Sports Betting has become a lucrative business. But do you know how to obtain a gaming license in Ghana if you want to run your own gaming company?
If you are looking to start a sports betting business in Ghana, it is important to obtain a gaming license before you begin. However, obtaining a gaming license for Sports Betting in Ghana is a very stressful job. This article will help you with all the necessary procedures.
Starting a gaming business requires that your company or startup goes through three compulsory government agencies. Without even one of them giving you the necessary approval, you can not run your gaming business. The agencies are;
- Registrar General’s Department of Ghana
- Gaming Commission of Ghana
- Ghana Investment Promotions Centre
All these companies have to give you the mandatory certification before you will be able to run your gaming business. But since we are only looking at how to obtain a gaming license in Ghana, I will assume you have already gone through all the other government agencies.
How to Obtain a Gaming License in Ghana
Before you begin the process of obtaining a gaming license in Ghana, it’s important to understand the regulatory framework governing the industry.
In Ghana, the Gaming Commission of Ghana (GCG) is responsible for regulating and supervising all forms of gaming in the country. This includes sports betting, casinos, lotteries, and other forms of gambling.
Obtaining a gaming license for sports betting in Ghana can be very stressful — but this guide aims at educating you on how to get this easily. Let us look at the procedure below.
Gaming license classes
The very first procedure is to know which type of license you require to run your game. There are many types of gaming licenses for different purposes. So knowing the one that best suits your business is very important. Check the classes of betting licenses in the table below.
| Classes | License |
|---|---|
| Class 1 | This type of gaming license is for running a Casion |
| Class 2 | Second class license is used for running both landed or online sports betting. |
| Class 3 | This is for route operations |
| Class 4 | Class 4 license is for marketing promotional gaming or remote gaming including “Bingo, virtual gaming, digital gaming, raffles, etc”. |
| Class 5 | For mobile or interactive gaming. |
All these are classes of gaming licenses available that serve different purposes. You should know which type of games your company will be offering and which type of licenses you need to obtain.
General requirements
To be able to acquire a gaming license in Ghana, there are certain requirements you must meet first. Below are some of the requirements that you must meet in order to be able to acquire a license in Ghana.
- Location
Your company must have an identifiable office location to be able to obtain a license from the Gaming Commission of Ghana (GCG).
- Registered Logo
The company must have a logo registered with the Registrar General’s Department of Ghana.
- Minimum Assets/Property
The company must have a stated capital of US$2,000,000 worth including property and assets. This amount is for only sports betting licenses but other licenses may require more or less capital.
- Proof of Tax Registration
The company must submit a tax clearance certificate.
- Full or Partially Ghanaian owned
A part or the entire company must be owned by a Ghanaian(s).
These are some of the requirements. There are additional documents that are required for the application to be processed. These include;
- Identification card(s) of the applicants – The passport or National ID of all applicants will be required
- Business registration documents are also required
- Conduct further due diligence on senior management
- Illustration of gaming interface/platform
- Detailed information on technical solution providers
- Details of corporate social responsibility
You should know that these are the requirements available. There might be additional requirements if you should contact the Gaming Commission of Ghana (GCG).
Process of Application
After meeting all the requirements stated above, follow the procedure below to apply.
- Business proposal
A copy of the business proposal must be attached to the requirements. The proposal must include the business address (including branches and locations), Name and profile of the directors, tax clearance certificate, description of operations and management structure, and online sports betting industry analysis.
- Details of sports betting both online and offline
Add a copy of sports betting whether online or offline including Approximate odds to be used, Number and frequency of games/sports, Prize and prize structure, and Operator game rules and participant code of practice.
- Certificate of incorporation
You must also add the certificate of incorporation
- Business Commencement Certificate
You must also attach a copy of this certificate.
- Shareholders agreement
Attach a copy of the shareholders’ agreement if there is any available.
- Financial and marketing plan
Your financial and marketing plan must capture evidence of financial capabilities to operate the business, capital budgets, and five years financial projections and the assumptions made in considering the figures.
After submitting these documents to the Gaming Commission of Ghana, there are other procedures that might be carried out as well.
Other procedures
A background check and vetting are conducted by Security Agencies on the Directors of the company. This background check is done shortly after a Personality Note (PN) and submission of a fully completed Anti-Money Laundry (AML) form.
For Ghanaian applicants, the GCG will invite the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a criminal background check. If the applicant is a foreign national, then INTERPOL, the Research Department of the Mistry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and the Financial Intelligence Centre are invited instead.
If the reports received by the Security Agencies are clear enough, then the company will be granted a gaming license. But in some cases where there are errors in the reports, the Gaming Commission of Ghana may refuse the license.
Conclusion
Obtaining a gaming license for sports betting in Ghana can be a complex process, but it is essential if you want to operate a legitimate business in the country. By following the steps outlined in this article and working closely with the Gaming Commission of Ghana, you can obtain a gaming license and start your sports betting business with confidence.
Remember, compliance with the regulations is crucial for a successful business, so make sure to follow all the rules and regulations set out by the GCG.