Parliament Repeals Betting Tax; awaiting Presidential assent
Ghana’s Parliament has officially approved the repeal of the controversial Betting Tax, along with levies on gaming and lotteries.
This decision follows the passage of the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
The Betting Tax, a 10% levy on gross winnings, was initially introduced to regulate gambling and boost government revenue. However, it faced strong resistance from bettors and gaming operators, who argued that it was an unfair financial burden.
During the 2024 election campaign, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) promised to eliminate the tax, branding it a “nuisance tax.” Fulfilling this commitment, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson proposed its repeal in the 2025 budget, a move that has now received Parliamentary approval.
Dr. Forson, during his budget presentation on March 11, 2025, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to scrapping burdensome taxes to simplify the tax system and stimulate economic growth.
With the repeal of the tax, bettors are expected to experience relief. The bill will now be sent to President John Mahama for assent, finalizing the legislative process.
