The National Lotto Receivers Union of the Department of National Lottery (DNL) say they are totally against moves by Prof Mills for the retention of the Private Lotto Law. The Union alleges that Prof Mills, leader of the NDC, has been moving lately against the repeal of the PNDCL 223 and has mentioned that he will appeal to the NDC members in Parliament to vote against the bill when it presented before the House.

In 1998 the Provisional National Defence Council promulgated PNDC law 223 that allowed operation of private lottery, otherwise known as banker to banker, without necessarily registering with the Department of National Lottery.

The NPP administration has, however, announced that it will repeal the law because the activities of the private lotto operators are not bringing in the desired revenue to government.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra today Mr. Dan Mensah, National Chairman of the Lotto receivers? union of the DNL, says it is their wish that the law be repealed so that operations of all lotto receivers benefit the nation.

Mr. Mensah said the failure of PNDCL 223 to provide control mechanisms to check the excesses of the lotto companies in the evasion of taxes is very unfortunate.

He pointed out that if Professor Mills would be honest to himself, then he should be the first person to admit that what most of these companies pay as tax to the nation is the tip of the iceberg in spite of their coverage of a large segment of the lotto market.