Finance Minister designate Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has reiterated the NDC administration’s intention to eliminate the controversial 10 percent tax placed on Bet winnings.
Introduced in August 2023, the tax was designed to enhance domestic revenue by withholding 10 percent of all betting and lottery winnings at payout, except when the winnings were equal to or less than the initial stake.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) projected the tax would generate approximately GH¢400 million annually to support government operations.
However, during his vetting process Dr. Forson criticized the policy, stating that Ghana needs sustainable revenue strategies that promote compliance rather than burden citizens.
Here is a sample of opinions of some Ghanaians who spoke to Citi Sports and what they make of the promise to scrap the 10 percent on bet winnings.
“This 10 percent tax is unfair and Yes, it should be removed because we that are playing the game, as individuals, we don’t win the game constantly. It takes lots to win the game. So when we win the game, the percent should not go to the government.”
Peter Onowu, a laptop dealer at Tiptoe Lane, shared a similar sentiment:
“I’m a businessman, so sometimes I bet as you can see me doing. But 10% don’t do us well, so I would like the government to just remove the 10%. It’s something that everybody can work together, and we know what to do. And I like football so it’s something that should be removed.”
Tim Tawiah, a station loader, echoed their frustrations:
” What my brother is saying is true, the 10% betting tax is bad because we don’t get any profit from it. So we have to do things removed from it. So everything is good for us. We let our president do everything for us.”
Umar Farouk, another station loader, revealed how the tax had pushed him to stop betting altogether:
“the former government did not do well about this. The betting that we do is what we do to get money for something small to eat and if we bet also then you government you will come and take money out of it which is bad. So because of this I have stopped betting”
Junior Baby Jet from Bawku Central described the tax as burdensome:
“To tell you the truth, the bet tax that the government said it will abolish is good because it’s worrying for us .
When Akuffo Addo came and we used our hunger to go and vote but he did not help us.We do not ask for money but the small money we use to stake bet and then when the winnings come then he takes his share so for me, as the new Government that wants to abolish the tax, if it is done it will help us a lot.”
Not everyone agrees, though.
Rex Otabil believes that a complete removal of the tax isn’t the answer:
” for me, those who think that we should remove 10% tax I don’t agree with that because for every nation to grow it needs taxes and If I do have to stake a bet and the tax is 2 or 3 percent, I will pay because there is nothing wrong and the taxes will be used by the government for developmental projects”
What’s Next?
As Dr. Forson awaits approval for his ministerial position, the future of the betting tax remains uncertain.
Will he push to scrap the tax entirely, fulfilling promises made while in opposition? Or will he advocate for a reduced tax rate to encourage compliance and maintain government revenue?
