The New Acting Games Commissioner of the Gaming Commission of Ghana, Mr. Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo has met the operators in the industry on the continuous development and sanitization in the gaming industry with an assurance of his unflinching support and readiness to address their concerns as well as create a conducive environment for their businesses to thrive.
This he noted was a crucial step towards improving the gaming industry in Ghana.
At a maiden engagement with members of the Ghana Association of Sports Betting Operators (GHASBO) and the Ghana Association of Casino & Route Operators in Accra, Mr. Quainoo expressed gratitude to the operators for the prompt response in attending the meeting and called for more collaboration between the Commission and the operators to build a vibrant and sustainable gaming industry.
Touching on the issue of betting taxes, the Games Commissioner emphasized that H.E. President John Dramani Mahama-led administration was committed to fulfilling its promise to cancel the betting tax on winnings of players.
He indicated that he was going to engage the officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), to resolve concerns of the gaming operators, surrounding tax on gross gaming revenues, operational charges, as well as plans by the GRA to introduce a new gaming administration monitoring system.
On the ongoing illegal gaming activities in several towns and cities in the country, the Acting Commissioner indicated that he will soon roll out some measures to tackle the illegal gaming activities head-on.
He stated that the illegal gaming activities undermine the viability of legitimate gaming businesses.
Mr. Quainoo issued an immediate directive, which bans unauthorized staff of the Gaming Commission from dealing with operators either directly or indirectly.
He added that such a move was aimed at curbing harassment and unauthorized visitations by some staff to solicit for monies. He said such dubious conduct affects the integrity of the gaming sector.
The Acting Commissioner also informed the operators that a letter had been sent to the National Communications Authority to restrict access to the websites of 11 unauthorized companies involved in games of chance in the country.
Additionally, he stated that a letter had also been dispatched to Payment Service Providers, advising them to conduct due diligence with the Gaming Commission before onboarding clients engaged in gaming activities.
Mr. Quainoo reiterated the Gaming Commission’s commitment to create a level playing field for all gaming operators. He pledged not to impede the growth of legitimate businesses and encouraged operators to work together to build a thriving and fair gaming industry for the benefit of all stakeholders, especially the people of Ghana.
