Parliament debates National Lotto Bill

Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - Parliament on Thursday took the National Lotto Bill through the second reading, the stage at which the principles of a bill are debated.

Moving the motion, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, Deputy Minister for Finance said the Bill is to revise the law regulating the operation of national lotto and to restructure the National Lotteries Department so as to generate more revenue to the state.

The Department of National Lotteries was set up as a department of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to conduct the National Weekly Lotto for and on behalf of government.

Despite making substantial contributions to the Consolidate Fund, the promulgation of PNDC Law 223 deregulated the lottery industry in Ghana and subjected the department to competition from private lottery operators.

Contributions from members of the House generally supported the Bill to raise revenue and generate employment but cautioned against the creation of monopoly if the Department of National Lotteries (DNL) were made the sole operator.