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The Gaming Commission of Ghana has rolled out a new policy mandating biometric identity verification for anyone participating in gambling across the nation. This directive, effective immediately, covers various forms of gaming, including online and retail sports betting, casino operations, and promotional gaming schemes.
All licensed gaming operators must integrate their identity verification processes within the National Identification Authority (NIA) database. Players will undergo authentication through either fingerprint or facial recognition at two critical moments: when placing their bets and when collecting their winnings.
The Ghana Card, issued by the NIA, will be the only legally accepted form of identification as outlined in Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2111. This means no manual or alternative electronic identification methods will be allowed, ensuring a streamlined and secure verification process for all participants.
Operators Have 30 Days
Emmanuel Siki Quainoo, the acting commissioner of the Gaming Commission, emphasised that this new policy is designed to shield the gaming industry from criminal activities and promote responsible participation among players.
To ensure compliance, the commission has established clear timelines for operators. They must submit their integration plans within 14 days and have a total of 30 days to complete the testing and deployment of their biometric access systems.
To this end, all licensed operators are directed to immediately begin onboarding with the NIA. The Commission expects confirmation of integration plans within fourteen (14) days from the date of this communication, and completion of biometric access system testing and deployment within thirty (30) days,” the directive stated.
The commission has made it clear that those who fail to meet these requirements will face serious repercussions. Consequences could include the suspension of licenses and the inability to renew them, pushing operators to act swiftly to align with the new regulations.
“Compliance with this directive is being actively monitored, and the outcomes will form part of each operator’s operational audit.”
Responsible Gambling Top of Agenda
The new initiative aims to eliminate underage and fraudulent participation in gaming by preventing impersonation and the use of false identities. This effort also seeks to enhance the integrity of financial systems within the gaming sector, which has become increasingly prone to money laundering and illicit cash flows.
Moreover, the policy is designed to promote responsible gambling practices. With verified biometric identities, operators will have the tools to monitor betting patterns, enforce limits, and implement exclusion measures for vulnerable or self-excluded players.
Gaming operators are urged to engage closely with the NIA Technical Services Unit for assistance in meeting integration requirements.
Source: FocusNGN
