Ghana FA Bans Betting Odds on Local League Matches to Combat Fixing

The Ghana Football Association is taking drastic measures to save the credibility of its domestic competitions. In a surprise announcement, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has banned all betting companies from offering odds on domestic league fixtures. This step comes just before the start of the new Ghana Premier League season, which is scheduled to kick off between September 4 and 7, 2026. GFA President Kurt Okraku made it clear during the association's 32nd Ordinary Congress in Prampram that the integrity of the sport must take precedence over the financial interests of bookmakers.

The decision is a direct response to ongoing match-fixing issues that have plagued Ghanaian football for years. Okraku told delegates that the association is working closely with security companies to ensure monitoring and enforcement of this ban. The focus is particularly on the Ghana Premier League, which is considered highly vulnerable due to external financial inducements. The goal is to create a transparent environment for clubs, players, and fans, where sporting results are not predetermined by illegal betting arrangements.

Numbers and facts

The economic background of this ban is significant. Ghana's online gambling sector recorded impressive growth of 24 percent in 2025, with Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) reaching $903.5 million. In comparison, the GGR for 2024 was $729.8 million. Approximately 70 percent of all bets in Ghana are placed via mobile phones, with football being the dominant sport, accounting for over 75 percent of all wagers.

To increase sporting incentives and reduce reliance on shady funding sources, the GFA has announced new prize packages for upcoming seasons. The champion of the 2025/26 season is set to receive a record GHS 2 million. The runner-up will earn GHS 1 million, while third and fourth places will take home GHS 800,000 and GHS 750,000 respectively. The association hopes these legal earnings will reduce the temptation for players and officials to accept bribes.

Background

Ghanaian football history has been marred by severe scandals that justify this strict approach. A particularly notorious incident occurred in 2021 during a match between Ashanti Gold and Inter Allies. The match ended 7-0, with defender Hashmin Musah deliberately scoring two own goals. He later openly admitted to doing so to disrupt a pre-arranged correct-score betting plot. The GFA responded at the time by demoting both clubs to Division Two and handing out lengthy bans to the involved parties.

Back in 2018, investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas caused a worldwide sensation with his documentary "When Greed and Corruption Become the Norm." He secretly filmed numerous GFA officials accepting cash bribes. The then-president Kwesi Nyantakyi was forced to resign after being filmed taking money in exchange for promising influence over sponsorship deals and match outcomes. The government even attempted to dissolve the association, which led to a warning from FIFA regarding state interference.

“No betting company has been licensed to place odds on domestic leagues. We are working closely with security companies to strengthen monitoring and enforcement.” - Kurt Okraku, President of the Ghana Football Association

Why it matters for German players

For German sports betting fans, this decision has direct consequences for the available betting options. The market in Germany has been strictly regulated since the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) maintains a whitelist of providers who adhere to strict rules. These include a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros via the LUGAS system and a 1-euro stake limit per round for virtual slots. Since reputable German bookmakers often obtain their odds from international data providers, Ghanaian leagues will disappear from betting programs as soon as official data feeds are cut off. German players should only bet with GGL-licensed providers, as they guarantee player protection and manipulation prevention. Providers without a German license, such as those from Curacao or Malta (MGA), may still offer these bets, but they operate illegally and offer no legal certainty in case of disputes.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos and betting providers with a GGL license must now adjust their compliance departments. Since the GFA is no longer issuing licenses for odds calculation, any offer on Ghanaian matches will be classified as an integrity risk by the GGL. German operators who continue to carry such bets risk heavy fines or even the loss of their license. This underscores the importance of clean data sourcing. While international markets like Ghana struggle with corruption, the German licensing model remains a shield, ensuring that sports betting stays as entertainment and does not become a tool for criminals.