Ghana is a sports powerhouse in West Africa. It competes in international sports competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup. Also, the nation has many gambling outlets. Three Ghanaian cities have nine legal gambling businesses. Bingo, casinos, lottery and sports betting ate the most famous gambling channels in the country. Online gaming has gained popularity in Ghana in the recent past. Read on to learn more about it.
The Local Gaming Market
Ghana is liberal compared to other African and European nations. For example, the media can report on any issue. The National Lottery Authority and the Ghana Gaming Commission regulate casino games. Ghana passed the Gaming Act 721 in 2006. Before then, the Ministry of Interior regulated all types of gambling.
The gaming industry globally generated $48.5 billion in 2018 and it will grow by 12 percent by 2025. Corporate sponsorships and improved internet access have contributed to the growth of online gaming. The Gaming Commission has also developed the casino industry.it issues licenses to foreign and Ghanaian casinos. Now, Ghana has over 30 online bookies and 280 online casinos. Pundits can visit https://www.slots.com.gh/ and play online slots on their phones.
Gaming Laws and Regulations
Ghana has a favorable environment for the gambling industry. The government has put several measures to attract foreign bookies to invest in the country. It has increased its annual tax revenues. The Ghana Gaming Commission allows all forms of gambling. But, the National Lottery Authority administers the National Lottery. The Gaming Commission monitors and licenses gambling operations in the country. Also, it ensures that each sportsbook adheres to the Gaming Act 721.
Ghana passed its first gambling law in 1960, it later created the Casino Licensing Act of 1975 and the Gambling Machines Act of 1973 after several years. Yet, the country lacks direct provision for sports betting and online gambling. The National Lottery Authority (NLA) draws the national lottery. It has many offices all over the country that sell lottery tickets to punters.
Most of Ghana’s land-based casinos are in Accra. The city has six casinos including the Piccadilly Casino and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. They offer different casino games such as blackjack, baccarat, poker, and roulette. Victory Casino is the largest casino in Ghana. It has 1300 video poker and gaming machines.
South Africa has strict gaming regulations. But most of Ghana’s land-based casinos operate freely. They allow gamers to play cards, table games, and online slots. Although online gaming is at odds with the religious beliefs of some Ghanaian communities, foreign influence and the cosmopolitan lifestyle has transformed the modern society.
The Gaming Act 721 led to the formation of the Gaming Commission of Ghana. Its roles are to control operators, supervise and regulate them. The commission is independent and it observes the procedure standards of each sportsbook.
The Ghanaian gambling industry is young compared to that in other nations. But, Ghana has the largest online gaming market in West Africa. Estimates indicate that more than 30 percent of the adult population engage in online gaming. Ghana has a high economic growth rate. Also, its gambling laws allow foreign sportsbooks to venture into the local gaming market.
