Isaac Obeng

PROCESS IN AQUIRING GAMING COMMISSION LICENSE IN GHANA To obtain a gaming commission license in Ghana, a prospective applicant must satisfy the conditions outline below: 1. Registration with the Registrar General’s Department The applicant must incorporate a company under the Ghanaian companies Act, 2019 (Act 992). The structure of the company must be a Limited liability company. The company must have atleast two directors with one being ordinarily resident in Ghana. Upon satisfying the requirements of incorporation the Registrar shall issue a certificate of incorporation.1 2. Registration with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) The Applicant would have to comply with the requirements provided under the GIPC Act if it has foreign participation. The minimum capital requirement for a wholly owned enterprise is five hundred thousand United States Dollars ($500,000.00) or its equivalent in capital goods. In case of a joint enterprise with Ghanaian citizen invest atleast a foreign capital of two hundred thousand United States Dollars ($200,000.00) or its equivalaent in captal goods. 2 3. Registration with the Gaming Commission of Ghana An application for a license to operate a game of chance shall be made to the Gaming commision.3 To be granted a license, the applicant must satisfy the following requirements set by the Commission. Fistly, the company must be limited libilty company, must have an identifiable office within the Republic of Ghana, and a registered service mark or logo registered with the Registrar of Comppanies. Secondly, the compnay has the required minimum stated capital (Asset and property) of UD$ 2500,000.00 (Casino), US$ 2000,000.00 (Sports betting), US$ 1500,000.00 (Routine Operation) and has agreed to maintain the amount of cash or cash equivalent determined by the Commission. Thirdly, the company must obtain a criminal clearanace certifcate for all directors from the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), submit a tax clearace certificate (proof of tax Registration) and must be patly or wholly Ghanaian owned.4 Again, the Company must submit a business proposal, shareholders agreement, certificate of incorporation, certifacte to commence business, financial projections to the Gaming Commission. The company must pay the mandated license fee to the Gaming Commission. 4. Other Mandatory Institutions Aside satisfying the above requirements, there are other key institutions the Company must register with. They are; The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). Registering with GRA is essential for the payment of taxes. Companies are issued with tax clearance certificates upon registration and payment of the initial tax assessment. Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) - All incorporated entities are required to register and make a contribution for their employees towards their retirement. Data Protection Commission (DPC) – Gaming operators must register with DPC to have a license to collect personal data from individuals. Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly – All incorporated companies must pay and obtain permits from the District, Municipal or Metropolitan Assembly where the business operates. 5. Upon being satisfied with the appliant’s compliance with the outlined conditions, the Commission will grant a license for operation.