300 Seized jackpot machines destroyed in Accra

Three hundred pieces of jackpot machines that were seized by the Gaming Commission of Ghana (GCG) were last Thursday destroyed in Accra.

The destruction of the machines at the Adepa Landfill site at Nsawam in the Eastern Region was carried out with the support of Waste Landfill Company Limited and the Ghana Police Service. 

Confiscation

Earlier this year, about 114 machines were confiscated in a raid on illegal gaming centres in Accra and some parts of the country.

They were seized from operators, who had not registered with the GCG and, therefore, could not provide proper documentations for their activities.

Owners of the jackpot machines were given a one-month ultimatum to provide their licences and other documentations.

Upon expiry of the grace period, the Commissioner of the GCG, with the approval of its Board of Directors, decided to destroy the machines.

Digitalisation

The Commissioner of the GCG, Mr Peter Mireku, who witnessed the exercise, said the commission was gearing up for a digital migration of its activities for effective operations.

That, he said, was expected to be effected within the second quarter of next year.

Mr Mireku said the digitalised system would, among other things, provide a centralised monitoring facility where gaming activities in the country could be supervised.

“It will also provide a better policing in ensuring minors do not engage in gaming activities,” he added.

According to him, the exercise will be carried out in collaboration with the National Identification System where details such as age and names of gamers will be captured.

Mr Mireku said on the digitalised platform, there would also be  designated areas for gaming across the country where minors would be denied access.

He said an underage campaign would be launched in January next year to sensitise the public to the dangers of minors engaging in gaming activities.

Source: Graphic Online