The Group of Ministers (GoM) has unanimously decided to recommend levying a 28 per cent goods and services tax (GST) on online gaming, casinos and racecourses, according to news reports. However, the government is yet to issue any statement.

As per reports, the tax will be imposed on initial betting and the gaming amount as the group is not in favour of levying GST on every bet or the winning amount. The GoM report will be submitted in a day or two.

In May of last year, the government established a panel of state ministers to improve the assessment of casino, online gaming, and racetrack services. The GoM met early this month, led by Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma, to consider the applicable GST rate on these three services.

In the earlier meeting on May 2, the GoM was unanimous on hiking the GST rate on these services to 28 per cent. Currently, skill games are taxed at 18% while gambling is taxed at 28%.

[The story will be updated shortly]