The Director General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku, has voiced his concern over the growing number of illegal lottery operators in the country.
During an interview with peacefmonline.com on August 8, 2024, he mentioned that the World Lottery Association estimates there are at least 680 unauthorized lotto operators in Ghana.
He further noted that the Association estimates the country’s annual lottery revenues to be no less than 1.8 billion cedis, but illegal operators siphon off 1.2 billion cedis from this amount each year.
Awuku emphasized that many of these illegal operators are a significant threat to the industry and urged them to legitimize their operations.
“So, technically, the markets are for the illegal operators. Ghana will still move on when NPP is not in power and someday when NDC is not in power…But my point is the institution of state must be protected,” he noted.