Following the government’s decision to impose taxes on lotteries and sports betting, some Ghanaian sports fans are expressing conflicted feelings.
On March 31, Parliament passed three tax bills that had been brought before it as part of the government’s efforts to increase revenue: the Growth and Sustainability Amendment Bill, the Excise Duty Amendment Bill, and the Income Tax Amendment Bill.
The government anticipates that by putting these bills into effect, it will be able to increase both the nation’s revenue situation and the revenue it needs to secure the IMF deal.
One of the components is a 10% withholding tax that is deducted from lottery, sports betting, and other types of gambling winnings at the point of payout.
Before the Presidential assent, concerned gamblers vented on social media about the possible effect on their earnings.
The bill has been criticized by some as being unthinking.
Below are additional responses:
I personally think the 10% withholding tax on betting wins is too small. If we want Ghana to get on the same level as the UK and USA we should be willing to sacrifice for the greater good. Next time they should make it 25%. My humble opinion please done insult me I don't win bet pic.twitter.com/HNdFzrmH2M
— KALYJAY (@gyaigyimii) April 6, 2023
Sarkodie is yet to say something about the 10% Tax on Betting, does he really think about his fans which Majority are investors? This NPP Man smh💔 pic.twitter.com/bS0wmy9cWY
— Twilight (@the_marcoli_boy) April 6, 2023
If you do not want to pay the E-Levy & the 10% Tax on Betting to a President who has squandered over GHS 20 million renting luxurious jets,vote for
John Mahama in 2024. pic.twitter.com/TwaSjdW1rm— With All Due Respect (@cdzas) April 6, 2023
The thing dier if you complain or not pharaoh give go ahead finish. You go pay the 10% pic.twitter.com/K0hAZPPOa4
— Mempeasem President (@AsieduMends) April 6, 2023
The politicians after implementing the 10% tax on bet! pic.twitter.com/fjaMmmFqE4
— DJ DEPY THE FINEST 🇬🇭 (@Depy_divv) April 6, 2023
Taxation is crucial for government revenue, but the 10% tax on all bets may harm Ghana’s youth who already face economic challenges. Many young people rely on betting due to the lack of job opportunities, taking 10% from our betting earnings seems unfair.
— GameAnalyst 𓃵 (@GameAnalyst3) April 6, 2023
I said I no go vote again, but Any bro wey go promise to cancel the 10% tax on betting, I go vote give am… your so called Momo tax which was to bring jobs failed, now be betting you wan tax💔
— CLINTON 🇬🇭💫 (@LilMoGh) April 6, 2023
so the 10% tax on bet winnings no, when edey start?
— Fancy Di Maria (@FancyDiMaria_) April 6, 2023
Mahama go just campaign that he go remove the 10% Tax on Betting and 3noaaa nono😂😂😂
— Twilight (@the_marcoli_boy) April 6, 2023
Finance minister after passing the 10% betting tax 😂 pic.twitter.com/sUeCirZVzf
— Ampem Darko 🇬🇭🇬🇧 (@YDL_99ideas) April 6, 2023
We're all complaining about the 10% this government is taxing us on bet winnings.
Kumasi people 👇🏾👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/91JHtdbEtY
— 🦇 𝙽𝚘𝚔𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚊𝚕🦇 (@IamZadok_) April 6, 2023
Nana Addo After claiming the The 10% tax pic.twitter.com/AgRay66QMG
— MORNING STAR (@beckett_kwabena) April 6, 2023
Relatively, Parliament by 136-137 majority decision passed the three revenue bills on Friday, March 31.
Since then, the Ghana Revenue Authority Bill 2022, the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill 2022, the Excise Duty Amendment Bill 2022, and the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2022 have all been approved by parliament.
The bills are essential in helping the government hasten the board’s approval of the $3 billion staff-level agreement for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Program.
The minority in Parliament had previously expressed opposition to the bills.
A bold declaration to the government that it cannot be careless with its spending and expect Ghanaians to foot the bill was made by the minority member George Ricketts-Hagan.
On the evening of March 31, 2023, Hon. Alhaji Mohammed Hardi Tufeirua, a deputy minister in the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and member of parliament for the Nanton Constituency, was involved in an accident.
The unfortunate incident happened to the Nanton MP as he was traveling to parliament to take part in the crucial discussion and voting process surrounding the three recently proposed revenue bills.
