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08.09.2011 General News

Police swoop on 'banker to banker' operators

By Ghanaian Chronicle
Some of the offenders who were accosted by the joint teamSome of the offenders who were accosted by the joint team
08.09.2011 LISTEN

A joint team of Police and the National Lottery Authority (NLA) personnel mounted a swoop last week on illegal lottery operators, otherwise referred to as 'Banker to Banker,' and arrested 36 of them in the process. 

The illegal lotto operators were apprehended on August 27, at a time they were doing brisk business at five different locations within the metropolis, including Krofrom, Asafo Labour, Sofoline, Bekwai roundabout and Kejetia.

The operation, which was conducted simultaneously at the various locations, was led by the Ashanti Regional Police Operations Commander, Chief Supt. Amoah Ayisi, and the Regional Manager of the National Lottery Authority, Mr. Pius Akelesiyine.

It forms part of a series of efforts being embarked upon by the NLA and the government to clamp down on the illicit business of banker to banker lottery, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The 36 suspects are currently on police enquiry bail undergoing screening, and would soon be arraigned before court to face charges of breaching the NLA Act 722 2006, which criminalises the activities of banker to banker lottery in the country, according to the Regional Public Relations Unit of the Police.

The NLA Act 722 gives the government, and for that matter, the Lottery Authority, the exclusive right and licence to operate lottery services in the country, thus banning all other forms of raffles by individuals without approval from the NLA.

The Ashanti Manager of the NLA told The Chronicle in an exclusive interview that the operation was a nationwide one being undertaken to rid the system of these illegal operators, as part of efforts to streamline the lotto business in the country, and to maximise profit returns to the state.

Mr. Akelesiyine hinted that the operation would be a sustainable one, adding that the NLA, through collaboration with the police, would not rest on its oars, but continue to ensure that the unlawful lotto business was nipped in the bud.

He, therefore, called on individuals engaging in the act to register with the NLA before the long arms of the law catch up with them

The Manager of the NLA also stated that the authority had intensified its outreach programme to educate people to desist from the act.

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