A Group of Ministers (GoM), set up to examine issues related to the taxation of casinos, racecourses and online gaming, have broadly agreed that a 28% GST should be imposed on all three activities. However, there was no consensus on the taxability of online games, as Goa proposed an 18% tax on platform fees, sources told PTI.
In its upcoming meeting on July 11, the GST Council is scheduled to make a final decision on whether the tax should be levied on gross gaming revenue (GGR), or fees charged by the platform; or on the full face value of bets put in by players of online gaming, horse racing and casinos, PTI reported.
Additionally, the Council, chaired by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising state counterparts, needs to determine whether these activities fall under the category of actionable claims of betting and gambling.
A group of top online gaming firms has sent a representation through the Ficci Gaming Committee to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), urging the body not to hike the GST rate for the sector to 28% from 18% as suggested by ministers’ panel.
The companies said a change in GST rate from 18% on GGR to 28% would be “extremely detrimental to the survival of the online gaming industry as no business operations can survive with such high taxation”. Also, the impact of charging GST on the entire stake value – whether at the rate of 28% or 18% – would be equally disastrous for the online gaming industry, they said.
According to Saumya Singh Rathore, a co-founder of gaming platform WinZO Games, proposing a 28% tax for gaming companies that are still focused on building intellectual property and technology would lead to the demise of many smaller players and discourage new entrants with alternatives to foreign products and technology.
The Group of Ministers, convened by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, includes members from eight states – West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
Meghalaya suggested that a 28% tax should be imposed on GGR, platform fees, or commissions charged by casinos, online gaming, and horse racing. It also proposed creating a special mechanism, an “Escrow Account,” to pool prize money for easier administration of the tax.
Tamil Nadu and Telangana suggested that if the GST Council determines that the three activities are not actionable claims of betting and gambling, a 28% tax should be levied on GGR.
Due to the differing views of the members, the Group of Ministers has deferred the final decision on the tax rate and valuation to the GST Council.
As a result, the GST Council asked the Group of Ministers to reconsider all the issues raised in the report. Subsequently, the Group of Ministers met three times, conducted field visits, and engaged withindustry stakeholders to gather more information and perspectives.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/gom-on-online-gaming-casinos-horse-racing-broadly-agrees-on-28-gst-goa-differs/articleshow/101538310.cms?from=mdr
