In 2023, India imposed a 28% GST (Goods & Services Tax) on online real money gaming, casinos, and betting platforms. This move has shaken the industry, especially startups offering poker, rummy, and fantasy sports. Many platforms have either scaled down operations or passed the tax burden onto players.
For casual users, this means higher rake fees, fewer rewards, and smaller winnings. For companies, compliance costs have gone up, forcing some to consider offshore operations. Interestingly, this has opened the door for crypto-based casinos and betting sites, which remain outside the Indian tax net.
The big question: will the high GST rate push Indian players toward unregulated offshore and crypto platforms, or will the government step in with a more balanced framework?
What do you think — is the 28% GST killing innovation in India’s gaming industry, or could it lead to better regulation in the long run?