- The NLA loses around 1 billion Ghana Cedis annually
- Efforts to combat illegal lotto operators are hindered by political interference
- Illegal operators control approximately 55% of the lottery market
The National Lottery Authority (NLA) of Ghana has disclosed that it loses approximately 1 billion Ghana Cedis (about $130 million) annually to illegal lottery operators.
Sammy Awuku, the Director General of the NLA, revealed to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament that around 780 unauthorized lotto operators across the country are a major factor in the drop in revenue.
Awuku highlighted that efforts to tackle these illicit activities have been obstructed by political interference, as many of the illegal operators have ties with prominent political parties in Ghana.
The NLA estimates the total value of the country’s lottery industry at about 1.8 billion Ghana Cedis annually, with illegal operators claiming around 55% of this market share. These unauthorized operators evade taxes and run their businesses without proper licenses, complicating enforcement efforts.
The NLA has pledged a stringent approach against these unlicensed operators, emphasizing that they will not be permitted to continue their activities. Awuku underscored the need for a bipartisan strategy to address the issue, noting that the involvement of illegal operators with major political parties has made the situation more challenging.
“We have about 780 illegal lottery operators in Ghana, while the lottery sector is valued at 1.8 billion cedis annually. Approximately 1 billion cedis of this is controlled by illegals who do not pay taxes,” Awuku stated.
He also noted that the issue is deeply political, as illegal operators often have affiliations with both major political parties, complicating efforts to resolve the situation.
The NLA is determined to enforce strict regulations and ensure that only licensed operators are allowed to participate in the lottery market.
