If you don’t support betting, then abolish it -Malik Basintale tells government

Malik Basintale, the Deputy Communications Director of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called upon the government to abolish all forms of betting and gaming in the country if it cannot endorse the participation of young individuals in such pursuits.

Mr. Basintale emphasized that for the government’s position on betting to be unequivocal, it should either express full support for the engagement of young people in these activities or put an end to them altogether.

“The Gaming Commission Act said gambling is a game of chance, and a game to have fun. The government that brought this Act can repeal it at any point in time. Government is the biggest gambler in the country. The government through the lotteries authority manages gambling in this country. The president appoints a CEO to gamble with the people of this country. The government doesn’t see the need to repeal that Act. The government doesn’t see the need to close down the entire lottery system. But they think that by imposing punitive taxes on this service, they will move a lot of people out of it.”

“How does this tax frighten any youth out of this betting? The 21 new taxes you introduced, was that your intention to frighten businesses? If you think you don’t support the position of young people in this country betting, then abolish it. So that we will know that you don’t like it, it should be clear, the moral definition or the moral explanation to this doesn’t fly for me because there’s a law backing it”, he added.

In light of the government’s recent introduction of a 10% betting tax as part of its revenue generation strategy, concerns have arisen regarding its compatibility with the interests of the youth. Critics have voiced their disapproval of the tax measure, citing potential negative implications for the younger population.

Malik Basintale, in his critique, expressed skepticism about the government’s motives behind the 10% betting tax and criticized its apparent role as a significant participant in the gambling arena. He deemed it “reckless” for the government to presume that the new tax would deter a substantial number of young individuals from participating in betting without offering viable alternatives.

“Your 10% tax means that go and bet, and when you win, give me 10%. And that is your idea of chicken people out of the betting industry. How irresponsible that thought can be, taxing betting is not a responsible measure of pushing people out of it. There are other alternatives you could choose from,” Malik Basintale pointed out.

Drawing attention to what he termed a “double taxation” of bettors, Basintale highlighted the existing e-levy, suggesting that individuals engaged in betting were already subject to taxation. He admonished the government for its imposition of multiple taxes on the same demographic.

As the discourse surrounding the government’s recent taxation measure and its impact on the betting landscape continues, Malik Basintale’s remarks have added another layer to the ongoing debate, spotlighting the delicate intersection of revenue generation, youth engagement, and personal autonomy within the context of gaming and betting.