The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has urged the Gaming Commission of Ghana to implement strict measures to prevent underage gambling.
He said the need to safeguard the future of the youth had become necessary because instead of being in school, some children were found at gambling centres.
“The underage participation in gaming is something I want you to take very seriously. We cannot gamble with the future of our youth.
“So I want to urge you that as part of your work, please make sure that we put in measures that will prevent underage individuals from participating in gaming,” the minister further admonished.
Mr Mubarak was speaking during a working visit to the commission in Accra yesterday to familiarise himself with its operations and also discuss ways to strengthen regulations and promote responsible gaming practices.
Acknowledgement
The minister acknowledged the dedication of the commission’s staff in overseeing the gaming industry in the country.
He said the commission, which was established under the Gaming Act of 2006 (Act 721), played a crucial role in licensing, monitoring and supervising gaming operators to ensure compliance with the law.
Mr Mubarak said that as gaming evolved, it was essential to review the current regulatory framework to address emerging trends and challenges.
He pledged to ensure fair, transparent and efficient operations at the commission to ensure it contributes more revenue for national development.
The minister, however, entreated them to adhere to regulations and remain dedicated to their work, adding, “As we expand, we must ensure discipline and professionalism”.
Potential
The acting Gaming Commissioner, Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo, said that his outfit had the potential to make significant strides and become a major contributor to the economy.
He, however, mentioned illegal operations as one of their biggest challenges.
“Some entities continue to operate unlawfully, and we have taken decisive steps to address this. We have written to service providers, requesting that they block access to all illegal platforms.
“We also engaged the National Communications Authority, which directed us to channel our request through the Cyber Security Authority, something we have done, and we will be following up,” Mr Quainoo added.
He further said that the commission had implemented some measures to address concerns raised by gaming operators.
Mr Quainoo mentioned instances where unauthorised individuals claiming to have ministerial backing harassed business operators.
