Indian state rises lottery tax

The measure imposed by the Maharashtra government is set to take effect on July 1.

India.- The Finance Minister of Maharashtra Sudhir Mungantiwar introduced the State budget for the fiscal year 2017-2018. Lottery taxes will grow from RS 30,000 (US$457) to Rs 100,000 (US$1526).

Maharashtra is currently the largest state that offers lottery services that can be sold. The state also occupies 80 percent of the whole lottery market in India, becoming the most important gambling territory when it comes to the activity. Despite the hike in taxes, it is expected that the measure will reduce the number of draws performed in the state and it consequence it would also reduce lottery sales. The Lotteries Regulation Act 1998 is a federal law that allows state organised lotteries of one state to sell to another, if both of these states agree on the measure.

Last year, the local government also tried to legalise the casino industry in the state, but the proposal was later turned down by the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Maharashtra government was supposed to take a call on legalising casinos by May 2016 following a high court order.