According to the outspoken legislator, the ten percent tax on wager winnings is insufficient and should be increased.

Agyapong contends that it is reasonable, citing the example of the United States, where lottery and similar games of chance are heavily taxed.

“[The 10% betting tax] is appropriate, and it should have been higher,” Agyapong told 3Xtra. “If you go to America and win a billion dollars in the lottery, you’d take home about $600 million because it’s free money and it’s taxable, so 10% is charitable.”

“To be honest with the [youth], betting is not good for your future, which is why it should be penalised to encourage young men and women coming up to take their destiny into their own hands instead of spending time on games and all that stuff.” Whatever money you intend to spend to create today temporal and betting what will you gain out of that? As a result, we must exercise caution,” he stressed.

He also urged the youth to give him the opportunity to govern as president, citing his abilities to address the country’s serious unemployment problem.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared that it will protest and occupy government buildings in order to have the tax repealed.

According to the party’s youth wing, it is an onerous taxation policy that disproportionately affects the country’s youth and the wider betting business.

The National Youth Organiser of the NDC, George Opare Addo, highlighted the party’s displeasure with the levy in a press statement, noting, “Our determination to protect the funds Young People secure through betting is unyielding.” We shall make our voices heard through agitations, protests, advocacy, and civic engagements, and demand that this CORRUPT Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Government reverse its decision.”

“We intend to picket at the Ministry of Finance and occupy government offices across the country,” the statement continued. As a measure of opposition, begin and expand countrywide conventional and unconventional legal agitations. Incite young people to confront government officials and demand an end to the corruption and insensitivity of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-failed brigade, as well as to occupy Parliament and other government institutions.”

The imposition of a 10% betting tax as part of the government’s revenue-raising initiatives has been received with criticism and anxiety.