The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has intensified its efforts to crack down on illegal lotto operators, citing political interference as a significant obstacle in addressing the issue.
According to the Director-General of the NLA, Sammi Awuku, the authority’s revenue has declined substantially, from GH₵400 million in 2017 to GH₵200 million in 2021.
Speaking at a special Editors’ Forum in Accra, Mr. Awuku revealed that there are approximately 780 illegal lottery operators in Ghana, with the World Lotto Association estimating the annual lottery market to be around GH₵1.8 billion.
He noted that illegal operators control around GH₵1 billion of this market, evading taxes and remaining unidentified.
To address this challenge, the NLA has resolved to take a firm stance against unlicensed lotto operators, emphasizing that only licensed operators will be permitted to operate.
The authority is also grappling with a loss of at least GH₵1 billion due to black market lottery operations, as highlighted in the Attorney General’s report discussed at the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament.
In response, Mr. Awuku stated that the authority has intensified its enforcement efforts, conducting raids and shutting down unlicensed operators.
“The NLA will ensure that regardless of one’s status, if they are not licensed to operate the lottery, they will not be permitted to do so,” he said.