By Francis Blankson
Tema, March 13, GNA – Some Ashaiman youth have expressed gratitude to the government following the announcement by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance, that the ten per cent sporting tax, popularly known as the betting tax, will be scrapped.
They said the removal of the tax would significantly ease their financial burden and encourage greater participation in sports betting without the fear of excessive taxation cutting into their winnings.
They said the decision reflected the government’s responsiveness to public concerns and would have a positive impact on their finances.
In a random survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Haruna Bawa, a regular bettor who stakes his bets on platforms such as Soccer Bet, My Bet, and Sporty Bet, expressed relief at the policy change and noted that the ten per cent tax had placed a heavy financial strain on them, reducing their winnings and discouraging participation in sports betting.
He argued that the imposition of the tax was unfair, as it significantly cut into his earnings over the past few years, saying that “with the tax now abolished, I can finally enjoy my full winnings without deductions; it is a great relief for us who have relied on betting as a source of income,” Mr Bawa stated.
Mr Thomas Ahiaku, another bettor who places bets on platforms such as Betika, Bingo Bet, and Premier Bet, stated that the removal of the tax would encourage more youth to engage in sports betting without the fear of losing a substantial portion of their profits to taxation.
“With this new policy, I can now enjoy my earnings without unnecessary deductions; the government has truly listened to the concerns of the youth,” he said.
Mr William Amissah, a bettor, shared his enthusiasm for the policy change and stressed that the removal of the betting tax would allow the betting industry to function more efficiently and attract even more young people to engage in betting.
The betting industry was now on the right path, and this decision will help many youths who depend on betting as an income source,” Mr Amissah said.
GNA
LS/CAA