Lottery stakeholders receive honours for sector’s growth

By Wisdom JONNY-NUEKPE

Stakeholders and operators in the gaming and lottery sector have been honoured at the maiden Ghana Gaming and Lottery Awards, for their inputs and contributions to the growth of the industry.

The Awards, which was hosted by the Syndicated Entertainment Solution with collaborations of the Gaming Commission and the National Lottery Authority (NLA), was to shine light on the works of unsung heroes in the lottery space, whose activities have contributed to nation-building and good causes.

Board Chair of the NLA, Gary Nimako Esq, said the honours were to recognise and promote compliant and responsible gaming for players in the lottery and gaming sector, whilst streamlining activities to deter illegal operations.

He said the lotto and gaming business, though regulated by law, has seen some unscrupulous entities infiltrating into the system.

Mr Nimako however said the current board of the Authority, has licensed some hitherto 28 illegal lotto operations, which have now been properly integrated to conduct valid lotto business in the country.

“As we urge the industry to abide by the rules and regulations of the sector, it is imperative that regulators such as the NLA and the Gaming Commission also encourage and honour good practice, hence the importance of this Award Scheme” Mr. Nimako emphasised.

Director General of the NLA, Sammie Awuku, said the Authority was excited to partner with the Awards which appreciates the work and contributions of industry players and gaming companies.

“Our operators, retailers, agents, writers, technical service providers, suppliers of industry products and everyone in the lottery value chain, have been a worthy ambassador of the game” he said.

Mr Awuku said the innovation of these stakeholders have enabled patrons and customers to keep glued to the game, with interesting inscriptions and permutations on kiosks, giving customers hope to try again when they lose, and smiles, when they win.

The DG acknowledged proposals, suggestions, feedback and ideas of lottery stakeholders over the years, as key contributing factor to the success and sustainability of the lottery and gaming sector.

At the event, Deputy CEO of the Gaming Commission, Kobby Annan, underscored the need to encourage industry players who have been at the forefront of the lottery business for many years.

He commended NLA for ensuring the fusing of technology into the lottery business and streamlining activities of the sector to drive development.

Award winners and Honours

Key entities that have been awarded for their contributions to the growth of the sector include, Gaming Operator of the Year; Millionaires Casino, Private Lottery Operator of the Year; Alpha Lotto Ltd, Responsible Gaming Initiative Award; BetPawa (Choplife Gaming Ltd), Responsible Lottery Initiative Award; Rand Lottery Ltd, Innovation in Gaming Technology; BetPAWA, Innovation in Lottery Technology; Wulucky Ghana Ltd.

The rest were, Customer Service Excellence (Gaming); Golden Dragon Casino, Customer Service Excellence (Lottery); Blue Star High-Tech, Gaming Marketing Company of the Year; BetPAWA, Lottery Marketing Company of the Year; Alpha Lotto Ltd, Gaming Regulatory Compliance Award; Wingatebet Ltd, Lottery Regulatory Compliance Award; Rand Lottery Ltd,

Various personalities who were honoured for their key roles and contributions to the sector, include a Lifetime Achievement Award (Gaming); Hon. Peter Mireku  – CEO, Gaming Commission, Lifetime Achievement Award (Lottery), Dr George Gyamfi, Special Recognition Award (NLA); Hon. Samuel Awuku, Special Recognition Award (Gaming Commission); Hon. Peter Mireku.

Others include, Non-Corporate Lotto Marketing Company of the Year; Mercy Emefa Avorgbedor, Corporate Lotto Marketing Company of the Year, Mr Francis Opoku – Money Zone Ltd, Gaming CEO of the Year, Ms Sharon Close – CEO, Millionaires Casino Ghana Ltd, Lottery CEO of the Year; Mr Kenneth Kwame Asare – CEO, Alpha Lotto Ltd.