The National Lottery Authority (NLA) is expected to earn about GH¢30 million in 2023 for extending its gaming services to Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire.
According to the Director-General of NLA,Mr Samuel Awuku, the amount represents license fees and royalties for the services provided.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a four-day seminar aimed at promoting responsible gaming in Accra yesterday, he said, while GH¢18 million was expected from Nigeria, the services in Côte d’Ivoire was expected to generate about GH¢13 million.
It is being organised by the National Lottery Authority (NLA) in collaboration with the World Lottery Association and African Lottery Association.
The event, which coincides with the 60th anniversary celebration of the NLA, brought together stakeholders of the gaming industry from about 18 countries including Canada and United States of America (USA).
Mr Awuku said responsible gaming was critical to the development of the lottery in the country and Africa as a whole.
This, he said, required that lottery institutions implement strategies and resolutions to uphold best practices, particularly to protect minors from engaging in gaming and ensure responsible advertising.
Although, gaming was to generate revenue for national development and provide support towards the wellbeing of communities, he said, stakeholders have a role in protecting the lives of individuals to build a better society.
In this regard, MrAwuku urged the stakeholders to formulate responsible gaming Policies, set-up an Advisory Bureau and consistently educate their patrons against hurtful gaming practices.
The NLA, he said, would focus on adhering to the dictates of the guidelines that shaped the African Lottery Association and the World Lottery Association to promote responsible gaming.
To promote responsible gaming, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, GodfredYeboah Dame, urged for the creation of a secure environment that ensures that operators develop a system of controls and mechanisms for players to have fun in a safe gaming environment.
He further advocated an ethical and responsible system for marketing adding that, it was imperative stakeholders comply with relevant regulatory advertising codes to ensure that advertisements do not infringe the law and target the underage and the vulnerable in society.
In view of the activities of online criminals, he advised operators to deploy procedures and technology which would enable the detection of money laundering activities and hacking devices that would ensure that the systems that the gaming world relies on do not become a vehicle for organised crime.
Mr Dame called for a deliberate effort to deter underage participants in gaming through the enforcement of a rigorous registration process and institute measures to bar access forpersons below the legal age in accessing apps and programmes.
He also advocated the imposition of limits on money and time for playing in competitions, especially on the web sites as well as the creation of a reliable gaming software platform for players to safely deposit, transfer and withdraw money.
President of World Lottery Association, Rebecca Paul recalled the impactful contributions of the NLA towards improving education and livelihoods in the country and urged all stakeholders to support the Authority to grow.
She said the conference was focused on highlighting community support programmes of member countries to ensure gaming was positively affecting lives.
BY CECILIA LAGBA
