SHILLONG, July 12: A panel of state finance ministers looking to bring online gaming and casinos under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) failed to reach a consensus on Tuesday and decided to finalise its report by August 10.
Officials said the Group of Ministers (GoM) held a virtual meeting on Tuesday and discussed various methods of taxation of casinos, horse racing and online gaming.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who heads the GoM, said they will hear all stakeholders before coming to any conclusion on the matter.
Sangma reviewed the meeting in presence of stakeholders to listen to their concerns and opinions. He said in order to arrive at a consensus they will have to involve the Law and other committees to look into the legal aspect.
“I have asked the stakeholders to submit their respective presentations so we may take things in the right direction and come to a conclusion on the matter. We will also be meeting physically before we submit the final report to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman,” Sangma said.
The GoM has proposed that horse racing, online gaming and casinos are all part of betting and gambling, and 28 per cent GST on gross sales value should be levied. It further recommended that online gaming should be taxed at the full value of the consideration, including the contest entry fee paid by the player for participating in the game.
Among others in the eight-member GoM include Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, Gujarat Finance Minister Kanubhai Patel, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister P Thiaga Rajan and Telangana Finance Minister T Harish Rao. (With PTI inputs)
