A group called Concerned Bettors of Ghana (CBOG) has expressed their displeasure and warned the government to drop the plan to levy taxes on lottery and sports betting or face their wrath.
As part of efforts to raise additional revenue for the country, the government slapped taxes on income from lottery, betting, and gambling.
According to the bettors, the government’s move is an attempt to prevent them from enjoying their winnings in peace while the government has failed to provide jobs for the youth in the country but they want to tax their only source of livelihood.
In an interview with the convener of the Concern Bettors of Ghana Richard Aguda on Plan B Fm late afternoon show EBAANOSEN, he urged the government to reconsider taxing 10% withholding tax from winnings on lotteries, sports betting, and games of chance at the point of payout.
“I could lose all my bets in a year so if I should win one day and then 10 percent is deducted, it means that I have lost.”
“Honestly, it is not fair. We are suffering because the system is not any better so taking away 10 percent of my bet winnings is not a good thing”, he said.
“This policy of taxing our fortunes on betting is not in our interest. 10 percent of our wins shows how insensitive the government is.“ he added.
Meanwhile, the youth wing of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced a series of actions to resist what it describes the as government’s “burdensome and insensitive policy” of imposing a percentage tax on bet wins in the country.
According to the NDC youth wing, its determination to protect t funds young people secure through betting is unwavering.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 15 August 2023, signed by its National Youth Organiser George Opare Addo, the NDC indicated it will use “agitations, protests, advocacy, and civic engagements,” to ensure government rescinds its decision to impose a 10 percent tax on bet wins.
The Tema West NDC communication officer Mr. Christian Dela Apetor confirmed that the NDC youth wing, young people cannot be burdened to compensate for “the money stolen and stashed by the appointees of this NPP government and saved in their homes and bank accounts” as well as “the massive corruption happening at the Bank of Ghana under the watch of Dr. Ernest Addison” and “the failed vision of President Akufo-Addo’s government,” among others.
The NDC youth wing says it, therefore, intends to “picket the offices of the Ministry of Finance and occupy government offices across the country; start and scale up nationwide conventional and unconventional lawful agitations as a measure of the resistance; instigate young people to confront officials of this government and demand an end to the corruption and insensitivity of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia brigade; and occupy parliament and other government agencies.”
It, therefore, urged young people to mobilize and join this struggle.”
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