South Sudan introduces new taxes on lottery and gambling under Financial Act 2024/2025

The South Sudan Financial Act for the fiscal year 2024/2025 was officially signed into law on November 25, 2024, and became effective on December 2, 2024. The announcement was made by Simon Akuei Deng, Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), during a workshop at the agency's headquarters in Juba.

Deng stated, “I would like to announce to you all here that today on the 2nd of December 2024 by midnight last night the system has changed, incorporating the new financial act.”This new legislation introduces significant changes to the country's tax structure, including the introduction of fees and taxes on lottery and gaming activities. Key provisions include:

• Excise tax set at 10%
• Gross gaming tax at 24%
• Royalty for platform vendors/service providers at 20%
• Various fees for application, registration, licensing, and inspection of betting and lottery operations.

Previously, only a 20% withholding tax (WHT) was applicable to payments related to lottery and gaming.