Ghana may soon start working towards scrapping a 10 percent betting tax on players’ winnings. The Acting Commissioner of Ghana’s Gaming Commission, Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo, has pledged to create a fair and transparent gaming sector following discussions with industry stakeholders.
Meeting with members of the Ghana Association of Sports Betting Operators (GHASBO) and the Ghana Association of Casino & Route Operators, Quainoo reaffirmed his commitment to supporting gaming operators while ensuring an equitable playing field.
“The era of preferential treatment for certain operators at the expense of others is over,” he stated. “I will not discriminate or place obstacles in your way, but all I want is a fair playing field for all gaming operators in Ghana.”
A major point of discussion was the contentious betting tax imposed on players’ winnings. Quainoo reassured industry figures that the current government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, remains committed to abolishing the tax.
For the unaware, Ghana imposes a 10% tax on gambling winnings as a revenue-generating measure to support national development. The tax helps fund public services, including infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
Authorities also view it as a tool to regulate gambling, discouraging excessive participation while ensuring operators contribute to the economy. The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) administers this levy alongside taxes on gaming operators’ revenue. However, the tax has sparked criticism from industry stakeholders, with the current government pledging to abolish it, arguing that it discourages players and impacts the sector’s growth.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) applies two separate taxes – one on players’ winnings and another on gaming operators’ revenue. Talks are reportedly underway with the GRA to facilitate the removal of the tax in alignment with President Mahama’s promise.
Addressing concerns over illegal gaming activities, Quainoo said the Commission would take steps to tackle unauthorised operations that undermine the viability of legitimate gaming businesses. He also announced a ban on unauthorised Commission staff interacting with operators, a measure aimed at curbing harassment and solicitation of money from businesses.
Additionally, the Gaming Commission has engaged the National Communications Authority to restrict access to the websites of 11 unauthorised gaming companies. Payment Service Providers have also been advised to exercise due diligence in verifying gaming clients to prevent illicit transactions.
Quainoo outlined his vision for a sustainable industry built on collaboration between regulators and operators. “I am here to do my part in ensuring the gaming industry thrives,” he concluded.
The Gaming Commission currently oversees 26 licensed land-based casinos, 14 online casinos, and 27 sports betting operators. The ongoing reforms aim to enhance transparency and fairness, benefiting both operators and the wider Ghanaian public.
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