India scored the lowest of any country when it comes to regulated betting markets as betting remains largely prohibited apart from on horseracing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
India.- H2 Gambling Capital<\/strong> and the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA)<\/strong> have produced a major new study<\/a> into the gambling sector in 20 countries<\/strong>, including in Australia and India<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The study examines a range of different regulatory models for betting <\/strong>and evaluates the relative strengths and weakness of each of the 20 markets according to five key criteria, awarding points out of 100. <\/p>\n\n\n\n India scored only 9 points and was placed in the 20th position<\/strong> in the list of 20 countries. The report notes that betting in India is largely prohibited and therefore unlicensed and unregulated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, player protection and market oversight is absent<\/strong>, as are fiscal returns. The report forecast that the unregulated market and related criminality will continue to flourish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for betting taxes, in Sikkim<\/a>, operators are required to pay a levy of 10 per cent of gross gaming<\/strong> yield or five crore rupees, whichever is higher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Indian income tax laws also state that any winnings from any lottery or other game that exceed INR10k<\/strong> are subject to a withholding tax of 30 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As regards betting channels, there is very limited access to licensed land-based <\/strong>and online racing and sports betting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n David Henwood, Director of H2, stated: “The key factors<\/strong> that are most likely to generate a successful well-regulated betting market<\/strong> are unlimited licensing, competitive GGR tax, wide product offering, integrity provisions and balanced advertising parameters.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n In May, the Indian federal government<\/a> said it was seeking to change the valuation of casinos<\/strong>, online gambling portals and racecourses for levying goods and services tax (GST).<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the Business Standard newspaper, a seven-member panel of state ministers <\/strong>started to examine the possibility of changing the way gambling services<\/strong> are valued for the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Australia scored 69 points <\/strong>in the IBIA report and was placed in the 16th position. When it comes to regulation, the report notes that the Interactive Gambling Act 2001<\/strong> provides a federal prohibition of most forms of online gambling (excluding betting). <\/p>\n\n\n\n It also highlights the Northern Territory<\/strong> for placing no limitation on online sports betting licences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for betting taxes, a point of consumption betting tax ranging from 8-15 per cent of GGR is imposed<\/strong> across most states, except the Northern Territory<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sports are permitted to impose additional product fees reportedly averaging 2.5 per cent of turnover <\/strong>or 20-30 per cent of GGR, which significantly increases the fiscal burden on Australian operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAustralia ranked in 16th position<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n