One-hundred and one (101) illegal lotto operators have been apprehended by the police in Western and Central regions for operating illegal lottery.

Sixty-one (61) were arrested in Sekondi-Takoradi, Shama, Daboase, Elubo, Tarkwa and Agona-Nkwanta in the Western Region, while 40 others were rounded-up in Agona Swedru, Winneba, Mankesim, Kasoa, Elmina, Budunburam, and Cape Coast in the Central Region.

They were arrested in a swoop carried out by the National Lottery Authority (NLA), in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service on Friday April 4 and Saturday April 5 respectively, for lottery fraud and contravening the National Lotto Act, Act 722 of 2006.

Addressing the media in Takoradi on Sunday, Lieutenant Colonel (RTD) Yaw Dzotefe-Mensah, General Manager in charge of Security at the National Lottery Authority, said it was a criminal offence under the laws of Ghana for anyone or group of persons to operate lottery except the NLA, which had been mandated to operate lottery in the country.

He said those arrested would be put before the court on Monday April 7 and upon conviction, would be fined or given a custodial sentence, or both.

He also announced that an injunction had been placed on the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG), preventing them from engaging in lottery or any lottery activities and, therefore, warned the general public to stake lotto with the NLA only to avert a brush with the law.

Lt. Col. Dzotefe-Mensah indicated that the NLA would continue to monitor closely illegal lotto operators in the country and persons found engaging in illegal lotto activities would be punished under the laws of Ghana.

He urged the general public to report any suspicious lottery activities to the nearest police station or the NLA to help increase government revenue.