Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has refuted claims that the Akufo-Addo-led government did not implement the 10% betting tax.
According to him, the government rolled out the tax measure in the second quarter of 2024 and raked in an amount of GH¢80 million from the 10% betting tax.
His comment comes after the former Minister of Finance, Dr. Amin Adam said the NPP government did not implement the betting tax despite it being passed into law in 2023.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express and monitored by GhanaWeb Business, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the finance minister said, “I don’t think he’s on top of that matter because my checks revealed that it was implemented in the second half of 2024.”
“And my checks also reveal that year-to-date, the government of Ghana has collected over GH¢80 million from betting tax, so I don’t know what he’s talking about. It is not the fact. The fact on the ground does not support his assertion. Clearly, the betting tax was implemented,” he added.
The 10% withholding tax on betting was imposed by the past Akufo-Addo-led government in an attempt to curb the rate of gambling and generate more revenue for the country.
The move was met with massive criticisms by Ghanaian ‘bettors’, who felt the government has been insensitive to their plight.
SA/MA
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