NLA Gets Tough on ‘Banker-to-Banker’ Operators

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has served notice it will not extend an amnesty period it gave illegal lottery operators to register with the authority by end of April this year.

The NLA, as part of measures to sanitize the lotto industry gave a one year ultimatum to all illegal lotto operators, popularly called “Banker to Banker” to roll on to the national platform.

Speaking to Citi Business News, after a press conference with editors, the Director of Operations, at the NLA, Dr. George Gyamfi-Osei explained that the exercise is necessary to block revenue leakages in the system.

“I don’t think there is any justification to extend the deadline date. Operators have been given a window of ten months to come on board and be registered from the month of July to end of April 2018, or face the law after the expiration of the deadline”

Dr. Gyamfi-Osei stated that the move is part of new reforms being embarked upon by the authority to enhance its activities.

Touching on the effect of illegal lottery operators, he pointed out that the activities of ‘Banker to Banker’ operators means that Lotto Marketing Operators (LMC) , and their retailers who pay taxes receive less commission on work done.

“Whereas these illegal operators with very low overhead costs will defraud the state of taxes to be paid on their collections,” he stated.

Outlining some activities earmarked to grow the industry, Dr. Gyamfi-Osei said the NLA has started outdooring the Lotto E-Kiosk across the country.

He was of the view that these kiosk will sanitize the districts and metropolises, clearly designating areas that these kiosks can be placed.

He observed that the Lotto E-Kiosk will create direct jobs for about 30,000 Ghanaians.

“With the electronic E-Kiosk, we can leverage the emergence of digital payment platforms and its impact on outsourcing selected services”