By The withholding betting tax in Ghana on winnings, which bookmakers and lotto operators deducted before paying out, was repealed with effect from 2 April 2025 after the 2025 Budget announced its abolition. Tax rules can change with any budget, so the reliable check is the operator's current terms and notices from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). This guide explains how the tax worked, what changed and how to read your slip today, without quoting rates that may be out of date by the time you read this.
A short timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| August 2023 | A withholding tax on betting, gaming and lottery winnings took effect. Operators deducted it from winnings at payout. |
| 11 March 2025 | The 2025 Budget Statement announced that the tax would be abolished, together with the E-Levy on electronic transfers. |
| 2 April 2025 | Parliament's amendments to the income tax law took effect after presidential assent, removing the withholding on winnings. |
| Today | No new tax on punters' winnings has been reported in our checks. Operators may still refer to "applicable taxes" in their terms. |
How the withholding mechanism worked
Ghana did not ask punters to file a separate return for each winning ticket. Instead, the tax was taken at source, the same way some salary taxes are:
- You placed a bet or bought a lotto ticket as usual.
- When the bet won, the operator worked out the gross winnings.
- The operator deducted the tax and credited the net amount to your account or wallet.
- The operator paid the deducted amount to the GRA.
The tax applied to winnings, not to your stake, and lost bets were not refunded any tax. Because the operator deducted it, many punters only noticed it as a gap between "potential win" on the slip and the amount that landed on their balance. That gap was the source of most complaints, especially on accumulators where the slip showed a gross figure.
What your slip shows now
Since the repeal, the potential win on a standard slip should match what you receive for a winning bet, subject to the operator's own rules. Differences you may still see:
- Maximum payout caps. Operators set a ceiling on winnings per bet or per period. betPawa's terms, for example, set a maximum total payout per user over a rolling three-day period, and the published figure is in its terms.
- Bonus conditions. Boosted winnings from accumulator bonuses or free bets can carry their own limits.
- "Applicable taxes" clauses. Some terms, including betPawa's, still say applicable taxes are deducted before winnings are credited. That wording covers any tax the law requires at the time, so if the law changes again, deductions could return without the slip layout changing.
Our bet slip guide explains each figure on the ticket, and our reviews of operators such as betPawa and Odibets summarise their payout terms.
Lotto winnings
The 2023 withholding covered lottery winnings as well as sports bets, so a winning lotto ticket was also paid out net of the deduction. The 2025 repeal removed that withholding tax; if a lotto payout looks lower than expected, ask the seller or NLA how it was calculated before you accept it. Large lotto wins still go through NLA validation before payment, which is a separate process from tax. Our NLA lotto results section explains how claims work.
Costs that are not tax
Punters sometimes call every deduction a tax. Some are fees or rules instead:
- Mobile Money charges. The E-Levy on transfers was repealed in April 2025 too, but your network may still charge its own fees for some transactions. Check Telecel Cash, MTN MoMo or AT Money tariffs.
- Withdrawal conditions. Odibets' published terms, for instance, say a fee may apply when deposited money is withdrawn without being wagered. Other operators have similar anti-laundering rules.
- Verification holds. ID checks can delay a withdrawal; they do not reduce it.
What to do if you think too much was deducted
- Open the ticket in your bet history and note the ticket ID, stake, odds and amount credited.
- Read the operator's terms on taxes, payout caps and bonuses for the date the bet was placed.
- Contact the operator's customer care with the ticket ID and ask for a breakdown of any deduction.
- If the answer is unsatisfactory and the operator is licensed, you can raise a complaint with the Gaming Commission of Ghana. Check the operator is licensed first on our licensed betting sites page.
Do punters need to declare winnings?
For ordinary recreational betting, the system was built around operators handling tax, not individual returns. If betting is part of a business, or you have unusually large winnings, speak to a tax professional or the GRA directly, because personal circumstances matter and we do not give tax advice.
Betting and lotto are for adults 18+ only. Whatever the tax position, treat stakes as spending, not as investment.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still a betting tax on winnings in Ghana?
The withholding tax on betting and lottery winnings was repealed from 2 April 2025. Tax rules can change, so check the operator's terms and GRA announcements for the current position.
Who deducted betting tax when it applied?
The bookmaker or lotto operator deducted it from winnings before crediting your account and paid it to the Ghana Revenue Authority.
Why is my payout lower than the potential win on my slip?
Look for a payout cap, bonus condition or tax clause in the operator's terms, then ask customer care for a breakdown using your ticket ID.
Was the E-Levy on MoMo deposits removed too?
Yes. The E-Levy on electronic transfers was repealed with effect from 2 April 2025, though networks can still charge their own transaction fees.
