National policy to regulate gaming in the offing

A national policy to regulate gaming activities in the country is in the offing.

The policy, when in force, will help streamline the activities of casinos, sports betting and scratch card lottery operations, as well as stop minors from participating in such games in the country.

This came to light when the Gaming Commission held a stakeholders’ forum to collate inputs for the commission’s Strategic Business Plan, as well as firm up the policy document to guide the industry.

Government’s commitment

The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Mr Henry Quartey, in a keynote address to open the forum said the government was committed to promoting a gaming environment, where gambling was an enjoyable leisure activity devoid of societal menace and criminality.

Mr Quartey said the onus, therefore, lay on all to contribute meaningfully towards an effective regulation, which would foster a healthy and crime-free gaming environment.

“We should aim at building a sound consumer protection policy,” he said, adding that one area of concern was the under-age gambling which had resulted in a negative perception about the industry.

He said as stakeholders, “we should put our hands to the wheels to ensure that we discourage or institute measures that will help keep our young ones safe from engaging in activities not meant for them, while the industry thrives.”

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Commission’s responsibilities

To the commission, Mr Quartey said they had a responsibility to ensure effective monitoring so that only the right persons would be engaged in the industry.

He noted that as a result, there was the need for constant monitoring of the industry to ensure its relevance, adding that their role as stakeholders in that regard could not be overemphasised.

Industrial growth

The acting Gaming Commissioner, Mr Peter Mireku, said the industry had experienced significant growth and development since the Gaming Act, 2006 (Act 721) and the establishment of the Gaming Commission.

He said the outcome of the forum would help resolve challenges associated with gambling, under-age gambling, money laundering, the proliferation of illegal gaming and the rationalisation of the regulatory environment to address existing issues confronting gaming.

Industry

Giving an overview of the commission, the acting Deputy Commissioner, Mr Koby Annan, said only 68 of the gaming operators in the country were operating legally.

He said so far, the commission, together with a task force set up to monitor the activities of operators, had revoked the licences of five operators due to their inactivity or for breaches of the gaming regulations.

He hinted that the commission would soon clamp down on illegal operators across the country.