for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam’s recent remarks have sparked tense discussions on betting taxation in Ghana. According to the former Finance Minister Dr. Amin Adam, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government never instituted a betting tax, an assertion drawing criticism from all corners.
A development economist, Dr. George Domfeh, has intervened with claims that a statement from Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson misinformed Dr. Amin Adam. He stated that the former finance minister assumed the 10% tax on lottery profits mentioned by Dr. Forson was similar to the betting tax.
The Cause Of the Confusion
Speaking at a press conference on March 13, 2025, Dr. Amin Adam clarified the remarks, explaining that his statement was based on how Dr. Ato Forson described the tax. He explained, “The NDC, in its manifesto, promised to scrap a 10% levy on bet winnings. That’s what they said in the manifesto, a 10% levy on bet winnings. That’s what they want to abolish. And it can be called a betting tax. But it differs from taxes on winnings from other forms of lottery games of chance, such as stalking lotto”.
Furthermore, Dr. Amin Adam asserted that the betting tax instituted under former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government was never used. “I know that the winnings from lotto, for example, the tax on that was not implemented. I also know that for sure because, as Finance Minister, I held several meetings on how to implement it, following a petition from the National Lotteries Authority. So, I know for a fact that it wasn’t,” he added.
Counterarguments From Dr. Domfeh’s Interview
In an TV3 KeyPoints interview on March 16, Dr. Domfeh rejected the former minister’s assertions, maintaining that the two separate policies, 10% lottery tax and betting tax, should not be confused during discussions.
“The immediate past Finance Minister [Amin Adam] got it wrong, he was misled by Dr. Ato Forson who also got it very wrong. Ato Forson said that they were going to abolish the 10% withholding tax on lottery winnings. To me, that was very unfortunate. The 10% withholding tax on lottery winnings was never implemented,” Dr. Domfeh explained.
Dr. Domfeh criticized Dr. Forson for equating the two levies, stressing that the betting tax implementation, while withholding tax on lottery winnings was ignored.
“Ato Forson went on to say that [the withholding tax was] otherwise known as betting tax, so I have serious problems with the comments of the Finance Minister and the former Finance Minister. But we say two wrongs don’t make a right. I was expecting Amin Adam, having been there for a long time, to tell us that Ato Forson got it wrong by saying that 10% withholding tax was the same as betting tax. The two are very different. For the betting tax, yes, we implemented it, but the withholding tax is different, and Ato got it wrong. Amin Adam should have taken his time to respond to him,” he added.
Political and Public Reactions
Dr. Amin Adam’s initial remarks have been criticized by sections of the public, with many accusing him of misleading Ghanaians. His attempt to clarify the matter has only intensified discussion as political leaders and professionals analyze the ramifications of the NDC’s tax and the former NPP government’s stance on betting taxes.
These debates raise unresolved issues about the clarity and execution of gambling-related taxes in Ghana. Going forward, honest communication should be encouraged among legislators to avoid public misinterpretation and confusion.
Source: E-play Africa
