Although patrons of betting found the 2025 Budget very friendly to them since it announced measures to scrap the controversial betting tax, the move still does not sit well with renowned economist and the Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social, and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana, Prof. Peter Quartey.
Prof. Peter Quartey has reiterated his opposition to this decision by the government describing it as very populist and without economic rationality.
The economist cannot fathom why a revenue source that rakes in nearly GHC140 million annually will be scrapped for road tolls which historically generate far less to be reinstated.
This, he says defies economic logic and hence is a populist move that just plays to the public gallery without prioritizing sustainable revenue generation.
“2021, we were told road tolls brought GHC 71 million, 32 million, and another 72 million. Betting tax is around 140 million. Now, you want to introduce road tolls which is lower, and give up betting tax, which gives more. I don’t know. Some of the decisions are very populist,” he argued.
The professor further stressed that taxing betting earnings is a matter of fairness, as bettors generate income and should contribute their fair share to national development.
“I know the young ones who bet will not be happy with me. I am against this thing. You bet you get earned. I pay tax when I do consultancy, I pay 20% of my consultancy. Betting, you’ve earned income, and you’re paying something, and you say it should be free,” he indicated.
He added, “People want to turn betting into a way of work, like employment. No, tax, and use the money to develop something for the youth, the young ones. It’s not a sustainable thing. So when I see the youth arguing, when you talk about betting tax, they start insulting you. I don’t understand. This is not your future. You need sustainable jobs. Let’s use the money to develop sports, develop something that young people can meaningfully engage in.”
In his view, Prof. Quartey maintains that the tax should have been maintained and the proceeds channeled to meaningful development projects that benefit the youth, particularly in sports and entrepreneurship.
He warned that bowing to political pressure by removing such a tax sets a dangerous precedent and erodes the country’s revenue base at a time when prudent economic management is critical.
His sentiments reflect growing concerns about Ghana’s taxation strategy and whether political considerations are driving fiscal decisions at the expense of long-term economic stability.
