India To Lose Billions: Letter To PM Modi Over 28% GST Rule For Gaming

GST Council's decision to levy a 28% tax on real money online gaming industry will lead to a write-off of USD 2.5 billion investment made in the segment, a group of 30 Indian and foreign Investors said in a joint letter to PM Modi.

Days after a 42-year-old man was arrested for allegedly duping a jeweller of 10 kilogrammes of gold worth Rs 6 crore, police have recovered two kilogrammes of gold following raids in Punjab's Ludhiana, officials said on Wednesday.

Amid the online gaming industry raising concerns over the levy of 28 per cent GST, Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday said the government may request the GST Council to consider the facts of new regulatory framework for the industry.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai on Saturday accused the ruling DMK of undertaking a disinformation campaign against the Centre issues including the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), and said the truth will be exposed in the forthcoming Parliament session.

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra today said the central government will bring clarificatory amendments to the GST Act in the monsoon session of Parliament to implement GST Council's decision of imposing 28 per cent tax on online gaming, casino and horse racing.

The exchequer would get an estimated additional revenue of Rs 20,000 crore annually following the decision of the GST Council to levy 28 per cent tax on full bet value on online gaming, said Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra today.

Shaadi.com founder and Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal slammed the move, saying that entrepreneurs should now build rockets rather than gaming companies.

Online gaming companies on Tuesday said that levying of 28 percent GST will limit their ability to invest in new games, impacting cash flows as well as business expansion. The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), which represents companies like Nazara, GamesKraft, Zupee and Winzo, said the decision by the council is unconstitutional, irrational, and egregious.

The $1.5 billion online gaming industry has surged in popularity in recent years and attracted foreign investment.

The GST Council has announced that the bets placed in online gaming and casinos will now face 28 per cent tax.

Online gaming companies on Tuesday said that levying of 28 per cent GST will limit their ability to invest in new games, impact cash flows as well as business expansion.

The all-powerful Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on Tuesday decided to impose a 28 per cent tax on the turnover of online gaming companies, horse racing and casinos, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged today that with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) being linked with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), even those traders paying the tax can be arrested by the federal agency.

Delhi minister Atishi today said that the linking of Goods and Services Tax (GST) with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), could lead to the arrest of even those traders who pay tax.