Digital
Online gaming in India is among the world’s most vibrant, says MoS I&B Dr L Murugan at Storyboard18 DES 2025
Breaking: RMG sector ignored, GST council shuns agenda after multiple requests
It should be noted that in its 50th meeting held in July 2023, the GST council decided to levy 28 per cent tax -- the highest slab -- on the full face value of online gaming
Despite multiple requests from the sector, the Indian government has ignored the sector since past two years.
The Real Money Gaming industry is currently suffering with GST tax burden of 28 percent, the GST council meeting which is currently taking place at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, in New Delhi does not have RMG industry as an agenda. Despite multiple requests from the sector, the Indian government has ignored the sector since past two years.
It should be noted that in its 50th meeting held in July 2023, the GST council decided to levy 28 per cent tax -- the highest slab -- on the full face value of online gaming, bringing it on par with casinos and horse racing.
A RMG player on condition of anonymity said, “It is unfortunate that the government did not listen to our requests despite being one of the highest tax paying sector. Many companies are today dead because of these GST norms.”
The source further said, “Shockingly, these legitimate gaming players are now opting for illegal ways and are offering game of chance to survive in the industry.”
SPOTLIGHT
The Storyboard18 Digital Entertainment Summit (DES) unpacked India's strategy for leading the digital entertainment economy, with top policymakers where they putlined how talent, technology, and governance would fuel future-ready growth.
Read MoreIn Photos: At DES 2025, India charts ambitious course for digital entertainment leadership
At the Storyboard18 Digital Entertainment Summit in New Delhi, policymakers and industry leaders outlined how talent, technology, and governance will drive India’s push to dominate the global entertainment economy.