Goa may reconsider casino tax hike

The potential increase of a casino tax in the Indian state may be reconsidered after operators asked the government to look further into it.

India.- April 2018 began with a harsh kick for casino operators in Goa after an order from the finance department regarding a tax hike of up to 4.5 times the previous rate came into effect. However, the state’s government may be reconsidering the increase after operators from the area urged them to look further into the issue.

Dharmendra Sharma, chief secretary, has forwarded the operators’ representation to the finance department, local press reports, in order to urge it to assess the demands.

Under the increase, casinos with passenger capacities of over 400 will have to pay a fee of €4.99 million, up from the previous €1.49 million. Those with capacities between 200 and 400 will pay €3.74 million (instead of just €1.37) and vessels with less than 200 in passenger capacity will now pay €3.1 million, up from €1.34 million. Onshore casinos will have to pay €6.24 million, up from the previous €2.49 million.

The government expects to increase annual revenue (from the six offshore casinos and nine land-based casinos) by nearly €18.7 million.