John Dramani Mahama is the President of Ghana
Some Ghanaian football fans who are into betting have hailed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for fulfilling their campaign promise after Parliament officially approved the repeal of the tax on gaming and lottery following a vote on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, explained that the government has now abolished all withholding taxes on lottery, of which the betting tax is a subset.
“This is far more than what we (the NDC) promised in our manifesto. In our manifesto, we promised to remove the betting tax, which is a subcomponent of the lottery tax. Mr Speaker, what we have done is not only remove the tax on betting but also remove the tax on gaming and the tax on lottery,” he said.
The parliamentary approval of the tax repeal now awaits the president’s assent to take effect.
In reaction to this, some bettors have praised the NDC government for honoring their campaign promise to remove the betting tax, thereby alleviating financial strain on persons engaging in the act.
Others have urged President John Dramani Mahama to assent to the repealing of the tax so that bettors can earn their rightful income as soon as possible.
Some fans also criticised the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for implementing the betting tax, which burdened Ghanaians who relied on betting as a source of income.
Read some of the reactions below:
Finally I can cash out my 100 cedis this week
Say heattttt💥💥💥💥😃— SALIFU✌️ (@dr_Salifu77) March 26, 2025
E-levy , Betting tax and Emission levy abolished 🤎Aban papa aba pic.twitter.com/08VGjGpahQ
— Miss NDC🇰🇼❤️ (@AnitaPraise8) March 26, 2025
I’ve not regretted for voting wisely tho afa papaa..
NDC no go shame us ..— LIBERTY ❣️ (@king_liberty1) March 26, 2025
Dear investors, betting tax is gone! #AbanPapaAba pic.twitter.com/3DJTRBVUeb
— KOJO DYNAMIC 𓃵 (@AnnanPerry) March 26, 2025
Please 🙏🏿 What is president mahama waiting for
— Real Striker (@LeslieKitson) March 26, 2025
That was fast. God Punish you Akufo Addo and Ofori Atta 😂😂
— yentieObiAa🇬🇭 (@bandile_bellos) March 26, 2025
Betting tax on gaming and lotteries abolished by Parliament, awaiting presidential assent.
Investors pic.twitter.com/bthH84y8YT
— Efua 🇬🇭 ❤ (@Efua__ampofoa) March 26, 2025
Meanwhile, watch as Ghanaians applaud Black Stars for excellent performances against Chad, Madagascar
SB/EK
