Local chiefs in Ghana waging war against Chinese machines

Following on from an announcement by the Gaming Commission of Ghana that analogue gaming machines are to be targeted and removed from the market in the coming year, a local chief has taken matters into his own hands and banned Chinese gaming machines from his area of influence.

The Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area, Tongo-Rana Kubilsong Nalebegtan has banned the operations of Chinese gambling centres in his geographical remit.

“They can operate anywhere but not within my area. We cannot allow such practices to fester on within this area and put the future of children in jeopardy,” he warned

“I have seized some of their machines and warned them not to come to the area because I will not countenance that. I am ready to release land for development purposes within my area and maybe help in some parts of the region but I won’t allow these Chinese to introduce the future of our wards to gambling,” he explained.

The former lawmaker has additionally called upon other stakeholders in the region to support his cause.

The Gaming Commission of Ghana has already started a campaign, in association with a specialised police task force, against the illegal operation of these units as the body looks to formalise all gaming activity within the nation.

This move is part of a push to bring local operations up to the high standards set by the resort-style casino premises prevalent in the nation’s larger cities.