The Director General of National Lottery Authority (NLA), Kofi Osei-Ameyaw has vowed to soon clamp down on activities of illegal lottery operators, popularly referred to as “Banker to Banker”.
This was in response to an appeal by members of the Association of Lotto Marketing Companies (ALMC) after they called on him to congratulate him on his appointment.
Mr. Osei Ameyaw who took over the management of NLA from the outgoing Director-General, Martin K.G Ahiaglo (Rtd) officially assumed office on Monday, March 13, 2017.
The Chairman of the ALMC, Dan Mensah indicated the association’s commitment to work closely with the new Director General and support his vision to boost the NLA’s contribution to the country’s economic development.
According to Mr. Mensah, activities of the illegal operators are not only crippling their business but depriving the state of the revenue.
“The revenue which should otherwise end up in the Consolidated Fund for national development currently goes into individuals’ pocketsas these illegal operatorsdo not pay taxes aside from refusing to pay-up on the wins of some patrons many a time” he said.
The Members of ALMC also lamented the tax on lotto wins as a huge disincentive for patrons of NLA products – much to the undue advantage of “Banker to Banker” operators.
On his part, the Mr. Osei-Ameyaw promised to work with them to further develop NLA to the benefit of the economy. He also assured them of addressing their concerns by establishing a Lotto Taskforce to prosecute and haul “Banker to Banker” operators before Lotto courts established nationwide.
He also indicated his commitment totackle the issue of taxes on wins, provide them with model kiosks, decentralize the business in all regions and districts and also hold periodic meetings with the ALMC towards developing their industry.
