BookmakerBlog
Menu

Betting with MTN MoMo in Ghana

Updated: · Bookmaker Blog editorial team

Mobile money is how almost everyone in Ghana pays for bets, and MTN MoMo is by far the most widely used wallet. This guide explains how MoMo deposits and withdrawals work, why a payment can be declined, the alternatives (Telecel Cash and AT Money), what has changed with taxes, and how to avoid MoMo scams aimed at bettors.

Use only operators licensed by the Gaming Commission of Ghana. Read our guide to licensed betting in Ghana to check a licence before you deposit.

We are verifying which operators hold a valid licence here. The list will appear once our checks are complete.

How to deposit with MTN MoMo

At Ghanaian betting sites, the deposit starts on the site and you approve it on your phone.

  1. Log in to your betting account and choose Deposit → MTN MoMo.
  2. Enter the amount and your MoMo number. Usually it must be the number registered to your betting account.
  3. A payment request arrives on your phone. Check the merchant name and the amount, then approve it with your MoMo PIN.
  4. The money usually shows in your betting account within a minute or two.

No prompt? Dial *170#, open My Wallet → My Approvals and approve the pending payment from there. If the payment is not in the list, start a new deposit on the betting site. Do not repeat a deposit before checking your MoMo messages: the first one may already have gone through.

Keep the MoMo confirmation SMS until the money appears in your betting account. Its transaction ID is what support will ask for if a deposit goes missing.

How to withdraw to MoMo

  1. Open Withdraw in your betting account and choose MTN MoMo.
  2. Enter the amount. Licensed operators pay out only to a MoMo wallet registered in your name, usually the number on your betting account.
  3. Most withdrawals arrive within minutes. The first one may take longer if the operator asks you to verify your identity, usually with your Ghana Card.

If a withdrawal is marked as paid but has not arrived, contact the operator's support with the withdrawal ID. Anyone who asks for a fee to "release" your winnings is a scammer.

Why a MoMo payment can be declined

  • Your MoMo KYC level. MTN sets daily transaction limits and a maximum wallet balance by verification level (minimum, medium and enhanced KYC). Linking your Ghana Card and completing full verification raises them. Your current limits are available from MTN customer service and the MoMo app.
  • The operator's limits. Each betting site sets a minimum deposit and a maximum withdrawal. Check its payments page.
  • A different number. Many operators accept deposits only from the MoMo number registered to your betting account.

Telecel Cash and AT Money

  • Telecel Cash (formerly Vodafone Cash) works the same way at operators that support it: start the deposit on the site, then approve the request on your phone.
  • AT Money (formerly AirtelTigo Money) is accepted by some operators in the same way.
  • Bank cards and transfers are available at some operators, but mobile money is faster and more widely accepted.

Taxes: what changed in 2025

Two taxes that hit bettors were abolished with effect from 2 April 2025:

  • The 10% withholding tax on betting winnings, repealed by the Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1129).
  • The 1% E-Levy on electronic transfers, including mobile money, repealed by the Electronic Transfer Levy (Repeal) Act, 2025.

Licensed operators still pay tax on their gaming revenue, but no tax should be deducted from your winnings. If an operator still deducts one, ask support for the legal basis in writing.

Avoid MoMo scams

Never send betting deposits to a personal MoMo number. Licensed operators collect deposits through registered merchant accounts, and the request always starts on their website or app. A tipster or "agent" who asks you to send MoMo to a personal number is a scammer.

  • Approve only payments you started. If an approval request arrives that you did not start, reject it.
  • Never share your MoMo PIN. No operator and no MTN staff member will ever ask for it.
  • "I sent you money by mistake" calls and messages are a common trick. Check your actual MoMo balance before sending anything back, and report the number to MTN.
  • There are no "fixed matches". Anyone selling guaranteed results for MoMo payments is running a scam.

Bet only what you can afford

Set a deposit limit in your betting account, keep betting money apart from money for rent, school fees and food, and never borrow to bet, including through mobile loans. Our bankroll management guide explains how to size stakes so a losing run does not empty your wallet.

Frequently asked questions

How do I deposit on a betting site with MTN MoMo?

Start the deposit on the betting site, choose MTN MoMo and enter your number. A payment request is sent to your phone. Approve it in the prompt, or dial *170# and open My Wallet → My Approvals. Check the merchant name and amount before you approve.

I did not get the MoMo prompt. What should I do?

Dial *170#, open My Wallet → My Approvals and look for the pending payment. If it is not there, start the deposit again from the betting site. Do not send money to a number someone gives you by phone or chat.

How long do MoMo withdrawals take?

Usually a few minutes. The first withdrawal can take longer if the operator needs to verify your identity. Licensed operators pay out only to a wallet registered in your name.

Do I pay tax on betting in Ghana?

Not on your winnings any more. The 10% withholding tax on winnings was repealed with effect from 2 April 2025, and the 1% E-Levy on mobile money transfers was abolished on the same date. Operators still pay tax on their gaming revenue.

Why was my MoMo deposit declined?

The most common reasons are an insufficient balance, the daily limit of your MoMo KYC level, or the operator's minimum deposit. Your MoMo limits depend on your verification level; linking your Ghana Card and completing full KYC raises them.

More guides