Parliament has officially approved the repeal of the betting 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.”
The parliamentary approval of the tax repeal now awaits the President’s assent to take effect.
The announcement fulfils the government’s promise to relieve Ghanaians of the numerous taxes they pay.
The tax act was amended in 2023 by the previous government, which introduced a 10% withholding tax on all betting, gaming, and lottery winnings.
During the presentation of the 2025 Budget in Parliament on March 11, 2025, Ato Forson announced the Mahama-led government’s plan to abolish the tax.
In his words, he stated: “We will abolish the 10% withholding tax on winnings from lottery, otherwise known as the ‘Betting Tax’.”
🔥🔥 betting tax is on the list now pic.twitter.com/Xjpzm0jSiN
— Alexander Kojo Amoh (@45_Coinz) March 26, 2025
EE/EK
Meanwhile, watch as Ghanaians applaud Black Stars for excellent performances against Chad, Madagascar
