Explainer: Former Finance Minister Amin Adam Not Dishonest in Betting Tax Comments

A statement by former Finance Minister Dr. Amin Adam regarding betting tax has sparked widespread debate, with some accusing him of dishonesty. However, a careful review of his comments reveals that his assertions were not misleading, rather, it is a clarification of the different forms of taxation on betting and lottery.

Following the presentation of the 2025 budget by the current Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Dr. Amin Adam held a press conference, stating that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) did not impose a betting tax while in office. His remarks drew criticism from a section of the public who believed he was being disingenuous.

However, a closer examination of the context shows that Dr. Amin Adam was not referring to the well-known 10% withholding tax on winnings from sports betting but rather to the 10% withholding tax on lottery. Notably, in presenting the 2025 budget, Dr. Ato Forson himself referred to the 10% withholding tax on lottery as ‘betting tax,’ as seen in paragraph 141 on page 41 of the budget statement.

Dr. Amin Adam’s clarification aligns with the fact that while in office, the NPP government did not implement the 10% withholding tax on lottery. On the other hand, the 10% withholding tax on sports betting, which Ato Forson announced as scrapped in paragraph 236 on page 66 of the budget, had already been in effect.

In essence, both taxes have been removed under the new budget, but Dr. Amin Adam’s reference was specifically to the tax on lottery, not on sports betting. This distinction is crucial, as the term ‘betting tax’ is often used interchangeably for both forms of taxation.

The debate underscores the importance of precise terminology in discussing fiscal policies, especially in an era where taxation policies significantly impact various economic sectors, including the betting and lottery industries.

By Jeorge Wilson Kingson || GhanaNewsOnline