Kumasi,(Ashanti Region) 17 Sept.,

A number registered private lotto operators in the country lose about 75 per cent of their expected revenue at every draw due to the activities of illegal lotto operators who print fake lotto receipt books for stakers. Mr Ruddy Ocloo, chairman of Agrop Association, an NGO and organisers of Lotto Bingo who was speaking to newsmen in Kumasi said "activities of illegal lotto operators who print fake lotto receipts books using the logo of registered private lotto operators is affecting our operations". Mr Ocloo is in Kumasi in connection with the arrest of two suspects who appeared before a Kumasi Community Tribunal for allegedly operating illegal lotto Bingo in the Kumasi metropolis. One of the suspects, Charles Adomako, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment, while Osei Kofi who pleaded not guilty was remanded in custody for a week by the tribunal chaired by Mr S. K. A.Asiedu. Mr Ocloo called for a joint efforts by all private lotto operators "to get rid of these illegal operators who do not pay tax but gain profits at our expense". On August 28, this year, the tribunal sentenced six lotto operators to 30 days imprisonment each on their own plea of operating illegal lotto.