By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, Sept. 29, GNA – Mr Gary Nimako Marfo, the Board Chairman of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), says the Authority has taken measures to streamline and sanitize the lottery industry.
He said the Authority, as the regulator, would do it could to uphold the industry’s precepts.
Mr Marfo was speaking at the Maiden edition of the Ghana Gaming and Lottery Awards 2024 in Accra.
The Awards, organized by Syndicated Entertainment Solution Limited in partnership with the Gaming Commission of Ghana and the NLA, was to celebrate excellence in the gaming and lottery industries.
It is also to highlight the contributions of key players, Innovation, customer service and adherence to best practices within the industries.
”I expect maximum cooperation from our operators as we embark on this and will seek to extend a hand to our co-regulators to champion this together,” he added.
He commended the Syndicated Entertainment Solution (SES) for using the medium to celebrate our industry players, especially our operators and retailers.
He said stakeholders in the industry tireless work over the last six decades, often without recognition, had not only sustained families but also significantly impacted society.
The Board Chairman said, “Your efforts have complemented the government’s initiatives through good causes, making a tangible difference in our communities.”
The World Lottery Association (WLA) purports that “since 1999, an estimated USD 1.6 trillion has been used for good causes to care for the aged, educate grassroots sports, and the respective communities of members while WLA member lotteries contributed USD 83 billion to fund good causes in 2022.
He said in Ghana, the regulators, were doing their bit as members of the WLA to contribute to good causes.
He commended operators in the lottery and gaming space for cooperating with their regulators to contribute to the noble cause, and urged them to keep it up.
“Your generous contribution has saved the lives of children, who need incubators, brought dignity to persons without proper sanitary facilities, and saved the future of many brilliant but needy students who need scholarships,” he added.
Mr Marfo urged the operators to “ensure that their practices and procedures reflect a combination of government regulations, operator self-regulation, and individual responsibility.”
“Our preoccupation should not only be making money off our patrons but also seeking their welfare,” he added.
Ms Diana Asonaba Dapaah, a Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, assured stakeholders of the commitment of the AG in helping fight illegal gaming and lottery activities.
She said the Awards presented an opportunity to help identify key entities and personalities that have exhibit ethics in the operation to contribute to national development.
The Deputy Attorney General said the Award would motive others in the industry to continue to exhibit ethical principles that promoted good practices in the industry.
Mr. Samuel Awuku, The Director-General of NLA, said commended Syndicated Entertainment Solution for organizing these awards in partnership with the NLA and the Gaming Commission to shine the light on the work of their unsung heroes, whose work contributes to nation-building and impacts the lives of many communities in the area of good causes.
He expressed the delight that retailer, agent, or writer who, for decades, had shown up in that kiosk or stall day after day, week after week through the changing seasons of rain and shine, whether business was booming or low, was finally being recognized.
“So, to our operators, retailers, agents, writers, technical service providers, suppliers of industry products, and everyone in the value chain, you have been the most prominent ambassadors of the game, finding innovative ways to keep your patrons and customers glued to the game,” he added.
“Over the years, your proposals, suggestions, feedback, and ideas have contributed significantly to the business’s sustenance, and we congratulate you for your tireless service,” he said.
Ms. Manuella Fremponmaa Ansong, the CEO of Syndicated Entertainment Solutions, said lotteries and games of chance have always had a unique way of inspiring hope and excitement in people, from the thrill of participation to the anticipation of that winning moment.
She said they reminded the society that with just a little bit of luck, anything could happen but beyond that, they brought communities together, supported important causes, and provided opportunities that make a difference in people’s lives.
“Tonight, we are here to celebrate gaming and lottery businesses and their leaders, who have carved a good image for the industries through their excellence, compliance, responsibleness and innovation,” she added.
The awards are Gaming Operator of the Year – Millionaires Casino Ghana Limited, Private Lottery Operator of the Year – Alpha Lotto Limited, Responsible Gaming Initiative Award – BetPawa (Choplife Gaming Limited), Responsible Lottery Initiative Award – Rand Lottery Co. Limtd, lnnovation in Gaming Technology – BetPawa (Choplife Gaming Limited), lnnovation in Lottery Technology – Wulucky Ghana Limited and Customer Service Excellence (Gaming) – Golden Dragon Casino Ghana Limited.
Others are Customer Service Excellence (Lottery) – Blue Star Hi-Tech, Marketing Campaign of the Year (Gaming) – BetPawa (Choplife Gaming Limited), Marketing Campaign of the Year (Lottery) – Alpha Lotto Limited, Regulatory Compliance Award (Gaming) – Wingatebet Limited, Regulatory Compliance Award (Lottery) – Rand Lottery Co. Limtd and Lifetime Achievement Award (Gaming) – Mr Peter Mireku (CEO, Gaming Commission of Ghana).
The rest are Lifetime Achievement Award (Lottery) – Dr. George Gyamfi (Industry Expert, NCA), Non-Corporate Lotto Marketing Company of the Year – Ms. Mercy Emefa Avorgbedor, Corporate Lotto Marketing Company of the Year – Mr. Francis Opoku (Money Zone Co. Limtd), Chief Executive Officer of the Year (Gaming) – Ms. Sharon Close (CEO of Millionaires Casino Ghana Limtd), Chief Executive Officer of the Year (Lottery) – Kenneth Kwame Asare, CEO of Alpha Lotto Limtd), Special Recognition Award (Gaming Commission of Ghana) – Peter Mireku and Special Recognition Award (NLA) – Samuel Awuku
GNA