We will abolish betting tax when elected – John Mahama

The flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has pledged that a future NDC administration would eliminate the 10% tax on sports betting.

This tax, introduced by the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in August 2023, applies to all winnings from betting and lottery games at the payout point.

It was implemented to boost domestic tax revenue and help address economic issues in the country.

The tax has been met with significant criticism, especially from young people who have called for its removal.

However, during a Town Hall Conversation at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Monday, Mahama was asked whether his government would do away with the tax.

He responded, “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 Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) reported in October 2023 that the 10% withholding tax generated GH¢15 million in just one month.