only provides entertainment but also promotes financial literacy, encourages responsible digital participation, and serves as an important link for them to access a broader digital economy—including lotteries and sports betting.
