Indian Live Poker News

GST Council Upholds 28% Tax on Online Gaming, Casinos, and Horse Racing

The GST Council has decided to retain the 28% Goods and Services Tax on online gaming, casinos, and horse racing, providing no relief to the industry as had been previously anticipated.

Rishi Published 19 June 2026 Updated 6 October 2026 1 min read
Editorial cover illustration with a rupee symbol representing tax and money news

In its 52nd meeting, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council confirmed that the 28% GST levy on online gaming, casinos, and horse racing will remain in effect. This decision means that the industry will not receive the previously hoped-for tax relief.

Key takeaways

  • The GST Council met for its 52nd session.
  • The Council decided to retain the existing 28% GST.
  • This 28% tax applies to online gaming, casinos, and horse racing.
  • The decision provides no relief to the affected industries.

What happened

The GST Council convened its 52nd meeting to discuss various tax-related matters. Among the topics addressed was the Goods and Services Tax applied to the online gaming, casino, and horse racing sectors.

Despite expectations from the industry for a potential revision or reduction, the Council ultimately opted to maintain the current tax rate. This means the 28% GST will continue to be levied on these activities moving forward.

Indian context

This decision is particularly relevant for the Indian skill-gaming and related industries, which have been navigating the implications of the 28% GST rate. The retention of this rate indicates the Council's firm stance on the taxation of these activities within India.

Source: Livemint — read the full original report.

#gst#online gaming#casinos#horse racing#india#taxation

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