We Were Wrong For Introducing Betting Tax – Sammi Awuku
Former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, has commended President John Dramani Mahama over his decision to scrap the betting tax.
Sammi Awuku, who has been very vociferous speaking against the betting tax even during the previous administration which he was a part of as the Director-General of NLA strongly holds the view that the tax is counterproductive.
“I’m excited that the betting tax is going to be scrapped…I’ve been consistent about it, even during the NPP era, and I said it is something that personally has not worked in many of the jurisdictions anytime you have introduced taxes on betting.”
To him, the tax was a wrong move, hence highlighting his concerns, Awuku said; “Lottery was part of the betting tax. The National Lottery Authority, for instance, is owned by the government, and apart from the things that they do, at the end of the day, they must also contribute to the national kitty.”
He added; “If the government is taxing itself, then what will happen is that the underground operators that we call the illegal operators will become emboldened. If you play with the government, you attract a 10% tax on what you win. But if you play with the illegals, you get your full money. So, I told them that, for me, it was counterproductive.”
Sammi Awuku made these assertions in an interview with Daily Guide Network.
Source: Ghmessenger.com
