Ghana Abolishes 10% Betting Tax: What It Means for Your Winnings in 2026
Update (July 2026): This article has been updated to reflect the abolition of Ghana's 10% betting withholding tax, which took effect on April 2, 2025.
For years, the 10% withholding tax on sports betting and lottery winnings was one of the most contested policies in Ghanaian betting. Introduced to broaden the national tax base, it meant every winning payout was automatically reduced by 10% before the money ever reached your Mobile Money wallet. That era is over.
On April 2, 2025, the Government of Ghana formally abolished the GRA withholding tax on betting winnings. The repeal came after sustained pressure from the betting industry and consumer advocates who argued the tax was suppressing legal, licensed gambling while pushing bettors toward unregulated offshore platforms.
What the Tax Was and How It Worked
The 10% deduction was applied to gross winnings at the point of settlement. Licensed bookmakers acted as collection agents for the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), withholding the tax automatically when your bet settled. If you won GHS 1,000, you received GHS 900 in your account.
What Changed on April 2, 2025
Your full gross winnings now hit your MoMo wallet, with no deduction at source. A GHS 1,000 win is a GHS 1,000 payout.
This applies to all licensed bookmakers operating under the Gaming Commission of Ghana (GCG). Punters who previously used accumulator strategies purely to claw back the tax can now bet more straightforwardly, and any bonus or boost you earn on top is pure upside.
What Didn't Change: Maximising Returns Still Matters
The tax is gone, but bookmaker margins still eat into your long-term ROI. A site charging 8% margin hands you worse prices than one at 3–4%. These strategies remain just as valid:
- Accumulator Win Boosts: Operators like SportyBet offer win bonuses up to 1000%+ on multi-bets, now pure upside, no longer needed just to offset a tax liability.
- Higher Base Odds: 1xBet consistently offers the tightest margins in the Ghana market (as low as 3–4% on major EPL fixtures). More competitive odds compound in your favour over time.
- Weekly Rebates: 22Bet pays a 0.3% auto-rebate on all settled bets every Tuesday with no rollover; small per-bet, but significant across a full betting month.
Still Use Licensed Bookmakers
Using unlicensed offshore sites remains risky regardless of tax status. Deposits and withdrawals on unregulated platforms can be frozen by local banks and telcos without warning, and there is no GCG recourse if a dispute arises. Every bookmaker we recommend on BetRankGH holds an active GCG licence or equivalent international licence, with full payouts and no hidden deductions.
Note: While the betting withholding tax has been abolished, personal income tax obligations on large gambling winnings may still apply depending on your individual circumstances. If you are a high-volume bettor, consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.