2025 Budget: We never collected Betting Tax – Former Finance Minister
Former Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam Denies Implementing Betting Tax
Former Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam has refuted claims that his administration implemented the controversial betting tax, insisting that it was never enforced.
His remarks follow the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy presentation by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, in which he announced the abolition of several taxes, including the Betting Tax and the E-Levy.
Speaking at a press conference held by the Minority, Dr. Amin Adam dismissed the claim as misleading, emphasizing that the betting tax was never collected under his tenure.
“The Betting Tax that they claim to have abolished was never collected in the first place. To tell Ghanaians you have abolished something that was never implemented is deceptive,” he stated.
Background on the Betting Tax
The betting tax, introduced under the previous government, imposed a 10% withholding tax on winnings from sports betting and lottery. Despite facing heavy criticism from industry players and the public, Dr. Amin Adam maintains that his administration never enforced the policy before leaving office.
Bawumia’s Pledge to Abolish Betting Tax and E-Levy
In August 2024, then-presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, reiterated his commitment to abolishing both the E-Levy and betting tax if elected President.
“We will also reduce the withholding tax on small-scale gold exports to 1% to curb smuggling and abolish the Betting Tax,” Dr. Bawumia pledged during the party’s manifesto launch in Takoradi on August 18, 2024.
