Ghana Gaming and Lottery Awards: NLA clamps down on illegal lotto operators — 28 receive licence to operate
The National Lottery Authority’s (NLA) efforts to clamp down on illegal lottery operators is making some gains, as the authority has now licensed about 28 companies who were previously operating illegally.
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This forms part of the authority’s measures to streamline and sanitise the country’s lottery industry.
Speaking at the inaugural Ghana Gaming and Lottery Awards 2024 in Accra, the Board Chairman of the NLA, Gary Nimako Marfo, said; “When I took over I made sure that all the companies which were operating illegally were brought under a licensing regime and today we have licensed 28 companies which hitherto were unlicensed,” he stated.
He said the authority has published the list of all registered companies on its website and urged the public to deal with only authorised operators.
“I expect maximum cooperation from our operators as we embark on this journey. Together with our co-regulators, we will champion reforms to enhance the industry,” he said.
Mr Nimako highlighted the NLA’s role as a regulator and vowed to uphold industry standards.
Awards
The awards, organised by Syndicated Entertainment Solution Limited in partnership with the Gaming Commission of Ghana and the NLA, is aimed at celebrating excellence within the gaming and lottery sectors.
The event recognised key players for their innovation, customer service, and adherence to best practices.
Deputy Attorney General, Diana Asonaba Dapaah, also speaking at the event, assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to combat illegal gaming and lottery activities.
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She said the awards served as motivation for the industry to maintain ethical practices and promote national development.
NLA Director-General, Samuel Awuku, also applauded Syndicated Entertainment Solution for organising the event and shining a light on the unsung heroes of the industry.
“To our operators, retailers, agents, and everyone in the value chain, your tireless service has sustained the industry. We celebrate you today,” he said.
The CEO of Syndicated Entertainment Solutions, Manuella Fremponmaa Ansong, also highlighted the positive impact of lotteries and games of chance, noting their ability to inspire hope and support important causes within communities.
Award winners
Gaming Operator of the Year (Millionaires Casino Ghana Limited); Private Lottery Operator of the Year (Alpha Lotto Limited); Responsible Gaming Initiative Award (BetPawa Choplife Gaming Limited); Responsible Lottery Initiative Award (Rand Lottery Co. Limtd).
Others are, Customer Service Excellence (Lottery) – Blue Star Hi-Tech; Marketing Campaign of the Year (Gaming) – BetPawa (Choplife Gaming Limited); Marketing Campaign of the Year (Lottery) – Alpha Lotto Limited; Regulatory Compliance Award (Gaming) – Wingatebet Limited, Regulatory Compliance Award (Lottery) – Rand Lottery Co. Limtd and Lifetime Achievement Award (Gaming) – Mr Peter Mireku (CEO, Gaming Commission of Ghana).
The rest are Lifetime Achievement Award (Lottery) – Dr George Gyamfi (Industry Expert, NCA), Non-Corporate Lotto Marketing Company of the Year – Ms Mercy Emefa Avorgbedor, Corporate Lotto Marketing Company of the Year – Mr Francis Opoku (Money Zone Co. Limtd), Chief Executive Officer of the Year (Gaming) – Ms Sharon Close (CEO of Millionaires Casino Ghana Limtd), Chief Executive Officer of the Year (Lottery) – Kenneth Kwame Asare, CEO of Alpha Lotto Limtd), Special Recognition Award (Gaming Commission of Ghana) – Peter Mireku and Special Recognition Award (NLA) – Samuel Awuku.