Jerry Shaib Queries Betting Tax in Sports Bill

Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has raised concerns about the transparency of funding sources outlined in the Sports Fund Bill, suggesting a potential move to relabel betting tax revenue.

Mr. Shaib, during parliamentary debate, questioned the inclusion of proceeds from ‘special sports lotteries,’ probing whether these were a veiled reference to betting income.

“Speaker, are we looking at betting? Is that also a way to redirect the betting tax? Are we being real with this?” he asked, directly challenging the clarity of the bill’s provisions.

He argued that if betting tax constitutes the intended funding, Parliament should explicitly state this. “If it is betting tax, we should say it is 10 percent of fees and charges accrued from the Gaming Commission,” he insisted.

The Weija-Gbawe MP warned that ambiguity surrounding the fund’s origins could erode public trust, stressing the importance of honesty and openness in sports financing. He urged fellow lawmakers to prioritize transparency in the bill’s final form, ensuring Ghanaians understand exactly where the money for sports development is coming from.

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