Lok Sabha nods for Central Goods and Service Tax amendment Bill introduced by Finance Minister

The amendments to GST laws have been approved by the Lok Sabha. The bill was seeking a 28 per cent tax on the full face value of bets in online gaming, casinos and horse race clubs. The bill was presented by the finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the final day of the monsoon session, amidst opposition protests over Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's suspension.   

Both, the Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023 were passed by a voice vote by the Lok Sabha, without a debate.

States will now get the amendments passed in the state GST laws in their respective assemblies.

The amendments pertain to insertion of a provision in the Schedule III of the CGST Act, 2017, to provide clarity on the taxation of supplies in casinos, horse racing and online gaming.

The amendment in IGST Act relates to inserting a provision to impose GST liability on online money gaming provided by offshore entities. Such entities would be required to get GST registration in India.

The amendments will include provisions for restricting access to overseas online gaming platforms in case they do not comply with registration and tax payment provisions.

Last week, the GST Council approved the amendments to the Central GST (CGST) and Integrated GST (IGST) laws.    

The council had approved a levy of 28 per cent GST on full face value of entry level bets in online gaming, casinos and horse racing.