Ghana faces surge of over 680 Illegal lottery operators, NLA chief warns

The Director General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku, has raised concerns about the growing number of illegal lottery operators in Ghana.

During an interview on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Mr. Awuku cited data from the World Lottery Association, revealing that Ghana is estimated to have over 680 illegal lotto companies. He noted that while the country's annual lottery revenue is estimated at no less than 1.8 billion cedis, illegal operators siphon off around 1.2 billion cedis each year.

"Essentially, the market is dominated by illegal operators," Mr. Awuku stated. He emphasized that these unauthorized entities pose a significant threat to the integrity of the lottery industry and called for stricter enforcement to safeguard the sector.

Mr. Awuku further stressed the importance of protecting state institutions, regardless of which political party is in power. "Ghana will continue to thrive whether the NPP or NDC is in government, but it is crucial that our state institutions are upheld," he said.

In Ghana, gambling is governed by the Gaming Act of 2006, which legalizes and regulates various forms of gambling, including lotteries, sports betting, and casinos. The Gaming Commission of Ghana is responsible for licensing and ensuring compliance, with the goal of maintaining fair practices and protecting the public interest. The National Lottery Authority oversees state-run lotteries, while other authorized activities include sports betting and online gambling.