BELMOPAN, Belize, The Belize government Friday said it is cracking down on persons engaged in illegal lotto and jackpot sales, with convicted persons facing fines of up to BDZ$50,000 (One Belize dollar=US$0.49 cents) and imprisonment of not more than five years.
In a statement, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment regulates lotteries, said it has been receiving information on several illegal lottery sales.
“The ministry is monitoring these unauthorized operations, and action will be taken against the offenders. Only persons or businesses that obtain a license or have been appointed an agent by the Lotteries Committee can promote, sell, hold, or conduct bolero, ordinary, or jackpot lottery. “
The ministry warned that any person or business conducting, hosting, or promoting a lottery that the Lotteries Committee does not authorize is doing so illegally.
“It is also illegal for a person or business to alter a lottery ticket or sell a ticket that has been changed and is not in the form authorized by the Lotteries Committee. The public is asked to refrain from doing business with these persons or companies that engage in such illegal activities and to report such acts that go against the public interest. “
The ministry said that any isolation of the Lotteries Control Act shall be dealt with to the full extent of the law with the first offense being fined not less than 10,000, but not exceeding $20,000, or both such fine and imprisonment for a term of not less than one year but not more than two years.
“ For a second or subsequent offense, there is a fine of not less than $20,000 but not exceeding $50,000, or both a fine and imprisonment for a term of not less than two years but not more than five years,” the ministry added.
In November, the government announced that it was resuming the lotto from DecemberDecember 1. It had “paused” the games on May 2, they 2ear.
“ After considering the importance of the government lottery, due to its cultural significance and the tax revenues it generates, Cabinet instructed the incorporation of the Belize Government Lotteries Limited (BGLL), a company owned by the Government of Belize and whose core mandate is to administer, sell, and promote the Belize government lotteries,” the statement said.
The government and BGLL said they remain committed to guaranteeing an increase in revenues, which will directly impact the lives of all Belizeans through the expansion of social safety net programs.
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