I Will Ban Betting In Ghana If Elected As President – Hassan Ayariga

In a bold declaration, Hassan Ayariga, the founder and leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), has stated his intention to ban betting in Ghana if elected as President. According to him, betting promotes laziness amongst the youths in Ghana.

Hassan Ayariga added that channeling the energy of young people toward technological innovation should take precedence over betting activities. He firmly believes that the revenue generated from betting taxes would become unnecessary under his leadership.

I Will Ban Betting In Ghana If Elected As President – Hassan Ayariga

“Why engage in betting, which primarily caters to the idle?” Mr. Ayariga questioned in an interview on 3FM. “When I require young people like them to sit at computers, design, and contribute to building a technologically advanced nation, they are involved in betting.”

The recent introduction of a 10% withholding tax on betting, games, and lottery winnings by the government has sparked widespread public outrage. Implemented on August 15, 2023, this contentious decision has ignited fervent debates throughout Ghana. The country’s youth, a significant demographic engaged in sports betting for both leisure and potential income, have expressed significant disapproval.

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While precise figures on Ghana’s betting population remain elusive, the number of licensed betting companies operating in the country has surged.

Currently, Ghana is home to 35 licensed betting companies, along with 26 casinos and eight establishments holding route licenses.

Mr. Ayariga joins other political figures, including Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, and New Patriotic Party Presidential hopeful Kennedy Agyapong, in criticizing betting for promoting idleness.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has raised concerns about the proliferation of betting companies and their potential impact, particularly among the nation’s youth. He believes that the growth of such establishments may inadvertently foster a culture of complacency and inactivity among the younger generation.

Similarly, Mr. Agyapong argues that “betting does not bode well for one’s future prospects” and advocates for punitive measures to discourage young individuals from investing their time in gaming activities. He emphasizes the transient nature of earnings from betting and urges caution in pursuing such endeavors.

According to Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) data, betting companies in Ghana have contributed an estimated million to the government since 2019, in the form of taxes and licensing fees.

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