The Ghana Football Association has warned betting companies to desist from providing odds for matches in the Ghana Premier League without authorisation.
With the new season already two weeks in, there has been a clamour from fans for the option to bet on local league games this season.
Betting on sports is generally a lucrative business in this country, with even the most obscure leagues and sports getting lots of attention because of potentially favourable odds.
However, some betting companies are looking at jumping on the buzz for the local league to make bucks without securing the necessary authorisation.
In light of this, the GFA issued a statement warning the companies against offering odds on the games without permission.
“The GFA said that so far, no company was allowed to allow bets to be placed on any games in the league. The GFA has not authorised any betting company to place betting on the Premier League or any of its products. The GFA, in exercising its exclusive right as the owner, organiser, controller and manager of the Ghana Premier League, wishes to caution all betting companies to desist from placing odds on Ghana Premier League matches without the necessary authorisation from the GFA.
“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.”
The GFA threatened to take legal action against any companies that flouted their directive.
It added that it has directed its lawyers to start proceedings against companies that offered betting options on the opening weekend’s GHPL games.
“By this statement, we strongly warn all betting companies to stop placing bets on the Ghana Premier League or any GFA product without authorisation from the GFA; failing which the Association will take legal action against them without further notice.
The GFA hereby also wishes to alert the national regulator, the Gaming Commission of Ghana of the illegal activities of their licenced betting companies against the GFA and its members.”