Ghana has over 600 illegal lottery operators — 'Worried' Sammi Awuku reveals

File photo of a lotto kiosk

LISTEN

The Director General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku, has raised concerns over the proliferation of illegal lottery operators in Ghana, revealing that these unauthorized entities are dominating the market.

Speaking on Peace FM's “Kokrokoo” morning show, Mr. Awuku disclosed that the World Lottery Association estimates that Ghana has over 600 illegal lotto operating companies, significantly undermining the country's lottery industry.

"The World Lottery Association estimates Ghana to have not less than 680 illegal lotto operating companies," he said.

Mr. Awuku highlighted the financial impact of these illegal operators, noting that “while the legal lottery market in Ghana generates an estimated 1.8 billion cedis annually, illegal operators are siphoning a staggering 1.2 billion cedis of this revenue.

“So, technically, the markets are for the illegal operators,” he lamented.

Expressing his concern, Mr. Awuku warned that these illegal operators pose a significant threat to the future of the lottery industry in Ghana.

He called for urgent action to protect the integrity of state institutions and ensure that the legal framework governing lottery operations is strictly enforced.

“Ghana will still move on when the NPP is not in power and some day when the NDC is not in power…But my point is the institution of state must be protected,” he emphasized.