The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has given notice that it will protest the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration’s ten percent 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.”
“Our determination to protect the funds Young People secure through betting is unyielding. Through agitations, protests, advocacy, and civic engagements, we will ensure our voices are heard and demand that this CORRUPT Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Government rescind its decision.”
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The statement added “We INTEND to do the following; Picket at the Ministry of Finance and occupy government offices across the country. Start and scale up nationwide conventional and unconventional lawful agitations as a measure of the resistance. Instigate young people to confront officials of this government and demand AN END to the CORRUPTION and Insensitivity of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-failed brigade, and Occupy Parliament and other government agencies.”
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.
Meanwhile, Ghanaians’ opinions on sports betting have recently frequently 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.
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%.
