The Ghana Football Association has reported the conduct of betting companies to the Gaming Commission. The betting platforms cited in the GFA’s report have engaged in unauthorised betting on matches organised and sanctioned by the Ghana Football Association.
The Football Association has requested for urgent assistance from the Gaming Commission to investigate the companies and take appropriate steps to ensure that they cease and desist from offering unauthorised betting services on the Association’s matches.
The Gaming Commission Ghana is responsible for issuing licenses to all gaming operators and permits to companies and individuals that wish to run promotions with elements of game of chance.
The betting companies reported to the Gaming Commission include Betway, Soccabet, Sportybet, Football.com and Ilobet.
The unauthorised use of any of the GFA’s match data by the above-mentioned companies for betting purposes infringes on the Association’s legal rights and is in clear breach of its rules and regulations.
The GFA has a strict policy against unauthorised betting on football matches as such activities pose a significant threat to the integrity of the game and harm the reputation of the Association.
It will be recalled that President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku issued a stern warning to betting companies operating in the country during the 30th convocation of Congress, held at the GFA technical centre, Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence.
He stated that no betting company has been authorised to offer odds on Ghana Premier League (GPL) matches.
The President emphasised that the GFA’s legal team will soon be taking action against betting companies that continue to include GPL matches in their offerings.
“We have not licensed any betting company to take odds on our games,” President Simeon-Okraku said during the 30th Ordinary Congress in Prampram on August 27, 2024.
“We are going to empower our legal department to confront this issue head-on. It is not okay for betting companies to feed on our football.”
The GFA President has made it clear that the association is open to partnering with betting companies but only if they comply with the necessary regulations.
