The National Lottery Authority (NLA) says it is seeking counsel from the Attorney-General on the possibility of allowing betting companies to use celebrities as brand ambassadors.

Speaking to Roselyn Felli on Prime Morning Monday, Director-General of NLA, Sammi Awuku, explained that the Authority, as a regulatory body, can legally authorise betting companies to use celebrities for advertisements.

The Gaming Act, 2006 (Act 271), bans betting companies from using celebrities in their advertisements.

In 2022, the Gaming Commission gave effect to this provision in the Act.

According to the Commission, the move was necessitated by the increasing number of celebrities endorsing betting companies - an action many say could lure young fans into gambling.

https://youtu.be/ivYnlTTSJus

But the Director-General contends that if the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has been able to regularise the activities of celebrities in endorsing products, then it is possible for the Lottery Authority to do so as well.

"If you take the FDA, that’s another regulatory body in the space of food and drugs, they’re able to also pull the brakes when it comes to celebrity endorsements on some of these alcoholic beverages. NLA is also a regulatory body, so we need to have that understanding," he said.

He added that, "We will also seek the advice of the Attorney-General to see if the NLA can enter into that space of getting some of the brand ambassadors in the industry of sports, entertainment, and all to also do some brand endorsement."

Mr. Awuku also revealed that quite a number of fraudsters are currently on trial for various criminal activities.

He indicated that his outfit, in collaboration with the Police, is working to nip the activities in the bud.

The NLA boss is confident the SIM card re-registration will help combat the activities of fraudsters in the lottery space.