Majority wants GST on online gaming to be increased: Survey
Nearly eight in 10 respondents want the goods and services (GST) rate on online gaming, casinos and horse racing to be 28% or higher, according to an online survey by LocalCircles. Currently, casinos, race course and online gaming are paying 18% GST.
Moreover, 7% of the respondents voted for a 40% tax slab, 27% voted for over 50%. Only 1% of the respondents believed that online gaming, casino and horse racing should be exempted from GST, while 6% did not have an opinion on it. This question in the survey received 12,097 responses.
The GST Council comprising a group of ministers (GoM), led by Meghalaya chief minister Congrad Sangma, has agreed to recommend hiking the GST rate on casino, race course and online gaming services to 28%. However, this is subject to final approval of the GST council. The panel of ministers has decided that the tax will be levied on the entire “face value” or “bet amount” and not on total transaction value. Total transaction value includes the prize money, or the net commissions(revenues) that accrue to gaming firms.
