For some weeks now, the issue of 10% gaming tax has stirred a lot mixed reactions from Ghanaians with diverse opinions.
Ghanaians’ opinions on sports betting have recently been divided, with some highlighting its negative effects on the youth.
Ghanaian youth who partake in sports betting were vocal in their criticism of the new tax on social media.
Following this, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) gave notice that it will protest the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration’s 10% tax on winning bets.
The party’s youth wing claims that it is an oppressive taxation measure that unfairly affects the nation’s youth and the larger gambling industry.
George Opare Addo, the NDC’s national youth organizer, expressed the party’s displeasure with the tax in a press release, saying, “The introduction of the 10% betting tax, part of the government’s efforts to raise revenue, has been met with criticism and concern.”
The NDC youth claim that young Ghanaians who gamble for fun and, in some cases, a living are disproportionately impacted by this tax.
Due to the new betting tax, gamblers will be required to pay the government 10% of any winnings in the form of tax.
Some bettors expressed their displeasure with government over the new imposed 10% gaming tax. According to some, if the government refuses to adhere to them and reduce the tax to 2% or 5%, they will join the NDC youth wing to protest.
Some raised the concerns that government has failed to create jobs for the youth, moreover upon all the taxes the ordinary Ghanaian pays, the government has failed to use them to develop the country.
Meanwhile, some also agreed with government decision to tax all bet and lottery wins.
10% Gaming Tax: Bettors threaten to join the NDC youth wing picket.#UTVNews pic.twitter.com/jtevPXzDEZ
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) August 17, 2023
Relatively, a caller called in during the discussion on the 10% tax on betting on TV3 NewDay morning hosted by Berla Mundi.
The caller who is a Muslim agreed with the government to tax all betting and lottery wins. According to him, Ghanaian youth are so lazy nowadays that they want to use betting and lottery as a quick way to make money.
He said as Muslim his religion frowns on betting and if the 10% tax will prevent people from betting at all then he wishes government would increase the percentage to 50%.
