Some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ghana, including the Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, the Ghana NCD Alliance, Jaishi Youth Initiative, Tax Advocacy Network for Health Promotion, Revenue Mobilization Africa (RMA), Stroke Association Support Network, and others, are calling on the government to reconsider its decision to remove the current tax on wins/gains from betting, a subset of gambling that specifically pertains to predicting the outcomes of
They would rather advocate raising the Betting Tax on these gains to discourage gambling in the country, particularly among young and impoverished people, given the detrimental health and socioeconomic consequences.
There is ample and well-documented evidence of the detrimental effects of gambling on our communities and people around us.
According to a statement issued and signed by Labram Musah, National Coordinator, Ghana NCD Alliance Public Health Policy Expert & Development Advocate, betting has emerged as a globally acceptable venture, deeply ingrained in the fabric of modern society, with online platforms significantly increasing accessibility and participation.
According to World Gambling Statistics, over 26% of the global population participates in gambling activities each year, accounting for over 1.6 billion people worldwide.
Online betting has grown exponentially, generating massive earnings, with sports betting accounting for a sizable share of this total.
This boom has been propelled by quick technical improvements, aggressive marketing efforts, and the allure of large cash rewards, making gambling a commonplace activity in many regions of the world, including villages, cities, and countries.
Unfortunately, according to the statement, betting has grown in popularity and participation in Ghana, penetrating numerous parts of our society.
Advanced technology, along with powerful and aggressive uncontrolled marketing activities, has made sports betting widely accessible and integrated into many Ghanaians’ daily life.
According to TGM Research’s 2024 research, 41.7% of Ghanaians have bet on sports in the last year, with 95% preferring online platforms over traditional betting shops.
Unfortunately, the majority of participants are between the ages of 18 and 35, drawn by the promise of quick cash gains in an uncertain economic climate.
74.17% of respondents identified monetary motive as their top reason for betting, demonstrating how economic pressures drive many people to gamble.
In a recent interview on the popular radio interview platform ‘Eyewitness News’, Economist Professor Patrick Asuming expressed critical insights regarding the government’s proposals to abolish the Betting Tax, emphasizing its importance not only as a revenue-generating instrument, but also as a critical regulatory mechanism in addressing the growing societal challenges associated with gambling, particularly among youth.
Betting addiction has a negative impact on young people and their ability to advance in a variety of areas. The physical, social, and economic ramifications of gambling pose complex difficulties that necessitate comprehensive strategies and effective regulatory measures to limit their negative effects.
Research demonstrates that gambling and betting addiction have serious health consequences, especially harming mental and physical well-being.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), gambling addiction is directly linked to anxiety, depression, and stress because people experience emotional highs and lows as a result of their gaming practices, leading to extreme psychological instability.
Chronic stress and financial hardship are frequently related to addiction, which can raise the risk of developing noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease and hypertension due to elevated blood pressure and the detrimental effects of prolonged stress.
As the addiction grows, people may turn to substances like alcohol or narcotics to deal with emotional discomfort, exacerbating the physical and mental health concerns (Majeed et al., 2023).
Aside from the detrimental effects of gambling on our health, addiction has a profound impact on individuals and communities, resulting in serious societal implications.
Financial hardship is a major worry, as individuals may empty their resources, incur significant debt, and face financial instability, straining family connections and leading to social isolation.
This financial burden frequently results in increased crime rates, as some people resort to stealing or embezzlement to fuel their gambling habits, hence increasing criminal activity within communities.
Governments face increased social welfare expenses and addiction treatment services, while healthcare systems are responsible for treating addiction-related health issues (Majeed et al., 2023).
A 76-year-old chief and retired educationist committed suicide after losing 120,000 Ghanaian Cedis, serving as a stark example of the sad repercussions of sports betting.
This incident not only demonstrates gambling’s addictive character, but also emphasizes its ability to drive people to the brink of despair.
In another sad case, an employee of an Accra-based electronics business was arrested for allegedly misappropriating over 1 million Ghanaian Cedis from the company’s cash to fuel his gambling addiction, which resulted in his arrest and jail.
Over 6,000 students at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology were postponed in April 2022 because they did not pay the minimum of 70% of their school fees.
Investigations indicated that several students had transferred their tuition to betting and related activities, resulting in academic disadvantages. The presence of children on these betting platforms is a major drawback.
“It is heartening that the amended Gaming Act prohibits well-known individuals from endorsing gambling sites in order to deter youngsters and children from betting. This rule prevents prominent celebrities such as musicians and athletes from promoting gambling, thereby reducing its glamorization as risk-free. Evidence suggests that such endorsements have a major influence on young people, linking this policy with efforts to protect vulnerable groups and enhance public health, according to the statement.
International agencies such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Centre for Responsible Gaming, among others, have expressed rising worry about the impact of gaming and betting on vulnerable communities. The WHO recognizes the health consequences of gambling and advocates for multisectoral action to reduce these damages. The UNDP determined that the expansion of online gambling, supported by payment systems and greater consumption, is having a major detrimental impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Such financial strain not only undermines efforts to alleviate poverty (SDG 1), but it can also contribute to declining health and well-being (SDG 3), as individuals and families may experience increased stress, mental health challenges, and lifestyle-related issues as a result of gambling addiction and financial insecurity. Globally, several countries have implemented a wide range of regulatory measures to address the difficulties created by gaming and betting. Saudi Arabia and North Korea, for example, outlaw all types of gambling and impose harsh punitive penalties to discourage participation.
The United Kingdom and Australia have adopted a regulated strategy that emphasizes harm mitigation rather than prohibition. To prevent children’ exposure, the UK has strong controls in place such as age verification systems, self-exclusion programs, and advertising limitations during peak hours. Similarly, Australia enforces tight advertising rules and betting limits to shield users from excessive losses. Kenya has emerged as yet another important example of progressive gambling regulation in Africa, particularly in tackling the unique issues brought by mobile betting.
“We propose a strong regulatory framework for all types of betting advertising, sponsorship, and promotion across all media platforms, including television, radio, online spaces, and public places. To ensure compliance, prohibit targeted advertising to vulnerable groups, particularly youth and people with gambling problems, impose a strict minimum gambling age of 18 years or older, and implement robust age verification systems for both online and physical betting platforms. The government must establish accessible gambling addiction support services, such as counseling, rehabilitation programs, and dedicated hotlines, as well as encourage public education campaigns on the risks of gaming and relevant addiction prevention resources, which currently do not exist.
More significantly, the government must censure or revoke operators’ licenses and hold them accountable for immoral practices, such as targeting vulnerable populations like children and young people. It is critical that the government recognizes the social consequences of betting and gambling addiction, as well as the role that taxation plays in discouraging participation and changing cultural behaviors.
“Instead of raising taxes, we propose a comprehensive review of the impact of betting, using country experiences and best practices to guide government action. Ghana must not jeopardize the future of young people and children for the sake of a few industrial actors who prioritize their business interests over the health and safety of the greater society. We urge the government to consider our clarion appeal and act to prevent the looming danger that awaits if we fail to take tough action.”
