The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, has assured the youth of the country that his government will abolish the 10% tax on sports betting.

The government under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo introduced a 10% withholding tax on betting and lottery winnings in August 2023.

It is applied at the payout point for all betting, games, and lottery wins. The regulation aimed to mobilize domestic tax revenue and address the country’s economic challenges.

This 10% withholding tax on betting and lottery winnings has faced stiff backlash from the youth of Ghana, who have raised their disapproval of it.

Speaking at the NDC’s Town Hall Conversation, John Mahama was asked if his government would scrap the 10% withholding tax on betting and lottery winnings.

The questioner said, “Mr. President, if we wake up and we don’t bet, it means we will not get food to eat. But withdrawing 1000 cedis and getting taxed 100 cedis is not easy. So I want you to assure us that if we vote, you’re going to abolish the 10% tax on betting.”

The former president, in his response, said, “We’ve talked a lot about this; if we come, we will abolish the betting tax. We know that this government has signed a deal with the IMF to initiate the betting tax, but when we come, we will find an alternative revenue source to replace the betting tax.”

The Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) stated in October 2023 that it generated GH¢15 million within a month from the 10% withholding tax on betting and lottery winnings.