The Executive Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social, and Economic Research (ISSER), Professor Peter Quartey, has hit against the scrapping of the tax on bet winnings since it generated about GH¢140 million for the country.

He said the Betting Tax was generating a good amount of revenue that should not be cut off.

Prof. Quartey argued that even though this may look good for the government, it may not be beneficial to the economy, and that instead they should redirect the funds to impactful youth development programmes.

“We are told road tolls raked in GH¢72 million, and Betting Tax is around GH¢140 million. Now, we want to introduce road tolls, which generate less, and scrap Betting Tax, which brings in more. I know the young ones won’t be happy with me, but for once, I am against this,” he said as quoted by myjoyonline.com.

He made the statement at the Post 2025 Budget Review, adding that the reasoning behind the removal of the tax is flawed.

According to him, the winnings are a form of income and deserve to be taxed accordingly.

“With betting, you’ve earned income, and you are paying something, yet you say it should be free? And because of votes and populism, we allow this? People want to turn betting into a way of work, like employment. No; tax it and use the money to develop something for the young ones. This is not sustainable,” he asserted.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, during the presentation of the 2025 Budget, announced the scrapping of the 10% tax on bet winnings.

SSD/AE

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