Court to rule on private lotto operators

Accra, Sept. 10, GNA - An Accra Fast Court (FTC) on Monday adjourned to September 17, this year, the ruling on an interlocutory injunction filed by the Ghana Lotto Operators Association (GLOA) restraining the National Lottery Authority (NLA) from going ahead with the implementation of the new Lotteries Law.

The Ghana Lotto Operators Association had filed a motion against the NLA seeking the court to prevent it from implementing the new Law till the determination of a substantive motion pending at the Fast Track High Court.

Mr Aurelius Awuku, counsel for applicants, (the association) prayed the court, presided over by Mr Justice Kofi Anto Ofori-Attah to grant the relief sought by the plaintiffs since implementation of the new law was going to put them out of business and render most of their staff redundant.

He said the NLA had made announcement to the effect that the VAT Service should not supply the GLOA with coupons to them for their operations which he argued was not lawful. He said even though the NLA had requested the GLOA to submit the draw-machines to the authority no compensation package had been discussed with the plaintiffs whose livelihood depended on the lotto business.

Mr Kizito Beyiewura, Counsel for the Defence, argued that the NLA was performing its statutory mandate under the new law and did not see any injuries that the plaintiffs would suffer. He said some private lotto operators have been registered under the law and some were already in operation. 10 Sept 07