The National Lottery Authority (NLA) is threatening to take legal action against some telecom operators, banks and insurance companies who engage in illegal lottery and games of chance. The Director-General of the NLA, Kojo Andah cited the newly launched ‘More Money’ game by Vodafone, and the loyalty rewards by Airtel among others as lottery disguised as customer rewards games. He told journalists these illegal games cost Ghana over GH¢100m per annum. Mr. Andah explained that under the National Lotto Act, Act 722, 2006, it is illegal for any person, group or company to operate any form of lottery without the consent of the NLA. According to him, the Gaming Act, Act 721, 2006, does not authorize the Gaming Commission to issue permit for lottery schemes, adding that the Gaming Commission only has the statutory authority to issue annual licenses to companies in the business of operating games of chance and not short term game permits. He cited the cases of NLA vrs. AIRTEL and the NLA vrs. TIGO in which the NLA successfully restrained the lottery activities of these telecom operators. Mr. Andah therefore urged the general public to dissociate themselves from the so-called consumer rewarding promotions which are all illegal schemes. “Those who patronize this illegality are also liable to be sued or face the law,” he said. In an interview with ASEMPA NEWS, the Communication Manager of NLA, Regan Twum Barimah indicated that NLA would soon haul companies contravening the National Lotto Act before courts. Meanwhile the Gaming Commission has stated Act 721 authorizes the commission to approve of all games of chance except National Lotto. They have therefore set themselves in readiness to challenge the NLA in court over their threat to sue telecom operators and other organizations. Story by: Yaa Asantewaa/Asempa News/Ghana