The cabinet granted approval to amend the Goa Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, to provide clarity regarding taxability of casinos, horse racing and online gaming. The bill will be introduced in the upcoming budget session of the assembly.

The cabinet decided to repeal the Goa Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, by way of consideration and passing of the Goa Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The Goa Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 (Ordinance No. 3 of 2023), promulgated by the governor, came into force from October 1, 2023. The amendment to Goa GST Act, 2017, was carried out corresponding to amendments in the central GST Act, 2017.

A senior officer said that a following transitory provision is inserted in order to clarify that taxing services like betting, casino, gambling, horse racing, lottery or online gaming would not amount to prejudicing any of the state law which prohibits, restricts or regulates such services.

The amendments made under this act shall be without prejudice to provisions of any other law currently in force, providing for prohibiting, restricting or regulating betting, casino, gambling, horse racing, lottery or online gaming.