The National Lottery Authority (NLA) in intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal lotto operators in the country, has carried out a swoop in the Central Regional Capital, Cape Coast.
The swoop resulted in the arrest of seven illegal lotto operators, including the Operators of Lucky Star, Sikatuo Lotto, and 5 other accomplices.
The NLA, after the closure of the licensing window in October 2021 and the subsequent clamping down on illegal lotto operators, were called upon to extend the license window in order to give opportunity for individuals who were not yet registered to do so.
The Authority, as a mark of leadership, graciously obliged and offered opportunity for interested individuals and Private Operators to register from Thursday 16th December to Thursday 23rd December 2021.
The Statement released by the NLA read in part, “All unlicensed Lotto Operators and any interested entities and/ or individuals who wish to be licensed within the legal framework of the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722) and VAG Act 844, are hereby requested to contact the operations Office at the NLA Head Office, Fortune House first Floor, Accra for Licensing Application forms and payment term”.
The seven (7) suspects, were charged under the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722) under Section 18(1) and (2) relating to Prohibition in Relation To Coupons and Section 19 which relates to offences in relation to a coupon and were subsequently arraigned before court. They pleaded not guilty and the presiding judge requested them to provide their valid license on the next date of adjournment. The case was adjourned to the 10th day of February 2022.
Speaking to the media after the court proceedings, the Public Relations Manager of the NLA said “The NLA will not relent on our drive to clear illegal operators from the lottery industry, we have kept a human face to the whole exercise and have been extremely patient with these operators. They were all over asking for more time to get licensed and we graciously granted the request by giving them a 7 day extension. I remember the difficult time my boss the Director- General Mr. Samuel Awuku had to go through convincing the Board to grant the extension. But these people are still bent on operating illegally. We will walk the talk and go after them, we will not end by arresting them but will prosecute them as we have done today”.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com