New NLA boss to descend on illegal lotto operators

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has deployed stringent measures to flush out illegal lotto operators, commonly known as ‘Banker to Banker’ from the system.

The NLA is embarking on this action to secure the state from continuously loosing revenue for national development to the activities of illegal lotto operators.

Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, the new Director-General appointed to head the NLA, in a meeting with Association of Lotto Marketing Companies (ALMC) to update them on progress disclosed his plans to descend heavily on ‘Bank to Banker’ operators.

He assured them of some plans put in place to address their concerns of setting up a Lotto Taskforce to clamp down on ‘Banker to Banker’ operators, adding that, those found flouting the law will be prosecuted in Lotto Courts established nationwide.

Mr. Osei-Ameyaw said the NLA would provide the ALMCs with model kiosks which would be attractive for their operations and appealed to them to decentralize their businesses in all regions and districts.

He also assured them of addressing the issue of taxes on wins, commissions and other issues stifling their businesses.

The Director-General promised to hold periodic meetings with the ALMC to update them on progress made by the NLA.

He thanked the ALMC for their support and promised to work with them to further develop NLA in line with the vision of President Nana Akufo-Addo to generate revenue for the State.

Mr. Dan Mensah, Chairman of the ALMC, pledged the Association’s support to the Director-General and assured him of their commitment to work closely with him and support his vision to promote the operations of NLA.

The Members of ALMC emphasised on the need to descend heavily on the Banker to Banker operators whose activities are not only crippling their businesses, but also, depriving the state of the revenue which should have ended up in the Consolidated Fund for national development.

“Those monies go into individuals’ pockets as a result of the fact that Banker to Banker operators do not pay taxes on their earnings and more often than not, they also swindle their patrons by refusing to pay up on wins.”

The Members also decried the tax on lotto wins as it dissuades players from patronizing the NLA products and encourages them to rather play Banker to Banker.