The government plans to establish a rehabilitation centre in the Ashanti Region for persons struggling with gaming addiction as part of efforts to address the social effects of gambling and sports betting in the country.

The Minister for the Interior, Mr Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, announced the initiative during a press briefing on Monday, 14th July 2025, at the Government Accountability Series in Accra.

According to Mr Muntaka, the Gaming Commission has started preparatory work towards setting up the centre, which is intended to assist individuals who may have developed a dependency on gaming or gambling.

“This is part of a broader effort to reduce the impact of gambling addiction, particularly among the youth,” Mr Muntaka said.

He added that the Gaming Commission had expanded its regional presence by establishing four new offices in Volta, Agona Swedru, Sekondi, and Asante Bekwai to improve regulation and accessibility.

Mr Muntaka said the Commission had also stepped up enforcement, with recent operations leading to the closure of two illegal casinos in Osu and Tema. Administrative penalties have been imposed on the operators involved.

To support revenue monitoring, the Gaming Commission, in collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority and licensed operators, has introduced the Gaming Administrative Monitoring System (GAMS). The digital tool is expected to provide real-time data on gaming activities and improve oversight across the industry.

While acknowledging the sector’s economic value, Mr Muntaka said regulation remains necessary to prevent abuse and protect vulnerable persons.

He stated that the Ministry will continue working with the Gaming Commission to ensure that gaming remains safe, fair, and properly supervised.