Kofi Akpaloo backs government’s 10% betting tax, considers it a job

The founder of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) Mr Percival Kofi Akpaloo has backed the government’s decision to tax 10% withholding tax on betting.

According to Mr. Akpaloo, the country needs money to run the economy hence taxing 10% on betting has become necessary to do so.

Speaking in an interview with Hello FM in Kumasi, Mr Akpaloo stated, “we need money to run the economy and this is the job (betting) you have chosen you should be taxed. Every job is a job”.

When the host retorted that betting is not a job Kofi Akpaloo insisted saying “it’s a job. Of course there are people who have the betting centres working legitimately and you have also decided to go and bet”

The government through the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has commenced charging 10% withholding tax on gross wins from patrons of Sports betting and other lotteries effective 15th August 2023.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) says it has instituted necessary measures to ensure full compliance with the new amended Tax Act.

The GRA seeks to rake in GHC 1.2 million from lotteries.

However, after the introduction of the 10% withholding tax on gross wins from sports betting, many including the betters have criticized the decision by the government.

The youths who are the majority in the discussion have also threatened to demonstrate against the decision.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has also said it will organize series of actions to force the government to withdraw the 10% betting tax.