The National Lottery Authority yesterday started its plan of clamping down of illegal private lotto operators (Banker To Banker).
A team drawn from the police, Military and Lotto Taskforce from the NLA set out yesterday to clear the system of the illegal operations.
In September this year, the Authority announced its intention to clamp down on the activities of illegal private lottery operators.
They set out a pre-qualifications phase of the licensing regime where the operators were given a one-month window period to register with the NLA in view of the preparedness to operate Private lottery. The Authority, after the one-month window period Registered 140 companies but disqualified 70 because those entities could not meet the criteria.
The Authority then set their license fee and asked the qualified companies proceed with the process and get licensed.
Speaking to the Public Relations Manager, Mr. Goodfellow Dei Ofei at the Ministry’s Police Station he said “The authority is determined to clamped on illegal private lottery. The NLA gave them a fair opportunity to rectify their situation with us but it obvious the recalcitrant ones want us to face them squarely. We have sent our men into the regions to arrest and prosecute anyone operating illegally without the requisite license or authorization. “Today my team went through Tiafa, Achimota and Amasaman and we arrested 10 operators, one female and Nine males. We are committed to get these people out of the system so we rake in a lot of revenue for government and for national development.
Asked if the operations will be a nine-day wonder, Mr. Ofei said “Our actions will speak for us. Wait and see how we deal with these guys”.
