By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
The Gaming Commission is expanding its operations to other regions and municipalities so as to make its services easily accessible to members of the public. Of particular interest to the Commission is ensuring effective supervision of players in the gaming industry and compliance with restrictions, particularly those aimed at protecting minors from taking part in any game of chance.
At the opening of a new office at Bekwai in the Ashanti region, the Acting Gaming Commissioner, Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo, noted that, the objective of the Commission opening up more offices is to, among other considerations, receive and act on complaints from concerned members of the public regarding people getting addicted to betting or at risk of addiction so as to offer them support to overcome such problems.
“Our mandate, as a Commission, is equally clear, to ensure that gaming is made safer, well regulated and responsible in Ghana. The Commission is here to protect minors from gambling. The Commission is at Asante Bekwai to support individuals at risk of addiction. The Commission is here to ensure operators comply with operational standards.”
“Finally, the Gaming Commission is here to safeguard public interest and national revenue which is in line with our Mission and Vision Statements,” the Ag. Commissioner emphasized.
Mr. Quainoo appealed for the support of key stakeholders such as the traditional leadership and the police in ensuring compliance and responsible gaming within the coverage area of the Bekwai office.
Since its establishment in 2006 following the enactment of Act 721, the Gaming Commission had operated only four offices concentrated in urban areas like Accra and Kumasi. This situation has created difficulties for members of the public in accessing its services, especially with concerns of minors getting involved in gambling, in increase in unlicensed entities within the industry and addiction to betting.
It is in response to such matters of concern that the Commission has set out to expand its operations to make its services easily accessible.
The opening of the Bekwai office in the Ashanti region brings to four the number of offices set up in the country this year. The others are in Ho in the Volta region, Agona Swedru in the Central region and Sefwi Wiawso in the Western North region with plans to expand to other regions.
The Bekwai office brings to two the number in the Ashanti region, with the other one located in Kumasi.
At the unveiling ceremony, the Bekwai Municipal Chief Executive, Salifu Issaka, commended the Gaming Commission for the decision since it would not only streamline operations within the municipality, but also help create employment opportunities for the youth.
“Once they have opened their office here, the Commission will be educating us on responsible betting. The youth, who are interested into the gaming business must take advantage of their presence to go through the regulatory regime to operate lawfully. It is trite known that illegal gaming ventures abound because of the difficulties in accessing their services,” Mr. Issaka said.
The Asante Bekwai office will have an oversight of the industry within the southern part of the Ashanti region.
