35 Illegal lotto operators arrested in Greater Accra

The National Lottery Authority (NLA), together with security personnel, has arrested 35 persons said to be illegal lotto operators in the Greater Accra Region.

The persons were arrested in areas around Amasaman, Taifa, Lapaz, Adenta and Madina.

Security personnel is also said to have seized money and coupons belonging to the lotto operators, popularly known as ‘Banker to Banker.’

Public Relations Officer of the Lottery Authority, Mr. Goodfellow Dei Ofei, said the arrested persons would be arraigned.

On November 1, 2021, the NLA announced that it would undertake an exercise, together with security personnel to arrest and prosecute all unlicensed lotto operators.

Mr. Dei Ofei explained that the Lottery Authority set out a prequalification phase of the licensing regime where the operators were given a one-month window to register with the NLA in view of their preparedness to operate a private lottery.

He further explained that after the one-month window, the NLA disqualified 70 companies because those entities failed to meet the NLA’s set criteria.

“The NLA has been very reasonable with the process, we gave them a fair opportunity to rectify their position with us but as I usually say the recalcitrant elements will always rebel and we are more than prepared to face them squarely,” he said.

He added that a task force has been sent to other regions to arrest and prosecute persons operating illegally without authorisation.