India Raises GST on Real Money Gaming and Betting to 40%: Impact on the Gaming Industry
India's GST Council increases tax on real money gaming, casinos, lotteries, race clubs, and betting from 28% to 40%, positioning these alongside sin goods. Meanwhile, tax on household games is reduced to 5%. This move follows the PROGA 2025 law banning real-money online gaming and spells challenges ... India's GST Council increases tax on real money gaming, casinos, lotteries, race clubs, and betting from 28% to 40%, positioning these alongside sin goods. Meanwhile, tax on household games is reduced to 5%. This move follows the PROGA 2025 law banning real-money online gaming and spells challenges for the gaming sector amid legal battles and uncertain tax implementations.This tax update follows closely after Parliament enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 (PROGA), which bans real-money online gaming nationwide due to concerns over fraud, money laundering, and illegal financing. The law exempts esports and casual games that don’t involve betting.The Supreme Court is also reviewing a separate dispute involving back taxes potentially amounting to INR 2.5 lakh crore (around $30 billion), with companies like Gameskraft and Delta Corp involved.The Council reached this decision during its 56th meeting in New Delhi. The elevated tax rate positions these gaming and betting services alongside other “sin goods,” such as alcohol, tobacco, and pan masala, reflecting the government’s stance that these activities can negatively affect society.