Expose money launderers, terrorists financiers - Prez urges regulators
President John Dramani Mahama has challenged gaming regulators to develop cutting-edge strategies to expose money launderers and terrorist financiers using gaming operations to promote their illegal activities.
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“Today, money laundering and terrorism financing have become a huge global menace to governments and the security of populations because some powerful cabals use gaming operators to launder illicit money from narco-trafficking and other criminal operations to finance the activities of terrorists,” he said.
The President threw the challenge in a speech read on his behalf at the opening of the 12th Gaming Regional Africa Forum (GRAF) Conference in Accra, which brought together gaming operators and chief executives of various gaming jurisdictions in Africa and Europe.
The four-day forum, which was on the theme: “Working together towards the effective regulation of gaming and the promotion of legal and responsible gaming”, focused on challenges facing gambling regulations globally, anti-money laundering, the relationship between gambling operations and gaming regulators and the regulation of sports betting in Africa.
The event was organised by GRAF, which protects communities and citizens through adherence to gaming regulatory laws applicable to each member state, and hosted by the Ghana Gaming Commission.
Underage gambling
President Mahama said it was time gaming regulators and operators partnered with governments to fight against money laundering and its attendant terrorism financing.
He expressed concern over the recruitment of young people who were desperate for cash at gaming centres to join the ranks of terrorists.
With the rise in sports betting, he said, there had been reports of illegal betting syndicates which were linked to terrorism financing.
He also urged the GRAF to tackle underage gambling, saying such children trapped in the grip of illegal gaming skipped school and played truant at the expense of acquiring education and a healthy future.
“GRAF must double its efforts to craft policies and effective strategies to enable governments keep underage kids from adult gaming facilities. It is not enough to put up signages warning kids not to patronise gaming facilities,” he said.
Apart from inspecting identification from patrons, he said, operators must trigger reports to the police and other law enforcement entities to escort underage kids away from their facilities.
Responsible gaming
In a welcome address, the Chairman of GRAF, Mr Lancester Clever Museka, said one of the mandates of GRAF was to ensure that “Africa and sub-Saharan Africa do not become dumping grounds for old and degenerating gaming technologies”.
He said the forum implemented initiatives that were aimed at curbing problem gambling and ensuring counselling and education for the affected.
Evolving technology, he said, was accelerating changes in the gaming industry and posing a great challenge in the combat of illegal gaming.
“There ought to be a balance between leisure gaming business and bankrupting the citizenry, hence the emphasis on responsible gaming that prevents exploitation of the vulnerable and minors,” he said.
Writer’s email: emelia.ennin@graphic.com.gh