Ghana FA instructs lawyers to ‘take action’ against unauthorised betting operators

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has issued a fresh crackdown on betting operators offering markets on the country’s Premier League, threatening legal action against those which do not comply with the football body’s ruling.

The GFA emphasised that it has not given its authorisation for any betting company to place betting on the Premier League or any of its products. As a result, the football body has instructed its lawyers to ‘take action’ against those offering betting markets.

In a statement, the GFA has urged operators to stop ‘placing odds on Ghana Premier League matches without the necessary authorisation from the GFA’, emphasising ‘its status as the owner of all marketing, commercial and all rights associated with the Ghana Premier League.’

The football body has called upon the country’s regulator, the Gaming Commission of Ghana, to consider the “illegal activities of their licenced betting companies against the GFA and its members.”

It continued: “The GFA seriously frowns on such flagrant violation of the marketing and commercial rights of the Ghana Premier League, and will not countenance any ambush marketing on its product.”

Ahead of the new season, which began last weekend, the GFA president Kurt Okraku unveiled new rules and regulations concerning betting on the Ghana Premier League.

Under the new rules, betting operators must seek authorisation or a licence from the GFA before offering odds. Players are also strictly prohibited from placing bets on the league.