New tax in India jeopardises gaming revenue

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Kerala reduces profitability to Indian Lottery.

India.- Kerala Lottery made public its concern about the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) as it may reduce the profitability rate of state’s gaming sector. According to Indian state’s Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac, the tax will affect the lottery’s revenues, which currently generates US$592.9 million per year.

Furthermore, the Finance Minister commented that the tax will lead Sikkim and Bhutan states to regain the right to operate their lotteries, which were previously banned due to several violations of the gaming law. “The banned lotteries from Sikkim and Bhutan can make come back using GST window,” expressed T.M. Thomas Isaac.

In response, Isaac urged lottery agents and sellers to present a mass petition to the Union government in order to prevent the development of lottery operations in those states. The Minister also suggested stakeholders to back the fight.